Bank bbad-debt ratio is about 9% of loans, and SME lending by commercial banks fell 4.6% in Q2 2026, the 16th straight quarterly contraction (Bank of Thailand data). Q2 2026 GDP grew 1.9%, slower than Q1's 2.8%, and the NESDC forecasts 2.2% growth for 2026. The columnist says SME credit is a warning sign for the whole economy, not just a finance issue. For a business owner, bank credit is harder to get, so plan working capital from cash flow, review existing loan terms early, and look at government soft-loan schemes such as the Thai Chuay Thai Plus measure.