The Covid-19 pandemic has crushed Thailand’s tourism sector as numbers of foreign visitors have dropped below even the worst predictions plunging 76.4% in March from last year after a 42.8% drop in February. When borders open and international travel bans are lifted, China will almost certainly resume its dominant role in Thailand’s inbound tourism sector.

Thailand is set to lose duty-free access for $1.3 billion in exports to the U.S. market today, six months after Washington warned it would pull back on trade privileges unless the country committed to more labor rights reforms. Analysts expect the new duties to do little damage directly, however.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sri Trang Gloves has seen a dramatic increase in demand for its products. The company therefore decided to file for an initial public offering on the Stock Exchange of Thailand with the intention of raising funds and increasing the production of medical gloves up to an incredible 32 billion pieces per year.

Night clubs and bars are an important sector for the Thai economy. With the issuing of measures of social distancing and restriction of movements, the sector is in serious difficulty. Government plans aid for bars and restaurants, but recovery prospects uncertain.

According to local sources, the health emergency will reduce passenger traffic at Thai airports by 53%. The data underlines the difficulties that the sector is going through that will force airlines to find sustainable solutions

Thailand and the United States are discussing “proactive” economic, trade and investment cooperation, which will be crucial for salvaging the economy in the aftermath of the new coronavirus pandemic.

The Indonesian authorities are moving to optimize resources in times of health and economic emergency. The government is hiring tankers to store refined fuels at sea as it seeks to take advantage of plunging prices of oil products such as gasoline and diesel.