Archive

Khlong Thom fire site sealed as clean-up starts; 137 affected households and businesses have filed complete claims Bangkok Post · Sep 3, 2026

Authorities have sealed the area around the fire-damaged Khlong Thom Centre in Pomprap Sattruphai district as heavy machinery begins removing debris. Much of the rubble is electronic waste, so removal is under strict controls. Forensics is still determining the cause, including possible electrical short circuit or deliberate action. As of Tuesday, 228 people had registered for assistance and 137 had submitted complete documents; a registration centre at Wat Phra Phiren stays open daily for more paperwork. If your business was hit or is nearby, check whether you are on the registration list and keep your own records of losses.

Energy Ministry raids Rama 9 data centre over 200,000 litres of unlicensed diesel Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026

The Department of Business Energy found a Data Center on Rama 9 Road storing over 200,000 litres of backup diesel for generators without the licence required under the Fuel Control Act. The operator has pumped the fuel out, and the department plans to file a criminal complaint on 3 September. Penalties if found guilty: up to 2 years in prison and/or a fine up to 200,000 baht. The ministry, with Bangkok, will not allow fuel storage for emergency generators in dense urban areas, and a new Data Center committee meets on 4 September to draft zoning rules. For a Thai SME, check that any fuel you store on site (generators, tanks) is licensed, and expect tighter rules on fuel storage in city areas.

US Navy crew visit brings a short spending boost to Pattaya businesses Bangkok Post · Sep 2, 2026

About 5,000 sailors from the USS Abraham Lincoln are on five days of shore leave in Pattaya, with the mayor estimating at least 100 million baht in spending. If you run accommodation, bars, restaurants, massage or spa services in Pattaya or Bang Lamung, expect a short demand spike this week. The US Navy has barred personnel from water sports, cannabis shops, pharmacies and Soi 6 and Soi 7, so those venues will not see this crowd. The city has said it is monitoring for price-gouging, so keep prices standard.

Lanta resort grows through room rates, not new rooms, as Green Zone rules block expansion The Standard Wealth · Sep 2, 2026

Pimalai on Koh Lanta is holding off on building on its spare 50 rai because Green Zone rules ban large commercial towers on the island, and the rules are expected to stay for at least 5 more years. It is growing revenue through higher room rates (about 3.5-5% average rise) and upgrades such as a 50 million baht spa renovation. Its 2026 target is 600 million baht, and occupancy was cut to about 69% after Middle East tensions slowed travel. For a small hotel or guesthouse on Lanta, the lesson is that rate and service quality matter more than adding capacity while zoning is tight.

The Thai energy minister says the government will push rooftop solar to reduce exposure to LNG price surges. Article text was unavailable, so details on incentives or tariffs are unknown; watch for rooftop solar support that could lower power costs for your premises.

SET is set to overhaul short-selling and HFT trading rules, pending SEC approval in Sep-Oct 2026 Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026

The Stock Exchange of Thailand's board has approved changes to short-selling rules (Uptick Rule, the list of shortable stocks), removal of per-stock Dynamic Price Band, registration of high-frequency traders, and scrapping of the Minimum Resting Time measure. The SEC's approval is expected in September-October 2026. For a typical SME owner this only matters if you invest in or hold listed shares, or your business depends on the stock market. No operational action is needed now.

Joint private sector body raises 2026 Thai GDP forecast to 2.1-2.5% and warns oil could hit $95 a barrel The Standard Wealth · Sep 2, 2026

The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (กกร.) now expects 2026 GDP growth of 2.1-2.5%, up from 1.6-2.0%, and exports growth of 12-16%, up from 8-10%. Growth is concentrated in export and data-center-linked investment, and the committee says domestic value capture is weakening because of high import content. It warns that world crude has risen to about $95 a barrel from $84 in July, with a Middle East flare-up adding pressure. For a small business, plan for higher fuel and energy costs and for demand that may stay uneven (K-shaped). Data center work is at the planning stage, so there is no action to take yet.

Government board to meet 4 Sept on data-centre legal loopholes, unregistered sites face action The Standard Wealth · Sep 2, 2026

Deputy PM Ekniti chairs a new data-centre policy board, first meeting Friday 4 Sept. It will bring in the Bangkok governor, Energy and Natural Resources ministries to review data-centre projects that breach the law or their permit conditions. BOI has paused new data-centre investment promotions since April. Enforcement targets existing or accumulated projects, and new incentive rules are still to come. For most SMEs this is background: no direct change to costs or permits yet, but watch it if you supply power, construction, cooling or land services to data-centre projects.

US Navy carrier crew visits Pattaya: 100 million baht spending expected, with night-time bar-street and pharmacy restrictions Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026

USS Abraham Lincoln crew are resting in Pattaya, and the city expects at least 100 million baht in spending on hotels, attractions and spas. Crew are at about 100-150 USD per person per day. Restrictions apply: no water sports, no pharmacy visits, and no entry to Soi 6 and 7 after sunset. Walking Street and Soi 8 are not restricted. If you run a hotel, spa, restaurant or shop near those areas, expect a busier period with heavier security and possible price checks, and plan staffing and stock accordingly.

Welfare card review deadline is 20 Sep 2026 — owners whose household or business records need fixing must act now Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026

The Finance Ministry says over 5 million people have filed for review of the 2026 State Welfare Card. Corrections to eligibility data must be made by 20 Sep 2026; results are announced 30 Sep and take effect 1 Oct 2026. Those who pass but have not done e-KYC must verify by 1 Oct, via Paotang or five banks (Krungthai, GSB, BAAC, GHB, Islamic Bank). Paotang and Krungthai verification runs to 12 Jan 2027; the other banks to 14 Oct 2026. Exemptions cover some business-entity partners, social enterprises and community enterprises. Relevant mainly if you or staff are card holders; pass the deadlines to them.

Bangkok stops new data centre licences while rules are rewritten Bangkok Post · Sep 2, 2026

Bangkok will issue no new licences for large data centres. Six requests are on hold, three were approved earlier. The energy minister has also paused new fuel storage licences for data centres. Rules on power, water and fuel are being rewritten, and a central data centre board is planned. For most small firms this changes nothing directly. Firms planning to build or host data centre capacity in Bangkok should expect slower approvals and tighter conditions.

Bank of Thailand flags labour market strain as temporary business closures rise Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026

The Bank of Thailand says employment under social security is flat month on month, but other labour indicators are fragile. Firms filing temporary closures under Section 75 of the Labour Protection Act are rising, especially in auto parts, garments, and rubber and plastic products. Net new business registrations are slowing as trading and property firms close. For an SME, expect tougher demand and possible staff pressure in competitive sectors; review cash buffers, staffing plans, and your own Section 75 obligations if you face a sharp drop in orders. Private investment fell 0.3% month on month, while manufacturing output rose 0.8%.

Rubber growers and traders must get EUDR traceability ready to keep EU sales Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026

Thailand is rated Low-Risk under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), so EU customs will spot-check only 1% of Thai rubber shipments. The Agriculture Ministry says the Rubber Authority of Thailand (กยท.) has 1.4 million registered growers covering 15.5 million rai, with plot geolocation, tree age and yield data. About 637 sellers are ready to issue origin documents. Rubber exporters and traders selling into the EU should confirm their suppliers' plot data and paperwork now. The ministry also says the database still has gaps in completeness and currency. Thailand held about 20.3% of EU natural rubber imports over 2021-2025.

Oil fund deficit hits 72.26 billion baht, so diesel and LPG subsidy relief may not last Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026

As of 9 August 2026 the Oil Fund's net position was minus 72,260 million baht: oil account minus 32,777 million, LPG account minus 39,483 million. Total debts are 112,109 million, including 55,584 million owed to fuel subsidy creditors and 20,275 million in loans. Assets are only 39,849 million, including 10,400 million deposited at the Comptroller General's Department. For an SME, this signals that the fund's ability to keep subsidising diesel and LPG is strained, so fuel and gas cost increases or a pull-back of price caps are a real risk. Plan fuel and LPG budgets with a buffer and watch for policy changes. Source: Prachachat, 2 September 2026.

Thai Airways opens CEO recruitment from 7-27 September, so no action needed for your shop The Standard Wealth · Sep 2, 2026

Thai Airways (THAI) is accepting CEO applications from 7 to 27 September, to replace Chai Eamsiri when his term ends in January 2027. Eligibility requires Thai nationality, age 65 or under, a master's degree or higher, and senior executive experience at large firms, with aviation experience given special weight. Only relevant if you supply, compete with, or do business with THAI; otherwise it is background news.

Data centre crackdown is coming: Bangkok and the energy ministry to review illegal builds and fuel stockpiling Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026

Deputy PM Ekniti will chair the first data centre policy committee on Friday 4 Sep 2026, with the Bangkok governor and energy ministry invited. BOI has stopped approving new data centres since April. Officials say they will enforce existing laws against unlicensed builds, and a review of fuel stockpiling at data centres is under way. For a typical SME this is background: it matters mainly if you supply, lease space to, or build for data centre operators, or if fuel supply tightens.

Hat Yai flood retention pond expands, and ARDA's Radar4Flood gives 24-hour flash-flood warnings Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026

Hat Yai municipality plans to add 250,000 cubic metres to the Khlong Riang retention pond (from 530,000) and raise Khlong Toei drainage from 160 to 250 cubic metres per second. Separately, ARDA's Radar4Flood system, already running in four pilot river basins, updates rainfall every 10 minutes and forecasts flash floods and landslides up to 24 hours ahead. It is being extended to Songkhla and Phatthalung in 2026. If your business is in a flood-prone area such as Songkhla, you can use the free-to-read alerts to move stock, equipment or vehicles early. The article gives no sign-up or cost details, so check with local authorities before relying on it.

Shrimp farmers can get 50% off solar and motor upgrades, up to 50,000 baht, applications close 16 October Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026

The Department of Fisheries is co-funding solar panels plus high-efficiency motors for sea shrimp farms: 50% of the investment, capped at 50,000 baht per farm, with the farmer matching the same amount. Target is 1,000 farms in 36 provinces, expected to cut electricity cost per unit of output by at least 10%. Applications run 1 September to 16 October 2026 at local Fisheries offices or by email; results announced 5 November. Eligibility requires a good aquaculture certification (GAP, CoC, Thai Agricultural Standard, ASC or BAP, or one in progress), at least 1 year of shrimp farming experience if certification is pending, APD/APPD system use in the past year, and 12 months of power or energy cost records. Farms that got solar or motor support from government in the past year are excluded.

Bangkok freezes new data-centre permits while national rules are drafted Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026

Bangkok has stopped issuing new permits for large data centres after complaints about sites in Rama 9 and Ramkhamhaeng 28. Six projects have applied so far; three are permitted and three are under review. Energy ministry also paused new approvals pending rules on water, power and environmental impact, with a data-centre board meeting on 4 September. Oil storage limits (500,000 litres max, with 48-hour backup power needed) are being checked. For most SMEs this changes little directly, but if you plan to lease space, sell to, or build near large data-centre sites, expect tighter rules on power, water and zoning to arrive over the coming months.

Mpox and Covid-19 cases are rising again in Thailand, so keep staff hygiene and sick-leave routines tight Bangkok Post · Sep 2, 2026

The Department of Disease Control reports Mpox cases at 254 from Jan 1 to Aug 23, with the more severe Clade Ib strain rising, mainly in Greater Bangkok, big cities and tourist provinces. Covid-19 cases reached about 99,000 from Jan 1 to Aug 31, up since June during the wet season, but lower than the past three years, with a 0.02% fatality rate. For a small business, the practical step is basic prevention: vaccination, hand hygiene, and keeping sick staff home. The article gives no new rules or restrictions for businesses.