Archive

Only 40 billion baht of the first loan tranche is left, and Thai Diao Thai Plus is still waiting for approval Prachachat · Aug 8, 2026

The finance minister says about 40 billion baht remains of the first 200 billion baht loan tranche under the emergency decree, and it may go to the Thai Thiao Thai Plus tourism scheme (about 1.75–2 billion baht requested). The second 200 billion baht tranche is earmarked mainly for energy transition: rooftop solar subsidies, bus fleets moving to EVs, smart meters and grid upgrades, with Government Savings Bank and BAAC lending. No details or budget for the EV bus plan yet. Thai Chuay Thai Plus phase 2 is still under review, and no decision has been made. For a shop owner: keep watching the tourism scheme, and if you run a rooftop-suitable building or a fleet, watch for solar and EV loan terms.

X closes its Blue-tick revenue share to new creators and moves payouts to an original-content-only programme from 8 September 2026 Blognone · Aug 8, 2026

X has closed sign-ups to its existing creator revenue-share programme for Verified accounts with immediate effect. Current payouts continue until 7 September 2026. From 8 September, creators apply to the new Original Content Rewards Program via Creator Studio. Eligibility: at least X Premium, 500 Verified followers, and at least 500,000 impressions from Verified accounts in the past 90 days (replies excluded). Reposted or downloaded videos, copied text, bare reaction clips and captions that only describe others' posts will not count. Relevant only if your business earns from X posts; otherwise no action needed.

Large listed companies pay interim dividends in August, with ex-dates from 5 to 20 August Prachachat · Aug 8, 2026

Several SET-listed firms (SCC, PTTEP, TU, SCCC, TRUE, GPSC, ADVANC and others) announced interim dividends for January-June 2026, with ex-dates between 5 and 20 August and payment dates in late August to early September. ADVANC pays 8.69 baht per share, SCC 3.50 and SCCC 4.00. These matter only if you hold shares in these companies. For a typical SME owner, this is background: it shows large firms' cash flow, not a change in tax, costs or lending.

Heavy rain and flash-flood warning for the North, Northeast and East this week Prachachat · Aug 8, 2026

The Meteorological Department warns of heavy to very heavy rain in parts of the North, Northeast and East over the next 24 hours, with risk of flash floods and mountain runoff, especially near slopes and low-lying areas. Seas in the upper Andaman and upper Gulf of Thai reach 2-3 m, so small boats should stay in port. Typhoon Dolphin is not expected to enter Thailand. For businesses in these regions, check stock storage, delivery routes and site drainage, and watch for road closures.

Diesel B7 at 36.69 baht and B20 at 31.69 baht per litre today, unchanged Prachachat · Aug 8, 2026

Per Bangchak's reference prices for 8 August 2026: B20 diesel 31.69 baht/litre, B7 36.69, high diesel 36.69, gasohol 95 35.99, gasohol 91 35.62, E20 30.99. Diesel B20 is unchanged from the previous day. Prices exclude Bangkok's local land tax, and tomorrow's new prices take effect at 05:00. Check your station's price before budgeting fuel for delivery trucks or vehicles; if you run B7-fuelled machines, B20 is about 5 baht cheaper per litre.

Shopee and Lazada raise fees again in August 2026; sellers who lack evidence struggle to complain to the Trade Competition Commission Prachachat · Aug 8, 2026

Shopee raised sale transaction fees from 4 August 2026 by 1-2% on some categories; Mall sellers now pay up to 19.26% and non-Mall up to 17.12% (incl. VAT). This is its third increase this year. Lazada, from 1 August, charges general shops up to 15% and LazMall up to 17.5% (excl. VAT). TikTok Shop's latest rate from 5 July is up to 13.91% (Mall) and 11.77% (non-Mall). Re-check your margins and pricing on each platform. If you think fees are unfair, the Trade Competition Commission held a listening session on 4 August and offers case-by-case legal advice. Over 70% of complaining sellers lack complete evidence, so start logging fee changes, contract notices and order records now.

BOI freezes new data center approvals and sets four conditions for new and existing projects Prachachat · Aug 8, 2026

BOI has paused approvals for data centers since April, and the cabinet approved a draft decree on 5 August 2026 to create a national data center policy board. Rules are being drafted on data collection, environmental control, building and safety standards, and water and electricity rates, possibly tiered by business size. Existing projects may also be covered. For a small Thai business this mainly affects electricity and water costs and grid reliability in areas with heavy data center build-out, plus any construction or IT-services supply work tied to them. No direct action is needed yet; watch for the final criteria.

Thai-Myanmar talks push trade and border crossings, with a Thai-Myanmar trade committee meeting due by 2026 Prachachat · Aug 8, 2026

Myanmar's president visited Thailand on 6-7 Aug 2026, his first trip abroad since taking office in April. Both sides agreed to push trade and investment, reopen the second Friendship Bridge crossing (Mae Sot-Myawaddy), and cut border trade red tape. Thailand plans to host the 8th Joint Trade Committee meeting in 2026, the first in over 10 years, aiming for US$12 billion in bilateral trade by 2032. Labour cooperation MOU signed; no new rules or deadlines for businesses yet. Watch the border crossing reopening if you trade or source goods near Mae Sot.

Exam fraud revokes 3,400 local-government posts; replacement hiring from October Bangkok Post · Aug 8, 2026

Interior Ministry revoked appointments for 3,404 local-government officials after finding score manipulation in a civil service exam; revocations must be completed by 31 August. Replacement appointments could start around October. Affects local administrative bodies and their hiring pipelines, not most private SME operations. Worth knowing if you deal with local government procurement or permits, since staffing there may be disrupted for a few months.

Egg farm-gate price rises to 4 baht as feed costs climb, with easing expected in October Bangkok Post · Aug 8, 2026

Layer farm cooperatives raised the recommended farm-gate price for mixed eggs to 4 baht each from 3.80 baht, effective Friday, a two-year high. Feed rose from about 13 baht/kg earlier this year to 14-16 baht now, and heat and illness cut output. Egg production is expected to be about 3% below normal this month, with prices forecast to ease in October. If you buy eggs in bulk, budget for the higher cost now; restaurants may switch to smaller eggs. The DIT is selling 3.42 million eggs at 10% below market from Aug 13-31.

Govt still deciding on second co-payment phase and its funding Bangkok Post · Aug 8, 2026

The government will review its fiscal position before deciding whether to run phase two of the "Thais Help Thais Plus" co-payment scheme or revise it. Details are not final, including whether the subsidy ratio moves from 60:40 to 50:50. Funding may come from the annual budget or a planned 400-billion-baht borrowing decree at 1.2% interest. No decision yet, so for now keep your plans unchanged and watch for a cabinet announcement on the subsidy ratio and funding source.

Government still deciding on second co-payment phase and its funding Bangkok Post · Aug 8, 2026

The PM says the government will review its budget before deciding whether to launch phase two of the "Thais Help Thais Plus" co-payment scheme, and whether the subsidy split moves from 60:40 to 50:50. Funding may come from the annual budget or a planned 400-billion-baht borrowing decree at 1.2% interest. No final terms are set, so do not change pricing or staffing plans around it yet. Watch for the budget decision, since it will determine how much consumer spending support reaches your customers.

Excise tax breaks for carmakers that build locally and use Thai parts, cabinet decision due next month Bangkok Post · Aug 8, 2026

The Finance Ministry plans excise tax incentives by September for foreign carmakers that set up Thai production and source components locally. Vehicles fully imported without a Thai production base may face higher rates. The cabinet is expected to approve the proposal next month. If you supply auto parts or machined components, this opens local sourcing demand; importers of built-up vehicles should check how the higher rate would affect their pricing. Details of the rates are not yet published.

LPG cooking gas price frozen at 423 baht per 15-kg cylinder until 31 October Bangkok Post · Aug 8, 2026

The Energy Ministry raised the Oil Fuel Fund subsidy on LPG from 7.22 to 9.86 baht per kg to hold the household cylinder at 423 baht (15 kg) for three months, ending 31 October. The fund is in deficit of 71.8 billion baht as of 7 August, and the ministry is watching it closely, so the cap could change. For restaurants, food stalls and other businesses that buy cooking gas, costs are held steady for now, but plan for possible price moves after October. Budget for energy-saving steps as the ministry asks the public to conserve. Global oil and gas prices remain volatile because of uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz.

Thailand's airline seat ranking drops to third as Vietnam gains and Don Mueang cuts deepen Bangkok Post · Aug 8, 2026

OAG's August data shows Thailand's total seat capacity down 1.7% year-on-year to 7.19 million, with Vietnam ranked No.2 for a second month. Don Mueang capacity fell 7.5%, driven by Thai AirAsia cutting 23.4%, after it cut 30% of capacity in May and June due to fuel prices linked to Middle East conflicts. Low-cost seats in the region fell 4.9%. For a business serving tourists, expect fewer budget-flight options into Bangkok's Don Mueang and fewer routes to other provinces, so check your inbound booking assumptions and consider direct-flight destinations such as Da Nang and Phu Quoc as competition.

Civil service cuts by attrition and early retirement will not directly change your costs this year Bangkok Post · Aug 8, 2026

The cabinet is due to take up a civil service reform package later this month: an early retirement scheme (voluntary), a recruitment freeze, and gradual abolition of vacant posts, aiming to cap the state workforce above three million at around two million. Public consultation ran July 22 to Aug 5, and eligibility and compensation details are still being finalised. For a small business, the main effects are indirect: a government under deficit pressure with personnel costs above 70% of recurring spending may have less room for new spending, and the planned pay rises for remaining officials are not yet scheduled. Watch the cabinet decision and the final details on retirement payouts, since they may shift local government procurement and staffing.

Excise tax overhaul favours locally made EVs; cabinet proposal due by September Prachachat · Aug 7, 2026

The Finance Ministry plans to send an excise tax package to cabinet by September 2026. Carmakers that build EVs in Thailand and use local parts (under BOI incentives) would pay less tax, while imported vehicles and fully imported parts would face higher rates. For SMEs, the signal is more local supply-chain demand for auto parts and components, and a push for Direct PPA and rooftop solar to cut energy costs. Also noted: VAT and tariffs on cheap imports are now collected from the first baht, to level the field for Thai operators. Details are still unpublished, so watch for the cabinet decision before changing sourcing or pricing.

Krungsri Consumer's H1 card spending rose 3%, and online platforms grew 16%, while the bank expects to miss its full-year target Prachachat · Aug 7, 2026

Krungsri Consumer reports H1 2026 card spending up 3% to 196,700 million baht, new loans up 4%, and NPL on cards at 1.1%. Online platform spending grew 16%, the fastest category, while fuel and supermarkets remain top categories. The bank expects to fall short of its full-year card-spend target of 420,000 million baht because consumer confidence is still weak and living costs are high. For an SME, this signals that customers are cautious and shifting toward online purchases, so review whether your sales channels and online payment options keep pace.

PM promises new gun-carry law after Nonthaburi school shooting, no details yet Bangkok Post · Aug 7, 2026

After a shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School that left at least eight dead, PM Anutin vowed a law restricting public carry of firearms, allowing only on-duty officials to carry. No specifics yet on whether gun ownership rules will tighten. For most SME owners nothing changes today; if you hold a gun licence or run a business with security staff or armed guards, watch for the draft, which could affect carry permits and licence requirements.

Bangchak's Q2 2026 profit doubles on first commercial SAF sales, but fuel margins may swing again in H2 The Standard Wealth · Aug 7, 2026

Bangchak Group's Q2 2026 net profit attributable to shareholders was 12,239 million baht, up 99% from the prior quarter, helped by a smaller oil hedging loss (879 million baht) and first commercial SAF sales (39 million litres since May 2026). Management warns that energy price swings, product price spreads and geopolitical events could still hit profit for the rest of the year. Its retail arm now also runs 31 service stations in Hong Kong after buying Chevron's Hong Kong unit on 30 June 2026. For a Thai SME, the signal is that fuel-related costs and margins remain volatile, so keep fuel and energy budgets flexible rather than locked to one price assumption.