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September 2, 2026

US dominates AI, but why does China control 97% of humanoid robots globally? Expected to deliver 500,000 units by 2030
78 Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026
US dominates AI, but why does China control 97% of humanoid robots globally? Expected to deliver 500,000 units by 2030
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China dominates humanoid robot manufacturing with 97% global market share (H1 2026), delivering 19,100 units—up 272% YoY. Two companies (AGIBOT and Unitree) control 75% of the market. China's advantage stems from robust EV supply chains, state support, and real-world testing grounds in logistics and manufacturing. Global deliveries are forecast to reach 500,000 units by 2030, with 70%+ deployed in industrial/commercial applications. The US leads in AI software and chips but lags in hardware manufacturing scale.

All New Mitsubishi PAJERO Thailand Launch – Sales Begin October
72 Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026
All New Mitsubishi PAJERO Thailand Launch – Sales Begin October
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Mitsubishi Motor Corporation has launched the all-new PAJERO globally and confirmed Thai market availability from October this year. The sixth-generation SUV combines traditional off-road capability with premium comfort and modern tech (dual 14.3-inch screens, MI-PILOT safety suite). Key specs: 2,870mm wheelbase, 230mm ground clearance, 7-seat 3-row cabin. Design draws from Japanese aesthetics (Kendo martial arts, traditional craftsmanship) blending heritage with contemporary styling—flagship positioning for lifestyle/adventurous segment.

Perspectives of 'Rottaporn Ekabut': One of Bangkok's Digital and Innovation Leaders
68 The Story Thailand · Sep 2, 2026
Perspectives of 'Rottaporn Ekabut': One of Bangkok's Digital and Innovation Leaders
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Interview with Krungsri's Chief Digital and Innovation Officer on customer-centric banking transformation. Key insight: reliability and trust matter more than advanced features; success requires organizational alignment on shared goals, experimentation through Innovation Citizen programs (400+ employees), and simplifying (not expanding) offerings. Relevant for SMEs considering digital transformation and organizational change management.

SCB 10X Reveals 6 Key Insights from AI-VOLUTION The Series 2026 to Help Organizations Adapt to the AI Era
78 The Story Thailand · Sep 2, 2026
SCB 10X Reveals 6 Key Insights from AI-VOLUTION The Series 2026 to Help Organizations Adapt to the AI Era
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SCB 10X, a tech investment arm of SCBX Group, has distilled 6 critical insights from its AI-VOLUTION series addressing organizational adaptation to AI: (1) Judgment and domain expertise outweigh pure execution capability as AI lowers creation costs; (2) Individual AI adoption doesn't guarantee institutional memory—Enterprise AI systems must capture reasoning behind decisions; (3) Software interaction is shifting from UI-based menus to outcome-based interfaces; (4) Future customers may be AI Agents, requiring redesigned digital infrastructure; (5) Successful pilots don't equal enterprise-scale readiness—scaling requires handling uncertainty and complexity; (6) Implied conclusion on production-readiness factors. The series engaged 5,000+ participants from 88 countries with 700,000+ cumulative views, demonstrating strong demand among Thai business for practical AI application guidance.

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KKR-Singtel consortium completes $10.8b STT GDC deal
72 Tech in Asia · Sep 2, 2026
KKR-Singtel consortium completes $10.8b STT GDC deal
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KKR and Singtel consortium has closed a $10.8 billion acquisition of STT GDC, a major Southeast Asian data center operator. This mega-deal signals strong investor confidence in regional digital infrastructure and cloud demand, with implications for Thailand's tech ecosystem as a regional hub for data services and enterprise cloud adoption.

Thai Women's Volleyball Makes Historic Olympic Qualification at 2026 Asian Championships
58 Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026
Thai Women's Volleyball Makes Historic Olympic Qualification at 2026 Asian Championships
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Thailand's women's volleyball team defeated China 3–2 in the 2026 Asian Championships final, winning their 4th continental title and securing their first-ever Olympic berth for LA 2028. Captain Pompun and teammates Taddao and Sasipap earned individual accolades. The achievement caps 4 months of intensive preparation and signals Thailand's emergence as a top Asian volleyball power.

Quick commerce is losing money, but investors keep coming
62 Tech in Asia · Sep 2, 2026
Quick commerce is losing money, but investors keep coming
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Quick commerce platforms in India are operating at significant losses despite continued investor interest and funding. This pattern reflects the broader e-commerce dynamics in Asia where growth-at-all-costs strategies prioritize market expansion over profitability. Relevant for Thai SMEs considering logistics models or investors watching regional startup trends.

Thammasat Scholars Propose 'Data Center Act' with Local Content Requirements
72 Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026
Thammasat Scholars Propose 'Data Center Act' with Local Content Requirements
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Thammasat University economist Assoc. Prof. Nont Nuchmon warns that Thailand has no specific data center regulations, unlike regional peers (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia), and proposes a dedicated Data Center Act with mandatory local content quotas and supply chain integration. Currently, foreign investors import finished components, limiting long-term economic gains to construction and real estate; the scholar argues that selective investment with clear conditions is preferable to unrestricted openness, while noting medium-term challenges in energy infrastructure, water resources, and greenhouse gas emissions that require systematic data collection and strategic planning.

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CrowdStrike, Nvidia launch SafeMind AI security tools
62 Tech in Asia · Sep 2, 2026
CrowdStrike, Nvidia launch SafeMind AI security tools
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CrowdStrike and Nvidia have partnered to develop SafeMind, an AI-powered security tool designed to accelerate cyber threat detection. This collaboration combines Nvidia's AI infrastructure capabilities with CrowdStrike's threat intelligence, potentially enabling faster incident response for enterprises. Relevant for Thai SMEs evaluating advanced cybersecurity solutions, though primarily enterprise-focused.

Citi, Goldman, other banks team up on stablecoin venture
62 Tech in Asia · Sep 2, 2026
Citi, Goldman, other banks team up on stablecoin venture
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Major global banks (Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, and others) are collaborating on a stablecoin venture, likely through blockchain payment firm Fnality which recently raised $136M in Series funding from Temasek. This signals institutional adoption of crypto-based settlement technology, relevant to Thai financial institutions and fintech players exploring blockchain solutions.

5,000 U.S. Military Personnel Arrive in Pattaya for 5-Day Visit; Expected to Generate 100 Million Baht in Economic Activity
68 Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026
5,000 U.S. Military Personnel Arrive in Pattaya for 5-Day Visit; Expected to Generate 100 Million Baht in Economic Activity
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The USS Abraham Lincoln, a U.S. Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, docked at Laem Chabang port in Chonburi with approximately 5,000 personnel on board (Sept 2–6). Pattaya authorities coordinated comprehensive preparations including security, traffic management, and business readiness. Local SMEs in hospitality, F&B, retail, and entertainment are expected to capture significant spend, with economic forecasts reaching 100 million baht in circulation—a notable injection for regional tourism-dependent businesses.

Power Shift: Thailand's Energy Structure Transformation Accelerates Toward Net Zero
78 The Story Thailand · Sep 2, 2026
Power Shift: Thailand's Energy Structure Transformation Accelerates Toward Net Zero
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Thailand must accelerate energy transition to meet aggressive NDC 3.0 targets (reducing energy sector emissions by one-third by 2035). The energy sector currently emits 185 million tons of greenhouse gas but must cut to 117 million tons—requiring a fundamental shift from fossil fuels to renewable sources like solar and wind, not just efficiency gains. Electricity will be central to decarbonization (from transport to AI/data centers), but Thailand lags regional peers: renewables represent only ~10% of generation (excluding hydropower), with Vietnam now outpacing Thailand in solar leadership. Natural gas alone cannot bridge the gap to Net Zero 2050.

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Commerce Ministry and Rights Owners Partner to Close Infringing Websites and Illegal Live Streams, Expanding to Financial Channels
72 Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026
Commerce Ministry and Rights Owners Partner to Close Infringing Websites and Illegal Live Streams, Expanding to Financial Channels
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Thailand's Department of Intellectual Property is rolling out four new enforcement mechanisms against online piracy affecting the 1.13 trillion baht e-commerce market. Key initiatives include: site blocking for copyright-infringing content, real-time API integration for IP database sharing with platforms, "IP Verified" merchant badges to promote legitimate sellers, and financial tracking to dismantle supply chains. In the first 7 months of 2025, authorities arrested 140 piracy cases, seized 322,077 items, and blocked 1,471 infringing listings—demonstrating accelerating enforcement. The coordinated approach targets SMEs relying on legitimate digital commerce and investors concerned with IP protection in Thailand's growing online market.

SET Index faces downside pressure as oil surges and bond yields soar; stagflation and inflation concerns highlight PTTEP and KKP
65 Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026
SET Index faces downside pressure as oil surges and bond yields soar; stagflation and inflation concerns highlight PTTEP and KKP
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Thai equities face near-term headwinds from elevated oil prices (Brent above $95/bbl) and global bond yields hitting 16-year highs, amid stagflation concerns. The SET is expected to trade 1,575–1,600 points. Despite broader risk-asset weakness, energy stocks (PTTEP, KKP) and high-yield dividend plays are recommended as defensive positions. Foreign investors returned as net buyers after 6 consecutive days of selling.

China's ASEAN Expansion and US Trade Pressure: Thailand Warned of Risk, Five Strategies Proposed to Protect Markets and Prevent Trade Circumvention
77 Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026
China's ASEAN Expansion and US Trade Pressure: Thailand Warned of Risk, Five Strategies Proposed to Protect Markets and Prevent Trade Circumvention
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Thailand faces a critical trade-squeeze between China and the US. Data shows Thailand has a $53.8B deficit with China (2nd highest in ASEAN) and a $75B surplus with the US (2nd highest). Academic analysis warns that surging Chinese imports (especially machinery, electronics, EVs) coupled with US tariff enforcement threatens Thailand's trade balance and industrial structure. The article proposes five strategic interventions: balancing trade, preventing tariff circumvention, conditioning Chinese FDI, diversifying markets, and protecting strategic industries. This is directly actionable for SMEs managing supply chains and export exposure.

Dropbox Warns of Data Breach via Lenovo ID Login Exploit
76 Blognone · Sep 2, 2026
Dropbox Warns of Data Breach via Lenovo ID Login Exploit
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Dropbox notified approximately 5,000 users of potential unauthorized file access due to a Lenovo ID authentication flaw. Attackers exploited a vulnerability where Dropbox trusted unverified Lenovo emails, allowing them to register any email as a Lenovo ID and directly access Dropbox accounts. Dropbox has disconnected all Lenovo ID integrations; affected users were primarily those without two-factor authentication enabled, with actual file access occurring in roughly 1 in 3 compromised accounts.

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Crude Oil Prices Rise on Market Concerns over US-Iran Conflict
62 Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026
Crude Oil Prices Rise on Market Concerns over US-Iran Conflict
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Crude oil prices (Brent and WTI) rose sharply to their highest levels since late July 2026, driven by escalating US-Iran tensions and concerns over supply disruption in the Middle East. Iran has threatened to block oil exports from the Persian Gulf, a critical global shipping route. The Russia-Ukraine conflict adds additional uncertainty. Thai SMEs exposed to energy costs, logistics, and commodities trading should monitor these price movements closely, as Strait of Hormuz disruptions could significantly impact operating costs and supply chain stability.

Thai Union Ventures into Longevity Market, Pushing Tuna-Derived Ingredients for Health, Beauty, and Functional Foods
72 Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026
Thai Union Ventures into Longevity Market, Pushing Tuna-Derived Ingredients for Health, Beauty, and Functional Foods
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Thai Union Ingredient (TUI) launched its Longevity portfolio at Vitafoods Asia 2026, featuring three premium tuna-derived ingredients: DHA-rich UniQ®OMEGA for cognitive enhancement, ThalaCol™ collagen peptide for skin health (with revenue targets of $30M+ in 5 years), and UniQ®BONE bio-calcium for bone strength. The move targets Asia-Pacific's aging population (projected to triple to 1.3B by 2050) and growing wellness trend, leveraging full supply-chain traceability and peer-reviewed clinical research. Premium omega-3 sales target 50%+ annual growth by 2025.

DayOne, TNB explore up to 1.5GW of power for data center
72 Tech in Asia · Sep 2, 2026
DayOne, TNB explore up to 1.5GW of power for data center
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DayOne, a data center operator, is partnering with TNB (Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Malaysia's state utility) to secure up to 1.5GW of power capacity for upcoming data center infrastructure. This major power allocation signals expansion plans for regional AI and cloud computing services, relevant to Thailand's push into digital infrastructure and potential competition/partnership opportunities for Thai tech and energy sectors.

Big Real Estate Players Vie for 'Campus Condo' Market: Three Prime Locations Identified, Suphalai Quietly Acquires Land
68 Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026
Big Real Estate Players Vie for 'Campus Condo' Market: Three Prime Locations Identified, Suphalai Quietly Acquires Land
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Thailand's major real estate developers are aggressively targeting the "campus condo" segment near universities, targeting consistent rental yields of 5–7% annually. Key hotspots include Rangsit (10,000+ units), central locations near Kasetsart/Chulalongkorn, and Bang Mod (emerging as a star location). AP Thailand launches Good Day Mor Bang Mod (731 units, 1.69M THB+ at 8% yield); Asset Wise revives the "Win" brand near Bang Mod and opens Cave Luminous (516 units); and Supalai is acquiring land near Rajamangala University of Technology Thonburi to launch a new condo (expected late 2025). Supply remains tight in key zones, making these investments attractive for first-time buyers and yield-focused investors.

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