Latest news with #KasikornResearchCentre
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Monitor lizards eyed for luxury leather
LOCAL Asian water monitors ( pic ) are being championed as a new 'economic animal', poised to enter the lucrative 7.6 billion baht (RM990mil) leather market. The move follows a government decision that allows for the commercial breeding of the reptiles, which are native to the region. The Kasikorn Research Centre reports that the government's Wildlife Preservation and Protection Committee has approved a scheme for licensed individuals to breed the monitors, with breeding pairs costing just 500 baht (RM65) each from the Department of National Parks. This initiative aims to unlock the commercial potential of the animals in three key areas: leather, medicinal products and meat. The monitor lizard's hide is expected to command a higher price than traditional cow or buffalo leather, with a single square metre fetching between 4,200 and 14,000 baht (RM550 and RM1,830). — The Straits Times/ANN
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Thailand's monitor lizards tipped as next big ‘economic animal' in luxury leather
FILE PHOTO: Monitor lizard at Penang Botanic Gardens located at Jalan Kebun Bunga in Penang, October 25,2023. —ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star BANGKOK: Thailand's Asian water monitors are being championed as a new 'economic animal', poised to enter the lucrative 7.6 billion baht (US$234.7 million) leather market. The move follows a government decision that allows for the commercial breeding of the reptiles, which are native to the region. The Kasikorn Research Centre reports that the government's Wildlife Preservation and Protection Committee has approved a scheme for licensed individuals to breed the monitors, with breeding pairs costing just 500 baht each from the Department of National Parks. This initiative aims to unlock the commercial potential of the animals in three key areas: leather, medicinal products and meat. The monitor lizard's hide is expected to command a higher price than traditional cow or buffalo leather, with a single square metre fetching between 4,200 and 14,000 baht. This could significantly boost Thailand's processed leather export market, which was valued at around 7.5 billion baht in 2024. A major selling point for the new industry is the monitor lizard's environmental credentials. Unlike cattle and buffalo, these reptiles do not produce methane gas during digestion. This difference could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 3.4 million tonnes per animal per year, potentially giving monitor lizard leather a significantly lower carbon footprint than other animal hides. The report also highlights the varied international regulations surrounding the trade of monitor lizards and their products: Thailand: Breeding is permitted under licence. Malaysia: Breeding and production are allowed. Indonesia: Quotas for capture and export are in place under Cites regulations. United States/European Union: Imports are allowed with a Cites permit. China/Australia: Trade is prohibited. - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Thailand's monitor lizards tipped as next big ‘economic animal' in luxury leather
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The Thai government has moved to allow the commercial breeding of the reptiles, which are native to the region. BANGKOK - Thailand's Asian water monitors are being championed as a new 'economic animal', poised to enter the lucrative 7.6 billion baht (S$302 million) leather market. The move follows a government decision that allows for the commercial breeding of the reptiles, which are native to the region. The Kasikorn Research Centre reports that the government's Wildlife Preservation and Protection Committee has approved a scheme for licensed individuals to breed the monitors, with breeding pairs costing just 500 baht each from the Department of National Parks. This initiative aims to unlock the commercial potential of the animals in three key areas: leather, medicinal products, and meat. The monitor lizard's hide is expected to command a higher price than traditional cow or buffalo leather, with a single square metre fetching between 4,200 and 14,000 baht. This could significantly boost Thailand's processed leather export market, which was valued at around 7.5 billion baht in 2024. A major selling point for the new industry is the monitor lizard's environmental credentials. Unlike cattle and buffalo, these reptiles do not produce methane gas during digestion. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore More train rides taken in first half-year, but overall public transport use stays below 2019 levels Asia Philippines, India shore up ties amid China tensions, US tariff risks Singapore 'She had a whole life ahead of her': Boyfriend mourns Yishun fatal crash victim Singapore Doctor hounded ex-girlfriend, threatened to share her intimate photos, abducted her off street Asia Trump's transactional foreign policy fuels 'US scepticism' in Taiwan Singapore Beauty industry consumers hit by 464% rise in prepayment losses in first half of 2025 Singapore Over 5,900 vape products found in car at Woodlands Checkpoint Singapore 13 taken to hospital after accident involving SBS buses, car in Tampines This difference could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 3.4 million tonnes per animal per year, potentially giving monitor lizard leather a significantly lower carbon footprint than other animal hides. The report also highlights the varied international regulations surrounding the trade of monitor lizards and their products:
Bangkok Post
17-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
K-Research puts GDP growth at 1.2%
GDP growth this year could be as low as 1.2% or even less if the government fails to clinch a deal with the US that ensures the reciprocal tariff is competitive with those granted to neighbouring countries, said Kasikorn Research Centre (K-Research). The think-tank has maintained its growth forecast at 1.4% this year, but Burin Adulwattana, K-Research's managing director and chief economist, referred to the current downside risks for a possible downgrade. "We still don't see any clear signs of recovery in tourism," said Mr Burin, citing a 7% contraction in flights from China to Thailand year to date. Domestic consumption has remained sluggish, partly due to low consumer confidence and a continued contraction of bank loans. The outlook for exports has turned bearish for the second half after shipments soared in the first six months. "The jump in Thai exports in the first half of the year was mainly driven by the frontloading of shipments in the run-up to higher US import tariffs. K-Research now sees the possibility that exports may contract by as much as double digits in the latter half," he noted. According to Mr Burin, K-Research's growth forecast of 1.4% this year takes into account a likely technical recession in the latter half. "But if Thailand fails to seal a deal with the US for a competitive tariff with the rates granted to neighbouring countries, GDP growth might fall to 1.2% or even lower," he said. Mr Burin also recommends revisiting stimulus measures to shore up the economy, suggesting that the half-half co-payment scheme launched by the Prayut Chan-o-cha-administration would be helpful in boosting domestic consumption. "The recently-launched tourism co-payment programme might not work well in propping up tourism demand because when people face economic hardship, they will not be in the mood for travel," he said. "It is critical that the government boost consumer confidence in the economy, partly by launching stimulus measures to tackle debt repayment issues and create more employment." Kitpon Praipaisarnkit, vice-president of UOB Kay Hian Securities, said stock market analysts have anticipated that Thai exports would be eventually subjected to a US import tariff of around 19-25%, compared to Vietnam's 20%, Indonesia's 19% and the proposed 24% for Malaysian exports. "I believe once the negotiations by countries with the US are settled, say on Aug 1 or a month after that, President Donald Trump might adjust the tariffs down because of concerns over rising inflation in the US," Mr Kitpon said.
