Archive
August 14, 2026
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The White House published a report on 13 Aug 2026 naming Thailand as a Tier 2 country in a Chinese transshipment network, alongside Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Turkey. The report sets no new policy, but US customs (CBP) is getting more tools, including AI that checks container markings and X-rays against declared goods. If you export to the US or supply exporters, expect more scrutiny of origin paperwork and any China-linked inputs. Keep certificates of origin and supplier records in order.
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The SEC reports scam-investment reports up over 150% in January–June 2026, and 60,968 digital-asset mule accounts suspended by end-June (up 27.83% from end-2025). Civil fines of 662.70 million baht were agreed with 29 offenders. For a Thai SME, the practical point is to watch for fake investment offers, impersonation of SEC or licensed platforms, and suspicious transfers into business or personal accounts. Staff who handle payments or receive money from customers should be briefed on these scam patterns.
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Coalition parties are still negotiating how to split the second 200bn-baht energy-transition loan. The government has pencilled in about 60bn baht for rooftop solar, with 50,000 baht grants per household targeting 500,000 to 1 million homes, plus 10,000 baht registration subsidies for electric motorcycles. Pure grants are not yet approved and the split is unsettled, so no action is needed now. If you sell or install rooftop solar, or run an EV-related business, track the Ministry of Finance's approval and the eligibility rules. The talks may stretch into the parliamentary session starting 25 August 2026.
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A Grade 8 student at Loei Pittayakom School allegedly threatened a shooting, prompting a one-day switch to online classes on Friday. The government has ordered schools nationwide to tighten security after the Aug 7 Debsirin Nonthaburi attack, and the PM has ordered police to stop issuing new firearm possession, purchase and carry licences. For a school operator, expect stricter entry checks and possible visits from authorities; for a business that sells or handles firearms or related gear, licensing is on hold.
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Steel imports from China rose 23% in value in H1 2026 to about THB 180bn, and SCB EIC says Chinese products now make up roughly 65% of domestic consumption. Public concern over substandard induction-furnace (IF) steel is pushing for tighter rules or a ban. SCB EIC argues against an abrupt ban and instead proposes a clear roadmap from IF to electric arc furnace (EAF) production, plus tax deductions, import-duty exemptions for machinery, soft loans and green finance. If you buy or sell steel, check whether your supplier uses IF-made steel and watch for the roadmap and any tightening of TIS standards.
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Thai Airways says Middle East tensions keep fuel prices volatile and could squeeze supply chains and inflation. Q2 profit fell by about 10 billion baht. The airline will hedge up to 60% of fuel exposure, cut some flights, avoid price wars and pass true costs into fares. It plans to spend about 120 billion baht over five years on new aircraft, and IATA has cut its 2026 outlook. For a small business: budget for higher air freight and travel costs, and expect airfares to rise. The article gives no direct deadline for SMEs.
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The US will tax large drones (over 25 kg) and thermal-imaging drones at 100%, effective 21 days after the 13 Aug 2026 White House fact sheet. Other drones face 25%, with 10-15% for trade-deal partners such as the EU, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Switzerland, and 10% for the UK. Drone parts not sensitive for national security face the rate 180 days out. For a Thai SME this matters only if you export drones or components to the US, or sell into supply chains that feed US drone makers. Otherwise it is background on US-China tech tensions.
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Indonesia's finance minister publicly asked Toyota to move its main production from Thailand to Indonesia on 4 Aug 2026, offering incentives and saying supporting industries (steel, electronics, chemicals) should follow. The same week Thailand's PM visited Indonesia, which signed four MOUs (including tourism and a carbon-market deal). Indonesia also says it will announce incentives for about 500,000 battery EVs within two to three weeks, with luxury-tax exemption up to 100% and a 40% VAT cut for BEVs only, not hybrids or PHEVs. For Thai auto-parts and supplier SMEs, the risk is gradual order shifts from Thailand to Indonesia; watch the incentive announcement and your Toyota-linked customer volumes.
Your real translator for LINE and Discord.
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The Digital Economy Minister says the draft platform economy law will be softened from the EU model and is expected to go to Parliament in the next session (September 2026). Key proposals under study: regulating total take rate, not just GP commission; tiered penalties (warning, then fines, criminal penalties if Computer Crime Act applies); and registration of platforms. A shared OCN network (linking ThaiID, PromptPay and Thailand Post) is also being studied, which could give small sellers more bargaining power with platforms. Nothing is binding yet. If you sell on marketplaces, watch fee changes and track the bill's progress; no action is needed today.
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Corporate concern about El Nino has reached its highest level in several years. For a Thai SME, this signals possible drought or heat affecting water, farm inputs and energy costs, so it is worth checking exposure in your supply chain and planning stock or pricing ahead of time. The article text was not available, so this is based on the headline only.
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The US government sold 30-year bonds on 13 August at a 5.216% yield, the highest since 2001. Investors want more compensation for US deficits, inflation risk and a Fed that is no longer the main buyer. Analysts warn long-term yields could stay above 5%, and US 30-year mortgage rates rose to 6.69%. For a Thai SME this is indirect: it can keep global interest rates and the baht under pressure. Avoid locking in new long-term loans on the assumption that rates will fall soon, and watch the baht if you import or export in dollars.
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Thai Oil reported Q2 2026 net profit of 8.28 billion baht, up 27.9% year on year but down 57.5% from Q1, mainly from crude price swings and a 10.7 billion baht pre-tax stock loss. Government diesel price cuts at the refinery gate (9 Apr to 19 May 2026) cost it 2.3 billion baht, and a second round (9 Jul to 15 Aug 2026) is expected to cut another about 926 million baht in Q3. Its fuel-fund receivable stood at 9.7 billion baht at 30 June. For SMEs, expect continued diesel price adjustments and watch fuel-cost planning, since the state is using refinery prices to cushion consumers.
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PTT and its subsidiaries reported Q2 2026 net profit of 52,525 million baht, up 30,992 million (over 100%) from Q2 2025. The company credits wider price spreads and cost cuts under its Profit Enhancement programme. For H1 2026, net profit was 78,263 million baht, up 74.5%. Most of the EBITDA gain came from petrochemicals and refining. For a small business this is background: it signals that energy-sector margins are strong, not that fuel or input prices will fall for you. No action needed beyond watching fuel prices.
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The Cassava Association survey for the 2026/27 season (2569/70) projects harvested area up 2.29% to about 6.77 million rai, but yield per rai down 1.32% to about 2.77 tonnes, so total output rises only 0.94% to about 18.75 million tonnes. Leaf-mosaic disease and a shortage of healthy stem cuttings are the main drags, with Kamphaeng Phet, Nakhon Ratchasima and Kanchanaburi hit hardest. Farmers are also digging cassava early because of good prices and cash-flow pressure, so expect tight fresh-root supply and possible starch or feed input cost pressure. Businesses that buy cassava should lock in supply early; those selling inputs or cuttings should watch demand for clean planting material.
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Brent fell to $87.07 and West Texas Intermediate to $81.25 a barrel on 13 Aug 2026 after the IEA cut its 2026 global oil demand contraction forecast to 1.6 million barrels a day (from about 1 million). Supply risk remains: Iran says ships need its permission to transit the Strait of Hormuz, and Houthi drone attacks hit a Saudi Aramco refinery in Jazan. For a Thai SME, fuel and transport costs are still high and volatile; avoid locking in cost assumptions based on this one-day drop, and check your diesel and logistics budgets.
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Thai Gold Traders Association prices as of 14 Aug 2026, 09:01: gold bar buys at 67,800 baht and sells at 68,000 baht per baht-weight; jewellery buys at 66,446.28 baht and sells at 68,800 baht. Both are down 750 baht from the prior close. World spot gold is about 4,321 USD per ounce. If you buy or sell gold stock, or quote gold-linked prices, re-check today's rates before you commit, since the buy-sell spread on jewellery is wide.
Together GoWeGo! Ferry tickets in Thailand.
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The Agriculture Ministry has ordered a crackdown on wrong-type chemicals and foreign substances added to rubber raw material, citing risks to quality, buyer confidence and Thai rubber's export position. Measures include awareness campaigns by the Rubber Authority of Thailand, a tip-off line at the Department of Agriculture's rubber division (0-2940-6407), and special inspection teams checking shops and premises, with action extended along the supply chain. If you buy, collect or sell rubber, check your suppliers' practices and make sure your own chain is clean, since violators can face legal action.
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The Rice Department opened a pilot low-carbon rice project in Sam Chuk district, Suphan Buri: 2,000 rai and 400 farmers, using Pathum Thani 1 seed, with the "plant on Mother's Day, harvest on Father's Day" concept. Private buyers Wanna Pop (Wannapob) and Green Cal Thailand will purchase the harvest, and Wave BCG will run carbon-data tracking (MRV) for possible future carbon credits. The goal is to cut costs and add income, with the pilot serving as a model before wider rollout to a target of 1 million rai. For rice farmers and millers, this is an early option, not yet a price or contract change: watch whether the buyer terms and the carbon-credit eligibility become clear before switching land.
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The Office of Trade Policy and Strategy says the renewed US-Iran conflict could keep global oil prices high. Producer prices rose 8.2% and road freight service costs rose 11.1% year on year in Q2 2026, while consumer inflation stayed low at 1.08% for the first half, thanks to government energy price controls. The agency says the economy can absorb the shock, but it recommends that businesses cut internal costs, add value to products and services, and study alternative energy to reduce fuel dependence. Review freight and input-cost budgets now, and pricing for any contracts with fixed terms.
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BOT Governor Vitai Ratanakorn responded to criticism that the central bank is overreaching its mandate. He said the core mission of price and financial stability has not changed, but the BOT will now focus on structural issues: household debt, credit access for SMEs, fair fees and interest for small borrowers, and preventing financial channels from being used for illicit flows. The BOT will also increase supervision of non-bank lenders and payment providers, citing consumer exploitation and rising unusual transactions. No specific rules or dates were given in the post. For an SME owner, watch for tighter rules on non-bank loans and payment apps you use, and expect policy moves on SME credit and fees, but nothing requires action yet.
