Archive

Heavy rain and flash-flood warning for the North, Northeast and East today, 2 Sep 2026 Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026

The Thai Meteorological Department warns of heavy rain in parts of the North, Northeast and East over the next 24 hours, with flash floods and mountain runoff possible near streams and low-lying areas. Upper Andaman waves are 2-3 m, so small boats should stay ashore. Plan deliveries and stock movement around flooded routes, and move outdoor goods or equipment off low ground. Tropical storm Sodel is expected to weaken and will not enter Thailand.

Marketplace commission hikes keep coming in 2026, so SMEs should cost out their online channels now Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026

Commission (GP) rates on Thai e-commerce platforms have gone up 2-3 times so far in 2026, and one large brand says its online selling costs have risen about 5-6% since the start of the year. Platforms have not said where the increases will stop. Check your online P&L including packing and shipping, since the real cost can match offline retail. Consider spreading sales to lower-commission Thai platforms and your own website, and keep in mind that raising prices may be the last resort.

The Bank of Japan governor said the board will debate a rate hike this month, weighing price risks. For a Thai SME this is background only: a yen rate move may shift the baht and import costs slightly, so watch it but no action is needed yet.

Finance minister plans higher excise tax on imported cars, with new rates from early 2027 Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026

Deputy PM and Finance Minister Ekniti says the government will raise excise tax on imported vehicles to protect domestic producers, with the new rates to take effect early in 2027 (BE 2570). He also says the government aims for high-income status within 12 years, with a World Bank-backed roadmap due to be unveiled in October at the IMF/World Bank meetings hosted by Thailand. Private-sector firms are being asked to lead investment in EVs, digital/AI and supply chains, and BOI reports 500 billion baht of actual investment in the first half. For a small business: if you import cars or parts, or sell into the auto supply chain, plan for the tax change; if you want to join new supply chains, watch the October roadmap.

Southern rail and motorway plan approved, with 5-year low-interest loans for South businesses Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026

The cabinet approved 106,798 million baht for three southern double-track rail lines (Chumphon–Surat Thani, Surat Thani–Hat Yai, Hat Yai–Padang Besar), due 2574–2576, plus a feasibility study for a motorway to Narathiwat. State-owned Krungthai... no. Government Savings Bank will offer 4,000 million baht in 5-year soft loans at 1.5% for flood recovery and new entrepreneurs. Households get a flood, storm and earthquake insurance scheme, with the state paying premiums. BOI investment incentives in the area are extended 3 years. For southern SMEs: the loan scheme is the near-term item to check. The rail lines are years away; design finishes January 2570 and EIA follows, so plan for freight and logistics changes later, not now.

Diesel and gasohol prices rise again on 2 Sep 2026: B7 at 39.14 baht, gasohol 95 up 0.60 baht Prachachat · Sep 2, 2026

Per Bangchak's posted prices on 2 Sep 2026, diesel B7 is 39.14 baht/litre, B20 is 34.14 baht (up 0.75 baht from yesterday), and gasohol 95 is 38.29 baht (the article's summary; its opening line gives 37.69 baht). Prices exclude the Bangkok local tax, and tomorrow's prices take effect at 05:00. Fleet and delivery operators should re-check fuel budgets and pass-through pricing; check the pump price before filling, since the article says prices may differ by station.

Indian arrivals down 11.6% in August, but total foreign arrivals only slightly lower Bangkok Post · Sep 2, 2026

Bank of Thailand data for Aug 1-22 shows Indian arrivals down 11.6% year-on-year, an improvement from the 20.2% fall in July, after Thailand changed visa-exemption rules. Total foreign arrivals fell only 0.3% (July: -2.5%), helped by long-haul markets such as Europe, the Middle East and China and a recovery in flight capacity. If your business depends on Indian guests, expect softer demand this quarter and plan around it. For most other tourism-linked businesses, the overall picture is near flat.

EVAT wants cell-level EV battery repair to cut costs to 30,000-50,000 baht Bangkok Post · Sep 2, 2026

The Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand will propose to the National EV Policy Committee that faulty individual battery cells be replaced instead of whole packs. A full pack replacement can exceed 100,000 baht; EVAT estimates repair at 30,000-50,000 baht per incident. This is only a proposal with no approved policy yet. If you run EV service, fleet, or insurance-related work, watch for it, but there is nothing to change today.

Platform rider protection bill is still only proposals, but could change how delivery apps pay and suspend workers Bangkok Post · Sep 2, 2026

Lawmakers and the Freedom Rider Union are pushing for a law on platform workers: a minimum fair pay floor, basic health and accident insurance, algorithm transparency, and a human review plus appeal before an account is suspended. The Prachachat Party wants a government-sponsored bill, and the union wants Thailand to ratify ILO Convention 193. None of this is law yet. If you use delivery or ride-hailing platforms, or work with riders as contractors, watch for a bill and track how the rules on pay and account suspension develop.

Cheap Chinese garlic and onion imports are pushing local prices down this harvest Bangkok Post · Sep 2, 2026

Garlic imports hit 40,000 tonnes in Q1 this year, against 5,525 tonnes for all of 2023, and Kasikorn Research expects domestic garlic and onion prices to fall to about 88 and 28 baht per kg. Imported produce can be five times cheaper than local vegetables. If you buy or sell fresh produce, expect price pressure on local supply. The FDA tests imports under a hold-test-release system, and a Thai-PAN survey found 7 of 10 imported vegetable types failed safety standards. Check supplier origin and residue certificates before you buy or sell.

Foreign tourists' stays drop to 30 days from 15 September, so plan bookings and guest stays now Bangkok Post · Sep 2, 2026

From 15 September, most foreign tourists entering Thailand get a 30-day visa exemption instead of 60 days, as published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August. Citizens of 60 countries qualify for the 30-day exemption. Re-entry under the exemption is limited to two times a year, except for Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Five countries (Brazil, Peru, South Korea, Argentina, Chile) keep 90-day reciprocal deals, and China and Russia return to 30 days. Extensions are possible once, at immigration's discretion. For hotels, tour operators and businesses with long-stay foreign guests, shorter stays mean more frequent turnover and bookings to review. Tourist arrivals are down 3% year on year to 20.9 million.

Cabinet funds 106.7 billion baht for southern double-track rail, with construction costs revised up Bangkok Post · Sep 1, 2026

The cabinet approved full funding of 106.7 billion baht for three southern double-track projects: Chumphon-Surat Thani (36.9bn, 7 years), Surat Thani-Hat Yai Junction (61.5bn, 8 years) and Hat Yai-Padang Besar (8.4bn, 6 years). Costs were revised up for higher construction, materials and diesel prices, partly due to the Middle East conflict. Construction on Hat Yai-Songkhla is delayed until encroachment issues are resolved. Three other projects (Paknam Pho-Den Chai, Den Chai-Chiang Mai, Chira-Ubon Ratchathani) were only approved in principle and need feasibility and business plan reviews. For southern SMEs this is a long-horizon infrastructure signal: plan for construction-related demand and logistics changes over the next six to eight years, not this quarter.

Diesel up 75 satang and benzine and gasohol up 60 satang from 2 Sep, so fuel costs rise tomorrow Prachachat · Sep 1, 2026

The Oil Fund committee raised diesel B7 and B20 by 0.75 baht/litre and benzine and gasohol by 0.60 baht/litre, effective 2 Sep 2026 at 05.00. Retail diesel is now 39.14 baht and ULG 47.28 baht (before Bangkok local tax). Premium grades are unchanged. Transport, delivery and generator-dependent businesses should reprice or budget for higher fuel costs from tomorrow.

Nakhonchai Air sells tickets under the Thai Chuay Thai Plus scheme, same-day purchase only, until 30 September 2026 Prachachat · Sep 1, 2026

Nakhonchai Air is accepting the Thai Chuay Thai Plus subsidy on bus tickets at its counters, via the Paotang app, until 30 September 2026. Tickets must be bought and travelled on the same day, with no advance booking and no refunds or cash-out. Counters at Wang Thong, Phu Phan and Khao Sai are excluded. Staff must be told before purchase to start the subsidy, then the QR code is scanned in the app. Relevant only if your staff or customers travel by this bus operator.

SEC fines 22 people 192.8 million baht over META and TPL share-price manipulation The Standard Wealth · Sep 1, 2026

The SEC announced civil sanctions on 1 September 2026 against 22 people over two price-rigging cases: 18 in META (three periods, 2018-2020) and 4 in TPL (from its first trading day, 30 June 2023). Total fines are 192,859,101 baht, with trading bans and director/executive bans. Separately, mai has put META under SP and CS marks from 1-2 September 2026 after the auditor declined to give an opinion, and META has not filed Q1 and Q2 2026 financials. If you hold or trade listed shares, or deal with META, check your exposure and avoid thinly traded stocks where price moves look coordinated.

SEC orders Holdstation and UNO crypto apps blocked from 1 Oct 2026 for unlicensed brokering; move your digital assets first Prachachat · Sep 1, 2026

The SEC has filed criminal complaints against six people and companies linked to the Holdstation and UNO crypto apps for brokering digital-asset trades without a licence. The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society will block public access to both platforms from 1 October 2569 (2026). If your business, staff or customers hold digital assets on these apps, withdraw them before the deadline to a personal wallet or a licensed Thai operator. Check licensed operators on the SEC Check First app. Use only licensed providers, since unlicensed ones offer no legal protection and carry fraud and money-laundering risk.

SEC orders Holdstation and UNO blocked from 1 Oct 2026 for unlicensed crypto brokering Prachachat · Sep 1, 2026

The SEC has referred six people and companies linked to the Holdstation and UNO apps to police for unlicensed digital-asset brokerage. The DE ministry will block public access to both platforms from 1 October 2026. If your business or staff hold assets or payments on these apps, move them to a personal wallet or a licensed Thai digital-asset operator before then. Check licensed operators on the SEC Check First app. Using unlicensed platforms means no legal protection and carries fraud and money-laundering risk.

Opening a restaurant in Thailand: which licences you need before you start The Standard Wealth · Sep 1, 2026

Under the Public Health Act, a food premises over 200 sq m needs a establishment licence from the local authority; 200 sq m or less needs a notification and a certificate before opening. Check land-use zoning and building rules first, and make sure food handlers have completed food sanitation training. If you sell beer, wine or spirits, you also need an excise alcohol sales licence from the Excise Department and must follow the 2008 Alcoholic Beverages Control Act. If the venue becomes entertainment-focused (live music, disco, karaoke), a separate entertainment-venue licence may apply, and Bangkok has extra local rules. Whether food is the main revenue determines how officials classify the business.

Pet spending in Thailand is rising fast, with pet food the biggest slice for owners to target Prachachat · Sep 1, 2026

Thailand's pet-related market is reported to have grown from about 33 billion baht in 2019 to 81 billion baht in 2024, with a forecast of about 100 billion baht in 2026. Pet food holds roughly 68% of the market, and accessories about 23%. Dog and cat owners are growing faster than children are being born, and owners who treat pets as family spend far more per animal (about 50,500 baht a year versus about 7,910 baht for basic owners). For a small business, pet food, grooming and pet-friendly services are the segments to consider. These are industry estimates from a press-style article, so verify before committing money.

Global bond yields hit their highest since 2008, so borrowing costs may stay high The Standard Wealth · Sep 1, 2026

Global government bond yields (Bloomberg index, 3.72% as of 31 August) reached their highest level since mid-2008, driven by oil prices tied to Middle East tensions, inflation worries and the US Fed signalling it will keep fighting inflation. Analysts expect higher-for-longer rates. For a Thai SME, this means fixed-rate loan pricing and refinancing may get more expensive, so review debt maturities and avoid locking in new long-term borrowing without comparing rates. Higher oil costs also feed into transport and input prices. The article does not give direct Thai rate forecasts.