Archive

AI is everywhere in organizations now, but how trustworthy is it? No one has the answer yet. KBTG reveals 8 AI risks that organizations must review Techsauce · Aug 28, 2026

Only 7% of global organizations are mature in AI ethics governance, and just 31% have strong oversight systems—a gap KBTG's Chief Information Security Officer highlighted at Techsauce Global Summit 2026. The core message: organizations must shift from "How do we deploy AI faster?" to "How do we use AI responsibly and trustably?" KBTG outlined 8 specific AI risks organizations should audit, from data privacy and model bias to customer-facing liability. Starting points include EU AI Act, ISO/IEC 42001, NIST risk framework, and Thailand's existing guidance from ETDA, NCSA, and the Bank of Thailand—organizations can leverage these as the foundation for responsible AI governance.

Tencent released an open-source AI model for coding and research, offering Thai developers and SMEs access to advanced generative AI tools that could accelerate development cycles and research productivity.

Bangkok University and SMEDA Release GEM 2026 Survey: Thai Entrepreneurs Up 34.1%, Push to Strengthen MSMEs Against Foreign Competition Prachachat · Aug 28, 2026

Bangkok University and Thailand's SME Promotion Office (SMEDA) launched the GEM 2026 survey, revealing Thai entrepreneurial activity at 34.1% with a 16.9% Total Early-stage Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) rate. The research aims to benchmark Thailand against 50+ global GEM member nations, identify environmental factors supporting growth, and inform policy for developing competitive MSMEs amid rapid technological and economic change. The collaboration bridges academic research with real-world entrepreneurship support.

AXONS Wins Two Major Awards, Driving Thai Agriculture Toward Data-Driven Agriculture Prachachat · Aug 28, 2026

AXONS, an AgriTech platform provider, won two prestigious awards: the Prime Minister's Digital Awards 2025 (Digital Organization of the Year) and Techsauce Awards 2026 (Sauciest Tech Solution). The company has developed digital solutions using AI, IoT, and Big Data to transform Thai agriculture toward data-driven decision-making. A flagship example is AquaPro, a shrimp farm management platform using underwater cameras and AI to analyze shrimp size in real-time and optimize feeding schedules, enabling farms to reduce costs, improve yield quality, and enhance competitiveness.

Thai Banks Line Up Mid-Year Dividends; KKP Leads at 3.25 Baht, KBANK-SCB-TISCO Pay 2 Baht Prachachat · Aug 28, 2026

Thai commercial banks are announcing H1 2025 interim dividends following earnings reports. KKP leads with 3.25 baht per share, while KBANK, SCB, and TISCO each pay 2 baht per share. Ex-dividend dates cluster in early September. Other banks including BAY, TTB, CIMBT, and LHFG are paying smaller dividends (0.02–0.60 baht), while KTB and CREDIT haven't announced interim payouts yet. This is routine shareholder return activity tied to mid-year performance.

Nature Positive: When Nature Becomes Business Strategy The Story Thailand · Aug 28, 2026

WHA Corporation demonstrates how industrial estates can integrate nature-positive principles into core business strategy through three pillars: "Plant People, Plant Forests, Plant Cities." The company manages 15 Thai industrial parks employing ~400,000 workers and has launched initiatives including forest restoration partnerships (with Mae Fa Luang Foundation), water management via Zero Discharge concepts, Smart Energy/Water systems, and workforce development linked to environmental education. The key insight: sustainability must generate financial returns ("Green must be profitable") to sustain reinvestment, positioning nature not as cost but as strategic investment—relevant for SMEs considering ESG transitions amid global buyer requirements for clean energy and resource management.

Lessons from 4 Cost & Time-Saving Solutions: Real Industry Case Studies and Building AI-Ready Talent Prachachat · Aug 28, 2026

Four student-led innovation projects from Dhurakij Pundit University showcase practical automation solutions: a real-time parcel tracking system reducing logistics time by 75%, data-driven retail inventory optimization, supply chain workflow automation for shipping logistics, and AI-applied equipment transport planning for military exercises. The article emphasizes the CWIE (Cooperative Work-Integrated Education) model as a bridge between academic learning and industry needs, with a focus on training workers for human-AI collaboration. Key message: solving real business problems through tech skills creates immediate ROI and develops workforce readiness for automation.

KTC and Plaza Premium Group launch first premium lounge in Thailand at Suvarnabhumi Airport Prachachat · Aug 28, 2026

KTC (Krungthai Card) partnered with Plaza Premium Group to open their first premium lounge "Plaza Premium First" and "Plaza Premium Lounge" at Suvarnabhumi Airport from August 28. KTC cardholders gain access to world-class airport lounge facilities featuring Thai-inspired cuisine, Self Check-in via QR code, and the region's first fresh noodle machine. Benefits include KTC FOREVER points redemption and sustainable operations using reusable materials and local ingredients, positioning the lounge as a travel lifestyle upgrade for KTC members.

CP Group Mobilizes Network Partners to Deliver Aid and Rebuild Nan Province After Flooding Prachachat · Aug 28, 2026

CP Group (Charoen Pokphand) mobilized its "CP Asa" corporate volunteer network and multiple business units to deliver emergency aid to Nan Province following severe flooding on 19–22 August that impacted 23,827 households across seven districts. The group distributed 3,050 relief bags, 64,126 meals from 30 kitchens, and coordinated machinery, communications equipment, and personnel with government agencies and NGOs (Thai Naka Foundation, Petchkasem Foundation, others) to accelerate recovery and long-term community resilience. This reflects CP's stated "3 benefits" philosophy (country, people, organization) and multi-sector collaboration model for disaster response and reconstruction.

AURA Bond Issue Heats Up! Subscription Target Surpasses 3.5 Billion Baht Prachachat · Aug 28, 2026

AURA (Aurora Design Public Company) successfully raised 3.5 billion baht through its first bond offering of 2026, exceeding targets. The company released two bond series (18-month and 30-month maturities) during August 25-27, 2026, backed by strong institutional investor demand. Strong H1 2026 results (revenue +67.9% YoY to 29.7 billion baht, net profit +22% to 928.5 million baht) demonstrate business resilience despite gold price volatility. Proceeds will fund business expansion, including pawn lending under the "Thong Ma Ngoen Pai" brand (targeting 829 branches and 12 billion baht in pawn portfolio by year-end) and new IP-licensed gold jewelry collections (Disney collaborations).

AXONS Wins 2 Awards as AgriTech Leader at Prime Minister's Digital Awards 2025 and Techsauce Awards 2026 Techsauce · Aug 28, 2026

AXONS, a Thailand-based AgriTech company, won two prestigious awards: Digital Organization of the Year (Prime Minister's Digital Awards 2025) and The Sauciest Tech Solution (Techsauce Awards 2026). The wins recognize AXONS' data-driven approach to transforming agriculture and food production through IoT, AI/ML, Big Data, and Cloud Computing. Key solutions include AquaPro for shrimp farming (using AI-powered underwater cameras for real-time sizing and feed tracking), FarmOne for crop farmers, and AXONS Trace for food traceability via blockchain. The company is scaling impact across the supply chain while supporting smallholder farmer adoption—a model directly aligned with Thailand's digital agriculture and Net Zero Emissions goals.

TS Food Enlists 2 Finance Ministry Veterans to Build Koriko Snack Brand Targeting Billions Prachachat · Aug 28, 2026

TS Food (part of TSTE holding) is pivoting from logistics/commodities into consumer food by acquiring Nature's Best Food (NBF) and rebranding their seaweed snacks as "Koriko," targeting 1 billion baht in revenue by 2028. Leadership includes two ex-Finance Ministry officials (Dr. Kulyah and Kanchana) who aim to differentiate Koriko as a premium, guilt-free alternative (130 kcal/pack) via celebrity endorsements and omnichannel distribution, betting on Thailand's growing health-conscious snacking segment despite economic headwinds.

From Thailand to the Global Stage: Venture Spark Cohort 2 Launches 14 High-Potential Startups at Techsauce Global Summit 2026 Techsauce · Aug 28, 2026

Venture Spark's Cohort 2 Demo Day at Techsauce Global Summit 2026 showcased 14 Thai startups across diverse sectors (AI, Health Tech, Food Tech, Mobility, Industrial Tech) that have already validated business models with real revenue and international customers. The accelerator functions as an ecosystem connector linking founders with investors (A2D Ventures), technology partners (LINE), venture builders (ExpresSo NB), government support (depa), and corporate networks (InnoSpace) to scale operations domestically and globally. This represents a maturing startup infrastructure model that moves beyond funding alone to holistic business development and market access.

GGC and CP AXTRA Partner to Study Used Cooking Oil Collection and Processing The Standard Wealth · Aug 28, 2026

Global Green Chemical (GGC) and CP AXTRA have signed an MOU to explore systematic collection and processing of used cooking oil (UCO) from CP AXTRA's retail network, targeting ~50,000 liters annually. The recovered oil will be upgraded for production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), bio-plastics, and biochemicals, embodying circular economy principles and supporting Thailand's low-carbon transition. This partnership connects CP AXTRA's collection logistics with GGC's chemical processing expertise.

Lucky Suki Accelerates Expansion with New Branch Growth and Business Models Prachachat · Aug 28, 2026

Lucky Suki is accelerating expansion toward 72 branches by end-2026 with 500M baht investment, targeting 3.5B baht revenue. The company is launching a hybrid self-service buffet model combining sukiyaki and dim sum (starting at 219–389 baht) to differentiate in the highly competitive 23–26B baht sukiyaki market. This strategy targets cost-conscious consumers while gaining market share through menu variety and faster table turnover—a key advantage for F&B chains in Thailand's current economic slowdown.

Samart Group's 3rd Generation Takes Over 70-Year Business—Proving Themselves Through Results The Story Thailand · Aug 28, 2026

Ruttanun Wailuck, 3rd-generation heir of Thailand's 70-year-old Samart Group technology conglomerate, began in Investor Relations to understand the entire group (30+ subsidiaries) before assuming leadership—not inheriting a ready-made position. His father deliberately withheld executive assignments on day one, instead providing only a task list. The article explores how Gen-3 leadership navigates preserving foundational strengths while integrating AI and new thinking; results and problem-solving, not lineage, are used to build credibility with long-serving employees and drive organizational change.

Thai Credit Bank Targets 200 Billion Baht Lending, Aims for 20% ROE; Pushes into Micro SME Segment Prachachat · Aug 28, 2026

Thai Credit Bank (CREDIT) targets 200 billion baht in total lending for 2025 with expected ROE approaching 20%, up from 16.1% in H1 2025. The bank is aggressively expanding into underserved Micro SME segments through new products like Micro Max (500K–1M baht) and digital platforms leveraging QR Code transaction data. H1 results show strong momentum: lending up 6.7% YoY to 194 billion baht, profit up 17.8%, with Micro SME loans growing 17%. Risk management remains disciplined: NPL target of ~4%, Credit Cost at 1.8%, Coverage Ratio near 150%.

Absolute Group Overhaul: New Brand Launches and High-End Club to Capture Luxury Fitness Market Prachachat · Aug 28, 2026

Absolute Group is executing a major strategic pivot, rebranding Absolute Boutique Fitness to Absolute Movement and Recovery and launching four new brands (POP Pilates, The Reformer Society, AARMY Bootcamp, BELFINN Wellness Club) to address market fragmentation. The luxury wellness club BELFINN targets high-net-worth individuals 35+ with premium medical and longevity services; the 100M baht flagship opens February 2026 at Dusit Central Park. Management expects a significant market correction in 2–3 years as oversupply forces smaller studios without differentiation to exit, creating consolidation opportunity for established players with brand depth and capital.

Analysis: Nepal Disaster Shows Thailand Risks "Natural Dam Collapse and Rain Bomb" Prachachat · Aug 28, 2026

A Kasetsart University environmental scientist warns that rapid glacier melt in the Himalayas—accelerated 2x faster by global warming—creates natural dams that catastrophically fail during monsoons, triggering "rain bombs" (glacial lake outburst floods). Though Thailand lacks glaciers, it faces similar risk from landslides blocking water flow in mountain valleys. The article calls for urgent early-warning systems at vulnerable landslide-prone areas, as Super El Niño conditions may intensify such hazards going forward.

Viriya Insurance eyes Non-Motor segment surpassing 6 billion baht target with 18% growth, targeting 20% portfolio share Prachachat · Aug 28, 2026

Viriya Insurance is on track to exceed its non-motor insurance revenue target of 6 billion baht (18% growth) in 2026, up from its original 5.7 billion baht goal. The segment currently represents 13% of total premiums, with the company targeting to grow it to 20% (~10 billion baht) over 5–6 years. Key drivers include home insurance (up 29%, boosted by recent floods and earthquakes) and engineering insurance (up 20%), plus an SME-focused product at 1,500 baht premiums. The company is expanding distribution through agent networks and corporate partners, while carefully managing reinsurance costs amid rising disaster risk.