Archive

Anthropic keeps Claude Sonnet 5 API at $2/$10 per million tokens, cancelling planned price rise Blognone · Aug 11, 2026

Anthropic's Claude Sonnet 5 API price stays at $2 input / $10 output per million tokens, with no end date. The earlier promotional rate was due to expire at the end of August, and the planned rise to $3/$15 is cancelled. The move follows OpenAI cutting prices on its Terra and Luna models, which the article links to competition from lower-priced Chinese large models. If your business uses AI tools through the API, budget at the current rate rather than a higher one. Otherwise this is background only.

Govt readies school safety measures, including tighter gate screening for schools Bangkok Post · Aug 11, 2026

After the Aug 7 shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School, the Education Ministry is due to put six school safety measures to cabinet. They include mental health screening for students and staff, emergency drills, a zero-tolerance policy on bullying, and tighter security screening to keep unauthorised people and illegal items out. No costs or rules for private businesses are set yet. If you run a school, tutoring centre or childcare service, expect stricter screening, reporting and drill requirements to follow.

Thai Tiew Thai Plus domestic travel subsidy nears launch for green season Bangkok Post · Aug 11, 2026

The Tourism Ministry expects to finalise the Thai Tiew Thai Plus domestic travel subsidy details, funding source and system readiness within about a week, aiming to launch in the green (monsoon) season. It targets hotels, restaurants and service providers, especially in secondary cities. Eligibility for hotels, supported services beyond food, and the platform (Pao Tang app via Krungthai Bank) are still undecided, and funding may be borrowing or central budget. Businesses that want to take part should watch for the participant registration step. Launch could slip into high season, which may require fresh consultation.

Rooftop solar subsidy may require at least B3,000 monthly power bill Bangkok Post · Aug 11, 2026

The Finance Ministry is considering a 50,000-baht rooftop solar subsidy that would only make sense for households with monthly electricity bills of at least about 3,000 baht. A typical 5kW system costs about 150,000 baht, and the balance can be financed through low-interest loans from the Government Savings Bank or Government Housing Bank. The programme may start as early as September, and installers must be approved by MEA or PEA. Criteria are still initial and not finalised.

Baht strengthens past 33 per dollar, likely to firm further near term Bangkok Post · Aug 11, 2026

The baht has risen past 33 to the dollar, reaching a six-week high of 32.87 on Friday. Economists at K-Research say it could reach 32.70 near term, as weaker US jobs data reduced the chance of a Fed rate hike in September and some funds moved back into emerging markets. For exporters, a stronger baht cuts baht earnings on dollar sales, so review pricing and hedging. Importers and those paying dollar-denominated costs may get some relief. Watch the yen intervention and US-Iran talks, which could reverse the trend.

BoT proposes banks scrutinise cash purchases of property worth 5 million baht or more Bangkok Post · Aug 11, 2026

The Bank of Thailand has opened a public hearing (5 Aug to 3 Sept) on rules requiring banks to check the rationale for cash transactions of 5 million baht or more, including cash withdrawals, deposits, banknote exchanges, cheque and draft issuance, and foreign banknote trades. If a customer's stated reason is inconsistent, such as withdrawing a large cash sum to buy land or property when easier payment methods exist, banks must act. If your business regularly moves large cash sums or receives cash for big purchases, expect more questions from your bank and keep records of the purpose. Comments can be submitted until 3 Sept.

Oil prices rallied and US stocks fell on concerns about the Strait of Hormuz, with inflation back in focus. Only the headline was available, so no details are confirmed. For a Thai SME, watch fuel and diesel costs and transport surcharges in the coming weeks.

Social security board election goes ahead as labour minister says court order does not delay it Prachachat · Aug 10, 2026

The Labour Minister says a 7 August administrative court order only paused registration of employees and employers to vote in the Social Security Board election, not the wider preparations. The government has appealed, and the registration step is on hold until the appeal ruling. Employers should keep their employee and company details ready for registration, but expect the timetable to shift once the court rules. The article gives no new election date.

Social Security board election still set for 27 September 2026, but some registration steps are paused Prachachat · Aug 10, 2026

The election committee says the 27 September 2026 vote date is unchanged; only some steps, such as the 10 August publication of registered voter lists and appeals, are paused after a Central Administrative Court order. Employer-side and insured-side candidate names are still due 19 August 2026. Owners who are employers or registered with Social Security should check their voter status and workplace details with SSO, which will process the voter list without a registration condition. Questions can go to 0 2956 2929 on working days or the SSO hotline 1506 press 9.

WHA's first-half 2026 profit fell 29% as land transfers are pushed into the second half Prachachat · Aug 10, 2026

WHA Group, a large industrial-estate and utilities developer, reported first-half 2026 net profit of 2,167.5 million baht, down 29.1% year on year. Logistics revenue rose 19.2% on demand for warehouses and factories, and water and solar sales grew. Management expects a second-half lift from land transfers and asset sales worth about 3.7 billion baht. For a small Thai business this is mainly a signal: demand for industrial and warehouse space in the Eastern Seaboard and Bang Na-Trat corridor is still growing, and the company is pushing into solar PPAs. It has no direct action item for most SMEs.

SEC fined 96 listed-company and fund cases in three months, mostly for late filings The Standard Wealth · Aug 10, 2026

The SEC published enforcement data for the last three months: 96 settlement cases totalling about 15.1 million baht. Most were late reporting or disclosure breaches, which are administrative. The largest fines hit digital-asset businesses and fund managers over system failures, not fraud. Named executives include the CEOs of GULF and KKPS, but the offences were filing delays. For a typical SME this is background only. If you hold shares in a listed company or run a licensed business, check your own filing deadlines, such as Form 59 for securities holdings, since late filings are the most common fine.

Corn purchase price stays at old rate until new one is set; cost review due 31 August Prachachat · Aug 10, 2026

The Commerce Ministry extended the 2025/26 (2568/69) corn purchase price notice, which expired 31 July 2026, until a new notice is issued, keeping the same rules and price structure. The committee could not set a new price because farmers say production costs rose while the Office of Agricultural Economics says they fell. Agencies must reconcile cost data by 31 August 2026. Feed mills and livestock businesses should plan on the current price for now and watch for a new notice and any farmer relief measures for the 2569/70 crop, since any price rise could pass through to feed and meat costs.

Corn purchase price stays at old rates until a new announcement, cost data review due 31 August 2026 Prachachat · Aug 10, 2026

The commerce ministry's corn purchase price notice for 2025/26 (2568/69) expired on 31 July 2026. The corn committee (นบขพ.) extended it on the same rules and price structure until a new notice is issued, so there is no price gap for now. A new price has not been set because farmers say production costs rose while the Office of Agricultural Economics says they fell. SMEs in feed, livestock and aquaculture should plan on the existing structure, and watch for the new price after the review ends on 31 August 2026. If farmer costs are confirmed higher, the agriculture ministry will consider direct support for the 2026/27 crop. Feed-linked costs could move later.

Krungsri Consumer says Thai card spending grew only 3% in H1 2026 and it expects to miss full-year targets The Standard Wealth · Aug 10, 2026

Krungsri Consumer reports H1 2026 card spending of 196,700 million baht (up 3%) and new loans of 47,200 million baht (up 4%), with credit card NPL at 1.1% against a market average of 2.1%. Management expects full-year targets to be missed because H2 growth was set too high for the economy, citing energy and oil prices, cost of living and weak consumer purchasing power. Consumers are cutting back by staying home: online shopping rose 16% and now ranks in the top 5 spending categories, while fuel stations grew 7%. For a small business, expect lenders to stay cautious on credit lines and consumer loans, and plan for weaker discretionary demand in the second half while online and home-delivery channels are gaining.

Commerce Ministry sets up four working groups to deliver quick wins for SMEs within 6 months to 1 year Prachachat · Aug 10, 2026

Deputy PM Supphajee Suthammaphan chaired the commerce sub-committee on 10 August 2026 and set up four working groups: creative economy and visitor economy; agriculture and food security; community economy and SMEs (including licence simplification and scale-up); and international trade (FTA use, new markets). The stated goal is quick wins within 6 months to 1 year by removing regulatory obstacles and cutting business burdens, with a 2-4 year structural plan to follow. No specific rule change, deadline or budget is named yet. For an SME owner, watch the SME working group for licence and permit simplification that could affect your business, and note that proposals still have to pass the sub-committee and the public-private body (กรอ.) before taking effect.

Government plans to scrap old vans, buses and taxis for EV replacements, with private firms to handle scrap The Standard Wealth · Aug 10, 2026

The Finance Minister has ordered the Finance and Industry ministries to work out details of a plan to retire old public vans, buses and taxis and replace them with clean-energy vehicles. Transport Ministry will handle de-registration; scrap disposal is still being arranged, possibly with private operators. No timeline or subsidy for public vehicles is given yet. Private cars keep the EV 3.5 subsidy of 50,000 baht per vehicle. If you run a van, taxi or bus, watch for a replacement scheme; if you are considering an EV for personal or fleet use, the current subsidy still applies.

Thailand's 2027 budget bill cuts public investment by 70 billion baht while running a 788 billion baht deficit The Standard Wealth · Aug 10, 2026

The draft FY2570 budget totals 3.788 trillion baht against 3 trillion baht in expected net revenue, leaving a 788 billion baht gap to borrow. Public investment is down about 70 billion baht (around 8.4%), while recurring spending rose about 5%. More than 70% of departmental budget units got less than in FY2569. For a small business, expect slower public works and procurement, and possibly tighter fiscal room later. Public debt stands at 66.87% of GDP (30 June 2026). No immediate action is required; watch for changes in government contracts and infrastructure projects in your sector.

Bank of Thailand opens comment on draft cash rules covering deposits over 5 million baht The Standard Wealth · Aug 10, 2026

The Bank of Thailand has released a draft rule on cash transactions, now open for comment from 5 August to 3 September 2026. It extends existing withdrawal controls to cash deposits, baht note exchange, cash for cheques and drafts, and foreign currency trading. Banks would have to verify identity before every cash transaction and analyse customer behaviour. Cash transactions of 5 million baht or more within one day, or any flagged as unusual, would trigger enhanced checks, and a bank may refuse the transaction if checks cannot be completed. For a business that regularly deposits or exchanges large cash sums, expect more questions and possible delays at the bank, and keep records of the source and purpose of cash. Owners can submit comments before the deadline.

Deputy PM to take 9 Isan flood and drought measures to cabinet Prachachat · Aug 10, 2026

Deputy PM Thongsri Thongsri says 9 water measures for 20 Isan provinces will go to cabinet; no date or budget given yet. Provinces are preparing evacuation shelters and recovery plans, mainly for known flood spots. Mekong levels are high because upstream dams released water without advance notice. For Isan SMEs in flood- or drought-prone areas, watch for the cabinet decision and any changes to dredging-soil rules, which could affect local construction and earthwork costs.

Mekong flood risk for Isan's river provinces, 10-12 August: rain above 90 mm forecast in Bueng Kan, Ubon Ratchathani and Nakhon Phanom Prachachat · Aug 10, 2026

Rain of more than 90 mm is forecast for 10-12 August in parts of Bueng Kan, Ubon Ratchathani and Nakhon Phanom, and the Mekong is rising after heavy rain in Myanmar and Laos. Releases from the Xayaburi dam reached 14,949 m³/s, and authorities are ready to close floodgates and run pumps if water backs up into farmland and communities. If you run a business or farm on low ground along the Mekong or in these districts, move stock, equipment and vehicles to higher ground now, and check the Royal Irrigation Department and local warnings. Rain is expected to ease from 12-15 August, though heavy showers remain possible in some areas.