Archive
August 5, 2026
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A Wisesight social-listening study (July 2025 to June 2026) found Thai online debate on the global economy centres on the Middle East war and Hormuz tensions, US tariffs, and AI-bubble worries. Of the tariff-related posts, about 40% blamed Chinese imports: cheap Chinese goods flooding in and making it hard for Thai SMEs and online sellers to sell. About 38% focused on US tariffs hurting exports. This is public sentiment, not policy, so there is no new rule to act on. Watch your own cost base: fuel and logistics costs flagged in the same study are the more direct pressure on your margins.
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The Transport Ministry will ask the Cabinet to note that a committee will be set up to draft a southern development master plan, with results expected within one year. The land bridge study had earlier concluded it was not worth pursuing, and the ministry says the land bridge's future will depend on this new committee's work. The appointment order may reach the PM next week. For a southern business, nothing changes on the ground yet; treat land bridge-linked logistics, property or investment plans as uncertain until the committee reports, and watch for consultation invitations from local chambers of commerce and industry councils.
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A Chulalongkorn economist says the draft 2027 budget (FY2570) puts civil-service personnel spending above 800 billion baht, 37.9% of total spending. Welfare outlays nearly doubled in 10 years (about 300bn to 600bn baht) while headcount stayed flat at 3.0-3.2 million, so cost per person rose about 5% a year. For a small business this signals that government spending is tilted toward payroll rather than services or investment, which can mean tighter room for public projects and procurement. No direct change to your costs or obligations is announced.
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Oil has risen on Middle East tensions and US bond yields are at multi-year highs, while US June CPI came in lower than expected at 3.5%. The article says higher oil could push up Thai inflation, production costs and household spending, and may limit the Bank of Thailand from cutting rates. Foreign investors have net bought about 70 billion baht of Thai stocks so far this year. The analyst sees SET support at 1,530–1,540 and a possible test of 1,650–1,700. For a small business, this means watching fuel and energy input costs, and keeping borrowing and cash-flow plans conservative while rates stay firm. This is market commentary, not a direct change in rules or prices.
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The baht opened at 33.25 per dollar, up from 33.43 at Friday's close, as the dollar eased and the yen strengthened after Japanese and US intervention. TTB expects a 24-hour range of 33.15–33.50. Thai CPI for July is due the same day, which analysts see as having limited effect on the baht. For a small importer or exporter, this is a short-term move inside a narrow range, so there is no need to change hedging or pricing today. Watch the US jobs data and the US–Iran ceasefire talks, which are the bigger risks.
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The Prime Minister's Office is drafting a regulation to oversee data centres, creating a dedicated committee to handle approvals, monitoring and impact assessments. Authorities want to curb overlapping water reservations, especially in the EEC, and are considering zoning that may shift new facilities away from there, possibly toward Mae Moh in Lampang. No licence or timeline has been set yet. For most SMEs this is background, but if you supply, lease land or operate near the EEC, water and power allocation could tighten, so watch for the draft rules.
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The Thai Meteorological Department forecasts heavy to very heavy rain across 70% of the Northeast from 5 August 2026, with flash-flood and forest run-off risk near waterways and foothills. Waves of 2-3 metres and above 3 metres are forecast over the upper Andaman Sea, so small boats there should stay ashore. Delivery drivers, outdoor workers and tour operators should plan for delays, and stock or equipment in low-lying spots should be moved up. Tropical Storm Kujira is not expected to enter Thailand.
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The Cabinet's first August meeting covers senior civil service moves: a new Commerce Permanent Secretary will be proposed to replace the retiring one (retiring 30 September). Finance is setting up a committee to study data centre investment, which is still at study stage. Also on the agenda: a draft ministerial regulation on company and partnership registration fees, with some fees waived. For a Thai SME, the fee proposal is the only item that could affect your costs, once it is finalised. Nothing needs action now.
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The Meteorological Department forecasts more rain across Thailand, with heavy to very heavy falls in parts of the Northeast and heavy rain in the North, Central, East and South. Flash floods and mountain runoff are the risk, especially on slopes and low-lying areas near waterways. Sea waves in the Andaman Sea reach 2-3 m, and small boats in the upper Andaman should stay in port. Storm Kujira is moving toward the Philippines and is not expected to enter Thailand. For SMEs: check stock, delivery routes and outdoor work, and protect goods stored at ground level.
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Authorities are scrutinising ownership and funding sources in property deals, with transfers of houses and condos priced from about 3 million to 5 million baht facing more detailed checks. Genuine buyers with foreign links, including a foreign husband funding a Thai wife's purchase, have seen transfers stalled. If you sell property, rent to or deal with foreign-linked buyers, or hold property through a company, document the source of funds and the company's real shareholders before signing. Foreign property purchases are estimated at about 30 billion baht a year, so a slowdown in that demand may hit luxury and condo sales.
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The National Credit Bureau reports, using data as of May 2026, that about 1.1 million borrowers with 1.85 million accounts (around 580 billion baht) are in legal proceedings, after passing through NPL status. Around 410,000 borrowers owing under 100,000 baht are also in the legal process. Legal action can take up to 10 years, from court case to enforcement. For a small business owner, this means household credit is stretched, so customers may face tighter payment pressure, and your own loans or credit lines could be scrutinised more closely. Check your repayment record and keep your credit bureau report clean.
August 4, 2026
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Bangchak's posted pump prices for 5 Aug 2026: B7 diesel 36.69 baht/litre, B20 31.69, gasohol 95 36.69, gasohol 91 36.32, E20 31.69, E85 27.63. Prices exclude the Bangkok local-area tax and may differ at individual stations. Tomorrow's prices take effect at 05:00. If your fleet or generators run on diesel, check your fuel budget against these figures and confirm at your own station before filling.
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The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration proposes a 3% tax on hotel and accommodation room charges, which would need an amendment to the BMA Act first; it could raise about 1 billion baht a year. The Thai Hotels Association wants a 0.5-1% start, citing the tourism slowdown and high energy costs. If you run a licensed hotel or guesthouse in Bangkok, watch for a possible room-rate increase and pressure on margins. The association also says unlicensed accommodation avoids such taxes, so licensed operators may face an uneven playing field. Phuket already levies 1%, and provincial bodies can collect up to 3%.
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GH Bank approved only 40% of mortgage applicants in the first two months of 2026. Rejections come from high household debt, unclear income documents and erratic bank statements. Small business owners and self-employed people are named as the hardest to verify. Supalai's rejection rate rose to 17% from 15%, and it says even small late payments, including buy-now-pay-later, count against borrowers. If you plan to buy property or refinance, keep business income documented and bank statements steady, and pay small debts on time.
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On 4 August 2026 gunmen opened fire at the Mayo branch of the Pattani Excise Office, injuring two staff. The branch is closed temporarily until the security situation eases. Businesses in the area that need excise services should contact the Pattani Excise Office at 073-349041 or 098-6427660 (other numbers are listed in the article) and plan for delays. Check before visiting the Mayo branch.
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BOI says many Data Center projects have received tax incentives while using huge amounts of electricity and water, and they are not currently required to file an EIA. The government plans to announce a clearer investment policy soon, shifting focus from project count to investment quality. For a Thai SME this is mainly background: it matters if you supply power, water, cooling or construction to data centers, or if you face higher utility costs in areas where these facilities expand.
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GHB Bank (ธอส.) says it will contact borrowers before they miss payments, offering restructuring, debt settlement or longer loan terms to lower instalments. It targets over 10 billion baht in home loans for self-employed people in H2, judged on more than income alone. Bank says it is ~40% of the housing loan market. Relevant if you are self-employed and considering a home loan: this lender is looking to approve you, though credit checks still apply. Government transfer-fee and mortgage-fee reduction extended one more year, which may lower property purchase costs.
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The Customs Department says Thai exports to the US rose 34% in the first 10 months of the fiscal year (Oct 2025–Jul 2026), with Europe up 13% and China and ASEAN also growing. Electronics led the gains. Part of the rise reflects manufacturers front-loading production to get ahead of US tariff measures, so it may not be sustained. If you supply electronics or parts to exporters, expect strong order flow near term, but plan for a possible slowdown once the front-loading ends. Total trade value was about 21.4 trillion baht-equivalent... (article gives USD 21.4 trillion, which appears to be a units error in the source; do not rely on the figure).
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From 4 August, Bangkok asks the public to stop parking vehicles for food giveaways on central Ratchadamnoen Road, and police and BMA enforcement patrols run from 18:00 until morning. Those wanting to donate food are directed to the "Baan Im Jai" Food Bank at all 50 district offices. Under the Public Cleanliness and Order Act B.E. 2535, offenders face legal action. If your business runs food vans, catering or delivery in that area, change your route and parking plans. Enforcement applies until a new order is issued.
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Bangkok authorities have declared Ratchadamnoen Road a watch zone after fights among homeless people gathered around street food giveaways. From 4 August, officials will step up patrols from 18:00 until morning, and the Public Cleanliness and Orderliness Act (B.E. 2535) will be enforced. Vehicles are asked not to park to hand out food in the area until further order. Donors are asked to hand food to the 50 district office Food Banks ("บ้านอิ่มใจ") instead. If your business runs charity food drives or catering handouts in central Bangkok, check the route and parking rules before you plan any giveaway there.
