Thailand

• TikTok has received approval from Thailand’s Board of Investment for three data centres in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Chachoengsao provinces valued at $25 billion or 842 billion THB. • The facilities will serve as regional hubs to store and process data, supporting TikTok's expanding user base across Southeast Asia. • This massive investment underscores TikTok's commitment to infrastructure growth amid rising demand, alongside other approvals like DAMAC Group's $1.4 billion and Bridge Data Centres' $746 million projects.

• Singapore and Thailand topped rankings as the world's 'least miserable' economies in the 2026 HAMI index by Johns Hopkins economist Steve Hanke, due to low inflation, steady employment, manageable borrowing costs, and income growth.• Southeast Asia identified as one of the 'healthiest economic neighbourhoods' globally, with households experiencing minimal economic strain amid positive indicators.• The index highlights regional resilience, contrasting with higher misery levels elsewhere, boosting consumer confidence and investment appeal.• Future editions may track if these trends persist amid global uncertainties.

Anutin Charnvirakul warns country is vulnerable over reliance on oil imports as countries across Asia introduce conservation measuresThailand’s prime minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, has called on the public to conserve energy, urging work-from-home measures and carpooling, as he warned of the impact of the conflict in the Middle East.In a statement posted on social media, Anutin said Thailand was exposed to the crisis because of its reliance on imported oil and gas, and the country could not be complacent. Continue reading...