Thai Credit Bank reported that its small merchant and vendor loan portfolio surpassed 2.1 trillion baht in the first half of 2026, with new lending jumping 55 percent year-on-year. Deputy Managing Director Kamphol Puridithsakul revealed the second-quarter results, showing the combined portfolio reached 21.814 billion baht with a continuously expanding customer base.

The growth reflects grassroots entrepreneurs' ongoing commitment to business expansion despite high costs and volatile purchasing power. Field surveys by the bank's credit analysis team show small business operators are notably adapting to changing conditions, requesting higher revolving credit lines to expand operations and increasingly integrating technology to boost business capacity. This demonstrates that the bank's borrowers are preparing to weather economic volatility and transitioning into digital systems at greater scale.

Kamphol stated that the first-half results prove the determination and resilience of small merchants and operators, who continue developing their businesses regardless of circumstances. He emphasized that Thai Credit's role extends beyond merely providing loans or capital access—the bank functions as a partner that supports and builds solid foundations for the small business community.

Throughout the first half, the bank implemented comprehensive support programs for small operators, including creating business signage to boost trading opportunities and conducting financial literacy training nationwide through its "Tangkhot Know-how" program, designed to build economic resilience. The bank also awarded educational scholarships to borrowers' children to ease family financial burdens, reflecting Thai Credit's commitment to building strong foundations and pursuing sustainable growth across all dimensions with small business partners.

For the second half of 2026, Thai Credit remains committed to developing credit products and financial services tailored to business needs, enabling entrepreneurs to access capital conveniently, quickly, and appropriately. The bank will enhance digital services through its MicroPay e-Wallet app and promote QR code merchant payment scanning to leverage transaction data for future lending decisions, broadening capital access opportunities.

Thai Credit believes that providing credit alone is insufficient for long-term growth; the bank must simultaneously promote capacity-building activities, knowledge transfer, and continuously develop new credit products. The bank's ultimate goal is not merely portfolio growth but witnessing borrowers' businesses thrive with stable income and sustainable livelihoods.

Police received a report at 3:30 a.m. on August 6, 2025, of a fatal shooting in a rubber plantation in Tambon Nabinla, Muang District, Trang Province. Officers from Muang Trang Police Station, led by Deputy Superintendent Navaphan Luang-Kaew, found the body of 23-year-old Sastravorph lying face-up with a Smith & Wesson .357 revolver with a 4-inch barrel near his right hand. The weapon contained three spent shell casings and three unused rounds.

An initial autopsy revealed the victim was shot four times with an 11mm caliber weapon: once through the right ear and out the left ear, once at the back of the head, once near the right ear, and once on the left forehead. Officers also recovered two spent 11mm shell casings and the victim's black hoodie near the body.

About 200 meters from where the body was found, police discovered a gray Honda Wave 110 motorcycle without license plates, containing a baseball cap belonging to the victim and a pair of red flip-flops placed beside it. Preliminary investigation suggests the victim parked the motorcycle, removed his shoes, and ran through an oil palm plantation into a rubber plantation before being pursued and shot.

At approximately 5:45 a.m., Yongyos (alias "Kai Namae"), 45, surrendered to Muang Trang Police and handed over the firearm used in the shooting. Forensic officers collected gunpowder residue samples and additional evidence.

A witness who was tapping rubber nearby reported hearing multiple gunshots that sounded like an exchange of fire, prompting him to turn off his headlamp and hide in the rubber plantation for safety.

During preliminary questioning, the suspect claimed to be a cattle herder and caretaker of a Trang cockfighting arena in Tambon Nabinla. He alleged the victim had thrown explosives into the arena while alone, causing damage. The suspect said he followed the victim by motorcycle for several kilometers until the victim parked, removed his shoes, and ran into the rubber plantation approximately 200 meters before the shooting occurred.

Police have charged the suspect with premeditated murder and are continuing to gather evidence, forensic results, and witness statements.

At 11:00 a.m. on August 6, 2025, police received reports of a serious collision on Highway 304 (Pakthongchai–Kabin Buri route) at kilometer 208, on the Bangkok-bound descent in Nadi District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. Officers from Wang Khon Daeng Police Station, provincial road officials, and rescue teams rushed to the scene, which was on a steep four-lane downhill mountain road section with sharp curves where rain was falling continuously. Traffic was severely congested, forcing authorities to close the road entirely as debris and materials were scattered across the pavement.

Investigators determined that seven vehicles were damaged in total: a trailer truck, a box truck, two container trucks, a minibus, a pickup truck, a private car, and a cargo trailer. Five people were injured—four with moderate injuries and one with severe injuries. One person was trapped inside a truck cabin but was successfully extracted by rescue teams using cutting equipment and rushed to hospital.

Police believe the trailer truck's brakes failed, causing it to lose control and collide with other vehicles slowing for the descent. The impact destroyed several truck cabs and caused large blocks of cardboard or cargo to fall and obstruct traffic lanes. By 1:45 p.m., road officials and rescue crews were clearing spilled oil and planning to gradually remove wreckage to open temporary lanes for trapped traffic.

Investigators noted that this section of Highway 304—near Phu Thon Shrine at kilometer 208—has a troubling history of severe accidents caused by steep terrain with sharp curves, brake failure in large trucks and buses from heavy use and overheating, and driver negligence or speeding on downhill grades. Over the past decade alone, at least 18 major accidents have been recorded at this location.

The Department of Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce reported strong success from the “DIT Pavilion: Discover Thai Premium Fruit & Finest Rice” showcase at THAIFEX–ANUGA...

On August 6, 2026, Assistant Professor Chawlit Khaokhiao from Silpakorn University's Department of Archaeology coordinated with Summit Engineering and Services Company to deploy Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology and expert personnel to search for additional evidence in the serial murder case involving five victims in Huay Yai Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chachoengsao Province.

Before operations began, senior police officials and the Chachoengsao provincial governor held a planning meeting at Huay Yai Police Station before attending a memorial service for Diana and Roman, two Russian siblings who were among the victims killed and buried by the suspect.

The memorial was organized by Charlina Nazimova, the victims' mother, to dedicate merit to her two children and three Thai family members who died in the same case. Buddhist monks from the local temple presided over the ceremony, which was attended by government officials, police officers, Thai citizens, and foreigners. White flowers—carnations, lilies, and roses—were placed at the discovery site as a tribute. The family also displayed Diana's favorite beverage, a cup of coffee, as a symbol of remembrance. Throughout the service, Charlina was unable to hold back her tears despite consolation from relatives and friends.

Charlina expressed gratitude to the Thai public, government agencies, police, and volunteers for their assistance and support, noting her deep appreciation for the kindness of Thai people, which gave her family strength during this devastating loss.

Following the memorial, authorities began surveying the area using Ground Penetrating Radar, a subsurface imaging technology that sends high-frequency radar waves into the ground. When these waves strike objects or soil layers with different properties, they reflect back to the receiver and are processed into cross-sectional images of the subsurface. GPR can detect various subsurface anomalies such as previously dug and refilled holes, underground cavities, utility pipes, building foundations, metal objects, and archaeological artifacts. While GPR cannot directly visualize remains, it can identify suspicious soil disturbances and anomalies that differ from natural soil conditions, helping authorities pinpoint locations for excavation and forensic verification.

The Franchise Expo Thailand by Smart SME Expo opened on August 6, 2025, with Poonpong Nayanapokaporn, director-general of the Department of Business Development under the Ministry of Commerce, presiding over the event. The expo showcases 50 government-supported franchise businesses across five categories—food and beverages, services, beauty and spa, and retail—designed to boost entrepreneurship and business expansion through standardized franchise models aligned with digital trends.

A key highlight is the "Thai Help Thai Franchise Career Plus" campaign, which subsidizes 50 percent of franchise package costs up to 10,000 baht per purchase, helping entrepreneurs launch new ventures. The expo also features live streams from influencers, one-on-one business consultations with experts, franchise trend updates, and a dedicated awards ceremony recognizing excellence in the Thai franchise sector, with 38 brands competing across 11 awards in four categories.

The event functions as a comprehensive business hub divided into four zones: a franchise and business zone featuring leading domestic and international brands; a technology and support zone offering marketing tools and digital solutions; a financial institutions zone with banks and lending consultations; and a highlights zone with seminars and one-on-one business matching sessions to help entrepreneurs expand their operations.