Archive
August 14, 2026
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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.
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The National Housing Authority (กคช.) plans its "Baan Kaheha Pheua Khon Thai" programme: about 44,000 long-term (30-year) rental units at roughly 2,000-4,000 baht a month, to be proposed to the cabinet for 2027-2032 in phases. Phase 1 (5 projects, 4,102 units) goes to the cabinet in March 2027, phase 2 in April. It also wants private developers under design-and-build or PPP deals on its land, including a senior complex in Bang Lamung, Chonburi. For SME builders, interior, furniture and construction contractors, this is a pipeline to bid on. Otherwise it is mainly background for landlords and rental-market planning.
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The Meteorological Department says heavy rain will continue in some areas, with very heavy rain in the east (Chanthaburi, Trat). Bangkok and vicinity have thunderstorms over about 60% of the area. Warnings: flash floods and landslides near streams and low ground, and the Andaman coast has waves of 2-3 m or more, so small boats should stay in port. If your shop, warehouse or delivery routes are in the east or the north, plan for delays and water risk, and check stock and deliveries in low-lying spots.
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Per PTT-affiliate Bangchak reference prices on 14 Aug 2026: B20 diesel 32.54 baht/litre (up 0.85 baht from the previous day), B7 37.54, gasohol 95 36.84, gasohol 91 36.47, E20 31.84. Prices exclude Bangkok local land tax and take effect from 05:00 the next day. Check the pump price before budgeting fuel for delivery vehicles or generators, since the figure is a reference only.
August 13, 2026
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Cabinet did not approve new permanent secretaries for the Industry and Energy ministries on 11 August, because a document was missing a page and the nominee could not be reached by phone. The PM has ordered the civil service commission to review the nomination rule. The PM and some ministers travel to Australia and New Zealand 17-22 August, so the appointments are unlikely to be decided before late August or later. For a Thai SME this is internal government administration: no change to permits, tariffs or budgets follows directly, so there is no action to take now beyond watching the Industry ministry's leadership.
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An industry body (Petroleum and Energy Institute of Thailand) warns that outdated upstream oil and gas rules, slow licensing and stalled auctions (Round 25 onshore, Round 26 offshore) could cut domestic gas supply. Natural gas makes up nearly 60% of power generation, so more LNG imports, which cost significantly more, would likely raise electricity prices. Sinphuhorm and Sirikit concessions expire in 2029 and 2031 with no renewal under current law. For an SME, this is a medium-term energy cost risk to plan for in power budgets, not an action item this quarter.
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The DES Ministry is revising the draft Digital Platform Economy Act to be less strict than the EU model, and aims to submit it to parliament in the current session, with next month as the tentative target. The minister says the focus should be the total take rate (commissions plus all service fees), since cutting GP alone may just lead platforms to raise other charges. Government is also weighing a national platform network for merchants and a dedicated regulator. No final rules yet, so for now, track your total cost per online sale across all platforms you sell on.
Your real translator for LINE and Discord.
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Spot gold is around $4,390-4,400 an ounce and Thai gold bars hit 69,150 baht per baht-weight after a 100-baht rise. Analysts see inflation from higher oil prices (Strait of Hormuz tensions) possibly delaying Fed rate cuts, and support near $4,280-4,300. One analyst suggests Thai holders consider partial profit-taking around 69,000 baht, with the next target at 70,200. For a business, gold prices matter mainly if you hold gold as savings or buy it for jewellery stock; fuel and energy costs are the bigger signal from the same news.
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The Royal Gazette has published a Prime Minister's Office regulation creating a data centre policy board chaired by a deputy prime minister. It sets six core powers, including standards for doing business and impact assessment, with a focus on economic benefit and clean energy. The stated concerns are electricity demand and prices, water supply for households and farming, and fire risk. For most small firms this does not change daily operations. It matters if you supply power, water, construction or cooling services to data centres, or if electricity tariffs or water allocation are a concern in your area.
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The Thai Hotels Association is pushing the Tourism Ministry to pick hotels for the Thai Teaw Thai Plus co-payment scheme by revenue or Osmep size criteria, and to let hotels use dynamic pricing rather than fixed rates. The minister says the Finance Ministry may exclude five-star hotels to favour small and medium properties. Osmep's service-sector thresholds: small firms have 30 or fewer staff and under 50 million baht a year; mid-sized have 30-100 staff and 50-300 million baht. The scheme is expected to go to cabinet later this month, launching in October. The THA also wants only licensed properties eligible. If you run a guesthouse or hotel, check your licence status and your size against these thresholds now.
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Russia's Black Sea blockade is stopping Ukrainian farmers from shipping their harvest. Watch wheat and corn prices and feed costs over the coming months, since Thai feed and food importers may feel the effect.
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DeepSeek's new prices take effect 16 August. Input and output rise about 3x for V4 Flash and 3x and 4.6x for V4 Pro, and V4 Pro cache rises from $0.003625 to $0.044 per million tokens (about 12x). If your business runs AI tools or chatbots on DeepSeek's API, recheck your monthly cost estimates and cache usage. DeepSeek still offers a 50% discount outside peak hours (peak is 08:00-11:00 and 13:00-17:00 Thailand time), so scheduling non-urgent jobs off-peak can offset the increase.
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Twitch will allow Amazon to use streamers' video content to train generative AI models, enabled by default for all channels. To block it, go to Settings > Security and Privacy and turn off "Training for Generative AI". Twitch says this only blocks generative AI training; other access stays under the existing terms. Relevant only if your business streams or posts video on Twitch: check your channel settings and review what content you publish there.
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The SEC and Bank of Thailand are drafting stablecoin transaction rules, expected in August 2026 and enforced from February 2027, aimed at money laundering and cross-border evasion. Officials also reportedly found about 40% of USDT sellers on Thai platforms were non-resident foreigners. Binance says Thailand still does not allow USDT or USDC for general payment of goods and services. For an SME, this means no stablecoin payment flow should be treated as a settled business channel yet; keep records of any crypto receipts and wait for the final rules before changing payment or payroll practices.
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Toyota Thailand says it has asked the government to restructure excise tax so locally produced cars and imported EVs (mainly Chinese) are taxed on a more equal footing, and wants it done as fast as possible. It reports positive signals after talks but no decision yet. For a Thai SME, this matters mainly if you work in auto parts, dealing, leasing or EV charging: pricing of imported EVs could shift once the rules change. Plan for possible change, but do not act on it until the Excise Department announces the new rates.
Together GoWeGo! Ferry tickets in Thailand.
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PM Anutin told a visiting US deputy defence secretary that Thailand will not use defence cooperation as leverage in trade talks. The government says it will speed up concluding the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade with the US. The article gives no tariff rates, dates or deal terms. For a small exporter to the US, the practical step is to keep tracking the reciprocal trade agreement, since its final terms will decide the tariff you pay. No action is needed yet.
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The Department of Intellectual Property says there is no AI-specific law yet and no binding court precedent, but using copyrighted songs to train, voice-convert, remix or generate new tracks without the rights holder's permission may infringe copyright. Public-domain songs are generally usable, but related rights such as sound recordings and performances may still apply. If your business uses AI-made music or cover content in marketing or products, check the rights and licence scope first. DIP offers mediation and advice via hotline 1368.
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Deputy PM Supachai Suthammaphan says about 72% of Thai exports to the US are now exempt from US tariffs under Sections 301 and 232, with the remaining 28% still under negotiation; a Thai delegation flies to talks in late August. Government plans to favour domestic goods in public procurement, focused on defence, rail and medical devices, with clear Local Content rules still to come. SMEs may be routed through DIPROM's GMT SMEs programme and the FTI Made in Thailand certification. No firm deadline for SMEs yet; watch procurement rules and the August talks.
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Deputy PM Suphajee says the state will open public procurement to Thai-made goods, parts and services, focusing on defence, rail and medical devices, with Local Content criteria still to be defined. SMEs can work through the DIP "GMT SMEs" mechanism and MiT certification. Biofuel (diesel and benzene) promotion is under discussion, with excise tax still to be set. She also plans to travel to the US in late August to negotiate tariffs; about 72% of goods are reportedly exempt under Sections 301 and 232, leaving 28% still under talks. No dates or final rules are set yet, so watch for the Local Content criteria before retooling.
