Archive
August 12, 2026
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
Per PTT-independent source Bangchak's pump prices on 12 Aug 2026: gasohol 95 at 36.84 baht/litre, gasohol 91 at 36.47, diesel B7 at 37.54, and diesel B20 at 32.54 baht, up 0.85 baht from the previous day. B20 is the cheaper diesel option at the pump. If your fleet or machinery runs on B7, compare the cost per km or per hour against B20 before refuelling, and reflect the daily movement in delivery and transport pricing.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
The government plans to start the "Thai Tiew Thai Plus" domestic travel subsidy on 1 October 2026, with registration for Thai travellers opening then. It is a co-payment scheme (50:50 or 60:40) at one rate nationwide, with 500,000 rights and 1,750 million baht budget. Vouchers of 1,000-1,500 baht per right can be spent on restaurants, spas, attractions, OTOP products, car and boat rental, and one-day or half-day tours. Hotels must be in the tax system and have registered capital of no more than 200 million baht. Cabinet approval is targeted for end of August 2026. If it slips, the start may move to 1 November. Operators should check tax registration and capital eligibility now and prepare to register in September.
August 11, 2026
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
The PM ordered regional flood and drought committees for all five regions, with 100 million baht extra emergency budget per region. Royal Irrigation plans 14,956 million cubic metres of reservoir water for the rainy season, 47% for farming, 2% for industry. Upper Chao Phraya has already released 108% of its plan, and rice planting is at 92% of target. Farmers are asking for 2,000 baht per rai compensation. For a Thai SME: if you run a business in rice-dependent or rain-fed areas, especially the Northeast, expect lower farm incomes and weaker local demand. Plan cash flow and water-dependent operations (cleaning, food, agro-linked) for possible shortages, and watch for flood or drought disruption to transport and supply.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
The Consumers Council has filed 10 pilot lawsuits against 17 companies over Facebook-linked online scams, the first legal action of its kind in Thailand against digital platforms. Preliminary hearings are under way, with more on Aug 17 and 31, and the next hearing for four Bangkok South cases on Nov 23. Cases may take a long time because of many defendants. For a small business, this is background only: if your business advertises on Facebook, watch how platform liability for scam ads develops, but no action is needed now.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
The government approved 100 million baht in emergency funding for each deputy prime minister to handle flooding and prepare for drought. Cell Broadcast warnings are active for areas around the Lao River in Chiang Rai and Phayao, and the Mekong is rising in the Northeast. The Royal Irrigation Department is watching 12 higher-risk provinces, including Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Phanom, Udon Thani and Ubon-area provinces such as Yasothon. If you run a business in these areas, check your stock, equipment and transport routes for flood risk now, and plan for water shortages early next year. Reservoirs are at 58% of capacity.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
After the Debsirin Nonthaburi shooting on Aug 7, the cabinet approved seven school safety measures, including weapon and drug screening before entry and a safety protection centre at every school. A draft school safety bill is open for public consultation from Aug 10 to Sept 9 before going to parliament. If you run or supply a school, canteen, tutoring centre or school transport, expect tighter entry checks, emergency plans and drills, and possibly new costs or contract requirements. Watch the bill's final text.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
The cabinet approved a civil service reform aiming to cut the public-sector workforce by 15% by 2032. New civil service posts are frozen, and vacancies are filled only when necessary. From fiscal 2028 to 2032, retirements will generally not be replaced, with exceptions for medical, dental and prison posts. From fiscal 2027, 11 support categories (including admin, PR, communications, library and printing) will be eliminated on retirement. For a Thai SME this mainly means slower government hiring and fewer public-sector staff as contacts; it may also reduce demand for some government-linked printing, media or support services over time. No immediate action is required.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
YouTube is tightening the Partner Program ad-revenue criteria: channels need over 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months or 20 million Shorts views in 90 days. Channels already in the program keep their status even if they fall below the bar. New applicants must meet the criteria by February 2027. YouTube says the change mainly reflects Shorts growth and that Super Chat and memberships are unaffected. If your business earns from YouTube or plans to, start building the channel now, with Shorts as a route to qualify, and do not count on ad revenue from new channels without meeting the thresholds.
Your real translator for LINE and Discord.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
The Central Administrative Court ruled the July 27 announcement postponing the Social Security Board election was unlawful. The vote proceeds as scheduled on Sept 27, and the SSO cannot issue a similar delay. Employers and insured workers who pay into Social Security should note the board's leadership will be chosen then, as the current board stays caretaker until the vote. The SSO has reportedly set aside 275 million baht for the election.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
The Highways Department says the M6 Bang Pa-in to Nakhon Ratchasima section (196 km) opens on 21 Aug 2569, initially on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The M82 Bang Khun Thian to Ban Phaeo section opens on 28 Aug 2569 and is free for about two years. Rest-area PPP tenders for 21 sites on M6 and M81 are under review, and the Sriracha Rest Village on M7 is slated for full service during Songkran 2570. For businesses in logistics, trucking, or roadside retail along these routes, this may shift travel times and delivery routing, and it is worth checking how the new road affects your trips.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
The Energy Ministry says it is backing a plan, tied to a 50-billion-baht emergency decree, to install rooftop solar on 1 million homes. Key mechanism: state banks (GSB, GHB) lend at 2-4% a year, with repayments taken from the monthly electricity bill savings. Approval for rooftop solar is cut to 7 days, and grid sell-back to 30 days. The design is still pending, with a decision expected in about a month. For a business owner, this is a possible route to cut power costs or to sell solar installation and financing services. Wait for the final scheme terms before committing.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
Anthropic says Claude outputs will carry AI-origin watermarks, tied to the EU AI Act Article 50(2), and the rule applies to users everywhere. New models released after 2 August 2026 get it first, and older models are being updated. Files will carry the C2PA metadata standard, which Google and OpenAI already support. If your business uses Claude for content, documents or customer-facing output, check that your workflow keeps file metadata intact and that you can disclose AI use where your customers or regulators ask.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
Deputy PM Ekniti says the Finance Ministry is restructuring car excise tax so that carmakers with factories in Thailand are treated fairly against imports from FTA partners that enter at lower tariffs. The aim covers EV, hybrid and combustion vehicles. The detailed plan is due by September 2026, before cabinet review. The battery excise change (currently a flat 8%, possibly tiered) may come later. For auto parts makers, dealers and suppliers, the key point is that local-production status will shape car tax, so watch the September proposal before changing sourcing or investment plans.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
Thai gem and jewellery exports reached US$8.25bn in January-June 2026, up 11.58% year on year. The Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair (74th edition) runs 8-12 September 2026 at QSNCC with over 1,300 exhibitors from 20+ countries and a target of 45,000+ visitors and at least US$160m in trade. DITP and GIT are pushing makers to move from OEM contract work to ODM and own-brand design, with a Designer Zone and on-site gem certification labs. If you make or trade jewellery, this is a near-term window to book a stand or visit for buyer leads and to consider design-led products.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
Myanmar's government laid out a 100-day economic plan on 31 July 2026 focused on agriculture (rice, beans, maize, rubber, fisheries), gas and crude refining, and local-currency payments. The Department of Foreign Trade will track measures affecting Thai traders at the Joint Trade Committee meeting due late this year. Thai exporters to Myanmar may get a chance to push for easing the import licence limits in place since August 2025. Border trade fell 7.4% in 2025 to 193,663 million baht, so plan for slow, uncertain border orders and watch for JTC outcomes.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
The Central Administrative Court revoked the 27 July 2026 announcement that had postponed the Social Security board elections, so the Social Security Office must run the elections on the original timetable. The office says it has 275 million baht budgeted and about 7 million ballots ready. The court also blocked the office from issuing a similar postponement. For employers, the employer-representative seat on the board is part of the same process, so watch for election dates and voter-related notices from the office.
Together GoWeGo! Ferry tickets in Thailand.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
Jasmine buds at Phuket's Talat Kaset market hit 1,400–1,500 baht/kg before Mother's Day (11–12 August 2026), up from a usual ~1,000 baht/kg, because supply fell short of demand. Some flower shops could not get enough jasmine to string wrist garlands. If you sell flowers or garlands, expect higher input costs and tight stock this week; holding prices or pricing garlands with the spike in mind can protect margins. Demand for wrist garlands is expected to stay strong through the holiday.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
Commerce Department inspected egg supply in Nakhon Ratchasima and says stock is sufficient, with sellers still selling daily and able to order from farms. Claims that exports caused the shortage are unconfirmed. Egg output is tight for now; the Livestock Department is extending the laying-hen cycle to keep production up. The "Thai Eggs Help Thai" scheme sells eggs about 10% below market from 13 to 31 August 2026 through provincial commerce offices. For SMEs using eggs as an input, plan for tight supply and possible price pressure this month, and check local commerce offices for supply help if shortages hit.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
Jasmine prices hit 750-1,000 baht a litre and large garlands up to 300 baht, due to lower harvests from rain and cold in Nakhon Sawan and Kamphaeng Phet, plus Mother's Day demand. Commerce says the rise is short-term. Florists and flower or garland sellers should display prices clearly, charge the price shown, and keep cost records, since officials can inspect costs. Overpricing without justification can bring up to 7 years' jail or a 140,000 baht fine under the Price of Goods and Services Act.
▾ Hover for summary ▾ Tap for summary
Cabinet on 11 Aug 2026 considered a plan to cut civil-service headcount 15% by fiscal 2032 and reduce regional central agencies about 10% (roughly 200+ units) by fiscal 2027. Measures include freezing new civil-service slots, abolishing vacant posts, and moving some functions to local government or other sectors. For a Thai SME this is mostly background: it may slow government approvals and permit processing in provinces over time, and it could shift some services to local administrations. No immediate action needed.
