Archive
August 12, 2026
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The PM has signed a submission for a Royal Command removing NBTC chairman Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck, after a 4-0 selection committee ruling on July 17 that he breached the conflict-of-interest rule in Section 8(2) of the NBTC Act. Dr Sarana says he stays in office until a Royal Command is issued, and a new meeting on Aug 11 failed. For most SME owners this is a governance story with no direct action. Watch only if your business relies on telecom or broadcasting regulation, such as digital TV licences expiring in 2029.
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After a school shooting in Nonthaburi, the cabinet suspended new gun purchase permits until further notice, and all firearms-carrying permits have expired. The government is considering three-year fixed-term possession licences, a real-time electronic gun-tracking system, and stricter dealer accountability. The Revenue Department will also check whether gun sales were properly taxed. For most SMEs this is background, but gun shops, shooting ranges, security firms or anyone whose work needs a firearm should check their permit status and paperwork now.
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The cabinet has suspended new gun purchase permits until further notice, and all carry permits have expired, so no one can legally carry a gun now. The government is considering fixed-term (three-year proposed) possession licences, a real-time electronic tracking system, and stricter dealer accountability. Revenue Department will check whether gun sales were properly taxed. Businesses that sell, store, or handle firearms, ammunition, or shooting ranges should check their permits, records, and tax compliance now.
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A senior Iranian source says the US must return to an interim deal and that ceasefire extension is not being discussed. Article text was unavailable, so this is based on the headline alone. Watch fuel and freight costs for any spike in Middle East tension.
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AirAsia MOVE data shows average daily flight searches from Thailand rose 86% in 7-16 July 2026 versus 28 Feb-30 June 2026, despite fuel price volatility. Searches are not bookings, so treat it as an early signal. Domestic interest rose for Chiang Mai, Phuket, Nan and Surat Thani; abroad, Japan leads, with Vietnam, China and Malaysia also rising. Tourism and hospitality SMEs can use this to shape Mother's Day and short-trip promotions, especially for secondary destinations and group or family travel.
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Chatuchak Weekend Market's lease from the State Railway ends December 2027 (the article says 2570 BE), and Or Tor Kor's ends late 2027 too. Bangkok has said it will hand Chatuchak back to the Railway, but BMA reportedly owes 1,338 million baht in unpaid rent. Stallholders fear rents will jump, as they did when the Railway ran Chatuchak in 2012 (3,157 baht per stall per month, versus 1,800 baht charged by BMA). If you rent a stall or shop in either market, plan for possible rent increases from 2028 and check your current contract terms. Sales are down sharply: traders report drops of 50-60%.
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From 28 Aug the full 25 km M82 elevated motorway (Bang Khun Thian to Ban Phaeo, Samut Sakhon) opens toll-free for about 2 years while the toll system is finished. Two exit ramps at Samut Sakhon 1 and 2 are still unfinished, so some on/off access will be closed at first. Full tolls are expected around 2029, with entry at 10 baht for 4-wheel cars plus 2 baht per km. If your deliveries or staff travel to southern Bangkok, Samut Sakhon or the south, plan routes around the early partial access. Expect Rama 2 congestion to ease over time.
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Trat TAT and Klong Yai community groups launched the "Feel the Sea Life, Klong Yai Charm" campaign for August–September 2026, featuring a free clam-raking activity at Ban Ta Nuek beach and a coloured-jellyfish viewing at Ban Khlong Manao (weekends only, booking required, 100 baht promo vs 200 normal). Klong Yai hotels and guesthouses (about 17 hotels/resorts; 10 places on the beach with 200–250 rooms, from 700–1,800 baht/night) can package these activities or refer guests. The campaign is aimed at recovering income after border closures and unrest affected the district late last year.
Your real translator for LINE and Discord.
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Gold rose sharply after weak US jobs data (released 7 Aug). The Gold Traders Association chairman expects world prices to reach about US$5,500 this year and Thai gold to pass 70,000 baht, with a possible 75,000 baht by year-end per a technical analyst. Short-term pullbacks are likely. A stronger baht cuts local prices: each 10 satang of baht strength takes about 200 baht off the gold price, and the recent 40-satang gain cost about 800 baht. Leveraged, margin and paper-gold trading carries high risk. If you have spare cash, the association suggests a small allocation to gold as a store of value, not a short-term bet. Price-watch if you buy gold for jewellery stock or hedging.
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From 12 August 2026 (05.00), PTT, Bangchak and other major stations raise all fuels by 0.85 baht per litre, except some premium grades. Retail diesel B7 is now 37.54 baht and B20 is 32.54 baht; benzine is 45.83 baht and gasohol 95 is 36.84 baht. Singapore diesel went above 160 USD per barrel on 11 August, and the oil fund pays about 343 million baht a day in subsidies. Diesel and transport costs will rise, so re-price deliveries and quotes. The Hormuz talks are unresolved, so further moves are possible. The Energy Fund Board asks users to consume only what is necessary.
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Thailand has been Taiwan's top pet food importer since 2018, with imports up 172% in ten years to US$104.3m in 2025 (34.8% share). Taiwan has over 3.2 million dogs and cats and pet goods worth over NT$80bn, with food about 53%. DITP ran a 20-company Thai Pavilion at Taipei Pet Show 2026 (3-6 July), which drew 30 Taiwanese firms and 128 business meetings; follow-up is still in progress. Buyers want quality, traceable, premium or specialised products. If you make pet products, check whether you can meet Taiwan's import and quality requirements before pitching.
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Thai Airways' Q2 2569 net profit fell 87.3% to 1,537 million baht as jet fuel costs rose 72.6% with oil averaging about $187 a barrel. Bangkok Airways' Q2 profit fell 18% to 332.6 million baht, though its first-half profit rose 16.3%. Both airlines have raised fuel surcharges and adjusted fares. For a Thai SME, this signals that fuel-driven transport and logistics costs are likely to stay high, so review freight and travel budgets and price in possible surcharges. Thai Airways also plans to raise its fuel hedge ceiling to 60%.
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The Rubber Authority of Thailand (EGAT-linked agency, กยท.), the Department of Agriculture and the Thai Rubber Association are working on screening rules for cup-lump rubber at buying points. Cup-lump made with the "white powder" coagulant shows plastic-like texture, a hard dry surface, poor elasticity and possible foreign matter. Expect stricter checks on rubber you buy or sell at collection points, and avoid or question any sales pitch for this coagulant. Watch for the final checklist and inspection guidance; no specific deadline has been announced yet.
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Bangkok Airways reported Q2 2026 total revenue of 6,052.5 million baht (up 5.5%), but expenses rose 11.7% to 5,533.1 million, cutting net profit to 332.6 million (down 17.6%). First-half net profit still rose 16.3% to 2,431.8 million. Average ticket price rose 4.2% and load factor reached 81.1%. For a Thai SME, this is a signal that airfares are rising and airline cost pressure is real, relevant mainly if you depend on air travel or air freight for your business.
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After a deadly school shooting in Nonthaburi, PM Anutin ordered gun permit purchases suspended and tougher licensing laws drafted. The government says there is no blanket ban and self-defence under Section 68 of the Criminal Code still stands, but carrying firearms in public will not be justified by self-defence. Tighter controls are also planned for dealers, ammunition and shooting ranges. If your business sells, stores, or uses ammunition or firearms, or trades in security or shooting equipment, expect stricter licensing and inspection; details are still being drafted.
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The Agriculture Ministry has formally launched its joint command centre (ศพร.) across all 76 provincial agriculture offices to crack down on illegal farm imports, false origin labelling, substandard farm inputs and online sales. Since April 2026 it has made 146 arrests worth over 100 million baht in damages. Six measures were announced, including tracing financial flows and networks, and acting before problems occur. For a Thai business that imports, resells or sells farm inputs, expect tighter checks on origin, standards and licensing, and make sure your documents are in order. Honest traders are said to be protected.
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The Ministry of Agriculture expects durian and rambutan to peak in July, mangosteen in August and longan in September 2026, so expect supply to be heavy and prices under pressure in those months. As of 31 July 2026, durian harvest was 65.84% of estimate, with Grade A at 63.10% and an average price of 87.23 baht/kg. Chile says it will speed up import approval for fresh Thai longan and mangosteen, with exports possible within 2027. Thai exporters and traders can plan for Chile as a future market but nothing ships yet. Frozen durian is facing tighter mandatory standards.
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Residents and a Chiang Mai landscape firm asked the Lamphun governor to revise the Route 106 (Ban Hong–Li, about 19 km) widening contract so that roughly 1,000–2,000 near-century-old trees are transplanted instead of felled. The firm offers to do the transplanting at no cost to the state budget. They also asked that felling be paused until a meeting with the governor about a week later. The article does not say whether the contract will change. For a Thai SME, this matters mainly if you run landscape, tree-moving or construction-related work in Lamphun or Chiang Mai.
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From 12 Aug 2026 a new law lets authorities (AMLO, Digital Economy ministry, Bank of Thailand, police) freeze mule accounts in bulk. Once a holder is identified, all their accounts at every bank are blocked across mobile banking, ATM and online channels, and they are blacklisted from opening new accounts. High-risk accounts can be suspended even before a victim files a complaint. Victims can seek refunds through the AMLO system without waiting for a court order. For a business, check that accounts used for receiving payments are not in anyone else's name, and if your account is frozen by mistake, call AOC 1441 press 2. Bank of Thailand is also setting a daily transfer cap of 3,000–10,000 baht for youths aged 12–18, with rules expected by October 2026.
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As of 10 August 2026, Phuket's three reservoirs hold 12.24 million m³, 55.3% of capacity. Provincial irrigation says there is no impact on tourism or business for now, since it is still the rainy season (rain expected until about November). Water demand is rising with tourism and the hidden population, and the study to add storage is due to finish in 2027. Property developers are being asked to build their own water sources in projects. For a Phuket business, keep an eye on water use in the dry season (December to May), when some reservoir supply to the waterworks is cut off in the rainy season.
