AGP Executive Report

Thailand–Kuwait Diplomacy: Thailand and Kuwait marked 63 years of diplomatic ties, with Ambassador Songchai Chaipatiyut highlighting long-running cooperation and Thai healthcare links. AI Governance: Thailand will host AI Governance Week 2026 in Bangkok (29 June–3 July) to push practical, responsible AI implementation and tools for regulators and industry. Semiconductors Push: Thailand set up a National Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics Policy Committee, chaired by the PM, to drive “Made-in-Thailand chips” and position the country as an ASEAN hub. Aviation & Tourism Connectivity: CAAT allocated winter 2026/27 flight slots to four new airlines, including Sarawak-owned AirBorneo for the Kuching–Suvarnabhumi route, aiming to boost tourism and trade links. Online Safety Policy: The UK announced a ban on under-16s using major social media apps like TikTok and YouTube, adding pressure on other countries, including Thailand, to tighten child protections online. Cross-border Payments: A study warns Asia-Pacific cross-border payments could near $24tn by 2032 while settlement rails lag, keeping costs and delays high.

Aviation Slots: Thailand’s CAAT has allocated new Winter 2026/27 flight slots, adding AirBorneo (Kuching–Suvarnabhumi–Kuching) alongside Riyadh Air, Virgin Atlantic and SkyUp Nistru, aiming to boost tourism, trade and Thailand’s hub role. Public Finance & Energy: Finance Minister Ekniti says the world can recover if the US-Iran war ends, but energy prices may stay above pre-war levels; the government will press a 200bn-baht loan to cut oil dependence and expand renewables, while using Thais Help Thais Plus to cushion costs. SME Digital Push: The 60/40 Thais Help Thais Plus scheme now extends delivery platforms (Line Man, GrabFood, Robinhood, ShopeeFood) via the Paotang app, and adds an AI tool (“AI Nok Krasip”) to help shops analyse costs and lift sales. Online Safety Policy Watch: UK PM Keir Starmer moves to ban under-16s from using a range of social media apps, with platforms facing fines if they don’t block access—highlighting a wider global trend that includes Thailand studying similar approaches. Workplace Skills & AI: A new global employment-law report flags rising issues: AI/data protection, skilled-worker shortages, workplace safety and regulatory burden—while HR leaders also face growing scrutiny over how AI is used in hiring. Tourism & Industry Events: Cemtech Asia 2026 opened in Bangkok, bringing cement producers and tech suppliers to discuss decarbonisation and operational upgrades. Brand & Consumer: Glico rolls out a Pocky 60th-anniversary refresh across Thailand and the region, repositioning the snack for Gen Z with new packaging and a “Connect with a smile” campaign.

Illicit Nicotine Trade: CAPHRA warns Thailand’s long-running vape ban is pushing demand into illegal markets, echoing Australia’s surge in seized illicit vapes since 2024. Port & Logistics: Thailand is looking at Laem Chabang’s next upgrade push, including proposed port-charge changes and simpler rules to revive transshipment volumes. Energy Transition: A new BioCycle Kiln in Chiang Rai aims to turn farm waste into biochar, construction inputs and power—cutting open burning and air pollution. Capital Markets: The Stock Exchange of Thailand unveiled a three-year plan to restore confidence, boost liquidity and widen access to investment opportunities. AI & Jobs: Thailand’s AI optimism is framed alongside growing anxiety for young workers, as firms and graduates adjust to automation and deepfakes. Tourism & Trade: Thailand is stepping up wellness-led tourism promotion and trade-fair activity, while regional connectivity and supply-chain shifts remain a key theme. Weather & Water: The Cabinet approved 2026 rainy-season response measures, with EEC reservoir levels and heavy-rain risk areas monitored closely.

ASEAN Trade Push: Thailand and Vietnam have pledged to nearly double bilateral trade to $25bn within four years, aiming to stitch supply chains in electronics and semiconductors and cut barriers, as both face US tariff pressure and shifting global rules. Rainy-Season Readiness: The Thai Cabinet signed off on “neutral ENSO” conditions and approved nine water measures, with the EEC area reporting reservoir levels mostly below half capacity and agencies tasked to monitor heavy-rain, flood and landslide risks. US Tariff Pressure: Thailand is urged to close import and transshipment loopholes to secure a lower US tariff rate under Section 301 talks, with concerns that EV and auto-part flows could be used to build export capacity. Semiconductor Governance: PM Anutin has signed an order setting up a national semiconductor and advanced electronics policy committee to coordinate public-private execution and boost Thailand’s ASEAN production role. Foreign Work Rules: Thailand’s labour ministry warns reserved-occupation violations by foreigners will trigger fines and deportation, while repeat employer offences can bring jail and bans. Cross-Border Safety: Despite warnings, thousands of Malaysians keep visiting southern Thailand, with border traffic spiking during school holidays.

Cambodia–Thailand Trade: Cambodia says trade with Thailand fell 38.7% to about $1.1bn in the first five months of 2026, with Thai imports down 42.4% to $854m and Cambodian exports to Thailand down 25% to $296m, as land routes stay constrained. Smuggling Crackdown: Thailand-linked gold smuggling is hit hard as India’s DRI busts syndicates, including a case allegedly moving foreign-origin gold from Thailand via Kolkata airport, seizing nearly 17kg worth around Rs 25 crore. Energy Transition Watch: Asia’s renewables push is being tested by Middle East oil shocks, with some countries leaning on short-term fixes that could slow longer-term clean energy investment. Thailand Agriculture & Carbon Credits: Ayutthaya’s rice research centre plans a 50,000-rai low-carbon rice pilot across eight provinces under the BCG model to tap global carbon credit demand. Digital Trade: India is highlighted as a frontrunner for cross-border paperless trade, with Bangkok-based discussions pointing to platforms like ICEGATE and moves toward regional interoperability. AI & Work in Thailand: A local report finds young Thais mostly use AI as a tool, not a full replacement, as they weigh career readiness and human skills.

Tourism Trade: Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2026 wrapped in Pattaya with 15,000 commercial deals worth about 5bn baht, led by a “Healing is the New Luxury” push for wellness and sustainable travel. Cyber & Data Security: Thailand is investigating reports of 36m Thai citizens’ personal-data records being sold online, while the government also warned World Cup fans about scams tied to illegal gambling, fake tickets and livestream fraud. Property & Corporate Crime: Police arrested a Chinese suspect in Bangkok over a nominee property network, seizing condo access cards, land documents and corporate records, alleging luxury purchases routed via Thai women as fronts. Anti-Scam Enforcement: Officials highlighted cyber-crime crackdowns that include asset seizures and faster account freezing via integrated reporting channels. Cross-Border Crime: A cyber-fraud kingpin linked to scams run from Dubai was arrested in Bangkok after deportation to India, showing how Thai enforcement is tightening regional links. Royal & Social Impact: The death of Princess Bajrakitiyabha at 47 has triggered international tributes, with renewed focus on her legal and humanitarian work. Business & Markets: Construction materials show early easing after steel price cuts, offering some relief to contractors. Travel Tech/Media: FIFA World Cup broadcast rights in Myanmar to Mytel drew criticism from a rights group, adding pressure on sports governance.

Foreign Crackdown: Thai police arrested two Israeli citizens over alleged business and real estate crimes, including using Thai frontmen to buy land and running an illegal recording studio. Royal Affairs: Thailand is in mourning after Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol died at 47 following three years in a coma, reviving questions over succession. Tourism & Airlift: Thailand reported a slight dip in UK arrivals (down 3.16% year-on-year to 514,244 through June 10) as Middle East conflict constrains flight capacity, while TAT pushes “Healing is the new luxury” to shift demand to secondary hubs. Capital Markets: Vietnam moved to allow large foreign-invested enterprises to IPO on the domestic market, with more new trading platforms planned, including a domestic carbon exchange. Energy & Industry: EVN and Gulf Energy discussed wind and LNG projects in Vietnam, while Thailand’s feed sector at VICTAM Asia highlighted how energy and ingredient volatility are driving upgrades and protein substitution. Digital Disruption: Meta platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Messenger) suffered a global outage affecting ad tools and user access.

Royal & Public Service: Thailand mourns Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, 47, who died after three years in a coma; the palace and PM Anutin said she leaves a legacy tied to justice and improving conditions for women prisoners. Business & Investment Climate: Anutin says Thailand is pushing to restore foreign investor confidence with “Thailand FastPass” to speed approvals, plus regulatory tweaks including Foreign Business Act improvements and a focus on future industries like AI, semiconductors, EVs and clean energy. Digital Government: Thailand’s P-Track aims to make justice more accessible online, helping citizens request fine reductions and instalment payments without “chasing the state.” Property & Housing: Bangkok’s condo glut is hitting 350,000 units and could take up to six years to clear. Energy & Industry: WHA Group expands its WeCYCLE initiative toward a low-carbon society, while Heilind Asia Pacific highlights automotive interconnect and fastening solutions at Automotive Manufacturing 2026 (June 17–20). Regional Trade/Geopolitics: Thailand is set to submit ACFTA 3.0 for legislative ratification, and Thailand–China talks point to wider cooperation in trade, security and agriculture. Cross-border Crime: Thailand-linked cases include CBI repatriating cyber fraud fugitives and a major drug bust in India involving a Bangkok-linked passenger.

Trade & Investment: Thailand’s Cabinet has approved submitting ACFTA 3.0 to parliament for ratification, aiming to modernise customs, speed clearance for perishable goods, and expand cooperation on digital, green and supply-chain issues. Central Banking: The Bank of Thailand says there’s no need for an emergency MPC meeting, pointing to orderly baht moves and stronger external stability versus Indonesia’s sharper currency pressure. Tourism & Business: Pattaya is hosting Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2026 with hundreds of international buyers and Thai operators focused on wellness and sustainable travel, while local hospitality players are watching a July/August pickup after a softer June. Consumer & Regulation: The government is tightening safety inspections at amusement and water parks, and is also pressing Volvo over EX30 consumer safety concerns. Macro Sentiment: Thai consumer confidence fell to a 42-month low, with households citing Middle East tensions and high energy costs. Sports Media: JAS and MONO have unveiled plans for FIFA World Cup 2026 viewing in Thailand, including free-to-air coverage of key matches. Public Safety: A Bangkok court sentenced two Uyghur men to death over the 2015 Erawan Shrine bombing, while separate Thai police actions targeted major cyber and organised crime scams.

El Niño Watch: Japan’s meteorological agency has formally declared El Niño onset, raising risks for rainfall swings, heat stress and crop impacts across Asia—Thailand’s rice market is already feeling the heat. Trade Strategy: Thailand’s foreign minister says the country is reassessing joining CPTPP while also pushing an EU trade deal, as protectionism and US tariff pressure reshape negotiations. Energy & Food Costs: With oil near $100 a barrel after Iran-related disruptions and LNG supply losses, analysts warn biofuel demand could surge—tightening the link between fuel policy and food prices. Markets: Asian equities were mixed as AI stock sell-offs hit Wall Street and oil eased after renewed US-Iran strikes, keeping investors cautious. Property & Retail Investment: Central Pattana is advancing its THB21bn Central Phaholyothin mixed-use project in Bangkok, targeting completion in Q4 2026 and betting on transit-linked demand. Crime & Courts: Thailand’s court sentenced two Uyghur men to death over the 2015 Erawan shrine bombing that killed 20; separately, Thai authorities detained a Thai woman in connection with the death of a US official in Yangon. Cybercrime Crackdown: India’s CBI says it secured the deportation of a cyber fraud fugitive from Thailand, highlighting cross-border enforcement against online scams.

Middle East Shock to Markets: The US launched airstrikes on Iran after an American helicopter crash, with Iran firing back at regional states—raising fresh risks for oil flows and regional business sentiment. Tourism Trade Push: Thailand’s TTM+ 2026 in Pattaya drew strong international turnout despite uncertainty, while TAT doubled down on “Value over Volume” with a wellness and sustainability-led strategy. Currency & Gold Watch: The baht slid as geopolitical worries returned and gold weakened; traders are watching US CPI for direction. Shrimp Export Crisis: Malaysia suspended imports of five Thai shrimp species, cutting Thailand’s exports by 300–400 tons a month; the Commerce Ministry is rolling out “Thais Help Thais” support and seeking new markets. Business Outlook Upgrade: JSCCIB lifted Thailand’s 2026 GDP growth forecast to 1.6–2.0% on firmer exports and stimulus, but warned smaller firms are still not benefiting. Digital Economy & Risk: A civil group urged lawmakers to investigate a massive data breach affecting 67.1 million people, as parliament prepares to summon agencies. Crime & Enforcement: Thai police arrested a Nigerian “Dodorima” drug kingpin after a dramatic escape attempt, and Pattaya cracked down on unauthorized beach rentals. Tech/Deal Desk: BizLink agreed to buy Blackstone’s Interplex Datacom unit for about $850m, signaling selective deal momentum in Southeast Asia.

Digital Payments & Banking: Bank of Thailand’s virtual bank rollout is nearing its mid-2026 start date, with three licensed consortia (CP/Ascend, Krungthai-AIS-OR, and SCB X-KakaoBank) set to test whether standalone digital banking can stay profitable in a region where the model has struggled. AI & Social Platforms: Meta is expanding personalization by using off-platform data, while also adding a simpler privacy toggle; the move signals tighter integration between businesses’ customer activity and Facebook/Instagram feeds and AI responses. Corporate Deals (Data Centres): BizLink will buy Blackstone-backed Interplex Datacom for up to US$900m to build a “one-stop shop” for AI data centre components across Asia. Enforcement & Scams: Thai police arrested a concert ticket scam gang using hundreds of X accounts, with losses topping 3.7m baht across 739 cases. Copyright Crackdown: Thailand’s DIP stepped up monitoring ahead of FIFA World Cup to target illegal livestreaming and piracy-linked sites. Trade & Tourism: Washington Blueberry Commission ran Thailand and Indonesia seminars to boost premium blueberry trade confidence. Business Climate: JSCCIB flagged a “K-shaped” economy risk as export-led tech growth hasn’t yet spread widely through Thai supply chains and domestic demand.

Baht Watch: The Thai baht held near 32.90 per US dollar as markets waited for key US data and Middle East signals, with Krungthai GLOBAL MARKETS expecting a tight 32.75–32.95 range. Tourism Push: TAT rolled out “Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2026” (June–August) to turn shopping into paid-for experiences, targeting 700bn baht in visitor spending circulation, while also backing DICE fan-driven travel via busking and fancon tours. Logistics Mega-Project: Thailand is pressing ahead with the Land Bridge project, saying costs are overstated and that private funding will cover most construction and operating expenses under a PPP model. Digital Economy: Thailand is positioning digital ID as a backbone for the digital economy, while also moving to expand digital ID links to more government services. Cross-border Business: PM Anutin met Thai firms in Vietnam in Hanoi, witnessing deals on smart industrial estates and AI cooperation to deepen supply-chain ties. Public Safety in Pattaya: Pattaya launched a multi-agency crackdown on beachfront parking to reduce congestion and improve safety, as expats also warn of hidden electrocution risks in older condominiums. Sports Rights: Laos secured FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast rights; Thailand remains in negotiations.

Cambodia–Thailand Border Crackdown: Cambodia’s Hun Sen ordered strict action against smuggling from Thailand, including asset confiscation and forced border-area work, saying Cambodia has no supply shortages despite the closed land border. Regional Markets Mood: Asian stocks rebounded as investors returned to AI trades and eased Middle East worries; oil slipped after signals of reduced attacks. Heat Risk Study: Oxford research flags extreme heat risk concentrated in Asia and Africa, with Bangkok among the high-risk cities, driven by weak cooling access and inequality. Thailand–Vietnam Business Push: Thailand and Vietnam reaffirmed trade and investment momentum, with leaders backing closer ministerial coordination and ASEAN cooperation. AI Adoption in Thailand: Microsoft reports Thailand’s AI user share rose to 12.4% in early 2026, with 32% of workers as advanced “Frontier Professionals.” Tourism Costs: Amsterdam is considering raising its tourism levy to 16% by 2027, a reminder that visitor fees are spreading. Cocoa Waste to Feed: Chulalongkorn researchers turned low-grade cocoa and husks into cattle mineral supplements, aiming to cut costs and methane. Hotel Expansion: Dusit International signed an agreement to bring Dusit Princess to India’s Rishikesh, targeting a 2031 opening.

Cross-border Scam Crackdown: The US DOJ says more than 1 million scam-related online accounts were taken down and millions of dollars in crypto frozen in a Southeast Asia operation involving the FBI and Thai police, with 63 arrests across Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. Aviation Safety: Thailand’s CAAT tightens power-bank rules for flights—max two per passenger, no charging onboard, and limits on battery capacity—after incidents involving lithium overheating. Aviation & Investment: Thailand is pushing ahead with a 13bn-baht U-Tapao MRO plan for Thai Airways, targeting regional maintenance capacity with a 50-year lease and revenue sharing starting in year five. Consumer Protection: Thailand’s Consumer Council files a civil suit against Meta, LINE and Apple plus banks over alleged failures to stop online investment scams worth over 230m baht. Trade Dispute: Thailand plans to take Malaysia’s shrimp import ban to WTO/ASEAN talks, after Malaysia suspended five shrimp species and tightened testing on sea bass. Digital Competition: Asia-Pacific regulators are increasingly targeting “dark patterns” in online interfaces, with Singapore and China among the more active enforcers. Tourism & Business Travel: Air India and THAI move toward a codeshare deal to expand routes between India and Thailand, pending approvals. Local Enforcement: Pattaya continues sidewalk clearance to curb encroachments and protect pedestrian access in tourist areas.

Thailand–Malaysia Shrimp Row: Malaysia is waiting for Thailand’s response to a questionnaire on shrimp imports before judging biosecurity compliance, while it has tightened sea bass rules by requiring a Certificate of Analysis. ASEAN Trade Push: Thai PM Anutin has arrived in Hanoi for talks with Vietnam’s top leaders and the ASEAN Future Forum, with a strong focus on supply-chain links and a business-friendly environment. Green Compliance Pressure: A new “green code” is putting Thai exporters on notice, warning that Chinese buyers may demand cleaner, more transparent supply chains and carbon/energy/waste reporting. Tourism Facilitation: Thailand is set to launch the THIM app in August 2026, letting foreign travellers submit arrival details and generate a digital arrival card before landing. IMF/World Bank Boost: Thailand’s hosting of the 2026 IMF–World Bank meetings is being framed as a major chance to attract investment, especially into data centres and clean energy. SME Relief Fallout: The Thai Restaurant Association says many small operators are seeing sharp customer drops under Thais Help Thais Plus and is urging expanded state support. Gold Traders vs VAT Plan: Gold traders warn a VAT proposal could hurt savers amid Bank of Thailand scrutiny of gold-linked FX flows. Immigration & Safety: Thailand is also moving to streamline airport entry, while separate reports highlight wildlife smuggling from Bangkok and a fatal monkey attack in southern Thailand.