Thai authorities seized documents and assets from 13 foreign nationals in a targeted raid on suspected nominee-property schemes in Hua Hin. The operation forms part of a wider DBD sweep against shell structures used to bypass foreign ownership caps.

• DBD teams executed warrants across multiple estates last week, flagging over 200 suspicious transfers since June.
• Foreign buyers in the area face renewed scrutiny on funding trails and Thai nominee relationships.
• What to watch: follow-up audits in Pattaya and Phuket as the campaign expands.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration rolled out stricter licensing and operating-hour rules for venues serving alcohol. The move targets noise complaints and after-hours violations in residential zones.

• Venues in Sukhumvit and Silom must apply for new permits by September.
• Enforcement includes random checks with fines starting at ₿50,000 per breach.
• What to watch: spillover to other provinces if the model proves effective.

Prime Minister directs police and interior ministry to resolve nine priority security issues within 90 days, including gun violence follow-up and border monitoring. The directive follows recent shooting incidents.

• New gun permits suspended nationwide pending tighter vetting.
• Schools receive additional security funding for the coming term.
• What to watch: Interior Ministry quarterly progress reports.

Headline inflation eased to 1.95% year-on-year in July from 2.42% in June, driven by lower fuel prices. The reading stays inside the BOT 1-3% target band.

• Core inflation rose to 1.34%, reflecting higher input costs in food and personal care.
• Commerce Ministry projects a rebound in August toward 2.09% Q3 average.
• BOT keeps policy accommodative with no rate move signaled.

The SET Index ended August 14 at 1,609.06, down 0.33% on the day and flat to slightly lower for the week. Foreign flows remain selective.

• SET50 slipped to 1,075.26, -0.46% daily.
• YTD gain still strong at +27.74%.
• What to watch: Q2 earnings season wrap and any BOT signals on external-sector data revisions.

High rental returns are pulling foreign capital into Thai condos despite tighter nominee enforcement. Prime Bangkok and resort locations show 6-8% gross yields.

• Hua Hin and Phuket dominate recent inquiries.
• Average prices rose 4-6% YoY in monitored districts.
• What to watch: DBD enforcement impact on transaction volumes.

Cabinet directs state agencies to accelerate AI tools for public services and internal operations. Pilot programs target permitting and data analytics.

• Budget allocations for AI infrastructure appear in the FY2027 draft.
• Training mandates issued for mid-level civil servants.
• What to watch: BOI fast-track for private AI data-centre projects.

US measures on transshipment raise compliance costs for Thai exporters in electronics, textiles and auto parts. Eight sectors flagged for extra documentation.

• Chamber briefings scheduled for mid-September.
• Origin rules tightened on components routed via third countries.
• What to watch: Commerce Ministry guidance on certificate-of-origin changes.

ANAPANASATI exhibition runs through 28 September at River City Bangkok. Contemporary works exploring mindfulness and material memory.

Language of The Soul group show by diverse artists continues through 31 August at The Old Siam Gallery, 3rd Floor. Focuses on neurodiversity and identity.

Rosewood Bangkok hosts August programming of art, dining and wellness events through month-end. Check venue for daily line-up.

TMD warns of heavy to very heavy rain in North, upper Northeast and parts of the South through 21 August. Flash-flood and landslide risk elevated near foothills and waterways. Monitor TMD updates before travel.

No national holidays next week. SET and banks operate standard hours. Plan around expected rain disruptions in northern routes.

Recent magnitude-7 tremors in the region have prompted Thai agencies to accelerate building-code audits and early-warning system upgrades, especially in the North and Bangkok high-rises. Bottom line: seismic retrofits move from optional to budgeted priority for larger developers.