Archive

Government moves to renegotiate private power contracts, electricity costs may ease over time Prachachat · Aug 2, 2026

The cabinet-level committee chaired by Deputy PM Pakorn Nilprapunt says the Electricity Generating Authority can now renegotiate long-term private power purchase contracts (the "eternal contracts", 50-year terms) without going back to cabinet, after the national energy policy committee approved it on 17 July 2026. The current purchase base is about 2.16 baht per unit, and officials say some generation costs have fallen. Availability Payment rules are still under review with no date set. No change to your bill yet; watch for the Availability Payment decision and the revised PDP, since both feed into electricity tariffs your business pays.

Mae Sai river nears bank-top again this morning; Chiang Rai businesses should prepare for flooding Prachachat · Aug 2, 2026

Water in the Mae Sai river is forecast to rise back to bank level around 08.00 on 2 August 2026, though not overflow, after heavy rain in Myanmar and 133–163 mm on the Thai side. Water may seep through embankments into riverside areas such as Ban Hua Fai, Sai Lom Joy and Koh Sai, and drainage will be slow. The Office of National Water Resources warns of flash floods and landslides in many provinces on 2–4 August, with heavier rain expected 3–7 August. For shops, stock and vehicles in low riverside areas of Mae Sai, move goods to higher ground now and check routes and supply deliveries.

Thailand's Foreign Ministry disputed a UN special rapporteur's end-of-mission statement on the Thai-Cambodian conflict, including figures on displaced people and Cambodian migrant workers returning from Thailand. It says Thailand is ready to rebuild relations if Cambodia cooperates, and points to the Joint Statement of December 27, 2025. For a small business, there is no direct action required. Watch for possible effects on border trade or migrant worker supply if tensions change, but nothing needs to change in your plans now.

Heavy rain forecast for Bangkok and central Thailand today, with flash-flood warning Prachachat · Aug 2, 2026

The Thai Meteorological Department says heavy rain will fall in some areas over the next 24 hours, with thunderstorms covering about 60% of Bangkok and the central region. Flash floods and runoff are possible near slopes and low-lying areas. For a small business, plan for delivery delays, move stock off ground floors and check drainage. Boats in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand face 1-2 m waves, so avoid sailing in storm zones.

The Thai Meteorological Department forecasts thunderstorms over 70% of the North and 60% of Bangkok and its vicinity, with isolated heavy rain over the next 24 hours. Flash floods and forest run-off are possible on foothill slopes near waterways and in low-lying areas. For a business, check stock storage and delivery routes in those zones, and move goods or equipment off the floor where water could reach. Sea waves of 1-2 metres in the upper Andaman Sea and about 1 metre elsewhere mean small boat operators should take care.

Diesel and gasohol prices at Bangchak stations on 2 Aug 2026: B20 at 31.69 baht, B7 at 36.69 Prachachat · Aug 2, 2026

Bangchak's posted pump prices for 2 Aug 2026: B20 diesel 31.69 baht/litre, B7 diesel 36.69, 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, so confirm at the pump. Tomorrow's prices take effect at 05:00. If your fleet or machinery can run on B20 or E20, the gap versus B7 and gasohol 95 is about 5 baht a litre. Check your fuel budget against these figures.

The US has barred imports from 43 more Chinese companies over alleged forced labour involving Uyghurs. If you source parts or goods from China, check that your suppliers are not on the list and ask for origin documents.

The US has paused a fresh strike on Iran while seeking a quick deal, and Iran has threatened energy sites in other countries if attacks resume. Only the headline was available, so the details are unconfirmed. For a Thai SME, the practical point is that fuel and energy prices could swing sharply, so keep an eye on diesel costs and avoid locking in assumptions based on a calm outlook.

Draft rule would let authorities deport foreigners faster, including for conduct seen as un-Thai Bangkok Post · Aug 2, 2026

A cabinet-approved draft PM's Office regulation on deportation is under review by the Council of State as urgent. It would let authorities deport foreigners immediately for conduct deemed inconsistent with Thai social norms, and lists six offence categories including illegal entry, unlawful employment, illegal business operations and document forgery. State funds would cover deportation costs. For a business employing or working alongside foreign staff, the practical point is that work permits and documents need to be fully in order, since unlawful employment and illegal business operations are named grounds. The draft has not yet taken effect and its final wording is unknown.

Super El Niño brings drought risk and 20% lower second-crop rice output next year Bangkok Post · Aug 2, 2026

The Thai Meteorological Department expects a Super El Niño from October, with rainfall down at least 10% and longer dry spells, while heavy downpours and rain bombs become more frequent. Reservoirs may not capture much of the rain, so inland provinces could face drought. Irrigation officials project second-crop rice output down about 20% next year, and water demand could rise 20% in the dry season. If your business depends on water, agricultural inputs, rice, or inland supply, plan water storage and costs now, and watch for input price rises and weaker farm demand.

Murders of Russian siblings and a Thai family put tourist safety in the spotlight Bangkok Post · Aug 2, 2026

Police arrested four suspects in Chon Buri province over the murders of two Russian siblings and a Thai family of three. The PM says the government will push for quick trials, won't support sentence cuts for serious crimes, and has ordered tighter security and more patrols. For tourism-facing businesses in Pattaya and Chon Buri, expect more police presence and possibly stricter scrutiny in the area, but the PM says the crimes were individual acts and not a sign of wider danger.

UKMTO, the UK maritime security agency, reported two tanker incidents off Oman; no article text was available. Watch fuel and freight surcharges if Gulf shipping risk escalates.

Thai regulator orders tighter control of online platforms and pushes class-action consumer redress law Prachachat · Aug 1, 2026

Deputy PM Supamas Isarabhakdi, overseeing the Consumer Protection Board (สคบ.), has ordered tighter control of online platforms and is pushing a law to compensate consumers who receive fraudulent or deceptive products. The government is also considering opening the way for group lawsuits. For an SME selling online, this signals stricter platform rules and possible collective liability for misleading product claims. No deadline or specific obligation is stated in the excerpt, so check the final draft before changing listings or return policies.

Per the headline only (full article unavailable): the US Treasury reportedly intervened alongside Japan to support the yen. For Thai SMEs this is background for now; watch for knock-on moves in the baht and in yen-linked import and export prices if currency volatility spreads.

Thailand's carbon market is shifting from price to credibility as a mandatory market looms The Story Thailand · Aug 1, 2026

The Thai climate bill's emissions trading (ETS) provisions are moving through parliament and may take effect the year after next, creating a mandatory carbon market alongside the voluntary one. The Stock Exchange of Thailand plans a trading board that will let voluntary credits offset up to 10% of mandatory obligations. Buyers now ask about quality, verification and permanence rather than just price. For most small firms this is not an immediate cost, but if you supply large companies, expect them to ask about your emissions data and carbon plans. Start by measuring your own emissions, since about 40% of surveyed firms have never done so.

Prime Minister Anutin apologised to Russian visitors after five people were killed in Chonburi, including two Russian siblings and a Thai family of three. He ordered more intensive patrols and inspections, especially in areas where serious crimes could be concealed. He acknowledged the case could hurt confidence in Chonburi and Pattaya as tourist destinations. For a Pattaya or Chonburi business, expect possible short-term dips in foreign visitor demand and watch for stronger police presence. The suspects' case is still under police investigation and court proceedings, so no firm conclusions yet.

Thai FDA-style standards agency seizes nearly 20,000 non-certified "squishy" toys in Sampheng Prachachat · Aug 1, 2026

Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) seized nearly 20,000 squishy toys without the TIS mark in Sampheng, warning of carcinogens and heavy metals. Retailers and wholesalers stocking toys should check TIS certification before buying or selling.

Budget Committee data for the 2024 tax year show 7.43m of 12.57m filers (59.1%) owed no tax because net income was within the 0-150,000 baht exempt band. The top 1% of filers (income above 2 million baht) paid 50.1% of the 278.18 billion baht collected, and refunds totalled 46.99 billion baht. For a small business owner, this is background on the tax base; no filing or payment changes follow from it directly, but it signals that the government is under pressure to broaden revenue, which could bring future tax policy shifts.

Koh Samui tap water crisis prompts calls for state infrastructure spending Prachachat · Aug 1, 2026

Water supply problems on Koh Samui are drawing calls for government infrastructure funding. No article text was available, so the details are unconfirmed; if you run a business on Samui, plan for possible water disruption and backup storage.

Court upholds ban on paraquat and chlorpyrifos, but firms get disposal costs back from the Department of Agriculture Bangkok Post · Aug 1, 2026

The Central Administrative Court upheld the ban on paraquat and chlorpyrifos as lawful, so these chemicals stay banned for production, import, export and possession. The court also ruled that businesses should not bear the full cost of recalling and destroying banned stock; it ordered the Department of Agriculture to cover disposal costs and reimburse affected companies. If you hold any of these chemicals in stock, check with the Department of Agriculture about disposal and reimbursement rather than storing or selling them. Paraquat residue has reportedly not been detected in sampled produce since the ban.