Archive
August 4, 2026
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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.
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The Central Administrative Court dismissed the urgent request by NBTC chairman Dr. Soraon to suspend the selection committee's ruling that he is disqualified for paid hourly medical work. The case is still at the judge-assignment stage, and a decision on whether to accept the suit is expected within about a week. Whether the prime minister can petition the King to remove him now depends on that next court step. For a Thai SME, this is background only: it affects broadcasting and digital TV roadmap timing, not day-to-day operations.
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Myanmar's leader Min Aung Hlaing visits Thailand on 6-7 August 2026. According to an academic from Thammasat University, the talks will focus mainly on bilateral economic and trade cooperation, with leaders scheduled to speak on trade and investment. Security issues such as the Kok River pollution, drugs and scam networks may come up but will take time. For SMEs near the Myanmar border or exporting to Myanmar, this is a signal to watch for concrete trade measures, but no policy change is announced yet in the article.
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Deputy PM Pakorn Nilprapunt says the government will not extend the deadline to dissolve the Land Bank agency (บจธ.) by 30 September, despite requests from the National Human Rights Commission and the People's Movement group. He says the community land title (โฉนดชุมชน) process is a separate matter, to be handled under the national land policy committee (คทช.), and that officials should not evict residents while it proceeds. For a business, this is mainly relevant if you deal with land-bank agency projects or land and community-title areas; it is not a direct change to tax, costs or lending. Staff of the agency are to be transferred to a status set by the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (ก.พ.ร.).
Your real translator for LINE and Discord.
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The Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) is investigating leaked ID-card photos and personal data from government databases (Department of Land Transport and Department of Provincial Administration) posted online, and says it is treating the case as illegal access under Computer Crime Act section 7. Action covers the people who post or share the data, the database operators, and the networks that sell access. For a small business, the practical point is: do not open or forward such links, and review who can access customer ID copies and records you hold, since PDPC can take complaints from data subjects whose information was exposed.
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The Thai Meteorological Department says Typhoon Dolphin will not enter Thailand, but it will strengthen the monsoon, bringing heavy to very heavy rain that could cause flash floods and rivers to overflow from August 4 to 10. Practical steps: protect stock and equipment in low-lying areas, plan deliveries and travel around flood-prone roads, and keep an eye on foothill and riverside sites. Small boats in the upper Andaman Sea should stay ashore from August 4 to 10, and in the upper Gulf of Thailand from August 6 to 10. Operators sailing in the Gulf or Andaman should avoid areas with thunderstorms.
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The US and Japan coordinated to buy yen and counter speculative selling, after months of preparation. Japan's weak yen has pushed up import costs and household pressure, and the BOJ is under pressure to keep raising rates. For a Thai SME, the direct effect is indirect: watch for regional currency volatility affecting the baht, import prices for Japanese goods, and competition from Japanese exporters whose products get cheaper. No immediate action is needed; check your yen-linked supplier contracts if you import from Japan.
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Police arrested four Thais and seven Myanmar nationals in Mae Sot after raids on 25 locations. The gang issued Thai ID cards starting with "0" (for people without house registration) to as many as 700 people, reportedly charging 40,000–100,000 baht each. A former Mae Sot assistant registrar is still wanted. Police say they are cracking down on all registration fraud. If you hire or deal with staff or customers in border areas, verify ID documents carefully and do not accept cards at face value. Buying or using such cards is a criminal risk.
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Coldcard hardware wallets had a firmware flaw that made keys guessable (about 40 bits of security instead of 128). Attacks in late July and early August 2026 took roughly 1,367 BTC (about US$89 million) from around 4,585 wallets. Coinkite has released a fix (1 August) and says it cannot guarantee the other models are fully safe. Owners should check model and firmware version, move coins to a new seed on an unaffected device, and test with a small transfer first. Ledger, Trezor, Bitkey and Jade report no impact. This matters only if your business or you hold crypto in a Coldcard; otherwise it is background.
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On 3 August (US time), 25 US states led by Democrats sued in the US Court of International Trade in New York, arguing that Trump's new Section 301 tariffs of 10-12.5% on 60 trading partners, in force since 24 July, exceed presidential authority. The tariffs cover over 99% of US imports. Earlier tariffs struck down by courts remained in force during appeals, so the case may take a long time to resolve. For Thai exporters to the US, the tariff is still in effect and the outcome is uncertain. Check whether your US-bound products fall under the new rate and price or plan contracts accordingly.
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The National Water Resources Office (สทนช.) says the 21,000-million-baht Huai Luang Lower Basin project in Nong Khai and Udon Thani is about 25% complete overall, with the Ban Daen Mueang pump station over 85% done. The timeline is extended to 2032 (ปี 2575) because of land acquisition problems and COVID-19, and the cabinet still has to approve the new budget. Pumps can be used in the rainy season to drain water into the Mekong and in the dry season to pump water back for storage. Relevant mainly for farm businesses and suppliers in the 300,000-rai area. Nothing to change in your business now; watch for the cabinet budget decision.
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Thailand's PM is pushing for a measured reopening of ties with Myanmar ahead of a meeting with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing. No article text was available, so the details are unclear; watch for any effect on border trade or cross-border permits.
Together GoWeGo! Ferry tickets in Thailand.
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Bangkok's governor has referred to the Comptroller General's Department the question of whether the winning bidder for the Bueng Nong Bon drainage tunnel extension (9,500 million baht) is eligible, since the consortium may be under business rehabilitation filing. The contract outcome is pending that ruling. For a Thai SME, the practical lesson is that public-tender eligibility can be challenged on financial standing, so check your own financial status and documents before bidding on government projects. Subcontracting or supply roles on large public works may be affected by any delay.
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The Water Resource Department cancelled the public hearing for the Phru Lan Kwai water retention scheme in Yala, planned for Wednesday, after villagers, religious leaders and environmentalists protested. The project would use 15,000 rai in Raman (Yala) and Thung Yang Daeng (Pattani) to hold Pattani River floodwater. The site is a Ramsar wetland used for rice, fishing and cattle. No new hearing date was given in the article. For businesses in Yala and Pattani, this is a delay in a flood-control project that could affect land, farming and fishing supply chains, so watch for a rescheduled hearing.
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Heavy overnight rain (113 mm) sent flash water from Khun Mae Bong and Huai Chang into villages in Chok Chai subdistrict, Doi Luang district, Chiang Rai. Flood water about 1 m deep blocked small cars in some villages; the road to Wiang Chiang Rung was flooded. Authorities urge residents along the Bong river and low-lying areas to move valuables and vehicles to high ground, and to evacuate elderly, bedridden and vulnerable people. Relief centres are open 24 hours, and sandbags are available at the Chok Chai subdistrict office. No damage totals or casualties reported yet. If you have stock, a vehicle or a workshop in the Bong river corridor (Chiang Rai to Chiang Saen, via the Kok river), move it now and check your supply routes.
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The SEC is consulting on a draft rule that would let retail, high-net-worth and provident funds invest in Government Housing Bank (ธอส.) savings lottery bonds, treating them like deposits. Concerns about concentration limits still apply. For a typical SME owner this changes nothing today; it is only relevant if you invest through funds. Comments are open until 2 September 2026.
