Archive
September 1, 2026
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The cabinet approved 843.26m baht in mid-year 2026 central reserve funds to repair drainage and flood systems in southern provinces (67 items), with Hat Yai urgent. Songkhla has 272 water projects worth about 3.16bn baht in FY2026. The FY2027 draft budget has 143 water items worth about 2.21bn baht, and projects are to start as soon as the budget passes. For Songkhla and southern SMEs: expect flood-protection works and contractor or supply demand, and plan for flood disruption to stock, premises and deliveries during heavy rain.
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The Finance Ministry will take a proposal to the cabinet next week for a soft loan of about 4,000 million baht via GSB (Government Savings Bank). Eligible SMEs in the 5 southern border provinces and flood-affected areas could get up to 40 million baht per borrower. Flood-recovery loans would be 0% for the first 6 months, 1.99% in months 7-24 (state subsidises half), then 2.99% for the last 3 years. Southern-border loans would fall from 1.99% to 1.5% a year over up to 5 years. The credit pool is flexible and can be expanded. Still a proposal, not yet approved, so check the GSB terms once cabinet decides.
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The cabinet has approved moving the 2029 Korat horticultural expo site from Khong district to a dairy research centre in Pak Chong, which is Agriculture Ministry land so no new land purchase is needed. Budget stays at 4,281 million baht. The new site must be shown to AIPH by 4 September 2026 and BIE approval is sought by 6 October 2026. The expo opens 10 November 2029. For a local business, the main effect is on Khong and Pak Chong land use: Khong gets a use plan with public input, and Pak Chong's expected construction and visitor demand will come later, not now.
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Cabinet has approved in principle a draft ministerial rule that raises the permitted uses of forest land from 10 to 16 categories, adding renewable energy, telecoms, utilities and waste management. Permit terms for farming, conservation parks and wildlife breeding rise from up to 10 years to up to 30, and new uses get up to 30 years. Applications can be filed electronically, and several permit fees are scrapped. Still a draft: it excludes national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, community forests and mangrove conservation areas, and projects needing an EIA only get approval after the EIA review. Relevant mainly to firms planning energy, telecom, or land-based projects near forest areas.
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The cabinet noted a workshop proposal for five Deep South provinces (Songkhla, Satun, Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani): 44 urgent projects worth 1,269 million baht, plus 59 policy requests worth 62,336 million baht. Items relevant to businesses include revising Soft Loan conditions, cutting checkpoint procedures, a one-stop business service, and dredging Songkhla and Pattani ports to 9-10 m. These are proposals still needing budget allocation through each agency's annual plan, so nothing is in force yet. If you trade or operate in the region, watch for Soft Loan changes and port access, and do not plan cash flow around them yet.
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The Deputy PM and Finance Minister announced six measures for the five Deep South border provinces. The main one for businesses: interest-free loans for 6 months for flood recovery, then low-rate credit, and later the state co-pays interest. Separately, GSB will lend to businesses over 5 years at a fixed 1.5% a year, a proposal still to go to the cabinet. Also planned: dredging Songkhla and Pattani ports, scrapping overtime fees for tourists, and extending BOI incentives by 3 years. If you operate in these provinces, prepare loan documents and watch for cabinet approval; the article gives no start dates.
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Cabinet approved in principle a draft ministerial rule waiving factory licence fees for 5 years, backdated to 20 June 2026, for Type 2 and Type 3 factories of all sizes in Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and the Songkhla districts of Chana, Thepha, Na Thawi and Saba Yoi. Covered fees include licence, factory expansion, replacement licence, licence transfer, and annual fees. The rule still needs legal steps before it takes effect. Factories in these areas should keep records of fees paid since 20 June and check with the Industry Office whether their licence falls within scope.
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Cabinet approved three southern double-track rail projects (Chumphon–Surat Thani, Surat Thani–Hat Yai Junction, Hat Yai–Padang Besar) totalling 106,798.32 million baht, funded by government budget and domestic loans. Construction runs roughly 2026–2033. Costs rose because of diesel and materials prices linked to Middle East tensions. The Hat Yai–Songkhla section is postponed until encroachment is cleared. Three northern and northeast lines were only approved in principle, pending revised ridership forecasts. For southern SMEs in construction, logistics, materials or hospitality, this is a multi-year pipeline to bid for or plan around, not a near-term change.
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Cabinet approved in principle a national disaster insurance scheme in which the government buys cover for about 30 million households against floods, storms and earthquakes. Payouts: flood first-stage 10,000 baht per household; storm or quake 5,000 baht within 15 days, with total house claims capped at 100,000 baht; 2 million baht for deaths from covered perils. Details are still being drafted by the Disaster Prevention Department and the Office of Insurance Commission. For a business owner: check whether your premises or staff housing fall under the scheme, and watch for changes to existing relief rules. No action is needed yet.
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Bloomberg reports China's regulators are launching a one-year safety review, including unannounced factory inspections, after Chinese carmakers cut new-model development to about 18 months (from roughly 2 years). Regulators also want road-test distance for new-energy vehicles doubled to 30,000 km, and a large recall of over 4.27 million EVs over door-handle rules is under way. For a Thai business, this matters mainly if you import, sell or service Chinese-brand cars or parts: expect possible recalls, parts delays and tighter certification, and check warranty and spare-parts supply before stocking new Chinese models.
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CP subsidiary Asia Era One has asked the State Railway of Thailand to end its contract to run the Airport Rail Link (ARL) on 30 September 2026, and to terminate the three-airports high-speed rail deal. The Consumer Council wants the Transport Ministry and SRT to publish a backup plan before that date covering who runs the line, how long the handover takes, and how fares and the shared EMV ticket will continue. For a business, the practical impact is on staff and customer commuting from late September: plan for possible disruption, and check whether the rail link is part of your staff travel or delivery routes. No fare change has been announced in the article.
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The National Water Resources Office (สทนช.) warns the Mekong could rise 2.0–4.8 m between 31 Aug and 6 Sep 2026, with water above critical levels at Nong Khai (0.28 m over, 2–4 Sep peak) and Bueng Kan (1.22 m over, 2–5 Sep peak). Low-lying areas in Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan are at risk of flooding, and some Thai tributaries may drain poorly into the river. If your shop, warehouse, stock or transport runs in these districts, move goods above ground level, check access roads, and follow provincial alerts. Rain is also expected to rise across several regions from 3–6 Sep.
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The Digital Economy Minister says several data centres in Bangkok were set up without permits and that agencies are gathering information. Officials suspect some may be hoarding fuel to run generators, though the volume is unknown. The cabinet also plans to tighten rules because some sites lack certification. For a Thai SME, nothing changes yet. Watch for possible fuel supply tightness or price swings in Bangkok, and for stricter rules if you rent space or power to data-centre operators.
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The concession for operating the Airport Rail Link ends 30 September. Transport Minister Pipat says the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will ask the private operator to extend the handover by about 1-3 months so service is not disrupted. If the operator still hands back the line, SRT will run it. Whether the line is re-tendered to a private operator is still for the SRT board to decide. For most small businesses this is background, but businesses that rely on the line for staff or customer travel near the airport should watch for any service changes around October.
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The M82 Rama 2 elevated road has been toll-free since 28 August 2026. The EXAT Rama 3–Dao Khanong expressway is due to open in part by end-2026, with the full line (43.7 km, Bang Khlo to Ban Phaeo) running by mid-2027. Full tolling is planned for September 2027 at a single flat rate, still under review. The toll could replace today's distance-based 30–60 baht. Expect faster trips to Samut Sakhon, Phetchaburi and Hua Hin (45 minutes to 2 hours saved). If you run deliveries or logistics on the western route, start re-costing routes and tolls for 2027.
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The National Credit Bureau (NCB) data cited by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) shows the average borrower opened 1.11-1.22 new housing loan accounts in 2025, up from 1.06-1.07 in 2021-2024. It fell to 1.08 in Q1 2026. NESDC says monthly credit reporting leaves a gap that lets borrowers apply to several lenders at once, and warns about overborrowing and future defaults. For a business, the practical effect is that property-linked lending may get stricter checks and slower approvals, and buyers or tenants in your area could face tighter credit. The LTV easing (100%) has been extended to 30 June 2027 and the transfer fee cut to 0.01% for homes up to 7 million baht applies.
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The Office of Insurance Commissions (คปภ.) issued guidelines dated 24 July 2026 for unlicensed people who post about insurance on digital media, including influencers and creators. General education, explaining policy terms, and sharing your own experience (labelled as personal, not advice) are allowed. Recommending, arranging or comparing policies for a fee tied to policy volume needs an agent or broker licence. Paid ads need a written contract, content approval from the insurer, and a clear disclosure. Promoting foreign insurers not licensed in Thailand is banned. If your business uses creators or sponsored posts to sell insurance, check these rules now.
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US and Iran strikes resumed on 30-31 Aug 2026. Brent rose about 1.2 to 90.49 USD/bbl and WTI about 2.36 to 85.76 USD/bbl on 31 Aug. Tracked cargo ships through the Strait of Hormuz fell from 14 a day (28 Aug) to 5 over the weekend, and a tanker was hit on 29 Aug. For a Thai SME, expect fuel and diesel costs and transport surcharges to face upward pressure. Review fuel budgets, delivery pricing, and supplier cost clauses this quarter, and watch for pump price moves at the next adjustment.
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Japan's finance minister Katayama says Tokyo and Washington agreed to keep coordinating on yen moves and an orderly market. No article text was available, so this is based on the headline alone. For a Thai SME, it is background: watch for a sharper yen swing only if it moves the baht or your Japanese import costs.
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Thai gold prices rose 50 baht from the previous close, per the Gold Traders Association as of 09:02 on 1 Sep 2026. Gold bars: buy 69,700 baht, sell 69,900 baht per baht-weight. Gold jewellery (96.5%): buy 68,310.96 baht, sell 70,700 baht. Global spot gold is about US$4,446/oz. If you buy or sell gold stock or jewellery, reprice your counter against the morning notice; the gap between buy and sell prices is the margin to watch.
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