Archive

US FTC sues Amazon over alleged hidden ad charges Tech in Asia · Sep 1, 2026

The US Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit against Amazon alleging the company concealed advertising charges from merchants. This reflects regulatory scrutiny on Amazon's business practices and pricing transparency, particularly around its advertising services which have become a significant revenue stream. For Thailand SMEs using Amazon or considering it, this highlights growing regulatory pressure on hidden fees globally.

Animoca's AI agents enter the game Tech in Asia · Sep 1, 2026

Animoca is launching AI agent technology into gaming and Web3 applications. This signals the company's pivot toward autonomous AI-driven gameplay and interactions, potentially reshaping how players engage with blockchain games and digital assets in the Southeast Asian gaming market.

OpenAI says ChatGPT ad revenue hits $1b run rate Tech in Asia · Sep 1, 2026

OpenAI reports ChatGPT's advertising revenue has reached a $1 billion annual run rate, signaling growing monetization success of the AI platform. This milestone reflects increasing advertiser demand and represents a key revenue stream for the company beyond API and subscription models.

CrowdStrike, Telkom Indonesia sign AI security deal Tech in Asia · Sep 1, 2026

CrowdStrike, a leading cybersecurity platform provider, has partnered with Telkom Indonesia to deliver AI-powered security solutions. This regional partnership indicates growing enterprise demand for advanced threat protection in Southeast Asia, particularly among telecommunications infrastructure operators.

Huawei H1 profit drops 36% as costs, R&D spending rise Tech in Asia · Sep 1, 2026

Huawei reported a 36% profit decline in H1, driven by rising operational costs and increased R&D investment. The company is prioritizing long-term technology development despite near-term financial pressure, signaling strategic shifts in the semiconductor and AI chip sectors amid global sanctions and competitive pressure.

Waste to Worth: Transforming Used Packaging into a Circular Economy The Story Thailand · Sep 1, 2026

SCGP and industry leaders are addressing circular economy challenges in packaging by redesigning products to balance consumer demands (durability, safety, convenience) with recyclability. The article emphasizes that sustainable packaging requires innovation starting at design—reducing material use (Reduce), extending product life (Reuse), and enabling recycling (Recycle)—while complying with stricter EU and EPR regulations. Multi-material packaging is a key obstacle to circular systems, making design choices critical for real material recovery and avoiding greenwashing.

Thailand's wellness boom raises oversupply concerns Bangkok Post · Sep 1, 2026

Thailand's health and wellness market is expanding rapidly, but may be heading toward oversupply and market consolidation within 2–3 years, according to fitness operator The Absolute Group. Despite caution among consumers due to inflation, spending on health and wellness is expected to remain resilient. Major operators like The Absolute Group and POP Pilates are expanding aggressively with new studio openings and specialized recovery services, suggesting both growth opportunity and potential for unsustainable rapid expansion in boutique fitness and wellness segments.

Operators seek reforms to Thailand's wellness ecosystem to welcome non-Thai massage Bangkok Post · Sep 1, 2026

Thailand's wellness industry operators are pushing for labour law reforms to allow foreign non-Thai massage therapists to work legally and to regulate mobile massage services. Currently Thai massage is a reserved occupation for Thai nationals only. The sector valued at $42.7B in 2024 could grow substantially (7.6% annually) if regulations allow greater foreign participation and hybrid training models, though authorities remain protective of traditional practices. SMEs in wellness and hospitality should monitor pending regulatory changes.

Energy officials promote biofuels as primary fuels Bangkok Post · Sep 1, 2026

Thailand's Department of Energy Business is promoting E20 (20% ethanol-blended gasoline) and E95 fuels to reduce transport emissions. Officials are considering making E20 the primary fuel standard, with current daily consumption of E20 at ~5.88 million liters (18% of total gasoline use). Over 4 million cars and 80% of nationwide motorcycles are already E20-compatible. The department is coordinating with auto manufacturers and the Thai Automotive Industry Association to build consumer trust and publish compatibility databases.

AIS Develops 21 Thai Tech SMEs Through Transformative Infinite SMEs 2026 Program Ahead of Market Expansion and Business Matching The Story Thailand · Sep 1, 2026

AIS and partners (mai, Siritsoft, AIS Academy) completed a digital transformation program for 21 Thai tech SMEs, training them to shift from custom software development to owning their own products and AI solutions. The 2026 curriculum covered digital infrastructure, AI workshops, business governance, IP strategy, and tax incentives. Graduates will participate in business matching activities and pilot AIS infrastructure through December 2026, positioning Thai tech SMEs for regional competitiveness.

A Chinese court froze $300 million in assets belonging to Dutch chipmaker Nexperia as part of legal dispute with Wingtech, signaling potential escalation in semiconductor supply chain disputes.

Python Upgrades RISC-V Architecture to Tier 3 Support Status with Continuous New Releases Blognone · Aug 31, 2026

Stan Ulbrych announced that Python now officially supports RISC-V architecture at Tier 3 status, enabling continuous new releases for Linux on RISC-V. Tier 3 allows new Python versions to release even if RISC-V builds fail, but still maintains continuous integration. The move is backed by RISE Project providing RISC-V hardware for Python buildbots, with plans to advance RISC-V to Tier 2 status in future releases.

AMD Releases ROCm 10.0 Celebrating 10 Years with GPU Software Development Support Powered by AI Blognone · Aug 31, 2026

AMD released ROCm 10.0, a major GPU acceleration library update featuring ROCm.AI—a new suite with CLI tools, AMD Skills repository, and Hyperloom auto-optimization software designed to simplify AI model deployment on AMD chips. The update transitions to TheRock build system, enabling PyTorch parity and cross-platform builds (Linux distros and Windows). Relevant for Thai SMEs exploring AMD-based GPU infrastructure for ML workloads and cost-sensitive AI development.

Curl Project Complains About Vulnerability Reporters Seeking CVE Numbers Despite Bugs Not Being Security Vulnerabilities Blognone · Aug 31, 2026

Daniel Stenberg, Curl project lead, highlights a systemic issue in open-source vulnerability disclosure: reporters inflating bug severity to obtain CVE numbers for publicity. As a CVE Numbering Authority (CNA) since 2024, Curl has issued 57 CVEs but recently rejected a report for a wildcard certificate validation bug deemed low/non-critical. The reporter appealed to MITRE multiple times; MITRE ultimately confirmed it is not a security vulnerability. This case illustrates the tension between strict security standards and incentive misalignment in vulnerability reporting.

Nvidia's $3.5 billion investment in MediaTek signals deeper collaboration between two major chip players, likely strengthening semiconductor supply chains relevant to AI and mobile computing.

Consumer Council Demands Investigation into Khlong Thom Center Fire: Exposed Loopholes in Building Permit and Inspection Oversight Prachachat · Aug 31, 2026

The Thai Consumer Council is investigating the Khlong Thom Center fire (>10,000 sqm), raising concerns beyond fire safety standards to potential corruption in building permits and inspections. Key issues: whether the building's actual layout matches its approved design, whether steel structures lack fire-resistant coatings (which should provide 1-4 hours protection), and whether the approval-inspection system is compromised by having a single agency handle both roles. The Council proposes separating permit authority from inspection oversight and involving professional bodies (engineers, architects) to strengthen transparency and safety checks, particularly for large public-use buildings.

From AI Tools to AI Workflows: Scaling Impact Across the Enterprise Tech in Asia · Aug 31, 2026

This appears to be a Tech in Asia event page focused on enterprise AI adoption and workflow automation. The actual content is blocked by a JavaScript requirement, limiting assessment, but the topic—scaling AI from isolated tools to integrated enterprise workflows—is highly relevant to Thai SMEs looking to digitalize operations and improve efficiency at scale.

BOI Supports Airbus in Expanding Thailand into Digital Aviation and Engineering Hub, Designates Bangkok as Skywise Asia Headquarters with Thailand as Sole Global Software Testing Base Techsauce · Aug 31, 2026

Airbus has designated Thailand as the sole global software testing hub for Skywise and established Bangkok as the regional Asia headquarters for its aviation digital solutions platform. The expansion reflects commitment to Thai talent (200+ staff, 85% Thai engineers) and positions Thailand as a key node in Airbus's Asia-Pacific supply chain strategy, with potential to upstream into aircraft structures, composites, and sustainable aviation fuel development. BOI is coordinating ecosystem partnerships across aviation, academia, and energy sectors to capitalize on geopolitical neutrality and skilled labor advantages.

Southern shortcut bridges get go-ahead Bangkok Post · Aug 31, 2026

The Thai government has greenlit two major bridge projects in the southern region: the 7km Songkhla Lake bridge (4.6B baht) cutting travel time from 2 hours to 10 minutes, and the 2.24km Koh Lanta bridge (1.78B baht). Combined 6.4B baht investment, 70% World Bank financed, with completion expected in 2029. Projects aim to boost tourism, improve regional connectivity, and stimulate local SME economic activity through infrastructure development.

Nakhon Ratchasima Chamber of Commerce Presents Two Perspectives on Relocating the 2029 World Horticultural Expo from Khong to Pak Chong Prachachat · Aug 31, 2026

Thailand's Korat Expo 2029 (World Horticultural Expo) faces a venue relocation decision from Khong to Pak Chong district. Pak Chong offers better infrastructure and lower state investment (~4 billion baht), while Khong requires 6 billion baht in additional infrastructure but promises greater economic dispersal to rural areas and neighboring provinces. The Chamber president warns that Pak Chong's timeline may be tight for 2029 preparation. Cabinet approval is expected September 1, with AIPH international notification by September 4. This major infrastructure and tourism project could create thousands of jobs and generate roughly 30 billion baht in economic value—critical for Isaan development strategy.