Thailand must build resilience to global economic storms - Finance Minister

Yesterday 21:16 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Finance Minister, Ekniti Nitithanprapas, urged the nation to bolster macroeconomic resilience and accelerate structural reforms to withstand a series of global economic "storms."
He outlined four major challenges: rising energy prices, geo-economic fragmentation, surging global interest rates and bond yields, and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI).
Despite maintaining fiscal prudence and achieving stable bond yields, the minister emphasized the critical need to support vulnerable groups and leverage Thailand's advantageous position in the global AI supply chain for deeper resilience.
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva confirmed Thailand's benefit from the AI surge as a key value-chain supplier but cautioned that global economic growth's heavy reliance on AI creates a fragile foundation.

Anti-IMF network demands answers after protesters injured

Yesterday 16:04 Key points summarised by AI

The People’s Network Against the World Bank and IMF demands an official explanation and considers legal action after police allegedly injured protesters and seized banners during a peaceful demonstration.
Protesters claim their demonstration adhered to Thailand’s Public Assembly Act, with prior notification and route details acknowledged by local police.
Police reportedly intervened forcefully at the Rama IV intersection, attempting to seize banners without reviewing their content, despite earlier permission, leading to several injuries.
The network asserts that police actions were excessive, violated freedom of expression, and contradicted their role under the Public Assembly Act to facilitate, not restrict, demonstrations.