The Asian Women's Shopping Experience: New research from Thailand: Similar to the yuppies of the 80's, Asian women are earning and spending, but this newly found wealth is part of a newly found freedom as well as an economic evolution. According to a recent study in Thailand a key female demographic go on brand shopping sprees four times a month.

SARS, Thailand, tourism and business travel: How fast for recovery?: Latest data on recent tourist arrivals to Thailand reveals major plunges in the usually leading incoming tourist countries of Japan and China but less or nil affect on travel from Europe and Australia. Nobody really knows when the travel and tourism industry and business travel in Thailand and South East Asia will rebound now that all ASEAN countries apart from Singapore are seen as 'SARS free'. Best guesses are that it will be a gradual and steady recovery. Managing perceptions is key.

Thailand TV Ratings Technology battle shapes up: There's a bull-fight shaping up in Thailand for the TV ratings measurement market with Video Research Japan announcing this week that they have developed Thailand's 'most accurate audience measurement technology' following two years of research and development by their local unit Video Research International (Thailand).

National Pride in Thai Advertising: A shift in spokesperson choice: It looks like Thai advertising is choosing to live peacefully among the global ad campaigns, be truly Thai and let Malaysia be 'truly Asia'.

Thai legal researcher joins the government and buttons his tongue: Bavornsak Uvanno, one of the writers of the new Thailand constitution and a legal and research professional from the King Prajadhipok Institute has resigned from the institute and taken up an appointment as cabinet secretary general in the Thaksin Shinawatra Thai Rak Thai government.

Thailand beer brand shakeup - Mittweida dies and Kloster revives: A premium beer shakedown in Thailand. In an agreement with Interbrew NV, Boon Rawd will distribute the Kloster brand in Thailand under license from the Belgian brewer, effectively marketing Kloster as the company's premium brand.

Thai teens get serious: New market research on the Thailand youth market: Advertisers should keep in mind that the majority of Thai teens, at least in this study, seem like they take a more skeptical attitude to advertising and brands than their elders - the ageing yuppies who took to Western culture and brands like ducks to water. It is also just a small warning, that re-branding products as 'Western' just may not have the sway it used to.

Disposable income in Bangkok and Thailand - A case for targeting: Latest figures on disposable income levels in Thailand. Bangkok, despite low average disposable income compared to other developed neighbouring markets such as Malaysia and Singapore and averages worldwide, does provide opportunities for marketers who spend time on targeting. Even within Bangkok, disposable income varies wildly, and attention to market segmentation and targeting should be rewarding.

Construction Industry re-awakens: Yet another sign of the confidence returning to Thailand is in the increase of new graduates finding jobs - many before completing their courses. The devil of the Thailand 1977 crisis - the construction and building industry has now turned angel, providing more jobs for Thailand's young professional architects in a domestic economy on the upswing.

Thailand Advertising Spend at 8 to 10% Annual Growth: The Advertising Association of Thailand expects Advertising Spending in Thailand to grow at a stable rate of 8 to 10% per year. The difference between the heady days of the Thailand bubble economy and now? ...over 15%.

Thai stock market sings.. (FEER): The Thai Stock Market is the best performer in Asia, and Thai consumers are part of it, according to this month's Far Eastern Economic Review.

Asians prefer well known brands: Nothing new perhaps, but from a different source... A Reader's Digest survey has confirmed that Asians prefer well known brands and display strong brand loyalty compared to their Western counterparts.

Most Asia Pacific tourism from within the region: More than 85% of Asia-Pacific tourists come from the region itself, while almost 80% of visitors to Thailand come from other Asian countries.

Cops and military raid Thai research company: Market research companies who provide public reports in Thailand are keeping a close look at their front (and back) doors today for government minders.