AI In-brief 13 Sept 22:04

Thai exports fall 10.5% amid Middle East tensions

Thai food exports contracted sharply by 10.5% in the first two months of 2026, leading to a revised full-year target of 1.4 trillion baht.
This decline stems from a 'perfect storm' of global factors, including weakened demand, a strong Thai baht, US trade tariff uncertainties, import restrictions by key partners, and border tensions with Cambodia.
The Middle East conflict is directly impacting food exports from March, threatening products like canned tuna and rice by disrupting shipping routes and escalating energy and logistics costs.
Despite the overall downturn, the 'Future Food' sector shows resilience, growing steadily and increasing its share of total food exports to 8.9%, driven largely by health and wellness products.
The export outlook for Q1 and Q2 2026 remains challenging with further contractions anticipated, though a potentially weakening baht and global food security concerns could offer a modest recovery later in the year.

AI In-brief Today 14:58

Malaysia’s peace talk facilitator calls on Thailand’s security council chief

Malaysia's peace talk facilitator, Lt-Gen. (Rtd) Datuk Ahmad Norihan Jalal, met with Thailand’s National Security Council Secretary-General and other key officials to introduce himself and discuss the ongoing peace process in southern Thailand.
These discussions occurred amidst recent insurgent bomb and arson attacks in Yala, Songkhla, and Satun provinces, underscoring the complex security challenges facing the region.