Archive

Trump says no talks are planned with Iran, and Tehran says the Strait of Hormuz is still shut. Fuel and shipping costs may stay elevated, so review diesel budgets and freight quotes.

Reuters explains why a strong El Niño weather pattern leaves tropical commodities highly exposed. Title only was available, so details are unconfirmed. For Thai SMEs in farming, food or commodity-linked trade, this is a signal to review input costs and supply planning for the coming months.

New Energy Permanent Secretary named: Chantanon Wannakejohn, a former agriculture official, takes over energy security, power costs and Data Center demand The Standard Wealth · Aug 18, 2026

Cabinet approved Chantanon Wannakejohn as the new Permanent Secretary for Energy on 18 August 2026, replacing Prasert Sinsukprasert, who retires on 30 September 2026. His stated priorities are energy security (oil, gas and fuel reserves), cutting electricity costs for households and businesses, and a new PDP power plan that covers rising demand from Data Centers and AI. For a small business, this is background: no rate or rule changes are announced yet. Watch for the new PDP and any electricity tariff moves, since both affect your power bill over the next year.

US 30-year bond yields hit their highest since 2007, which could keep global borrowing costs high Prachachat · Aug 18, 2026

US 30-year Treasury yields rose to 5.31% on 17 Aug, the highest since 2007, as investors worry about heavy government spending and inflation above the Fed's target. Analysts say global long-term rates may stay high, and the article notes pressure on US mortgage and other loan costs. For a Thai SME this is background only: no immediate change to your loan rates or baht costs, but it is a reason to avoid locking in new long-term fixed-rate debt on the assumption that rates will fall soon.

Rayong industrial estate ordered to halt site work after rock-blasting evidence The Standard Wealth · Aug 18, 2026

On 13 Aug, blast-like noise and tremors were reported across 4 districts of Rayong. On 17 Aug, the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) inspected the WHA ESIE 5 site in Ban Khai and found signs that rock had been blasted, though the developer and contractor said only breaker machines were used. IEAT has ordered a halt to earthworks on all rock areas in the project and barred outsiders from the site. The developer must explain site operations, EIA compliance and permits within 3 working days. If violations are found, the minister says action will be taken immediately. Relevance for most SMEs: low, unless you work in construction, quarrying or contracting in the Eastern Seaboard, where stricter scrutiny of blasting and EIA compliance is likely.

Cabinet approves four labour bills: seafarers must be enrolled in social security, home-worker and child-labour rules tightened Prachachat · Aug 18, 2026

Cabinet has approved two draft bills and two related labour rules (not yet law). Key points: employers of seafarers must enrol them directly in social security and the workers' compensation fund; under-18s barred from night work 22.00-06.00 on ships. For home-based work, minimum working age 15, child hiring under 18 in hazardous work banned, and late payment or late deposit return carries 15% per year penalty interest; online job-giving is covered. Penalty for hiring under-15s: up to 2 years' jail or a fine of 400,000-800,000 baht. Also state-enterprise spouses (same-sex marriages) get equal medical, compensation and funeral benefits. Check any seafarer, home-worker or child-labour practices now; drafts still need passage before they take effect.

Government plans 1-million-roof solar scheme with 0% upfront cost and bill-linked repayment Prachachat · Aug 18, 2026

The Energy Ministry is pushing a 1-million-roof solar scheme: a subsidy of about 50,000 baht per household, soft loans at 2-4% a year from state banks (Krungthai-style On-bill Financing via GSB and GHB), and repayments taken from the electricity bill savings. Rooftop permits are to be cut to 7 days, and grid sell-back approval to 30 days. The design is still pending, due in about a month. For a business with a roof, this is worth checking once the terms are published; the 500 MW public buy-back quota is already open. Note: the article describes household schemes, and does not confirm terms for commercial premises.

Industrial estate WHA ESIE 5 halts site works after blasting evidence, developer has 3 days to explain Prachachat · Aug 18, 2026

Industry Minister Warawut ordered the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) to halt site levelling at the WHA ESIE 5 estate in Ban Khai, Rayong, after tremors on 13 Aug were linked to possible rock blasting. The developer and its contractor said only breakers were used. The developer must explain site work, EIA mitigation and permits within 3 working days. For contractors and suppliers working on industrial estates, the lesson is to keep daily work logs and confirm that methods match the EIA and permits, since daily reports will be checked against GPS and work sequence.

Kasikorn launches K Virtual Account to track which customer paid, with auto-matching due late this year The Story Thailand · Aug 18, 2026

Kasikorn Bank has launched K Virtual Account for business customers. You get a separate virtual account number for each customer, tenant, branch or project, all under one master account, so incoming transfers show who paid immediately. This helps businesses with many tenants, branches or payment channels cut the staff time spent matching deposits to invoices. An automated receivables matching service (A/R Matching Solution) is in development and is due to open late this year. The article gives no fees or pricing, so check with your bank on cost and eligibility before switching.

New state welfare card holders must complete e-KYC by 30 Sep or lose access from 1 Oct Prachachat · Aug 18, 2026

The Finance Ministry says newly approved state welfare card holders must verify identity (e-KYC) by 30 Sep to use benefits from 1 Oct. Verify via the Paptang app or at one of five banks (Krungthai, BAAC, GSB, GHB, Islamic Bank); ATMs do not work. Check the result on the welfare website the next day. Verification remains open until 12 Jan 2027. If you employ or serve customers who are eligible, tell them now.

China's July retail sales slowed to 0.6% and investment fell, while Singapore raised its 2026 growth forecast The Standard Wealth · Aug 18, 2026

China's July data was weak: retail sales grew only 0.6% year on year, fixed-asset investment fell 6.7% over seven months, and new bank lending dropped to a record low for the month. Beijing is expected to add stimulus in the second half. Singapore raised its 2026 GDP forecast to 4.5%–5.5% on AI-driven exports. For a Thai SME, the practical read is limited: weaker Chinese demand may ease competition for some imports and could reduce export orders tied to China. Thailand itself grew only 1.9% in Q2 2026, the lowest in ASEAN, so keep domestic demand assumptions cautious.

Gun shops hit by import ban and proposed permit freeze after Thai school shooting Bangkok Post · Aug 18, 2026

After a 14-year-old gunman killed at least seven people outside Bangkok this month, PM Anutin proposed suspending new firearm purchase and ownership permits, and police were told to stop renewing purchase permits. Gun shops already cannot import firearms (banned since 2023). Some dealers have pivoted, such as one Bangkok gun shop now selling bakery goods to cover staff salaries. The gun trade is worth about 2 billion baht. If your business supplies or services gun shops or the firearms trade, plan for shrinking demand and consider diversifying. Otherwise there is no direct action needed.

Labour Ministry sends 4 draft laws to cabinet, covering home-based workers and sea-going crew Prachachat · Aug 18, 2026

The Labour Ministry is submitting four draft laws to cabinet. Two matter most to small businesses. The home-based work bill would set a minimum age of 15, bar hazardous work, require fair pay, and make employers who default on payment liable for interest and surcharges. The sea-crew bill would extend social security and workers' compensation to crew on cargo ships (not fishing boats). Two other drafts extend state-enterprise spousal benefits to same-sex couples. These are proposals only, so no immediate change applies, but businesses that give out work to be done at home or run vessels should review their contracts and payment terms.

Thai GDP forecast raised to 2.2% as government names energy, cost-of-living and spending weakness as the three pressures Prachachat · Aug 18, 2026

The NESDC raised its 2026 GDP growth forecast to 2.2% from 2%. Q2 GDP grew 1.9%, above the roughly 1.7% market expectation. The finance minister named three pressures: energy costs from the war, with the current account in deficit in Q2; cost of living, with inflation back to +2.7% and producer prices up nearly 9%, a cost squeeze for businesses; and weaker private consumption, which slowed to 1.9% from 3.3%. The government has a 400 billion baht borrowing decree, and the "Thai Help Thai Plus" scheme began in June. For an SME, plan for higher input costs and softer customer spending this quarter. The article gives no detail on new support measures or eligibility.

Crude prices rise again as Hormuz reopening stays uncertain, keeping fuel costs under pressure Prachachat · Aug 18, 2026

Brent rose to about $90.87 and West Texas to about $84.50 per barrel on 17 Aug 2026, up $2.35 and $2.10, as the US said its naval blockade of Iran continues with no clear end date. Tensions also rose in the Middle East, with Houthi missile claims in the Red Sea. China's crude refining edged up in July, the first rise since the conflict began. For a Thai SME, expect diesel and fuel-linked costs to stay volatile; review transport and energy budgets and fuel surcharges this quarter rather than assuming relief soon.

Revenue Dept raids 10 fake-invoice sites: buying tax invoices you didn't receive for real goods can now be a crime Prachachat · Aug 18, 2026

The Revenue Department and the Economic Crime Suppression Division raided 10 sites over a fake tax-invoice network with damages above 360 million baht. Arrests were made and 3 warrants were executed. Sellers of invoices without real trade and users who claim VAT credit on them face criminal liability under Revenue Code sections 90/4(3) and 90/4(7). Penalties run from 3 months to 7 years in prison and fines of 2,000 to 200,000 baht. For an SME: only accept tax invoices from suppliers you actually bought from, check their VAT registration and existence, and never buy invoices to lower tax.

Gold rose 200 baht today to 68,900 for bars and 69,700 for jewellery Prachachat · Aug 18, 2026

Gold prices rose 200 baht on 18 Aug 2026 versus the previous close. Bar gold (96.5%) buy-back is 68,700 baht and sell price 68,900 baht per baht weight; jewellery buy-back is about 67,325.56 baht and sell price 69,700 baht. World spot gold is about US$4,403/oz. The spread between buy and sell prices is wide, so for shops holding gold stock or taking gold as payment, check the buy-back price before pricing or accepting it.

Finance Ministry moves on energy-transition loans for public transport and rooftop solar Prachachat · Aug 18, 2026

The Finance Ministry will discuss the public-transport energy transition project with the permanent secretary this week (17-21 Aug). A rooftop solar project by PEA and MEA is expected to become clearer in Q4 2026. Loan disbursement under the decree runs until 31 Dec 2027. Government says the aim is to cut oil and gas import exposure and push EV and local production. For an SME, watch for solar installer and EV-repair opportunities, but no funding is open to apply for yet; the projects are still under discussion.

Baht opens at 33.05 per dollar on 18 Aug 2026, expected to trade 32.95–33.15 over the day Prachachat · Aug 18, 2026

The baht opened at 33.05 per US dollar, close to Monday's 33.00 close, and is expected to stay between 32.95 and 33.15 over 24 hours. The move is driven by weaker US jobs and inflation data that lowered expectations of a Fed rate hike, plus higher gold prices above US$4,400. Thai GDP was not a main driver. For an importer or exporter this is a small move: check that your current FX rate and quotes still hold, but no immediate change in plans is needed. Foreign investors sold 3,528 million baht of Thai bonds and bought 2,200 million baht of Thai stocks the previous day.

Apple releases security updates for iPhone and Mac; update devices this week Blognone · Aug 18, 2026

Apple released iOS 26.6.1, iPadOS 26.6.1 and macOS Tahoe 26.6.2 fixing about 30 security vulnerabilities, including flaws that could expose personal data, image-file bugs, kernel and WebKit issues. Apple reports no known attacks so far, but recommends updating. If your shop, POS, or staff work on iPhones, iPads or Macs, install the update now and restart. Older devices got iOS 18.7.10 and iPadOS 18.7.10.