Archive

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.

NESDC pushes a freelancer protection law that could bind the platforms your delivery or gig workers use Prachachat · Aug 25, 2026

The Thai planning agency (NESDC/สภาพัฒน์) is pushing a draft Act to protect freelance platform workers, now about 500,000 people. It would set platform duties on transparency, cover minimum pay and benefits, and encourage worker unions. A law is not yet passed, so nothing changes today. If your business relies on platform riders or gig freelancers, or sells through these apps, watch for rules on pay, algorithm-based account suspension and rating disputes.

Reuters reports Japanese companies are looking for new ways to hedge against a prolonged period of yen weakness. No article text was available, so this is based on the headline alone. For a Thai SME, it is background on currency risk; act only if you import from or export to Japan.

Government fast-tracks EEC airport city tax perks: 2x expense deduction and 5-year tax breaks, targeted for September 2026 Prachachat · Aug 25, 2026

The cabinet approved support measures for the U-Tapao airport and Aviation City in the Eastern Economic Corridor. Companies operating there may deduct CAPEX and OPEX at 2x for corporate income tax, and air-transport firms may get a lower CIT rate, both for 5-year periods. Foreign-worker and EECa Visa rules are also planned. The government aims to have the measures in force by 30 September 2026, but the laws are not yet passed. If you have a business in or near the EEC, or supply to it, check eligibility once the rules are published. Otherwise this is background.

Cabinet approves 558.7m baht flood relief for 2026 floods; 9,000 baht per flooded household Prachachat · Aug 25, 2026

The Cabinet approved 558.7m baht from the central contingency budget to compensate 2026 flood victims: 9,000 baht per household whose home was flooded for more than 7 days or whose property was damaged, covering 60,971 households, and 2m baht for each flood or landslide death (5 deaths in Nan). Officials are told to cut document requirements and share data internally. Relevant if your shop or home was in a flood zone, or if you supply repairs, cleanup or relief goods. A insurance-based scheme is being drafted for a Cabinet decision next week, with no details yet.

Car makers want EV excise tax fixed as imported EVs take 62.58% of sales Prachachat · Aug 25, 2026

Thailand's auto industry group (FTI) says 7-month (Jan-Jul 2026) car production fell 0.09% to 834,595 units, while sales of battery EVs rose 97% to 125,411 units. Only 37.42% of those EVs were made locally, so 62.58% were imported. The group wants the government to restructure excise tax on EVs so domestic producers are not disadvantaged. For SMEs: pickup sales are falling (down 16.22% in July) as banks tighten car loans, and petrol-car sales dropped 34.58%, so plan for weaker vehicle-related demand and tighter financing. Tax changes are only a request for now.

Early retirement for civil servants moves to cabinet after 27 Aug review meeting Prachachat · Aug 25, 2026

The Deputy PM for Law will hold a meeting on 27 August to sum up public feedback on the early retirement scheme for civil servants, then take it to the cabinet. Separately, 58 secondary-law items aimed at easing business are being revised; 11 can move immediately, and over 10 are in public consultation, to be released one by one. For a small business, this is a watch item: if you deal with government agencies or expect more civil servants leaving the public sector, track the consultations. No action is needed yet.

Cabinet plans to bring farm, street-vendor and domestic workers into social security Bangkok Post · Aug 25, 2026

The Labour Ministry will propose a royal decree extending Section 33 social security to farm workers, street-vendor workers and domestic workers including housekeepers. After cabinet approval, Council of State review and Royal Gazette publication, a transition period of about 180 days applies before these workers can enrol, with contributions shared by employers, employees and the state. If you employ any of these groups, budget for employer contributions once the decree takes effect. The proposal also covers domestic violence law amendments, which do not affect payroll planning.

A drone attack set Russia's Afipsky oil refinery on fire, killing two people, according to the regional governor. Only the headline was available, so no detail on output or prices. Watch global oil prices for any knock-on effect on Thai fuel costs.

Heavy rain forecast 29 Aug–1 Sep in the Nan and Mekong basins; dry-season water plan for 2026/27 goes to the national water committee Prachachat · Aug 25, 2026

The national water agency (สทนช.) expects a clear rise in rain in the Nan and northeastern Mekong basins from 29 Aug to 1 Sep 2026, with possible heavy rain in some areas. Reservoirs are at 63% of capacity nationally, but the central Northeast and Central regions are low (Central at 37%). A draft dry-season water allocation plan for 2026/27, by basin, will go to the national water committee next. For businesses in those low-water areas, especially farms and water-dependent plants, plan water use and storage before the dry season; in flood-prone areas, watch alerts from provincial authorities.

Deep South attacks hit shops and power poles, so check your security and insurance now Bangkok Post · Aug 25, 2026

A weekend wave of violence in Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla and Yala included 75 incidents, with a 7-Eleven in Mayo district, Pattani, bombed and set on fire on Monday night. Officials say 11 people were injured and 17 buildings, 40 vehicles, 32 power poles and four phone antennas were damaged. If you run a business in the far South, review your premises security, staff safety and property and business-interruption insurance, and plan for possible power and phone outages. Businesses elsewhere should watch for supply or delivery disruption on southern routes.

US may add 7.5% overcapacity tariff on Chinese imports before the 24 September Trump–Xi meeting Prachachat · Aug 25, 2026

The US is reportedly preparing a 7.5% Section 301 tariff on Chinese goods over excess capacity, which would bring total US tariffs on China back to about 20%. The final rate is not settled and may be lower after exemptions. The findings may be published before the 24 September 2026 Trump–Xi meeting, and the US–China truce expires 10 November. If you import Chinese components or finished goods, or compete with them, check your supplier costs and pricing now and keep a buffer for the possible change.

Thailand's car production rose 6.1% year on year in July, per Reuters (headline only; article text not available). If you supply auto parts or serve factory workers, this suggests steady orders in the sector. Check the full data before changing plans.