Archive

Finance minister reviews economy and inflation before deciding on Thai Chuay Thai Plus phase 3 Prachachat · Aug 30, 2026

The Deputy PM and Finance Minister Ekniti said the government has not yet confirmed phase 3 of the "Thai Help Thai Plus" cost-of-living scheme. A Suan Dusit poll showed public support for continuing it, but he said the decision will weigh the economic outlook and inflation. The article gives no dates, amounts or eligibility details. For a small business, the practical step is to wait for the official announcement; if the scheme goes ahead, check whether it affects your customers' spending power.

US Treasury yields keep climbing, and the government may have to step in The Standard Wealth · Aug 30, 2026

US long-term Treasury yields have risen steadily, and the US Treasury has announced buybacks of long-dated bonds. The author sees US deficits and AI-related borrowing as keeping yields high, with scenarios ranging from 4.0% to 5.1% on the 10-year. For a Thai SME, this is background: higher US rates can keep global borrowing costs and the baht under pressure, so review any dollar-linked loans or import costs, but no action is required yet.

Quantum computers may break today's bank encryption, so Thai SMEs should ask their banks and software vendors about post-quantum plans The Standard Wealth · Aug 30, 2026

Opinion piece on Q-Day: quantum computers could eventually break the encryption that protects bank transfers, medical records and digital signatures. Estimated qubits needed to break common keys fell from about 20 million (2019) to under 1 million (May 2025). The article says data stolen today can be stored and decrypted later. The US has set post-quantum deadlines for federal agencies (2030 and 2031), and big tech firms have set their own targets. For a small business, there is no action needed this month. Ask your bank, accounting software and payment providers whether they have a post-quantum migration plan, and keep it on the list for the next year or so.

Parliament passes 400 billion baht emergency loan decree to ease energy-crisis costs Prachachat · Aug 30, 2026

The House passed a 400 billion baht borrowing decree 285 to 141, aimed at easing energy-crisis costs and pushing clean energy. Three parts matter to small firms: direct power sales between private firms and the grid, rooftop solar support for households, and foreign clean-energy investment. The government says projects will be screened by a central committee, and says it has already sent back requests such as consultancy and study trips. Expect project tenders and solar incentives over coming months, and watch for weaker household spending as energy and living costs rise.

Scam losses hit 9.3 billion baht in Jan–July 2026, and online shopping is the top trap for small sellers to plan around The Standard Wealth · Aug 30, 2026

The Anti-Online Fraud Center logged about 190,000 scam cases from January to July 2026, with losses above 9.3 billion baht. Online purchase and service scams made up about 73% of cases. An SCB EIC survey found roughly 1 in 4 respondents had been scammed, mostly through online shopping, and most said their losses were not fixed. Buyers are shifting toward large platforms and official brand channels, and they check shop information, track record and reviews before buying. For a small online seller, that means showing full, verifiable shop details, clear return and refund terms, and platform verification badges. Using platforms' payment-hold protection, where the seller is paid only after the buyer confirms receipt, also helps build trust.

US refiners meet Trump on fuel prices, a signal that global oil stays expensive The Standard Wealth · Aug 30, 2026

The US president is meeting refiner executives on September 1 to address fuel prices, which have risen since the US strikes on Iran. US petrol averages over $4 a gallon and diesel nearly $6, and US refining capacity is near its limit (about 18 million barrels a day, down from 19 million in 2020). For a Thai SME, this is background on the global oil outlook rather than a direct change: keep diesel and fuel cost assumptions under review, since tight global refining supports prices. No action is needed from this article alone.

Bomb attack on Pattani department store raises security risk for southern businesses Bangkok Post · Aug 30, 2026

Armed insurgents stormed the Global House store in Pattani's Muang district on Saturday evening, evacuated staff and customers, and set off three bombs. No deaths or injuries were reported. A fourth, larger bomb in a gas-cylinder sidecar was defused after two hours. Police say the attack was meant to stir unrest before planned peace talks in Malaysia. For businesses in the far south, expect heightened security checks, possible road closures, and disrupted trade and customer traffic around these talks.

Rubber farmers in 17 flood-watch provinces: check your eligibility for the 3,000-baht relief now Prachachat · Aug 30, 2026

The Rubber Authority of Thailand (กยท.) is preparing for repeat floods in 17 northern provinces, including Nan, which was hit on 19-23 August. It is screening registered rubber farmers in advance for the 3,000-baht relief, which applies only if a plantation is damaged beyond repair ("เสียสภาพสวน") or more than 20 trees per plot are lost. Eligible farmers must file for help within the set deadline. The aid is short-term hardship relief, not full compensation. Registered growers in the north should confirm their registration and keep plot details and damage photos ready.

Heavy rain expected 29 Aug–2 Sep in 18 risk provinces; 22 reservoirs over capacity Prachachat · Aug 30, 2026

The National Water Resources Office (สทนช.) warns of heavy rain from 29 Aug to 2 Sep 2026 in 18 risk provinces, including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Phitsanulok, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Kanchanaburi, Chanthaburi, Trat, Phang Nga and Ranong. Flash floods, landslides and Mekong water-level rises are flagged. 22 medium and small reservoirs are above capacity, so releases may increase downstream. If your shop, warehouse, farm or transport route is in these provinces, check stock, equipment and delivery routes now. Official radar and rain updates are on the สทนช. website.

Thai exports rose 21.6% in July, but imports grew faster and the US tariff risk is still open The Standard Wealth · Aug 30, 2026

July 2026 exports reached US$34.8bn, up 21.6%, led by electronics (+67.8%) and shipments to the US (+45.3%). Imports rose 36.7%, with raw materials and capital goods (including data-centre equipment) leading. The trade deficit narrowed to -US$3.6bn, better than forecast. SCB EIC raised its 2026 export forecast to 16% and import forecast to 28%, so the deficit is expected to widen. Part of the US export surge may be front-loading ahead of possible Section 301 tariffs. Non-electronics exporters should plan for tariff and inspection risk. Demand is strongest in electronics and related supply chains.

Government to reshape car excise tax; details due by September, targeting EV, hybrid and ICE Prachachat · Aug 30, 2026

The Finance Ministry has told the Excise Department to restructure car excise tax across EV, hybrid and combustion cars, aiming at investment-linked imports, regional EV export hub status, and higher local parts content. No tax rates are set yet. The finance minister said clarity is expected by September this year. Auto parts suppliers and car-related dealers should watch the detail, since rate changes could shift demand between EV, hybrid and petrol models.

Fire at Khlong Tom Center: OIC pushes Thaewes Insurance to speed up claims, and urges owners to check their property cover Prachachat · Aug 30, 2026

A fire on 28 August 2026 damaged the Khlong Tom Center building on Worachak Road, Bangkok, including shops, stock, CCTV and cars. The Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) says the building had property-risk insurance with Thaewes Insurance and is asking the insurer to survey damage and pay claims quickly. If you run a shop or building, check that your fire and property policies match the sums insured, cover and conditions, and consider business-interruption cover. Help line: OIC 1186.

Claude Code weekly quota rises 25% permanently from 14 September, but the temporary 50% boost ends first Blognone · Aug 30, 2026

Anthropic is changing weekly Claude Code usage quotas for paid Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise seat plans. A permanent 25% increase takes effect from 14 September, and until then a temporary 50% extra quota stays in place. Anthropic's own summary says the new figure is about 17% lower than the current weekly quota, so the change is less generous than the headline suggests. If your team relies on Claude Code, check how much usage you need and plan for the period after 14 September, not the temporary boost. The article gives no price change.

Selling into China now means picking the right region and keeping control of your brand The Story Thailand · Aug 30, 2026

Entering China is no longer just shipping good Thai products to a distributor. Industry advisers say smaller exporters should target second-tier provinces that fit their product, not the biggest cities. Local competitors copy products within months, so keep investing in differentiation that is hard to copy. Over-reliance on a distributor is a risk: one Thai brand saw orders jump from 10,000 to 100,000 cases, but the producer hesitated to expand capacity, and the distributor later built a copycat factory. Check who controls brand and customer data before scaling orders.

Chiang Mai flood lessons: early warnings now give 9 hours, and the new flood map shows who must move first Prachachat · Aug 30, 2026

Chiang Mai's flood plan has changed after the 2024 floods. Authorities now forecast water levels 9-12 hours ahead with over 90% accuracy, and a new Flood Hazard Map, published since May, simulates how the Ping River's rising levels will flood specific areas and depths. For a business in a high-risk zone, this means planning evacuation of staff, stock and vehicles around that window. Vulnerable people are being moved first, before power is cut and rescue becomes dangerous. Check whether your premises sit in the mapped flood zone.

Nepal-Tibet floods leave nearly 3,000 missing, mostly foreigners on trekking routes Bangkok Post · Aug 30, 2026

Flash floods and landslides on the Nepal-Tibet border have killed at least 682 people, with about 2,980 still missing. Figures are still changing. Thai nationals are not listed among the countries named. For a Thai business, there is no direct cost, price or policy change here, unless you run Himalayan trekking or travel bookings to Nepal, where routes and advisories may be affected.

Heavy rain forecast across much of Thailand on 30 Aug: plan for flash floods and delivery delays Prachachat · Aug 30, 2026

The Meteorological Department forecasts heavy rain with thunderstorms over 60-70% of most regions today, with very heavy rain in parts of the north, northeast and east, and Bangkok about 60% covered. Flash floods and landslides are possible near streams and low-lying areas. Rough seas of 2-3 m, over 3 m in storm zones, mean small boats in the upper Andaman should stay in port. Shops and workshops in low-lying areas should move stock up, and delivery schedules should allow for flooded roads.

Banana prices at southern farm gates hit 22-25 baht/kg as modern trade competes for supply Prachachat · Aug 30, 2026

Gold banana farm-gate prices in Phatthalung are 22-25 baht/kg, sometimes 30, with buyers including convenience chains and export markets competing for supply. Demand is expected to stay firm through 2027, but El Niño may cut output in March-May 2026. Energy costs are up over 30% and plastic bags over 25%, so growers are squeezed on costs. For buyers and sellers of bananas or banana-based products, lock in supply early before the March-May dry period, and budget for higher packaging and energy costs.

Diesel B7 rose to 38.39 baht a litre on 30 Aug 2026, so re-check fuel budgets Prachachat · Aug 30, 2026

Bangchak station prices on 30 Aug 2026: B7 diesel 38.39 baht/litre (up 0.85 baht from the previous day), B20 diesel 33.39, Gasohol 95 37.69, Gasohol 91 37.32, E20 32.69. Prices exclude the Bangkok local tax, and tomorrow's prices take effect at 05:00. Fleet and delivery costs should be updated against these figures, and prices at your own station checked before filling up.

GPF plans to let retirees put lump sums back into savings, but the law doesn't allow it yet Prachachat · Aug 30, 2026

The new GPF secretary-general says the fund will propose amending the law so retirees can return their lump-sum payouts to GPF for management, and also put monthly pension or annuity payments back in. The proposal still has to go through the GPF board, the Finance Ministry and Parliament, so nothing changes yet. Only about 8,153 of 1.29 million members currently keep saving after retirement, and many members start saving late (age 29 on average versus 24 before). For a business owner, the practical step is to check your own employees' GPF contribution levels and retirement planning; the fund is also reviewing its investment approach toward a Total Portfolio Approach, with a plan due by year-end.