The FTI industrial confidence index fell to 89.7 in August 2026 from 90.0 in July, driven by energy and raw material costs, weak domestic demand and tight credit. Car sales were down 17.38% in the first seven months. FTI expects confidence to rise to 97.0 in three months. Its proposals are E20 as the base petrol, local-content rules for FDI supply chains, and a year-end push to buy Thai goods. None is in force yet. For SMEs, watch energy costs and year-end demand, and check whether you can become a supplier to foreign-invested projects.