Archive
August 28, 2026
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The baht moved from about 33 to 32.70 per dollar in a short period, driven by US debt worries and gold's rise rather than Thai domestic factors. SCB FM says gold and the baht are now moving closely together. US data came in weak and markets have cut expected Fed hikes to one, while SCB FM expects no hike. For a Thai SME, a stronger baht cuts baht earnings on dollar sales and imports cost less. Review your pricing and currency exposure, and avoid locking in dollar revenue assumptions at the old rate.
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Forecasts point to another monthly contraction in China's factory activity. Background only; watch for knock-on effects on Chinese import prices and demand for Thai raw materials.
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CENTCOM's commander says the Strait of Hormuz is clear of Iranian mines and open to international shipping. Allies privately warn mines may remain, and an unnamed source estimates 80 to 150 were laid. Shipping through the strait fell sharply after the US and Israel began the war with Iran in late February. For Thai businesses, oil, LNG and fertiliser costs may stay volatile until shipping traffic visibly recovers, so keep fuel and input-cost budgets flexible rather than assuming relief.
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The Ministry of Energy says rooftop solar permits now finish within 7 days, and grid sell-back applications within 30 days (previously up to a year). The 500 MW extra purchase quota is open. Under the "Solar 1 million roofs" plan, state banks (Krungsri... no: Government Savings Bank and GHB) offer soft loans at 2–4% a year, repaid from the electricity bill savings, with no upfront payment for households. The article's example: a 5 kW system producing about 600 units a month, saving roughly 2,150–2,200 baht a month, with payback in 5–7 years. For a small business with a roof, this is worth checking now. Confirm the eligibility rules with the ministry or the bank, since the article does not state the business-specific terms.
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The Finance Ministry told the Gold Traders Association it has no plan to impose a gold tax right now. The focus instead is a Centralized AML Intelligence Platform to link transaction data across about 7,000 small gold shops and flag customers, since splitting purchases below the 2 million baht ID-registration threshold is the loophole being targeted. The association expects anti-grey-capital measures this year, possibly several, and opposes any gold tax. For gold shop owners, expect tighter customer ID and transaction checks; keep records of splits and buyer details. No tax change takes effect yet.
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A Prime Minister's Office regulation on deportation took effect on Friday 28 August. Authorities can quickly deport foreigners who act aggressively, disrespect Thai culture, or break the law, and those working or running businesses illegally are targeted. Offenders get visas revoked and a permanent re-entry ban. For a Thai SME, the practical point is to check that any foreign staff, partners or contractors have valid work permits and that their visas match their actual role, since illegal work now carries strict enforcement. Tourism-facing businesses should also expect tighter tourist police coordination. The article gives no fees, penalties for employers, or detailed criteria.
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Bangkok Bank (BBL) approved a THB 2.00 per share interim cash dividend from retained earnings on 27 Aug 2026. Shares trade ex-dividend on 9 Sep 2026, the record date is 10 Sep, and payment is 25 Sep. Only relevant if your business holds BBL shares: buy before the ex-date to receive the dividend, and expect the share price to adjust down by about the dividend amount on 9 Sep. No action needed for a typical SME otherwise.
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Asia Era One, a CP group company, has asked to end its contract for the high-speed rail linking three airports and to stop running the Airport Rail Link from 30 September. PM Anutin says this is not easy: no private firm has ever cancelled a government contract, and the PM's office rules make the party that cancels liable for any higher re-tender cost. He warns of blacklisting. Next week he will call in the EEC secretary-general. For most SMEs this is background; the signal is that large government contracts are hard to exit, and the Airport Rail Link service date is the one to watch if you depend on it for travel or deliveries.
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GSB's new "Loan to Fix Small Debts" lets people with steady income merge debts into one loan at GSB: up to 200,000 baht per borrower, or up to 50,000 baht to pay off informal (off-system) debt. Flat rate starts at 0.75% a month, depending on collateral, repayable over up to 60 installments (5 years). Applicants must be 20+, with age plus loan term not exceeding 65. Apply at any GSB branch or call 1115. For owners carrying high-interest informal or card debt, this is a possible cheaper refinancing route; check the total cost, since a flat 0.75% a month is still expensive compared with bank rates.
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The M82 elevated motorway on Phetkasem/Rama 2 is now open free for about 25 km from Bang Khun Thian to Ban Phaeo, 24 hours a day. Four entry/exit points: Phan Thai Norasing, Mahachai 1, Mahachai 2 and Ban Phaeo. Samut Sakhon 1 and 2 are still closed. Tolls are not expected until full operation in 2029, and cars are capped at 80 km/h while trucks and buses are capped at 65 km/h. Motorbikes, bicycles and tuk-tuks are not allowed on it, so they keep using Rama 2 below. For delivery and trucking firms, it offers a faster route south that avoids local traffic, with at least 40 minutes saved claimed. Plan routes and driver schedules around the open ramps, and note that trucks may need to use the lower road when heading to Samut Sakhon.
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The Commerce Ministry's farm-aid committee (คชก.) set a 2,000 million baht fund framework for fiscal 2027 (ปีงบประมาณ 2570) covering 6 measures on marketing and production. Products include field crops, oil crops, fruit, tubers, livestock, fisheries, sea salt, flowers and farm inputs. Risk is flagged from late 2026 into 2027 due to El Niño, which could hit output. The committee also ordered a review of the "reference target prices" that guide when the state intervenes in markets. For a Thai SME in agri supply or food processing, watch for price-support intervention and possible raw-material price swings; no specific eligibility or application steps are given yet.
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Google has set new minimum memory-use standards for Android apps. Apps that fail them cannot be published on Google Play. Developers have until February 2027 to comply, and until April 2027 for the Zero-Tap Sign-In requirement. If your business has its own Android app or hires a developer for one, ask the developer whether it meets the new standards. Apps that are heavy on memory may need to be optimised or rebuilt before then. Most shop owners only use ready-made apps and need take no action.
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On 27 Aug 2026 Brent rose $1.86 to $89.70 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate rose $1.30 to $83.53 after the US said it will not negotiate with Iran and will expand sanctions on countries doing business with Iran. Hormuz shipping recovered only slightly, with 10 cargo ships transiting after a low, still below the 10-day average of 15. For a Thai SME, expect pressure on diesel, transport and packaging costs. Review fuel surcharges in quotes, check fuel-cost assumptions in margins, and keep an eye on the baht and pump prices in the coming weeks.
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The National Water Resources Office (Notice 1/2569) warns of heavy-to-very-heavy rain, flash floods, mudslides and river overflow from 29 Aug to 2 Sep 2569 (2026). Watch areas include upper north (Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Nan, Phayao, Mae Hong Son, Tak), upper Northeast (Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Roi Et) and the east (Chanthaburi, Trat). If your premises, stock, delivery routes or farms are in these districts, move stock off low ground, check drainage and plan alternative transport. Reservoirs are at 64% of capacity nationally.
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Gold Traders Association prices on 28 Aug 2026 (09:08): jewellery gold sells at 72,200 baht per baht-weight, up 50 baht from the previous close; buy-back for 96.5% jewellery is 69,781.48 baht. Bar gold buys at 71,200 and sells at 71,400 baht. World spot gold is about US$4,580 per ounce. If you hold or sell gold jewellery or bullion, or price gold-linked goods, update your daily price list. The gap between sell and buy-back prices is roughly 2,400 baht per baht-weight on jewellery, so buying and reselling quickly costs money.
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ICAO's CORSIA scheme requires airlines to offset international flight emissions above a 2019-based baseline, starting its mandatory Second Phase in 2027. Only ICAO-eligible credits (CEEUs) qualify; CEEUs trade around US$15-22/tCO2 now, with forecasts of US$25-36 in 2027, versus US$5-10 for general voluntary credits. Thailand's Premium T-VER is approved for the First Phase, but its Second Phase status is still under ICAO review, with clarity expected in Q4 2026. If you run a forestry, mangrove, rice, renewable energy or refrigerant project, track that decision and keep a backup standard ready. Otherwise, there is no action needed this quarter.
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Industry Minister Wirawuth and the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand say Nakhon Luang, Bang Pa-In and Ban Wa estates are all at "Level 1 / green" flood status as of 24 August 2569. Official data: Chao Phraya Dam release 480 m3/s, far below the 3,500 m3/s watch threshold; the four main dams hold 60% of capacity. Estates cite diesel backup pumping for at least 8 hours. For an Ayutthaya factory owner, this means no immediate action, but keep your own flood plan, stock and insurance review current, and watch the water-level reports for changes, since the article is a government reassurance rather than a new policy.
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The State Railway of Thailand and the CP group (Asia Era One) have not agreed on a one-year extension to run the Airport Rail Link. The current MOU ends 30 September 2026. Talks resume 7 September, with the State Railway board considering the matter on 10 September. Related items: CP must pay the access fee plus interest by the 18 September interest date, and the 4-1 contract scope (Bang Sue–Don Mueang) is being cut to allow the State Railway to build first. For a small business, this is mainly background: it affects commuter rail operations and the Eastern Economic Corridor project, not day-to-day costs. Watch only if you depend on Airport Rail Link travel or on construction or supply work tied to these projects.
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The baht opened at 32.89 per dollar, up slightly from the previous close of 32.88, with a 24-hour range of 32.70–33.00 expected (TTB). Markets are watching a speech by Fed Chair Kevin Warsh at Jackson Hole, due 21:00 Thai time. Foreign investors sold a net 5,451.55 million baht of Thai stocks the previous day and bought 156 million baht of Thai bonds. For importers and exporters, this is a routine daily move; no action is needed beyond checking the rate before large dollar payments or quotes.
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Bangchak pump prices today: high-speed diesel 38.39 baht/litre, B20 biodiesel 33.39 baht, gasohol 95 37.69 baht, gasohol 91 37.32 baht, E20 32.69 baht. Prices exclude Bangkok's local land tax and take effect tomorrow from 05:00, so check the station before refuelling. For fleets and delivery vehicles, the gap between diesel and B20 is about 5 baht per litre, so confirm which blend your vehicles accept. Figures are from one operator and may differ elsewhere.
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