Category: The Bangkok Post

The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) is exploring new measures to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have yet to fully benefit from Thailand’s robust export growth and rising foreign direct investment.

Payong Srivanich, chairman of the Thai Bankers Association and chair of Wednesday’s JSCCIB meeting, said while exports and investment are expanding, they have not translated into stronger employment or higher production in traditional industries.

“Capacity utilisation remains low, reflecting limited momentum in the real economy,” he said.

In May, capacity utilisation was only 59.6%, according to the Office of Industrial Economics.

Many SMEs outside the formal system are also missing out on the benefits of economic growth.

To address this, the JSCCIB plans to work with the Federation of Thai SMEs to classify businesses in sectors such as retail, tourism, and energy, enabling more targeted government support.

“This will allow the government to know what SMEs really need and provide the right assistance,” Mr Payong said.

A recent survey conducted with the Stock Exchange of Thailand found that revenues at around 330 SME companies have continued to decline, pressured by the economic slowdown and intensifying competition.

This stands in contrast to Thailand’s export sector, which the JSCCIB expects to grow by 8-10% this year.

Pimjai Leeissaranukul, chairwoman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said exports are being driven by booming demand for electronics and semiconductors linked to AI infrastructure.

“Exports have increased to the point that GDP should rise by more than 2.3%, with employment also improving,” she said.

Despite this, the JSCCIB has maintained its GDP growth forecast for 2026 at just 1.6-2.0%, citing prolonged conflicts in the Middle East that have pushed up oil prices, freight costs and global uncertainty.

Inflation is projected at 2.5-3.0% this year.

On infrastructure, Poj Aramwattananont, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said the JSCCIB opposes the government’s proposed 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge project, warning of environmental and community impacts.

“The project faces major ecological challenges, including biodiversity loss, which must be carefully considered,” he said.

Instead, the JSCCIB supports the “missing link” railway project connecting Chumphon and Ranong provinces, which it views as a more sustainable alternative.

The National Innovation Agency (NIA) will make an aggressive move to co-invest in startups through different models to unlock startup growth opportunities in Thailand and overseas.

One model is the planned establishment of a private equity (PE) trust valued at 1 billion baht to invest in promising startups.

The move comes right after the third version of the royal decree governing the establishment of the existing NIA takes effect on June 30.

The 2026 version of the legislation aims to strengthen the NIA’s role in developing the country’s innovation sector and supporting the commercialisation of research and inventions.

Krithpaka Boonfueng, executive director of the NIA, said that by the end of this year, she expects local startups to be able to access more sources of state funding, mainly during their pre-Series A to Series A funding rounds.

The third version of the decree allows the NIA to hold shares, become a partner, or enter into joint ventures with individuals or legal entities in activities related to its objectives, provided that profit-making is not the main purpose.

The legislation further permits the agency to invest in trusts established for joint investment activities connected to its mission.

Shareholding, partnerships, joint ventures, trust investments, and borrowing must comply with criteria to be set by the cabinet.

THREE MODELS

Ms Krithpaka said the NIA plans to introduce three funding models.

The first and current model is that it will pursue co-funding with private businesses to provide grants covering 75% of project value.

The second model involves the establishment of a PE trust fund valued at 1 billion baht, of which at least 500 million baht will be initially contributed by the NIA and the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), while the remainder will come from potential private partners. It will be managed by a fund manager.

The third model is the establishment of a holding company, together with other holding firms founded by universities, to co-invest in startups.

Under all these models, the NIA will limit its shareholding in startups to a maximum of 20% to allow startup founders the flexibility to manage their businesses.

The NIA funding will focus on deep tech and digital technologies with high growth potential.

Under these three models, the agency will allocate 40% of its total budget to the PE trust, while the rest will be split equally between the holding company model and the co-funding model.

Moreover, the NIA plans to discuss with the Finance Minister the provision of tax incentives or tax exemptions for investors in startups, including companies that use product licences from universities’ R and D to develop their businesses. The tax incentive will apply only to revenue generated from such licences.

“Currently, tax exemption for expenses only covers R and D, but we think this should be expanded to cover innovation investment,” Ms Krithpaka said.

LIST REVAMP

She said that the cabinet recently approved the NIA to oversee the ‘Innovation List’, with the responsibility transferred from the National Science and Technology Development Agency. The transfer will be completed by October.

The Innovation List is an official register of products and services researched and developed by Thai individuals or organisations in Thailand that have received formal certification and registration.

The primary objective is to encourage government agencies to procure innovations on the list, thereby creating a market and driving research towards commercialisation.

The NIA will build a platform to allow private businesses applying to have their innovations listed to track the listing process, making it more transparent, and will open the approval process for the Innovation List to external experts.

The NIA also plans to introduce tiers for listed innovations. For example, some innovations may remain on the list for four to five years before expiring, while others may stay for a maximum of eight years, a change from the current flat eight-year period.

“The eight-year period will still be provided to wellness, health tech or other forms of deep tech that have a longer lifecycle.”

Ms Krithpaka said the NIA will allow startups to pitch solutions for government project pain points. The winner, or selected applicants, will be guaranteed access to upcoming government projects.

All these methods will ensure Thai startups have the ability to scale globally, she added.

The Thai Shrimp Association is calling on government agencies to help tackle shrimp diseases and lift exports.

Ekapoj Yodpinit, president of the association, and Thai shrimp farmer representatives met with government agencies including the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, the Commerce Ministry, and the Fisheries Department on Monday, requesting urgent measures to resolve problems plaguing the industry.

The group also urged the adoption of the 2026-2030 National Action Plan for Marine Shrimp Development as a national agenda item.

The Fisheries Department drafted this plan, which includes 11 strategic measures and 38 activities, with a proposed budget of 5.54 billion baht.

Mr Ekapoj said the plan addresses key challenges and should restore confidence across the industry. Once a vital agricultural sector, shrimp farmers recorded peak production of more than 640,000 tonnes in 2010, and generated over 110 billion baht in export value in 2011.

The sector generates income for more than 2 million people and sources about 80% of its inputs domestically, making Thai shrimp internationally recognised for quality and food safety, he noted.

However, since the outbreak of early mortality syndrome (EMS) in 2012, the industry has suffered severe declines, with annual production dropping to 270,000-280,000 tonnes, while the export value dipped to around 40 billion baht.

Thailand has lost about 750 billion baht in export opportunities over the past 13 years, while competitors such as Ecuador and India have expanded production and increased global market share, said Mr Ekapoj.

“Diseases such as white spot syndrome, EMS, white faeces syndrome and yellow head are the biggest challenges, driving up hidden costs and undermining Thailand’s competitiveness,” he said.

Lower shrimp production also affects cold storage and processing facilities, preventing them from operating at full capacity.

The association wants a knowledge hub established to enhance production capacity, targeting 400,000 tonnes of high-quality shrimp production, reducing costs and restoring competitiveness, Mr Ekapoj said.

The group has asked the government to address Malaysia’s suspension of Thai shrimp imports, strengthen domestic and international marketing, and introduce additional measures to reinforce the industry’s long-term sustainability and competitiveness.

Confidence in the broader economy remains “subdued”, with concerns centring on corruption, inflation, and divided opinions about what direction the country should move in, market research firm Ipsos says.

The study “What worries Thailand? June 2026”, released on Tuesday, outlined the major challenges and concerns the country is now facing, with 55% of the Thais surveyed identifying financial and political corruption as the issue weighing most heavily on local consumers.

The figure marks a 5-percentage-point increase from last month and is up 10 points from a year ago.

The finding is part of the Ipsos’ series titled “What Worries the World” conducted every month in 30 countries among 20,000 or so adults for over a decade.

“The continued rise suggests that trust, transparency and governance remain front of mind for many consumers [and] that institutional trust remains fundamental to public confidence,” it noted.

Ipsos also ranks inflation among Thais’ top three worries, with 32% citing it as a major concern, up 4 points from the previous month and up eight year-on-year.

This is due to “renewed pressure on household budgets as higher global energy prices and cost-of-living pressures feed through to consumer prices”, it said.

“Although Thailand’s economic outlook has recently improved modestly, inflation is expected to remain elevated in the near term, keeping affordability front of mind for many households.”

Poverty and social inequality remain the second-largest concern at 42%, highlighting how many households continue to feel uneven benefits from the economic recovery.

Meanwhile, public opinion on where Thailand is heading remains “perfectly balanced”, with 50% of Thais believe the country is moving in the right direction, and the rest seeing it as being on the wrong track. The even split illustrates how confidence remains fragile.

Koh Samui in Surat Thani has been ranked the top island in Asia-Pacific in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2026.

Deputy government spokeswoman Ploythalay Laksameesaengjan said the recognition reinforces Koh Samui’s status as a world-class destination, reflecting strong destination management and its ability to welcome international visitors with luxury service standards alongside well-preserved natural surroundings.

She said Koh Samui also performed strongly in other categories. Samui International Airport was ranked second in the “Best Airports” category in Asia-Pacific, behind Singapore’s Changi Airport, with praise for its design that blends with nature and its passenger-friendly services.

In the “Best Beach + Island Resorts in Thailand” category, five Koh Samui resorts were listed among the region’s top 10. Cape Fahn Hotel ranked second, followed by Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui in fifth, Kimpton Kitalay Samui in seventh, Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort in eighth, and Centara Reserve Samui in ninth.

She said the government supports island tourism development policies aimed at distributing income to local communities while improving safety and travel convenience.

She added that infrastructure upgrades are being promoted to strengthen air connectivity to island destinations and support wider tourism growth.

She said efforts are also focused on sustainable tourism, positioning Koh Samui as a model for eco-friendly island development that balances economic opportunity with environmental protection and long-term conservation of natural resources.

Thailand is one of Southeast Asia’s most enthusiastic smartphone markets, yet Google’s Pixel phones remain absent from official shelves, leaving expats and Thai tech fans to wonder why Android’s own flagship is still treated like a suitcase souvenir.

Pixel handsets have won praise overseas for their cameras, clean software and clever artificial intelligence (AI) tools. In Thailand, however, they remain oddly hard to buy through official channels.

For many locals the question is simple: if Google can sell Pixels in Singapore, Malaysia, Japan and Taiwan, why not Bangkok?

Thailand is still not listed among official Google Store markets for the Pixel 9, Pixel 9a or Pixel 10. That means no easy local checkout, no official launch fanfare and no comforting sense that help is a service centre away.

The omission looks stranger after the Pixel 10 series expanded to 33 countries, Google’s broadest rollout yet. Mexico joined the list and several Asian markets were included.

Thailand, despite its size and appetite for new phones, was left watching from the pavement.The result is a familiar Bangkok routine. Some buyers order from abroad. Others ask a friend flying in from Singapore. A few head to grey-market shops and hope the warranty gods are generous. It is part shopping, part logistics, part ‘my friend knows a guy at MBK.’

Lack of demand is unlikely the reason. Thailand’s smartphone market is crowded and fiercely competitive, with Samsung, Oppo, Xiaomi, Apple and Vivo all fighting for buyers. For Google, entering Thailand would mean joining a boxing ring where everyone already knows the referee.

Price may also be a factor. Pixels usually sit in the premium or upper-midrange category, while many Thai buyers remain highly price-conscious. Even shoppers keen on flagship features often compare Shopee and Lazada promotions, trade-in deals and monthly plans before deciding.

Then there is the less glamorous matter of support. Phones must be repaired, updated, distributed and marketed. A proper launch requires local retail partners, after-sales care and clear warranty coverage. Without that, the Pixel risks being a clever phone with nowhere to go when its screen meets a Bangkok pavement.

There is a twist. Pixel is growing globally, which suggests Google has not lost interest in phones – it’s choosing markets carefully. Thailand has not been abandoned by Android, only overlooked by Android’s parent.

For expats in Thailand who still want one, the advice is simple: check network compatibility, warranty terms and repair options before buying unofficially. The Pixel may be smart, but it will not calmly explain in Thai why a screen repair costs more than a weekend in Hua Hin.

The bigger question is whether Thailand is becoming too important for Google to ignore. With Pixel expanding across Asia and Bangkok remaining one of the region’s most mobile-obsessed cities, an official launch may start to look less risky and more overdue.

Until then, Google’s smartest phone remains a device many in Thailand want, but Google curiously does not officially sell.

The Finance Ministry has proposed a package of 10 tax reforms that are expected to generate more than 435 billion baht in additional annual revenue, with the objective of ensuring that government revenue remains sufficient to accommodate increasing public expenditure in the future.

According to the ministry’s latest fiscal risk report, if no action is taken to increase government revenue, the ratio of government revenue to GDP could fall below the current level of 15% of GDP, said a ministry source who requested anonymity.

To improve the government’s revenue collection capacity over the medium term, the ministry developed a tax structure reform and revenue collection efficiency enhancement plan.

Among the 10 measures, those already implemented in 2026 include the removal of the import duty exemption for low-value goods (the de minimis threshold of 1,500 baht), which is expected to generate an additional 3 billion baht in revenue, and the revision of the automobile excise tax structure based on CO2 emissions, which is also expected to generate 3 billion baht.

Measures scheduled for implementation in 2027 include the introduction of the top-up tax, which is expected to generate 8.4 billion baht, and the imposition of a 1,000-baht outbound travel tax on Thai nationals travelling abroad, which is expected to generate 12 billion baht.

Other measures include a revision of the personal income tax structure and a review of selected tax deductions and allowances, expected to generate 50 billion baht; a change of the excise tax structure and an increase in excise tax rates on “sin products” (alcoholic beverages and tobacco), expected to generate 5 billion baht; and a gradual revision of the tax structure applicable to environmentally polluting products, including the introduction of carbon taxes, expected to generate 6-34 billion baht.

Measures to be introduced in 2028 include a value-added tax (VAT) hike from 7% to 8.5%, which is expected to generate 115 billion baht, and a revision of the tax structure for luxury goods, which is expected to generate 3 billion baht.

A further 1.5-percentage-point hike in the VAT rate to 10% is slated for 2030, which is the maximum rate permitted by law. This measure is expected to generate an additional 230 billion baht in revenue.

The 10 combined measures are projected to increase government revenue by 435 billion baht per year, the source said.

The revenue projections under the medium-term fiscal framework 2027-30 included the expected effects of these tax measures, resulting in the government revenue to GDP ratio rising modestly to 15.2% from 15.0% in fiscal 2025.

Over the longer term, the government will still need to consider additional measures to strengthen its revenue collection capacity so that it reaches a level comparable with international standards, noted the source.

A fire at a pub early Wednesday morning in the South Pattaya area resulted in the death of one employee.

Pattaya police were informed of the blaze at Catwalk Club on Soi Chaloem Phrakiat 29 Road at 12.30am. Three fire engines were dispatched to the scene.

Authorities arrived to find the one-storey concrete building engulfed in flames. Firefighters were quickly able to put out the fire.

In the debris however, they found the charred body of a man. The victim was identified as an employee of the pub, 29-year-old Thanapol Banchan. His corpse was found in a bathroom.

The victim’s colleagues said the fire erupted while about five staff members were at work. They saw smoke coming through the ceiling shortly before the flames began spreading rapidly. They fled the building to safety but were unable to aid Thanapol due to his location.

Police were investigating the cause of the fire.

Weeks of volatility in gold prices because of the conflict in the Middle East have taken a toll on activity at gold shops in this northeastern province, says a local proprietor.

Global and local gold prices have fallen by more than 12% since May 1, and are down nearly 25% from the all-time highs reached in late January, a month before the US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Gold was trading on Wednesday at 62,950 baht per baht-weight (15.2 grammes), compared with 72,000 on May 1 and the all-time high of 81,600 reached on Jan 29.

In addition to the conflict, concerns over inflation and a strengthening US dollar have also weighed on the gold market, said Ekkalak Chanawirat, 47, the owner of Uthen Gold Shop.

Whenever buying interest emerges, it is met with continued selling pressure, preventing prices from returning to their previous peak, even for short periods, he said.

When prices fall, customers rush to buy, building up stocks in anticipation of profit. But once prices drop by 1,000 or 2,000 baht a day, buyers grow uncertain about whether prices would keep falling or start rising again.

‘Looking at the long term, most analysts believe there’s a chance prices will climb back to their peak, but every time they rise, there’s been consistent sell-off pressure,’ Mr Ekkalak said.

‘There’s no factor strong enough yet to drive prices up that much, and now there are concerns over US inflation weighing on investors too.’

Mr Ekkalak said people in Khon Kaen are still keen on buying and stockpiling gold bars, with demand growing.

He said the price decline between May 1 and July 1 had been considerable compared with movements over the past five to six years.

Before the Middle East war began in late February, daily fluctuations of 100 to 200 baht were normal, he added.

New partnership and company registrations are now fully digitalised, improving convenience and speeding up the registration process while reducing costs for both businesses and individuals, says the Department of Business Development (DBD).

Effective Wednesday, all new business registrations, including the establishment of partnerships and limited companies, must be completed online through the Digital Business Registration System (DBD Biz Regist), though amendments to existing registration information are excluded.

Between Oct 1, 2025, and June 29, 2026, the department developed the system, ensuring online registration processing times match or exceed those of on-site paper submissions.

Entrepreneurs have embraced the new system, as last month 7,146 new business registrations, or 95% of the total, were completed online, compared with 373 applications (4.96%) submitted on-site.

In 28 provinces, including Krabi, Kamphaeng Phet, Pattani, Loei and Nong Khai, all new business registrations were completed online through the DBD Biz Regist system.

Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, director-general of the DBD, said the online system helps businesses save time and travel costs, reducing face-to-face interactions between officials and service users, and thereby minimising opportunities for corruption in the public sector.

From Wednesday, the DBD has also stopped providing legal entity information in paper form to government agencies, fully transitioning to electronic services through two platforms.

The Business Data Exchange provides direct and real-time access to legal entity information from the DBD.

The DBD e-Service for Government system allows government agencies to obtain certificates, business registration records, financial statements and shareholder lists in digital formats.

Mr Poonpong said the changes enhance transparency, accountability and efficiency while reducing redundant document requests and improving public services.

“The use of electronic identity verification and seamless data integration among government agencies reduces the risk of document forgery and identity theft, ensuring every process is standardised, transparent and fully auditable,” he said.