Archive
August 26, 2026
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
The Energy Ministry is moving to classify data centres as a new electricity user category that pays a higher rate, estimated at about 5-6 baht per unit, to reflect LNG import costs. Cabinet-level committee approval (กพช.) also extends Direct PPA access, which was limited to data centres up to 2,000 MW, to all industries wanting clean energy. Policy details are still being finalised and no timeline is fixed. For a small business, the practical signal is that power tariffs may diverge by user type, and a Direct PPA route for clean power may open later. Watch for the official rate and eligibility rules before changing energy plans.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
On 26 August the Monetary Policy Committee unanimously held its policy rate at 1.00%. It said current rates are "appropriate" for supporting recovery, but it did not rule out cuts if a crisis hits. Officials said a cut now would not be worth the cost, and that transmission to lending rates is limited. They also discussed hikes and judged them unwise given a fragile economy. The committee expects a slow recovery and wants fiscal and targeted financial measures to do the heavy lifting. For a small business: don't count on cheaper loans soon; budget borrowing costs at current levels and watch for targeted support programmes.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
The Bank of Thailand's MPC secretary said new AI and tech investment creates fewer jobs per baht invested than before. Labour demand per million baht fell from about 0.45 in 2021 to near 0.20 in 2025. He warned unemployment may rise, citing firms hiring foreign workers, more temporary or fixed-term contracts, and new jobs not offsetting business closures. For a small firm, expect tighter labour supply in some skills and more competition for hiring; temporary contracts are a flexible option to weigh, but check Thai labour rules before using them.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
Thailand's GDP grew 1.9% in Q2 2026, down from 2.8% in Q1, and economist Burin Adulwattana expects the second half to stay flat. Growth is concentrated in AI and data-centre linked exports and investment, while big-company bank lending rises and small-company lending is still negative. Household demand may weaken as jobs come under pressure, and he sees the government's cost-of-living support as temporary. For an SME, assume tight credit and soft domestic spending through year-end, and plan cash flow and financing with that in mind.
Empower businesses to thrive in the digital age.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
The Bank of Thailand (26 Aug 2026) explained how accounts suspended under the mule-account crackdown can be unfrozen. Unfreezing is not automatic and depends on the risk level: dark-grey and dark-brown mule accounts are handled via AMLO and the Technology Crime Suppression Division (สอท.); light-grey accounts must be cleared one by one with the bank tied to the loss, and the name is removed only after all linked accounts are cleared; dark-brown accounts go to the bank that spotted the activity. A suspension is not a finding of guilt. Honest account holders should gather documents now, and banks have been told to explain the reason, the documents needed and the contact point to customers. Staff or family whose accounts are frozen should check which category applies before approaching a bank.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
The Monetary Policy Committee voted unanimously on 26 Aug 2026 to keep the policy rate at 1.00%, saying current rates suit supporting growth. Inflation is seen rising temporarily through early 2027 (supply-side factors, El Niño, cost pass-through) before easing on weak domestic demand. Total credit is growing, but SME lending is still contracting, and banks remain cautious on risky borrowers. Practical read: borrowing costs stay low, so a loan for working capital or equipment may be worth negotiating now, especially via targeted measures for SMEs. Track Middle East war and trade-barrier risks, which could move the baht and fuel costs.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
The Constitutional Court will hear oral arguments and vote on 28 September 2026 (09:30), with the ruling read the same day at 14:00. The case, brought by the Ombudsman, asks whether barcode and QR codes on the February 2026 election ballots could identify voters and their votes. Five witnesses, including Election Commission officials and two printing-company directors, testified. The hearing was closed to the public at the EC's request, and the ruling will be broadcast live. For a small business, there is no direct action needed; it matters only if you deal with election-related printing or government contracts.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
Thailand's aviation authority (CAAT) says air passengers Jan-Jul 2026 reached 85.16 million, up 1.48% year on year. To attract airlines to regional airports, landing and parking charges are cut 50% on domestic and international routes: 6 months for new airlines, 1 year for new routes, from 10 Aug 2026 to 9 Aug 2027. If you run a business in a provincial city with a regional airport (e.g. Surat Thani, Ubon, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Udon Thani, Krabi), watch for new flights that could bring tourists and buyers. Consider whether your tourism, trade or logistics plans should account for them.
Your real translator for LINE and Discord.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
The Monetary Policy Committee unanimously held the policy rate at 1.00% a year on 26 Aug 2026. Inflation is expected to rise until early 2027 (El Niño and cost pass-through) before falling back, and the Middle East war and trade barriers remain key risks. SME lending is still contracting while big-business credit grows, so banks are cautious with riskier borrowers. For an SME owner: don't expect cheaper borrowing from policy easing soon; prepare clean financials and ask banks about specific soft-loan or targeted support measures the committee mentioned. Expect cost pressure to show up in supplier prices over the coming months.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
The Bank of Thailand explains how frozen 'mule accounts' get released. Requests to one bank may not clear every linked account automatically. Dark and dark-grey mule accounts go through the AMLO (ปปง.) and the police (สอท.); light-grey accounts must be cleared one by one with the bank tied to the loss; dark-brown accounts go to the bank that spotted the suspicious activity. Being frozen does not mean guilt, but you must show documents on the source of funds. Banks have been told to tell affected customers which agency to contact, what documents to bring and what steps to follow. If your account is frozen, collect your documents and identify the correct channel first to avoid losing time.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
SCB X approved an interim cash dividend of THB 2 per share, paid from retained earnings. Shares trade ex-dividend (XD) on 8 Sep 2026, record date 9 Sep, payment 25 Sep 2026. Only relevant if your business holds SCB shares. For individual shareholders, the dividend carries a 20/80 tax credit, so declare it on your personal tax return. This is a shareholder matter, not a business operating change.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
The Commerce Ministry has sent 1,500 relief packs to flood-hit Nan province and will survey affected businesses and SMEs through the Department of Business Development. It plans a "franchise for livelihoods" scheme and to work with SME D Bank on recovery funding. If your business is in Nan or other flood areas, register your losses with the ministry and ask SME D Bank about recovery loans. The ministry also says it is monitoring essential-goods prices and supply in the affected areas, and a "Thai Help Thai" scheme will sell essentials at special prices.
Want to buy or sell a business?
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
Thailand's Pollution Control Department is watching smoke drifting from Indonesia and a peat fire in Nakhon Si Thammarat. As of 24 August 2026, Thailand had 4 hotspots against Indonesia's 5,122. Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala are flagged for low ventilation and possible PM2.5 build-up, and rain is forecast for Ranong and Phang Nga on 27-29 August. For southern businesses, especially in the three border provinces, check Air4Thai hourly readings and plan outdoor work and staff health around high-PM days. No change to costs or rules is announced.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
The Water Resources Office (สทนช.) warns of higher-than-forecast tides and heavy rain from 25 to 29 August 2026 that could flood low-lying areas along the Chao Phraya. Most at risk are communities outside flood walls and areas without permanent barriers in Samut Prakan, Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani. If your premises or stock sit in these zones, move stock off the floor, check drainage and plan delivery and staffing for the flood window. Heavy rain is also expected 27-29 Aug in several regions. Reservoirs are at 64% of capacity nationally, so there is no water shortage signal for now.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
The US launched "Operation Economic Outcast" on 24 August 2026 to cut Iran off economically. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Attha Pisanwanich (Rangsit University) says if China's Iranian oil purchases are curbed and Iran restricts Hormuz shipping, Brent could reach $100-110/barrel, and above $110 if Hormuz closes fully. He estimates Thai energy imports could rise about 122,000 million baht, with inflation at 3.2-3.8% and fishing and transport costs up 5-8%. For SMEs: review fuel, freight and energy cost assumptions for the rest of 2026, and consider pricing clauses for cost pass-through. This is a scenario analysis, not a forecast.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) says the employee support fund law takes effect 1 October. About 107,000 workplaces with 10 or more staff, around 80.7% of that group, are expected to have to remit contributions in 2026, covering about 5.7 million workers. Check whether your business has 10+ employees and set up registration and contribution payments before 1 October. The same report flags a weak national wage trend (average wage 15,937 baht, down 0.25% year on year, real wages down 2.88%) and an El Niño drought risk to farm labour into the first half of 2027.
Together GoWeGo! Ferry tickets in Thailand.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
Deputy PM and Finance Minister Ekniti told parliament the 400bn baht borrowing decree covers energy-crisis relief and the shift to clean energy. He says borrowing will be only as needed, projects will be screened for value, and private firms may invest with the state and sell electricity directly. Q2 current-account deficit was nearly 600bn baht, and the government warned that prolonged cost pressure could close businesses and cut jobs. For an SME: watch for solar and clean-energy project tenders and direct power-sale openings, and plan for continued energy and living-cost pressure while the scheme is still unfolding.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
The government plans a co-payment travel scheme (up to 3,000 baht discount per right, 500,000 rights nationwide), aimed at the Q4 high season. In Chiang Mai, about 20,000 rooms in the city centre but only about 10,000 hold valid hotel licences, so guesthouses and homestays without licences cannot register. SME groups are proposing a safety and hygiene standard in place of the licence requirement, plus gift vouchers for local restaurants and activities. This is still a proposal, not a confirmed rule. If you run a licensed property, watch for Q4 bookings; if you are unlicensed, check whether your licence status can be regularised before registration opens.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
The PM told parliament that a emergency decree (พ.ร.ก.) would let the Finance Ministry borrow up to 400bn baht. Half (200bn) is for relief to people, farmers and businesses hit by the energy crisis; half for energy efficiency, renewable and alternative energy, and skills. Borrowing can be approved by cabinet until 30 Sept 2027. Oil imports from the Middle East are near 50%, so fuel and input costs stay high. Watch for eligibility rules for SME support and whether your energy costs can be reduced via the efficiency programmes. The decree still needs House approval; the outcome was not yet confirmed in the article.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
Eight SET-listed firms, including BCP (3.00 baht/share), TISCO (2.00) and RATCH (0.70), announced interim cash dividends after board meetings on 25 August 2026. Most go ex-dividend 7-9 September. This matters mainly to shareholders, not to a typical SME owner. Only relevant if you hold these shares or track market sentiment.
Stop running your company on Excel.