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China’s Xi backs Myanmar’s president as two leaders meet in Beijing

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AI may be messing with home prices

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CoreWeave Vs Nebius: Compute As A Service, Buy CRWV & Sell NBIS (NASDAQ:CRWV)

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Bitfarms Rebrands To Keel Infrastructure, But Financial Engineering Still Weighs

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I have more than 35 years of experience in the investment field, having worked as a sell &amp buy side analyst and portfolio manager for debt and equity funds. I am currently managing a high-yield Latam bond fund.My goal, as a Seeking Alpha contributor, is to provide a fundamental view and analysis of companies and funds in a streamlined version of institutional research. The operating and financial forecast, whether my own or based on consensus, drives the valuation and ultimate rating. I like numbers (financial statements) and use words to explain their meaning and potential consequences.For the most part, my selection choices reflect what I believe can offer long-term potential, and I frequently take positions in many ideas for my personal account.

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha’s Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

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How Carvana’s expansion to new vehicles could reshape the U.S. market

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How Carvana's expansion to new vehicles could reshape the U.S. market

A Carvana sign and signature vending machine in Tempe, Arizona.

Michael Wayland | CNBC

After growing to become one of the largest used car retailers in the U.S., Carvana is expanding into the new vehicle market.

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The company has quietly purchased seven new vehicle franchises since last year that primarily sell Stellantis‘ Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram brands, including a store in Arizona that has become the automaker’s largest volume store in the U.S.

Dealers and industry experts said they believe the move could significantly disrupt, if not reshape, the century-old new vehicle franchised dealer system.

“Carvana entering the new vehicle franchise business may be one of the most disruptive forces that auto retailing has seen in the U.S. market in decades,” John Murphy, a longtime Wall Street analyst and automotive consultant told CNBC.

The U.S. franchised dealership system — which includes 16,990 retailers that topped $1.3 trillion in sales last year, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association — has historically been reluctant to change. However, dealers have grown more adaptable in recent years as a means of survival, including during the pandemic and with the rise of publicly traded dealership groups.

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Carvana CEO on revenue growth: Customers love us and the business is efficient

Carvana’s first new car dealership for Stellantis in Casa Grande, Arizona, has grown quickly. It sold more than 700 new vehicles last month, according to Stellantis figures shared with dealers and provided to CNBC.

That made it the best-selling store nationally and compares with an average of roughly 30 to 50 monthly sales the store was doing prior to Carvana purchasing it early last year, as first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Carvana and its CEO Ernie Garcia have declined to comment about the franchised stores or details of the businesses ahead of a media event this week at which the retailer is expected to disclose its plans.

Carvana: From vending machines to online used-car leader

Carvana’s locations, many of which feature its signature large car vending machines, have historically acted as delivery and drop-off points where customers can pick up vehicles they purchased online or turn in a vehicle they sell to the company. And up until last year, those vehicles had been used cars, trucks and SUVs that were largely brought from auctions and individual consumers.

Adding the new vehicle business not only provides additional revenue for the company, it opens up other avenues for Carvana to more easily purchase used vehicles from their new vehicle customers and through exclusive auctions only open to franchised dealers.

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“That is a significant game changer in the secondary market,” Murphy said regarding the private auctions. “If that expands to other brands, that is going to be an advantage.”

Hollywood, Florida, Carvana car dealership, automated car vending machine building selling used cars, delivery truck.

Jeff Greenberg | Universal Images Group | Getty Images

It also helps Carvana better capitalize on the complete lifecycle of a vehicle. The dealership model is comprised of four main areas of growth: new, used, parts and service, and finance and insurance.

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Carvana has previously covered used sales and F&I, including selling consumer auto loans it originates to institutional investors and partner banks, such as Ally Financial, to maintain liquidity. Adding the new franchises is expected to bring Carvana into the other areas as well. 

“After stabilizing their core business, I think they realized, by looking at the franchise model, that there was a significant amount of revenue and gross profit opportunity that their business model didn’t even contemplate,” said Brian Gordon, president of dealer advisor and broker Dave Cantin Group.

Dealers adapt or ‘be irrelevant’

Despite Carvana’s current status, which includes a market cap of more than $70 billion, significantly higher than that of Stellantis, there are challenges to selling new cars compared to used. 

Unlike used vehicles, which Carvana has specialized in selling online, the sales of new vehicles are more regulated state-by-state. The franchised owners also act as a business partner to most automakers operating in the U.S.

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In some states, such as Michigan, the only way to legally purchase a new vehicle is through a franchised dealer — something direct-to-consumer companies such as Tesla and Rivian have battled with varying results.

An annual study by Cox Automotive, which supports franchised auto dealers, found that most buyers don’t want an all-online purchase or a fully in-person transaction. They want a blend of online convenience with in-store interaction.

Franchised dealers also must adhere to far more regulations and rules from the automakers. They range from showroom layouts and what brands they can sell at certain stores to automaker-defined allocations of vehicles and service and repair requirements, which Carvana does not currently offer for customers.

Not all are mandates, but many automakers incentivize retailers through vehicle allocation as well as financial incentives for offering such services and meeting their requirements.

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Carvana is already operating a bit differently though than most dealers, as Stellantis has approved it as a certified website provider for the automaker, which means it doesn’t need to go through an approved third-party company, according to four people familiar with the decision, who requested anonymity to speak about matters that have not been made public.

“It’s bred out of desperation,” said a Stellantis dealer who asked for anonymity to be able to speak freely about the automaker, which has drastically lost U.S. market share in recent years. “It’s given Carvana an opportunity to come into the new car space.”

Stellantis, in an statement to CNBC, said Carvana operates as a “corporate owner” of its brands, similar to other large publicly traded companies such as Lithia and AutoNation.

“We apply the same consistent standards and criteria to all dealer partners, and any organization that meets our qualifications is eligible to operate as a franchisee,” the company said, adding that Stellantis “certifies tools and services that will enhance our program and be beneficial to our network. All certified providers must complete a rigorous onboarding process and meet program standards and requirement.”

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Carvana’s foray into new vehicles and its rapid growth have been a discussion between Stellantis’ current dealers and the company, according to Stellantis National Dealer Council Chairman Sean Hogan.

Hogan said competition is always good for the consumer, which is why the franchised dealer model was created, but there are a lot of outstanding questions about Carvana’s new vehicle strategy.

“I’m curious to see what their strategy is and, in the long run, I think competition is good. So, if they’re doing something better than we are, then we will need to adapt, or we’re going to be irrelevant,” said Hogan, vice president of Sierra Auto Group in California.

In JD Power’s annual U.S. Sales Satisfaction Index for franchised dealers that ranks purchase experiences, three out of four of Stellantis’ main brands — Chrysler, Dodge and Ram — were under the industry average.

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An Amazon of used and new vehicles?

Although Stellantis said it is treating it like other dealers, Carvana is not a traditional auto retailer like other large publicly traded dealers such as Lithia or AutoNation. It almost exclusively operates online, with a vast network of physical facilities supporting it.

Carvana has built a nationwide logistics and processing company for vehicles similar to Amazon and its backend operations for processing and shipping consumer goods.

“They have a pre-built out infrastructure, digitally, physically, logistically, that probably gives them an advantage over those big, multibranded public companies,” said Larry Dominique, a longtime automotive executive turned industry consultant.

The business concept of Carvana is simple: Buy and sell used cars. But the process behind it has proven to be complicated, labor-intensive and expensive.

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A Ford F-150 is prepped for a painting booth at Carvana’s vehicle reconditing center outside Phoenix. The vehicle is wrapped so only the spot needed to be repainted is showing.  

Michael Wayland / CNBC

Carvana puts each vehicle it intends to sell through a lengthy inspection, repair and sale preparation process. It ranges from fixing scratches, dents and other imperfections to working on engine and powertrain components. There are also significant logistical costs and processes for delivering vehicles to consumers’ homes.

The other new vehicle Stellantis franchises for Carvana are in Sacramento and San Diego, California; Dallas; Atlanta; Cleveland; and Boston. The new dealerships are in addition to more than 100 other Carvana locations, mainly consisting of vending machines and processing centers.

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While large dealers have stores across the country that they can utilize for used and new vehicle inventories, they have traditionally sold regionally to avoid additional shipping costs as well as sales and registration complexities due to selling across state lines.

“Carvana is showing the franchise dealer community how the power of digital can be applied to make a future direction retail model,” Dominique said. “There’s nothing stopping any dealer in the United States from doing that today.”

The company’s traditional vending machine locations do not have parts and service departments, like traditional franchised dealers have, which represent significant profits and customer touch points. That’s one of the main questions surrounding Carvana’s plans: Will they expand into parts and services or leave that for current dealers?

“If they’re going to just be an outlet for new cars, then does that change the dynamic of the dealership model? Who’s going to be responsible for taking care of the customer after the sale?” Hogan said.

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Murphy said he believes Carvana may be able to use locations of ADESA, an auction company it purchased in 2022, in addition to the new dealer franchises to potentially service its vehicles.

Carvana has reported it has the capacity to recondition approximately 1.5 million vehicles per year. That compares to its sales of less than 600,000 vehicles last year.

“They do have tremendous capacity to recondition, potentially significantly ramp up their service capability in a way that is not present in other large consolidators,” Murphy said. “I think that problem potentially gets cured.”

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Nexa Resources: The Zinc Cycle Just Turned, And The Market Hasn't Fully Repriced It

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Crown Casino Online Heads the Top 5 E-Wallet Casinos for Aussies

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Crown Casino Online Heads the Top 5 E-Wallet Casinos for

Card declined, bank asking questions, statement full of casino entries – every Aussie punter has hit at least one of these walls. E-wallets (e-wallets) solve the lot, sitting between your bank and the casino so deposits fly through, details stay private, and the monthly statement shows one tidy wallet top-up instead of a dozen casino lines. This shortlist ranks five sites that handle e-wallet banking properly, and Crown Casino Online leads it – pairing wallet options like eZee Wallet, MiFinity and Neosurf with a games floor and bonus slate the niche wallet specialists can’t touch.

The legal picture first, since it shapes everything. Under Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act, no locally licensed operator may offer real-money online casino play, so every site here – the front-runner included – operates from offshore. Crown Casino Online runs on a licence from the government of Curaçao with eCOGRA certification vouching for game fairness, and it holds a firm 18-and-over line with identity checks wired into registration. And to head off the usual mix-up: this online brand has no connection to Crown Resorts or the venues in Melbourne and Sydney – a similar name on a completely separate business.

Why build a whole list around wallets? Because the payment method quietly decides half of your experience. Wallets and vouchers credit instantly, keep card numbers out of the casino’s hands entirely, and add a natural budgeting layer – you can only punt what you’ve loaded.

The five picks below were chosen for how well they support that style of play, with real limits and processing times pulled from the operators rather than banner promises.

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Why Do Smart Aussie Punters Bank With E-Wallets?

The case for wallets comes down to three words: speed, privacy, control. Deposits through eZee Wallet, MiFinity, Skrill, or Neteller land in the casino balance near-instantly, with no card processor in the middle to decline the transaction or flag it for a phone call. Your card and bank details never touch the casino at all – the wallet is the only party that sees them, which strips out the biggest data-security worry of online play.

Control is the underrated third leg. A wallet holds exactly what you’ve loaded into it, so it doubles as a tight budget: when the wallet’s empty, the session’s over, no overdraft temptation in sight. Prepaid vouchers like Neosurf and CashtoCode push this even further – bought with cash at a retailer, they carry zero connection to your bank whatsoever.

For punters who treat gambling as entertainment with a fixed price tag, that structure is genuinely useful, not just convenient.

What to Check Before Trusting Any Wallet Cashier?

Not every site that lists a wallet logo handles wallet banking well, so a few checks sort the genuine article from the window dressing.

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The strongest wallet-friendly casinos share the same backbone, and it’s worth confirming each point before the first deposit goes in:

  • A verifiable offshore licence and independent fairness certification.
  • At least two distinct wallet or voucher options, not a single token logo.
  • Instant deposit crediting with minimums low enough for casual play.
  • Withdrawal routes that don’t force everything back through slow bank rails.
  • Wagering terms in plain English, since unfinished wagering blocks more payouts than any banking issue.

One honest caveat applies across most of the offshore scene: wallets dominate the deposit side, while withdrawals often route through crypto or bank transfer instead. That’s true of the front-runner here, too, and the article says so plainly rather than pretending otherwise. Knowing the exit route before you enter is half the game.

Crown Casino Online: Wallet Deposits Done Properly

The top pick treats wallet banking as a first-class citizen rather than an afterthought. eZee Wallet deposits run from 30 AUD up to 4 000 AUD, MiFinity from 25 AUD to the same ceiling, Neosurf vouchers start at just 20 AUD with room up to 6 000 AUD, and CashtoCode covers the cash-voucher crowd from 25 AUD – every one of them crediting almost instantly, with the site quoting fifteen minutes as the outside edge. That spread covers the full wallet spectrum: a classic e-wallet, a borderless wallet, and two voucher options for punters who want zero bank involvement. Aussies who prefer this style of banking can register, pick their wallet at the cashier and fund an account at Crown Casino Australia online in less time than it takes to make a cuppa, then head straight for the reels with the balance already showing. On the way out, verified players cash out from 30 AUD up to 6 000 AUD per transaction, with crypto clearing in about 24 hours and bank routes taking three to seven business days – so the smart wallet punter deposits through their wallet for the speed and privacy, then exits through crypto when the win lands. It’s a banking setup built for exactly the player this list is written for.

Around that cashier sits the deepest entertainment package of the five. The catalogue clears 1,700 games with the pokies count past 4,000 – Playson and BGaming headliners, RTPs from 88% to 98%, stakes from 0.2 AUD – plus a live floor of roughly 39 dealer tables, crash games, 26 lottery designs, and over 15 poker variants. New sign-ups are courted with a 100% match plus 100 free spins, headlined to 1000 AUD, though the fine print carries a tighter first-deposit cap in places, so the terms deserve a read.

A 10-tier VIP ladder, Friday spins, Sunday top-ups, and slots cashback to 15% keep the value rolling after the welcome fades.

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Wild Tokyo: Skrill, Neteller, and PayID Under One Roof

Wild Tokyo brings the most familiar wallet names to the table – Skrill and Neteller sit alongside PayID, cards, and crypto, giving Aussies the classic e-wallet pairing that many older punters already hold accounts with. Deposits credit quickly, and the site’s reputation for rapid exits (PayID and crypto cash-outs often inside the hour) means wallet players aren’t stuck waiting once the fun’s over.

The Curaçao-licensed operator backs its banking with sheer volume: a pokies library widely reported in the thousands from Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Play’n GO, and Evolution. Its multi-deposit welcome package is stacked with free spins, but quotes different figures across the web, so the on-site terms are the only ones worth believing.

For Skrill and Neteller loyalists who also want a monster library, this is the natural second stop.

Slots Gallery: The Widest Wallet Menu on the List

Slots Gallery, run by Hollycorn N.V. under Curaçao and Comoros licensing, wins the pure variety contest with around 22 banking options, including Skrill, Neteller, and ecoPayz, next to cards and the major coins. That breadth means almost any wallet an Aussie already uses will slot straight in, and crypto withdrawals reported at 10 to 20 minutes give wallet depositors a lightning exit ramp.

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The games side matches the banking ambition – content from well over a hundred providers including NetEnt, Play’n GO, Playtech, and Pragmatic Play. Bonuses run big with wagering around the 40x mark, so the eyes-open rule applies as always. For punters whose wallet of choice is the less common one, this is the site most likely to support it.

Where Does the Front-Runner Outpace the Wallet Specialists?

Set the five side by side, and the shape of the choice is clear. The specialists each carry one banner – Wild Tokyo, its Skrill-Neteller pairing, Slots Gallery, its 22-option menu – while the leader covers the wallet essentials and then wins everywhere else. Four distinct wallet and voucher routes, instant crediting, and the deepest game floor of the group are a package none of the others assembles in one place.

There’s a privacy angle to the top pick’s voucher support worth underlining, too. Neosurf and CashtoCode can be bought with cash, meaning a punter can fund play with literally no bank or card trail – the strongest privacy setup on this list. Combined with deposit limits and the rest of the responsible-play toolkit, it gives cautious players both anonymity and structure, which is a rarer combination than it should be.

Goldenbet: Tidy Alternative Wallets and Fast Exits

Goldenbet approaches wallets from a slightly different angle, leaning on AstroPay and similar alternative wallet rails alongside Visa and Mastercard. The result is the same where it counts: painless instant deposits and a cashier with a reputation for speed, with PayID withdrawals commonly reported in the five-to-thirty-minute range – the quickest exit on this list.

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The catalogue is curated rather than colossal, favouring a premium spread of pokies and tables over raw volume. That suits a particular punter perfectly: someone who wants wallet-style deposits, near-instant cash-outs, and a tidy shortlist of quality games without wading through ten thousand titles. As a banking-first pick, it’s hard to fault.

Boho Casino: Flexible Wallets With a Competitive Streak

Boho Casino rounds out the five with a flexible payment spread that covers wallet and voucher options alongside cards and crypto, all under a Curaçao licence. Crypto cash-outs typically reported at 30 to 60 minutes, keeping the exit brisk, and the cashier flow is simple enough that first-time wallet users won’t get lost.

Its personality lives in the engagement layer: frequent tournaments with serious prize pools, a structured VIP program, and a welcome offer reported up to 3 000 AUD plus 225 free spins with BGaming among the suppliers.

For wallet punters who like their banking convenience served with leaderboards and a steady drip of promotions, Boho is the most entertaining way to close the list.

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Every E-Wallet Option Compared in One Table

Casino Licence Wallet & voucher options Deposit speed Fast exit route
Crown Casino Online Curaçao + eCOGRA eZee Wallet, MiFinity, Neosurf, CashtoCode Instant, 15 min max Crypto ~24 hours
Wild Tokyo Curaçao Skrill, Neteller, PayID Instant PayID/crypto under 1 hour
Slots Gallery Curaçao + Comoros Skrill, Neteller, ecoPayz + ~22 methods Instant Crypto 10 – 20 min
Goldenbet Offshore (Curaçao) AstroPay and alternatives Instant PayID 5 – 30 min
Boho Casino Curaçao Flexible wallet spread Instant Crypto 30 – 60 min

Read it honestly, and two truths stand out. On raw exit speed, Goldenbet and Slots Gallery take the stopwatch; on the complete wallet experience – voucher privacy, low 20 AUD entry, four distinct routes, and the biggest games floor wrapped around them – the front-runner’s lead is comfortable. Which truth matters more depends on whether you’re optimising minutes or the whole night.

Load an E-Wallet, Claim Your Spins, and Play It Smart

Getting the full benefit takes one evening of setup. Open or top up your wallet of choice, then register at the casino with accurate details, set the currency to AUD, confirm being 18 or over, and upload a clear ID straight away – at the top pick verification clears within 48 hours, and sorting it on day one is what keeps later withdrawals moving.

Deposit from 20 AUD via Neosurf or from 25 to 30 AUD through the other wallets, claim the 100% welcome match and 100 free spins with the terms read end to end, and clear the wagering before requesting a cash-out.

Then keep it in the fun column. The beauty of wallet banking is that it builds the budget in – load only what’s painless to lose, and the wallet itself enforces the limit. Crown Casino Online adds deposit caps, self-exclusion, and a quick self-check test at the bottom of its pages, and the other four carry similar tools; a gambling support service in your state is always there if play ever stops feeling like play.

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Handled that way, an E-Wallet and a good casino make a clean, contained night’s entertainment – sign up, load sensibly, and may the reels be generous.

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Lionsgate Studios options trading jumps to 21,646 contracts

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Lionsgate Studios options trading jumps to 21,646 contracts

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Red’s All Natural adds frozen snack line

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Red’s All Natural adds frozen snack line

The line features burritos and sandwiches. 

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SpaceX, Western Digital among market cap stock movers on Tuesday

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Major Highlights in Politics, Economy, Tourism, and Society

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Major Highlights in Politics, Economy, Tourism, and Society

Royal Family and National Mourning

Thailand is observing a 15-day mourning period following the death of Princess Bajrakitiyabha (Princess Bha) at the age of 47. Mourners lined Bangkok streets to pay their respects, and the princess, seen by some as a potential heir to the Thai throne, is being remembered for her people-centred legacy of service. Businesses, tourists, and organizations have been advised to observe the mourning period respectfully. Taiwan and other nations have formally expressed their condolences.


WWII Death Railway Resurfaces

A sunken train station from the infamous World War II “Death Railway” has re-emerged from a Thai reservoir after approximately 40 years underwater, attracting significant international media attention. Multiple outlets including AP News have published photographs documenting the resurfaced remains, offering a rare glimpse into one of history’s most harrowing wartime construction projects, which claimed tens of thousands of lives. The re-emergence has reignited interest in preserving this significant historical site.


Political Developments

Thaksin Shinawatra and Domestic Politics

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been freed from parole following a royal pardon, though questions remain about whether he can genuinely “leave politics behind.” A progressive political leader was separately acquitted by a Thai court on charges of royal defamation, signaling ongoing tensions around political freedoms. Independent candidates are tipped to lead the upcoming Bangkok council race, suggesting a shift in voter sentiment away from established party structures.

Foreign Policy and Regional Disputes

Thailand has appointed South African and German experts to represent the country in a UN arbitration process and UNCLOS conciliation panel concerning its maritime dispute with Cambodia. Cambodia continues to urge Thailand to resume border demarcation work, citing delays in the joint mechanism, while over 28,000 Cambodians remain displaced despite a ceasefire agreement. Thailand has welcomed the US-Iran ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, reflecting its broader diplomatic engagement.

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Tourism: Challenges and Opportunities

Visa Changes and Safety Concerns

Thailand has slashed visa-free durations for 93 countries, including the United States, following controversy over tourist behaviour. The move has triggered a rush among travellers seeking last-opportunity visits before the new rules take effect. Separately, the Tourism Ministry reaffirmed that Thailand remains safe for Russian tourists, following a widely circulated travel warning. A U.S. Embassy health alert issued in early June flagged enhanced Ebola screening measures at Thai entry points.

Competition and Strategy

Vietnam is emerging as Southeast Asia’s hottest tourist destination, with analysts noting Thailand must work to avoid repeating past missteps around over-tourism and infrastructure strain. Thailand’s Tourism Authority (TAT) is leveraging AI tools and visual content strategies — including an AI influencer named Nong Mali — targeting a 6.7 million Chinese visitor goal. China has already overtaken Malaysia, Russia, and South Korea to lead inbound tourism with nearly 2.4 million visitors, cementing first place in regional arrival rankings.


Economy and Business

Trade, Tax, and Investment

Thailand is advancing a 15% global minimum tax on multinational corporations, aligning with international frameworks. The country is also joining an international tax information sharing system and implementing electricity tariff reforms, with higher rates proposed for data centres to help reduce household power costs. Three major property groups have requested urgent government measures to revive the struggling real estate sector.

Industry and Infrastructure

Bangchak Group has unveiled Thailand’s first commercial Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production facility, a landmark step in the country’s green energy transition. Microsoft has committed over US$1 billion in investment in Thailand, covering technology, trust, and talent development. However, a KBank economist has warned that Thailand risks becoming the world’s “landlord” rather than a genuine technology player if structural reforms are not prioritised.

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Agricultural and Trade Tensions

Thailand’s shrimp industry is facing significant uncertainty following a ban imposed by Malaysia, with ministers preparing for bilateral talks. The Thailand-Malaysia standoff has been described by analysts as a “textbook case of modern food nationalism.” Thailand also risks losing 8 billion baht as visa changes threaten lucrative Indian wedding tourism, a growing and high-spending market segment.


Environment and Climate

Thailand faces a prolonged El Niño risk, with meteorological authorities warning of heavy rainfall, flooding, and broader climate disruption across multiple regions. The government’s Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE) is stepping up response measures, and Thailand is actively building a climate risk database to inform long-term planning. A toxic “time bomb” has been identified threatening the Mekong River basin, with arsenic levels hitting nine times the danger threshold — disproportionately affecting the region’s poorest communities.


Legal, Social, and Cultural Highlights

  • Thailand’s Draft Clean Air Act has returned to Parliament, with significant implications for environmental regulation and corporate compliance.
  • The government is cracking down on foreign companies using local ownership as a front for illegal operations.
  • Thailand and the Philippines led Asia at the Gerety Awards 2026 shortlist stage, highlighting the region’s growing creative industry presence.
  • Netflix’s Thai legal drama “Courtroom Devil” conquered the platform overnight, underscoring Thailand’s rising influence in global entertainment content.

Sources include The Guardian, AP News, Bangkok Post, Nation Thailand, The New York Times, and additional regional and international outlets.

Source : Google News – Search

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Business activity falls in Yorkshire and Humber, survey suggests

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The NatWest Regional Growth Tracker pointed to a range of pressures facing businesses in the area

Scarborough, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom - 10 September 2022: sign and logo on the front of a high street branch of a natwest bank in Scarborough

A NatWest branch(Image: Philip Openshaw via Getty Images)

Business activity in the Yorkshire and Humber area saw a reduction in May, according to an influential business survey.

The NatWest Regional Growth Tracker, which measures change in the output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – dropped to 46.5 in May from 51.4 in April. The latest reading pointed to a second reduction in output in the past three months, with scores below 50 suggesting a contraction in the economy.

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The pace of decline was the sharpest since last September and greater than the national average. Companies taking part in the survey indicated lower new orders amid weaker customer demand, as well as highlighting uncertainty among clients, which prompted hesitation in committing to new projects.

Efforts by Yorkshire & Humber companies to limit costs resulted in employment reductions in May, both through direct job cuts and the non-replacement of leavers. As a result, workforce numbers decreased sharply, marking the largest contraction since July last year.

Companies also had to contend with growing inflationary pressures, the survey found, but firms in Yorkshire and Humber remained above the national average for confidence in the year ahead.

Malcolm Buchanan, Chair of the NatWest North Regional Board

Malcolm Buchanan, Chair of the NatWest North Regional Board(Image: Nicola Gotts Photography)

Malcolm Buchanan, chair of the NatWest North Regional Board, said: “After showing signs of positivity in April, the Yorkshire & Humber region suffered a setback in May as market uncertainty and steep price rises suppressed demand and led to a renewed fall in business activity. In particular, cost pressures intensified again and were substantial, with firms locally suffering one of the sharpest increases in input costs across the UK.

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“Price pressures stemmed from a range of sources, including energy, transportation, raw materials and staff, providing little respite for companies. In turn, cost cutting efforts meant that staffing levels decreased sharply.

“There were some positive signs in terms of the year-ahead outlook, however, with a number of companies planning business investment in an effort to boost activity over the coming 12 months.”

The survey has been released ahead of the release of key economic data this week on regional and national unemployment levels, and on the latest inflation figures.

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