Archive
August 21, 2026
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Authorities in Trat are preparing to clear more than 600 rai of durian plantations planted illegally on public land around the Huai Raeng reservoir. Four people have been arrested, about 20 encroachers were involved, and officials will seek approval to cut the trees. Officials are also tightening boundary maps and inspections on public land. For durian growers, the practical point is to check that any land you farm or lease has clear title or a valid permit, since planting on reservoir or state land can lead to loss of crops and prosecution.
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Phetchabun irrigation officials asked Lom Sak municipality to raise a red flag because the Pa Sak river has reached critical levels; the S3 Lom Sak gauge read 7.43 m and was still rising. Businesses in low-lying land along the Pa Sak should move stock, equipment and documents to higher ground now, and keep the municipality's contacts (056-701066, 056-701080) or the 199 emergency line handy. Check the municipality's updates for further water levels.
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Chinese refiners, both state and private, bought several million barrels of Saudi and Iraqi crude after cutting purchases earlier to keep world prices from spiking. Purchases are still well below pre-Iran-war levels. Saudi Aramco is also offering high-sulphur crude from outside the Strait of Hormuz, and Red Sea shipping is disrupted by Houthi threats, so some tankers are rerouting around Africa at higher cost. For a Thai SME, this is background: no immediate change to fuel prices is stated, but watch diesel and freight costs if Red Sea routes stay disrupted.
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Myanmar's military has sent around 700 soldiers into Tanintharyi, the region bordering Thailand, to clear land for the Russia-backed Dawei Special Economic Zone. Reuters reports village burnings and clashes, though it could not verify the accounts. The Dawei project has stalled since 2013 and was moved toward termination in 2021, so a near-term construction boom is unlikely. For Thai businesses, the practical point is border instability in Tanintharyi, which matters if you trade, transport or source goods across the Three Pagodas or Myawaddy-side routes. Keep an eye on crossings and supply timing, and don't plan around Dawei investment yet.
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The Department of Highways is tendering PPP rest areas: 15 sites on M6 (Bang Pa-in–Nakhon Ratchasima, 2,019 million baht) and 6 on M81 (Bang Yai–Kanchanaburi, 1,363 million baht). Only PTTRM, a unit of OR, bid on M6; no one bid on M81, so its conditions will be made more attractive. Contract signing is expected around February 2027, with full opening in 2029. For a small business, this means future roadside food, fuel and retail opportunities along these routes, mainly for large operators. Nothing needs to be done now beyond watching for tenders or subcontracting offers.
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Asset management company BAM (Bangkok Asset Management) is offering a 3-month debt repayment holiday to customers hit by flooding in Nan province, including debtors under restructuring and buyers of its repossessed assets on instalments. Relief is assessed case by case by damage level, and local offices are surveying losses first. If you or your customers in Nan have BAM loans, contact the local BAM office to ask about eligibility. The article gives no application deadline or contact details.
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Solar power operator SPCG has a new controlling shareholder group after the founder and Kyocera sold their stakes (57.46% in total). Under the rules, the buyers must file a mandatory tender offer (Form 247-4) with the SEC by 1 September 2026. The buyers say they do not plan to delist SPCG or change its core business for at least 12 months. The CEO post is still vacant, and the CFO changed on 20 August 2026. For a Thai SME this is a listed-company governance story: relevant mainly if you are a supplier, lender, or solar-installation partner of SPCG, or hold its shares, where the tender-offer price and timing matter.
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Alibaba (Qwen3.8-Max, released 12 Aug 2026) and Moonshot AI (Kimi K3) are attaching licence conditions: businesses that resell model access above revenue thresholds must sign a commercial deal and share revenue. Qwen3.8-Max needs a data-centre-class setup (about 4.89 TB in BF16). The smaller Qwen3.8-27B stays under Apache 2.0 with no revenue share. For a typical Thai SME using AI through an API or a SaaS tool, nothing changes today. Check the licence before building a product on a top-tier open model, and watch your AI tool subscription prices.
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The US Treasury says it will target Iran's economic partners, with a plan due to be unveiled at a press briefing on 24 Aug 2026. China buys about 90% of Iran's exported oil, so it is the main target, and Washington has so far been cautious about hitting major Chinese banks. Analysts doubt the policy will be enforced hard enough to stop trade routes. For Thai SMEs, there is no direct cost change yet. If you trade with Iran, or route payments or shipments through third countries, check your counterparties and banks now, because secondary sanctions can reach any country's firms and financial institutions.
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CIMB Thai says lenders are shifting from green labels to "bankability": whether a project has steady cash flow and low risk. Listed companies must report sustainability risks under IFRS S1 and S2 from 2027, and the Bank of Thailand has started a climate stress test on loan books. For an SME borrower, expect questions on climate exposure of collateral (such as flood or heat risk to premises) and on a concrete plan to cut emissions with costs and owners. Thailand's Net Zero target is 2050 with a 2019 base year. The SEC is consulting on Transition Bond rules, which matters mainly if you supply listed firms.
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The Consumer Protection Board is inspecting used and electric used-car dealers. Since 31 March 2026, used cars and used EVs must carry an 18-item Thai label (brand, model, year, mileage, accident and flood history, price, and more); EVs need 4 extra items. Every deposit or payment needs an immediate receipt, and contracts must be in Thai, in two identical copies. Buyers can cancel in 4 cases (price raised, late delivery, details or mileage not matching, transfer impossible), and refunds are due within 15 days. Penalties: up to 6 months jail or 100,000 baht for labelling breaches; up to 1 year or 200,000 baht for missing receipts or contracts. Check your labels, receipt book and contract template now.
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After flooding in Nan, the deputy PM says the government will move to compensation payments once the clean-up phase ends. The PM plans to visit Nan this weekend to focus on relief. Officials say joint paperwork across the Finance Ministry and the Comptroller General's Department could speed payouts. Nan business owners affected by the flood should keep damage records and documents ready. No payment amounts or eligibility rules were given in the article.
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Natural Resources Minister Suchart Chomklin ordered the Pollution Control Department to step up monitoring of illegal industrial waste dumping after black waste mixed with plastic and cut wire was found on farmland in Kabin Buri, Prachin Buri, with a nearby pond that is black, smelly and oily. Police have asked the PCD to test whether the seized material is legally hazardous, and the agency is building a public tip-off network to trace sources and transport routes. For a small business that generates scrap, waste or sludge, expect tighter checks: use licensed waste collectors and keep records of who takes your waste and where it ends up.
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The Commerce Ministry survey of 5,465 people found 71.77% used the Thai Chuay Thai Plus (60/40) scheme. Ready-to-eat food was the top category at 48.22%, followed by fresh food at 38.87%. Usage runs 1 June to 30 September 2569 (2026), and delivery orders from 15 June. About 31.58% said they would mostly return to the same shops after the scheme ends, and 0.88% said they would not. Only 2.12% saw prices falling. Plan for a demand drop after 30 September, and check how your shop can keep the customers it picked up during the scheme.
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CIMB Thai's sustainability head says lenders are shifting from checking whether a project is green to asking whether the business has a credible transition plan, clear emissions-reduction numbers, investment costs, an accountable owner and solid evidence. The SEC is consulting on transition and Thailand Amber bond rules until 21 August 2026. For an SME, expect loan requests to need a documented plan with figures, not just an eco label. Most of this is general direction; no new loan rule for SMEs is stated.
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Floodwaters in Nan province have peaked and are receding, but damage covers homes, roads, bridges and farms. The Fisheries Department counts 733 aquaculture farmers hit across 6 districts, with losses above 1.66 million baht. Livestock authorities have sent over 20 tonnes of feed and set up 51 animal evacuation centres. If you run a business with suppliers or customers in Nan (Pua, Phu Phiang, Nan city), expect disrupted transport and stock, and check on access routes before shipping.
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The Trade Competition Commission has more than 20 complaints against large digital platforms under review, covering fees, forced promotions, forced use of delivery services, and search/listing visibility. It will look at the whole business model, including algorithms, ranking and shop visibility, not just GP commission levels. A draft law on the digital platform economy is also being pushed, and the commission plans to publish its rulings so platforms and merchants can see enforcement standards. For a small merchant selling on these platforms, this means complaints about listing and visibility may get more attention, but no new fees or rules apply yet; watch for the published rulings and the draft law.
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World gold rose to about 4,540 USD, a high in over two and a half months, after the US Treasury signalled more bond buybacks, which weakened the dollar. Thai gold bars are back above 70,000 baht. The rally is fragile: long bond yields quickly climbed back (30-year to 5.25%), and US ETF holdings were net sellers for the year to date (down 33.08 tonnes). Shop owners who buy or sell gold for stock or pricing should expect volatility and avoid locking in large positions on a single rally.
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Brent rose to about $93.78 and WTI to about $87.83 a barrel on 20 Aug 2026, up for five straight sessions after the US threatened tougher economic pressure on Iran. Thai Oil's analysts say prices may stay high near term because the Strait of Hormuz remains far below pre-war traffic, and the conflict shows no clear sign of easing. For SMEs, assume diesel and transport costs stay elevated for now, review delivery and logistics pricing, and check fuel-linked supplier surcharges.
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The Department of Internal Trade expects 2026 southern mangosteen output of about 139,000 tonnes, up roughly 75% from 2025. It plans to collect 10,000 tonnes through 3 auction sites (2 in Nakhon Si Thammarat from 17 Aug to 20 Sep 2026, 1 in Chumphon from 20 Aug to 20 Sep 2026) and to route produce through Talad Thai, Si Mum Mueang and Moraket markets plus six Modern Trade chains with over 200 branches. Traders buying or supplying mangosteen, durian or longan from the south may find cheaper supply and new buyer channels this season; sellers can register produce for the auctions.
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