August shipments surge 24.3%; ADB lifts GDP view to 2.0%; BOI clears ฿958B projects including TikTok data centre.
Thailand · Economy & markets
Oct 4, 2026 · Issue 23 · 3 min read ·
Exports jump 24% on AI as floods hit SMEs
Thailand's August exports rose 24.3% on AI electronics while floods threaten SME liquidity ahead of the October IMF-World Bank meetings.
Three things to know
01
Exports hit 24.3% growth in August, narrowing the trade deficit to $2.5B.
02
BOI approved ฿958B projects with TikTok's ฿842B data centre the largest.
03
BOT framework targets illicit flows as floods prompt bank relief measures.
The Week in Thailand
1. Exports surge 24.3% in August on AI demand
Merchandise exports jumped 24.3% YoY to $34.6B in August, the fastest pace in 56 months, led by electronics and components. Imports rose 25.1%, narrowing the monthly deficit to $2.5B from $3.6B. The Commerce Ministry expects full-year export growth near 15%.
2. Floods threaten SME cash flow before IMF meetings
Ongoing floods are disrupting services and small borrowers, with property damage estimates at 0.03-0.1% of GDP. The BOT has directed 16 banks to accelerate relief while confirming the 12-18 October IMF-World Bank meetings proceed on schedule.
SET Index — Retrieved: 4 Oct 2026, 04:30 ICT; close time unavailable USD/THB — Daily observation: Oct 2, 2026 S&P 500 — Daily observation: Oct 2, 2026
SET leaders
Company
Price (฿)
YTD
DELTADelta Electronics
261.00
+44.6%
ADVANCAdvanced Info Service
345.00
+9.5%
PTT
41.50
+30.7%
GULFGulf Development
59.25
+41.1%
AOTAirports of Thailand
59.75
+11.7%
Quotes retrieved 4 Oct 2026, 04:30 ICT.
Money & Markets
3. ADB raises 2026 GDP forecast to 2.0% on tech exports
The Asian Development Bank lifted Thailand's 2026 growth projection to 2.0% from 1.8%, citing 14.8% H1 merchandise export growth and 11.6% private investment expansion. Inflation forecast fell to 2.5%. Q3 growth is seen above 3%.
The SET Index ended the week at 1,559.01 on 30 September after a 2.21% daily drop, trading near multi-week lows. Foreign net selling continued while institutions bought. Electronics and tech names drove most gains year-to-date.
5. BOT launches framework against illicit financial flows
The central bank and 11 industry associations released a joint framework on 10 September to strengthen KYC, transaction monitoring and high-risk databases. The move expands oversight to non-bank lenders and aims to curb laundering without stifling legitimate access.
6. BOI clears ฿958B projects; TikTok wins largest approval
The Board of Investment approved six projects worth ฿958B at its latest meeting, with TikTok's ฿842B data-centre expansion across three provinces the single largest. Three data-centre schemes total ฿913B. FastPass batch added 17 projects worth ฿121B.
7. Finance Minister holds 2.5% growth target for 2027
Ekniti Nitithanprapas reaffirmed the 2.5% 2027 GDP goal and said 3% expansion is reachable within three years through investment incentives, including a push for $80B in semiconductors by 2050. Private investment rose over 10% in H1.
The Financial Institutions Policy Committee approved a framework requiring BNPL operators to obtain BOT approval. Draft rules are due by end-September for consultation, with final regulations targeted for Q4 as part of broader non-bank supervision covering 3,600 firms.
Thailand Coffee Fest runs 9-12 October at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, Hall 5-6. Entry ฿150; free for under-12s with guardian. Features 200+ roasters, cupping sessions and equipment demos. Book via official site.
Electronics and related sectors accounted for roughly half the SET's year-to-date advance through September, outpacing broader market gains even as domestic consumption and agro exports lag. The divergence shows how global AI capex is reshaping Thai corporate earnings before it reaches household balance sheets.
