Archive
August 29, 2026
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The cabinet approved in principle a draft royal decree extending mandatory Section 33 social security to currently exempt workers: crop cultivation, forestry and livestock employees, household workers, gardeners, drivers and street vendors. Three agencies, including the Budget Bureau, have asked the Labour Ministry to review costs first. The Budget Bureau warned that contributions could raise costs for small employers, leading to job cuts, fewer working days or informal hiring. Nothing is in force yet. If you employ farm, household or driver staff, watch for the final decree and its contribution rules before changing headcount or payroll budgets.
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The Lam Takhong reservoir in Nakhon Ratchasima holds only 28% usable water, and the project warns the drought may last into next year. Expect higher fertiliser and pesticide costs and possible crop losses for farmers and agri-linked businesses in the northeast, so plan water and input purchases now. In Songkhla, Hat Yai flood risk depends on rainfall upstream in Na Mom and Sadao, so watch forecasts if you run a business in the flood-prone area.
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On Aug 22–23, 75 coordinated incidents hit government facilities and public infrastructure across Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla, injuring 11. Analysts say insurgent networks are recruiting younger people with no prior security record, so the state's focus is shifting toward community intelligence and credible communication. For a Thai SME in the Deep South, the practical points are heightened security risk, possible disruption to roads and public services, and the need to stay alert and keep local relationships strong. The article offers no direct changes to tax, costs or regulation.
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The Department of Disease Control reports 95,357 Covid-19 infections and 14 deaths from Jan 1 to late August 2026, with cases rising over the past month alongside influenza and RSV. Dominant variant is NB.1.8.1. Officials say seasonal spread could cause clusters in schools, workplaces and communities. For a small business, the practical step is to expect some staff absences, let symptomatic people rest and stay away, keep indoor spaces ventilated, and keep masks and hand sanitiser available. No new rules or costs were announced.
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The Consumer Foundation (มพบ.) says many narrow Bangkok sois under 6 metres wide, such as Pradipat 21 and 23, Ratchada 44 and Phahon Yothin 37, are seeing condo and high-rise construction. It opposes an amendment to Building Control Ministerial Regulation No. 33 that redefines road rights-of-way, calling it a cut to safety standards. It also asks BMA to review the draft city plan and to add community fire extinguishers with expiry tracking. No decision or deadline for businesses is stated.
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The Department of Highways plans a 61 km, 4-lane M8 motorway (Nakhon Pathom–Pak Thong Chai) costing 61,154 million baht, with construction targeted for 2028–2032. Details go to the Transport Ministry in September 2026, then public consultation and cabinet review, expected late 2026, before land expropriation starts (14,400 million baht for about 5,338 rai). Phase 1 (9.3 km, Nakhon Pathom–Talat Chinda) is funded from the motorway fee fund; phase 2 is planned via TFFIF. For a Thai SME, this is a long-term logistics and land-value item: if your site or land sits along the route, watch for expropriation notices. Near-term, expect no new construction on Rama 2 for now.
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US experts say the commonly cited 3.7 L (men) and 2.7 L (women) figures count all fluids, and about 20% comes from food. Drinks-based fluid need is nearer 3 L for men and 2 L for women, roughly 6-8 and 4-6 average US glasses. Coffee, tea and sparkling water count toward intake; alcohol works against it. Check urine colour: pale yellow is the target. This is general background, not a business change, so no action is needed beyond staff water access in hot workplaces.
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SCB EIC says AI demand is still strong, but growth is concentrated in AI infrastructure (data centres, AI servers, semiconductors). Ordinary electronics exports have slowed to about 3-4% a year. Taiwan dominates advanced chips, China's share in high-end goods is shrinking, and ASEAN is positioning as a new production base. Middle East tensions and US trade measures are pushing up energy, logistics and chip input costs. For a Thai SME, the practical moves are to watch energy and freight costs and to look for a place in the supply chain if you already make electronic parts; otherwise there is no action needed this quarter.
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REIC reports 167,665 homes transferred nationwide in H1 2026, up 17.6% y/y, worth 429,839 million baht (+9.8%). Used homes now hold 63% of the market, condos grew 24% in units, and the 0.01% transfer and mortgage fee cut has been extended to 30 June 2027. Growth is fragile: lending standards are tightening because household debt is high, construction costs are rising, and Chinese buyers fell 27.7%. If you sell or broker used homes, price in the 2-3 million baht band (now 24% of the market) and the fee cut window; if you supply construction, expect tighter buyer financing and cost pressure.
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The Monetary Policy Committee unanimously kept the policy rate at 1% a year. The governor told Bloomberg the next decision could go either way: a hike if inflation runs above forecast or the baht weakens fast, a cut if the economy slows again. Major banks (Krungthai COMPASS, KResearch, SCB EIC) expect 1% through 2026, with SCB EIC seeing 2.1% growth next year. For a Thai SME: borrowing costs stay low for now, so fixed-rate or refinancing decisions this quarter are worth reviewing. Watch imported costs, since the article flags twin-deficit risk pushing the baht weaker and raising import prices.
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A fire on 28 August damaged about 4 rai at Khlong Tom Center, Chakkraphet Road, Pom Prap Sattru Phai district, Bangkok, injuring 11. The Interior Ministry has ordered the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department to declare an emergency disaster zone and open a registration desk for affected people. Home repairs are covered up to 88,600 baht per house, based on actual costs. Bangkok will cover initial aid such as living costs, rent, medical bills and work tools. If your shop or workplace was in the area, gather damage evidence and documents and register at the desk.
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Fire hit Klongthom Center on Worachak Road (Pom Prap Sattru Phai) on Friday night and the building collapsed. Governor Chadchart says damage is 100% and the structure must be demolished. About 300 stalls and 100 operators were affected; about 70 have registered losses so far. Traders can register at the Phra Phiren Temple pavilion now, and from Sunday at the district office second floor (8am-4pm). The area is a fire zone and off-limits. Nearby residents and workers should wear N95 masks: PM2.5 measured 630 µg/m³ against a 37.5 national standard. The sprinkler system did not operate; checks are ongoing.
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Thai AirAsia will run up to 135 domestic flights a day in Oct-Dec 2026, up more than 50% from the Q3 peak of 88, and says domestic travel should pick up into early next year. It cut flights about 30% in Q2 because of higher fuel costs and slow mid-year travel. For a business that depends on domestic travellers, such as tour operators, hotels in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi or Udon Thani, and transport, this points to more seat capacity into the high season. Plan staffing and stock around it, and check whether your routes are among those added.
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The US Treasury has announced expanded sanctions on Iran and warned that any country or entity helping Iran, including buyers of Iranian oil, payment facilitators and shipping services, could be cut off from dollar transactions. Chinese state banks are expected to comply quietly. For a Thai SME, the practical effects are indirect: payments in USD to or from Iran-linked counterparties may get blocked or delayed, banks may tighten checks on trade transfers, and shipping and fuel costs may stay volatile while the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted.
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On 29 Aug, Thai gold bars fell 1,600 baht to 70,150 baht per baht-weight; jewellery sold at 70,950. The drop followed US Fed chair Kevin Warsh's Jackson Hole speech saying the Fed may tighten if core inflation does not fall to 2% fast enough. Policy rate is 3.50–3.75%. He gave no clear signal of a September hike. For a business, this means gold-linked prices and gold-buying or pawn values may move quickly; if you borrow or hold gold, watch for US rate hikes that could push up global borrowing costs and the baht. No action needed yet beyond monitoring.
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A three-storey market building in Pom Prap Sattru Phai caught fire on Friday night and partly collapsed. About 300 stalls run by roughly 100 businesses are affected; at least 70 operators had filed damage claims by Saturday morning, and the BMA is still assessing losses. The site is a fire zone with no outsiders allowed. If you trade in or near the area, file your claim with the district and keep records of stock and damage. Nearby stores should expect smoke and dust, so wear N95 masks. The owner says the centre may not reopen, and the government will first decide whether retail can resume.
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The government has an online public hearing on a proposed 450-baht tourism fee for foreign arrivals, open until 28 September. The 27-question survey is in Thai only, and the language toggle does not work; users must right-click and use browser translation. If your business depends on foreign tourists, this is the window to submit a view. The columnist also questions several definitions in the survey, including who counts as a "foreign tourist", and whether the answers will change anything.
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The energy ministry says the new PDP 2026 plan targets at least 65% clean power, with natural gas kept as firm base load at about 11%. Public consultation opens 8 September 2026. The ministry is also widening Direct PPA, which lets firms buy clean electricity directly from producers and use the national grid, from data centres to all industries. Grid wheeling charges are still under consideration. Exporters facing CBAM and carbon targets should watch the consultation and the wheeling tariff. LNG-driven power costs could rise above 5 baht per unit, so energy costs stay a planning risk.
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The Commerce Ministry is pushing to close a price deal with COFCO (China's state buyer) for 60,000 more tonnes of rice, on top of the 500,000-tonne G-to-G order the cabinet approved on 5 August 2026. If agreed, it adds a buyer for the main-crop harvest arriving late in the year and may lift paddy prices for farmers. Rice millers, traders and suppliers should watch for price terms and the contract amendment expected by year-end. The ministry targets 7 million tonnes of exports this year. No deal has been signed yet, so do not price contracts on it.
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A fire at Klong Tom Center damaged about 300 stalls, with roughly 100 operators affected; about 70 had registered by the report. Affected vendors can register at the Pom Prap Sattru Phai district office (temporary point at Wat Phra Phiren sala, 29 Aug 2569 08.00-16.00; from 30 Aug at the district administration office, 2nd floor, 08.00-16.00). Bring a copy of your ID card, your lease, a police report and photos of the damage. The district will then issue a victim certificate and schedule aid payments. Damage value is not yet assessed. Avoid the area: smoke may be toxic (batteries, solar panels, chemicals were stored there).
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