Archive
August 7, 2026
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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.
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Deputy PM and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas says a new excise tax incentive for EV producers is being prepared, to go to the cabinet by September 2026. It targets makers that set up local production and use domestic parts (local supply chain). Importers selling fully built cars without a Thai factory would keep paying the higher excise rate. This differs from the EV 3.5 subsidy scheme, which pays carmakers directly. Details are still under review. For a Thai SME, the signal is that local parts suppliers may gain demand, while import-dependent car dealers and parts traders face a relatively weaker position. No action is needed yet; watch for the cabinet decision.
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Officials are considering a three-tier excise tax: high for fully imported cars, lowest for high-volume locally made cars, and middle for mid-level local production. Carmakers that use local materials alongside CO2 cuts could get tax benefits, and they can approach the Industry Ministry to propose schemes. Tier 1 parts may still be imported, but tier 2 and 3 production must happen in Thailand. Suppliers should watch BOI supplier-matching events and track which carmakers bid. These are proposals, not yet final rules.
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Thailand's Ministry of Commerce says total Thai-Cambodian border trade in 2025 was 92,037 million baht, down 47.3% year on year, after checkpoint closures. Diesel (36,155 million baht) and other refined fuels (15,932 million baht) led Thai exports to Cambodia. Border gates such as Aranyaprathet, Khlong Yai, Chanthaburi and Chong Chom remain the main routes, but opening and closing depends on security assessments, and screening at trade points has tightened. If your business relies on Cambodia border crossings, plan for possible sudden closures and slower clearance. Check with the local customs office before shipping.
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The Consumer Council (สภาผู้บริโภค) and state agencies are discussing an interim relief fund for online-scam victims, likened to an airbag. It is still at the proposal stage; no law or start date was given. Facebook accounts for nearly 60% of complaints logged from July 2021 to July 2026, followed by e-commerce platforms, TikTok and LINE. Police report over 1 million online cases since 2022, and victims mainly want quick refunds. For a Thai SME, the practical point is that scams via Facebook and LINE are a live risk to your sales and staff. Review how your staff handle transfers, verify payment requests, and watch for fake-seller or impersonation fraud targeting your business accounts.
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Cooperatives raised the recommended farm-gate price of mixed eggs from 3.80 to 4.00 baht each, effective 7 August 2026. August output is about 3% below normal (about 43 million eggs a day versus about 45 million a year earlier). The Department of Internal Trade expects supply to rebalance in about a month, as hens are kept longer and new-season corn lowers feed costs. For food businesses and shops, budget for higher egg input costs through September. Government eggs at about 10% below market are sold 13-31 August in 76 provinces and via Bangkok community events, which may draw price-sensitive customers. Price complaints can be made to the hotline 1569.
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The FAO reports world food prices reached a three-year high in July, driven by weather and war. Food businesses should plan for higher ingredient costs in coming months and review supplier prices and menu pricing.
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The cabinet-level disaster fund committee approved compensation for the Nonthaburi school shooting, based on four earlier incidents: Death Bt1m, disability Bt700,000, serious injury Bt200,000, minor injury Bt100,000. The fund has Bt254m left and payments are expected within days. The Interior Ministry also says private firearm possession or carrying in public is banned in all cases except state officials, and enforcement will tighten. For a typical SME owner, nothing changes in costs or obligations; the only practical point is that the firearms rules are tightening.
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The SEC and Bank of Thailand met digital-asset operators on 7 Aug 2026 about tighter oversight of stablecoin transactions (e.g. USDT, USDC) to curb money laundering, tech crime and cross-border transfer evasion. The SEC expects rules this year, with Travel Rule requirements to take effect by February 2027. For most SME owners this matters only if you accept or pay with crypto or stablecoins: expect stricter customer checks, daily withdrawal limits and enhanced due diligence from your exchange or payment provider.
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After a shooting at a Nonthaburi school, the Office of Insurance Commission (คปภ.) said preliminary checks show the school held a group policy with Viriyah Insurance. It pays ฿100,000 per student death and ฿10,000 per injury. Among the teachers who died, two of three had life insurance. For a business owner, the practical point is to check your own group accident cover: the benefit amounts, who is covered, and whether staff and students are included. The article does not give details on policy terms beyond these amounts.
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After a school shooting in Nonthaburi, the PM told village and sub-district heads to tighten firearm oversight. The Interior Ministry declaration still bans carrying guns in public or outside the home, even for state officials not on duty. Village heads must act against anyone carrying in public, including restaurants, with prosecution and no leniency. Owners of gun-related businesses face continued restrictions on sales; the article gives no new rules or deadlines for them.
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The Office of the Insurance Commission (คปภ.) has begun a preliminary check after a shooting at a school in Nonthaburi. Initial findings show the school held a group insurance policy, but details are still under review and the regulator will report back later. For a business owner, this is a reminder to confirm that your group or staff insurance policies are current, cover the risks you face, and that you know how claims are handled. No new rule or deadline was announced.
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The Bank of Thailand's northern office says the region slowed in Q2 2026: weaker household spending power, fewer tourists (especially Chinese and Thai travellers, due to higher travel costs and fewer flights), and falling farm incomes from lower prices for rice, pineapple and pigs. Construction investment is still shrinking, and Social Security Section 33 contributors fell in several provinces, with most employers holding off on hiring. Q3 is expected to recover gradually, helped by government stimulus (Thai Chuay Thai Plus, larger welfare card limits) and easing energy prices. For a northern SME: keep hiring and stock levels cautious, watch cash flow from farm-linked customers, and be ready for a gradual pickup rather than a sharp rebound.
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StanChart lifted its 2026 Thai GDP forecast to 1.6% from 1.4%, citing short-term relief measures, with possible upside to about 2% if Q2 GDP (due in about two weeks) is solid and the 2027 budget passes on time. It expects policy rates held at 1.00% this year and next, and inflation of 1.9% this year. Q3 should improve, but Q4 may lose government support and face a high base from last year's co-payment scheme. Plan cautiously for Q4: watch the budget deadline (1 Oct), any extension of relief measures, Chinese tourist arrivals, and the baht, which the bank does not see as a concern. External risks flagged: war, US rate moves, and El Niño pushing food and energy prices up.
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A Grade 8 student shot dead five teachers, his grandparents and then himself at Debsirin Nonthaburi School on Friday morning; 22 were injured. The article gives no business or policy consequence. It is a tragedy with no direct action for a Thai SME owner beyond general awareness of school-area security and staff welfare.
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Standard Chartered says the baht's recent rise comes from global factors: a stronger yen, a weaker dollar, gold rising from $4,000 to $4,300 an ounce, and expected US rate cuts. Local factors do not support the baht much: Q2 GDP may come in below 2%, there are political issues, Thailand imports heavily, and tourism is uncertain. The bank's end-2026 forecast is 32.5 baht per dollar, which is weaker than the start-of-year 31.5. For an SME, this means the baht may look firm this week but is not expected to hold its gains. Keep FX-sensitive import costs and export pricing under review, and do not assume the stronger baht will last.
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Per Financial Times reporting cited by Bloomberg, the US intervened in currency markets to support the yen, which had fallen to a 40-year low, by selling euros rather than dollars. The ECB was told only after the trade was done. Japan has signalled it will act again if needed. For a Thai SME, this is background: it signals currency volatility among major currencies, so watch import costs in yen or euro-linked inputs and any pricing that depends on them. No action is needed this week.
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From Friday 21 Aug 2026, noon to midnight Sunday, every week until New Year, the M6 Bangkok Expressway section Bang Pa-in to Pak Chong is free for cars. Trucks are not allowed, and speed is capped at 80 km/h. Northbound you can join at Bang Pa-in; the Pak Chong temporary access at km 65 closes, so use Pak Chong toll. Coming back to Bangkok, use Thanarat and Mittraphap Road to Muak Lek. No fuel stations on the section, but there is a rest stop at Thap Kwang with toilets and drinks. Plan delivery routes and staff travel around this, since trucks are excluded.
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The Bank of Thailand's southern office says the region slowed in Q2 2026: higher energy costs and fewer flights cut tourism income (Phuket tourism income down 5.7%), and private consumption fell. Business loans fell 5.1% as of May 2026, though the trend is improving. Q3 is expected to pick up on government spending stimulus and farm income, but watch Middle East conflict, US trade policy, the pass-through of costs into prices, and hot, dry weather. For small operators: plan for weaker tourist-linked demand this quarter, and keep energy and transport costs under review.
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Deputy PM Ekniti says a rooftop solar subsidy of 50,000 baht per household, funded from the 400-billion-baht loan decree, will launch within about a month, covering 500,000 to 1 million households. Soft loans from GSB and GHB would be repaid from electricity savings, and the government plans to buy surplus power under Net Billing. The Ministry of Interior leads the scheme, which still needs approval from a loan-spending committee. Installers should watch for MEA/PEA certification and BOI talks on local supply chains. Details and eligibility (minimum 5 kW usage) are not final.
