Archive

Diesel and gasohol prices on 26 Aug 2026: B20 at 33.39 baht, up 0.85 baht from yesterday Prachachat · Aug 26, 2026

Bangchak pump prices today: B20 diesel 33.39 baht/litre (up 0.85 from yesterday), B7 38.39, gasohol 95 37.69, gasohol 91 37.32, E20 32.69. Prices exclude the Bangkok local land tax. Tomorrow's prices take effect at 05:00. Check the price at your own station before budgeting fuel costs for delivery, transport or machinery this week.

Big companies are issuing bonds at a record pace, and banks with spare cash are repaying bonds instead of refinancing Prachachat · Aug 26, 2026

Thai private corporate bond issuance reached 507 billion baht from January to 20 August 2026, close to last year's 517 billion, but fewer companies issued (105 vs 123). Energy is the heaviest issuer, led by GULF with 35 billion baht so far, to fund new projects and acquisitions. Several large banks are repaying maturing bonds from excess liquidity rather than issuing, as lending has slowed. ThaiBMA expects interest rates to stay stable for the last five months of the year. For an SME, this means big borrowers are competing for funds, and bank liquidity is ample, so bank loan pricing may stay favourable. Bond yields are not expected to move much despite US volatility.

State SME loans at 3% fixed for 3 years, no collateral, plus BSD guarantees The Story Thailand · Aug 26, 2026

SME D Bank offers soft loans at a fixed 3% for 3 years with no collateral for SMEs, plus relief for borrowers hit by falling sales (principal, interest or instalment cuts). It also has a venture fund over 2,000 million baht for growing firms without collateral. BSD (บสย.) guarantees loans to fill collateral gaps and, under the "Quick Big Win" programme, waives guarantee fees for the first 3 years for micro firms and supply-chain SMEs, with 50,000 million baht in guarantee capacity. It also offers free debt-restructuring advice. If cash flow is tight, check these options before taking high-rate loans. The article does not give application deadlines or eligibility details.

Unemployment hits 400,000 yet Thai factories still can't fill jobs, so 4.3 million foreign workers now carry the load The Standard Wealth · Aug 25, 2026

Thailand has about 4.3 million legal foreign workers, a record and roughly 10% of employed people. Labour-intensive sectors (food processing, seafood, canned food, electronics, garments, furniture, auto parts) still struggle to hire Thais. Myanmar nationals make up about 86%. Cambodian workers have roughly halved since the border closure, with estimates ranging from 194,000 to about 500,000 depending on the source. For SMEs in these sectors, expect continued reliance on migrant labour, tighter permit compliance, and possible staffing gaps if Cambodian headcount keeps falling.

Nan flood relief: 9,000 baht per flooded home, and farmers must file form กษ 01 quickly Prachachat · Aug 25, 2026

The cabinet approved 549.99 million baht for flood victims in Nan (from the 2026 central reserve fund, covering rain-season damage since 15 May). Flooded primary homes get 9,000 baht per household; flood deaths get 2 million baht. Renters and residents without house registration also qualify if they live in the disaster zone. Victims need only a local-authority document signed by the village head, kamnan or community leader; no photocopies or photos are required. Farmers with damaged land should file form กษ 01 promptly. Rice paddy compensation is 2,240 baht per rai; field crops and orchards up to 6,800 baht per rai. If you run a business or farm in Nan, check whether your staff or customers are affected and help them file.

Thai Travel Plus registration opens 1 October on Paotang, rights doubled to 1 million The Standard Wealth · Aug 25, 2026

The Tourism Minister says registration for the 'Thai Travel Plus' scheme opens 1 October 2026 on the Paotang app, with rights raised from 500,000 to 1 million (up to 5 per person), funded by 3.5 billion baht from the borrowing decree. It targets tourism operators hit by the energy crisis. Cabinet approval is still pending (aimed for September), and the system is expected ready by December, so timing may shift. Tourism operators should prepare their listings and documents now, and watch for the eligibility criteria. A northern winter campaign for Nan and the north is also being prepared after floods.

The US is preparing to bring diplomats back to Middle East embassies after evacuating them during the Iran conflict; no direct action is needed for most Thai SMEs, though it is a signal to watch if you export or source in the region.

Krungsri Research expects BOT to hold rate at 1.00% on 26 Aug, with SME credit still shrinking Prachachat · Aug 25, 2026

Krungsri Research expects the Monetary Policy Committee to keep the policy rate at 1.00% at its 26 Aug meeting. Bank credit to SMEs fell 4.6% in Q2 (the fourth straight year of decline), while large-business lending grew 6.6%, so SME borrowing stays tight. NPLs eased slightly to 2.82% of total loans. Middle East tension remains high after US-Iran talks ended on 17 Aug without a deal, which raises oil price risk. For an SME owner: plan on no rate cut relief, prepare for tighter bank lending, and watch fuel and raw material costs.

EV sales up 97% but 62% are imports, while pickup sales fell 17% on tighter bank lending The Standard Wealth · Aug 25, 2026

The Federation of Thai Industries says 7-month BEV sales rose 97.39% to about 125,000 units, but 62.58% were imported and only 37.42% were made in Thailand. One-ton pickup sales fell 17.38% over the same period, which the FTI blames on tighter bank lending and GDP growth of just 1.9% in Q2. The FTI is asking the government to revise excise tax so locally made cars are not disadvantaged against imports. No tax change has been enacted yet, so for now this is a signal to watch, especially if you supply automotive parts or depend on pickup-linked demand.

Phuket shop flag row shows tourist disputes can flare over politics; minister warns of visa revocation Bangkok Post · Aug 25, 2026

A mobile phone shop in Bang Thao, Phuket, had a "Free Palestine" flag on display for about a year. Two Israeli customers argued with the owner over it in a CCTV-recorded incident dated 2 Aug. Similar incidents were reported on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, where tourists were attacked. Tourism Minister Surasak said Thailand does not welcome foreigners using it to air ideological views, and troublemakers could have visas revoked. For a shop owner serving tourists, the practical step is to keep political displays and debates away from customer-facing areas and to de-escalate disputes calmly.

Import duty now applies from the first baht on cheap Chinese goods, but Krungthai COMPASS says it may not stop the flood Prachachat · Aug 25, 2026

Since 1 Jan 2026 Thailand charges import duty and 7% VAT on parcels from 1 baht up. Krungthai COMPASS estimates about 250 million low-value imports in 2026, roughly 80% from China, worth over 45 billion baht. It expects the duty to cut low-value imports only about 7%, and fashion goods from China still sit 44-85% below Thai-made prices after tax. For a Thai SME, expect continued price pressure on mass-market goods; the report's advice is to compete on quality, not price.

Lending your bank account to anyone can make you a criminal suspect, even if you didn't know Prachachat · Aug 25, 2026

TTB warns that letting anyone rent, borrow or use your bank account, including receiving and forwarding transfers for a small fee, can make you a "mule account" holder. Under the 2023 Emergency Decree on technology crime, renting or lending an account can bring up to 3 years in prison or a fine up to 300,000 baht. Saying you did not know is not a defence if the account is in your name. Consequences include frozen accounts, harder new account opening, damaged credit and harder future loans. Staff should not share accounts or mobile banking access, and any unexpected transfer-and-forward job should be refused.

Finance minister defends 400-billion-baht loan decree to ease cost-of-living squeeze Prachachat · Aug 25, 2026

Deputy PM and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas says the 400-billion-baht borrowing decree is needed to stop an energy-driven cost-of-living crisis from turning into spending cuts and job losses. He will explain it to the House on 26 Aug. Measures named: supporting purchasing power (Thai Chuay Thai Plus relief scheme), energy-transition projects that ministries will propose once the decree passes, and investment plus skills upgrades aimed at Thai businesses and SMEs. The article gives no specific programme terms, eligibility or deadlines, so watch for those details before planning around them. Current account deficit is cited at 500–600 billion baht.

Government plans 400bn baht emergency loan decree to cushion cost-of-living squeeze Prachachat · Aug 25, 2026

Finance Minister Ekniti says the government will issue a 400bn baht borrowing decree, to be explained to the House on 26 Aug. The stated aims: support purchasing power, speed up the energy transition (Thailand's current account deficit is about 500-600bn baht from energy imports), and boost investment in Thai businesses and SMEs, including worker skills. The article gives no detail on schemes or eligibility yet. For an SME owner, the practical step is to watch for the specific energy-transition and SME programmes once the decree passes, and to plan for weak consumer spending in the meantime.

Cabinet approves draft decree bringing domestic helpers, gardeners, drivers and shop-stall staff into Social Security Section 33 Prachachat · Aug 25, 2026

Cabinet approved in principle a draft royal decree extending Social Security Section 33 to three groups previously exempt: agricultural, forestry and livestock workers; employees of individual employers such as housekeepers, gardeners and drivers; and workers of street-stall businesses. Coverage includes sickness, cancer, maternity, disability, death, old age and unemployment. Eligible workers include Thai nationals and foreign workers with valid ID and work permits. The law takes effect 180 days after royal gazette publication (previously 60 days proposed). Employers in these groups should prepare to register staff and remit contributions once the decree is gazetted; the decree is still a draft.

Thailand Post ships donated goods to Nan flood victims free until 24 September The Story Thailand · Aug 25, 2026

Thailand Post is accepting free donations at post offices nationwide for flood relief in Nan province, until 24 September. Accepted: basic medicines, dry and canned food, instant noodles, canned fish, diapers, new underwear, and recovery equipment. Not accepted: clothing, drinking water, liquids, fresh or perishable food, and fragile items. Each parcel must weigh 5 kg or less and be addressed to the Nan provincial hall. For a business, this is a way to send stock or staff donations at no postage cost, and a reminder that the postal rules above apply. Further provinces may be added later via Thailand Post's channels. Enquiries: 1545.

Cambodian workers leave after border clashes; Thai employers face a shrinking labour pool with no quick replacement The Standard Wealth · Aug 25, 2026

Cambodian workers have left Thailand after the border clashes, and estimates of how many differ (about 194,000 remaining per JSCCIB versus 495,271 registered in March). Thailand extended work permits for Myanmar, Lao and Vietnamese workers to 11 December 2027, but that keeps existing staff and does not add new ones. Recruiting new workers is harder and costlier because of travel and agency fees, and Sri Lanka's deal is still unsigned. Expect shortages in seasonal farming, construction, factories and services. Plan around keeping current staff, check your workers' permit expiry dates, and budget for higher recruitment costs.

Government plans state-funded disaster insurance for 20 million flood-prone households from 1 Oct Prachachat · Aug 25, 2026

Deputy PM Pakorn Nilprapunt says the cabinet (ครม.สัญจร in Songkhla) will consider a plan for the government to buy basic disaster insurance covering flood, storm and earthquake for about 20 million households in high-risk areas, with insurers paying out fixed amounts quickly after an event. Target start is 1 Oct 2026, during flood season, but details are still being drafted. Current flood relief costs run 40-50 billion baht a year. For a Thai SME this is still a proposal: watch for the final cabinet decision, the payout criteria set by the Office of Insurance Commission (คปภ.), and whether business property or premises are covered, since the plan is aimed at households.

Thai construction faces a tougher 2027 as public budget falls 13% and new housing launches drop to about 44,000 units The Standard Wealth · Aug 25, 2026

SCB EIC expects public construction to fall about 5% in 2027 (to roughly 927,000 million baht) because the 2027 capital budget was cut about 13%, with the Department of Highways, Rural Roads, Irrigation and Public Works all facing double-digit cuts. Private construction is seen flat to up 1% in 2027, with Bangkok and vicinity new housing units stuck near 44,000 a year. Contractors should plan for thinner public tenders and watch the southern double-track rail phase 2 tenders as a possible offset. Material prices have kept rising since the March Middle East conflict, so cost pressure remains high.

Banks expect BoT to hold rate at 1% on 26 Aug as Thai economy stays fragile The Standard Wealth · Aug 25, 2026

Three major Thai research teams (KResearch, Krungthai, Krungsri) expect the Monetary Policy Committee to keep the policy rate at 1.00% at its 26 August 2026 meeting, and KResearch expects it to stay there through 2026. Reasons: Q2 GDP grew only 1.9%, household spending is weak, and inflation (July at 1.95%) is easing as energy prices fall. Food prices may rise in Q4 due to El Niño and high fertiliser costs. For a business owner, this means no rate cut relief is likely this year, so plan borrowing costs on current rates and focus on demand support measures that target specific sectors.