Archive

Progressive team takes all 14 worker and employer seats on the Social Security Board Bangkok Post · Oct 12, 2026

The Progressive Social Security team swept all seven worker seats and all seven employer seats on the 21-member SSO board, based on unofficial results with over 95% of ballots counted. Official results are expected by the end of the year. The board sets direction for the 2.8 trillion baht Social Security Fund, which covers over 24 million insured people, and it has a two-year tenure. For a business owner, this changes little in the short term: contribution rates and benefits are not affected by this vote itself. Watch for any policy shifts from the new board, and keep your SSO contributions and employee registrations up to date as usual.

SCB EIC expects Thai policy rate to hold at 1% through 2027 and baht to firm toward 33 by year-end Prachachat · Oct 12, 2026

SCB EIC expects the Thai policy rate to stay at 1% until 2027 because the baht is stable and inflation is low, so cheap credit should persist. SCB FM sees the baht at 33.30-33.80 per dollar over the next 1-2 months, with a possible firming toward 33.00-33.50 by late 2026 on tourism season and trade balance. Oil prices, Fed hikes and trade-war risk are named as downside pressures. For importers and exporters, the 1-year hedging cost is about 3.6%, so hedge only what is needed. Forecasts only, not guarantees.

IMF–World Bank meetings in Bangkok on 12–18 October may lift hotel, retail and transport spending in Bangkok Prachachat · Oct 12, 2026

InnovestX estimates the IMF–World Bank meetings in Thailand (12–18 October) will bring about 15,000 visitors and add roughly 1,000–2,000 million baht to the economy, mainly through hotels, retail and transport in Bangkok. If you sell to hotels, restaurants, shops or transport in Bangkok, consider extra stock and staffing for that week. The article notes the long-term FDI benefit is only a forecast, so do not plan around it. The stock picks in the article are a brokerage view, not advice for your business.

Bangkok Bank systems down Sunday 18 Oct: plan payments and card sales ahead Prachachat · Oct 12, 2026

Bangkok Bank will take its systems down for upgrades on Sunday 18 October 2026, 02:00-09:00, with some services cut from 03:00-07:00. Mobile banking is unavailable 02:00-09:00. Bangkok Bank cards cannot be used for ATM cash withdrawals, online payments or card terminal (EDC) payments, and PromptPay transfers to Bangkok Bank accounts and deposits from other banks are blocked. If you bank or take cards with Bangkok Bank, collect cash and schedule supplier payments before the window, and tell staff not to accept Bangkok Bank cards during it.

Floods still affect 2.46 million people in Bangkok and 20 provinces, so check your stock and delivery routes Bangkok Post · Oct 12, 2026

Flooding continues in Bangkok and 20 provinces, mostly the Central Plains, affecting 2.46 million people as of Monday morning (12 October 2026). Levels are falling in Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Lop Buri and Samut Prakan, but rising in Bang Rakam (Phitsanulok) and Phetchaburi. The Chao Phraya barrage discharge was cut to 1,900 cubic metres per second, which should lower downstream levels. Owners with shops, warehouses or deliveries in the Central Plains, East or Phetchaburi should check access roads and stock, and avoid assuming the water will leave soon in flood-hit areas.

Southern flood season ends, but the PM orders readiness for the south and flood relief payments are now flowing Prachachat · Oct 12, 2026

The PM says the rainy season is nearing its end, but he has ordered southern provinces, from upper southern Thailand to Narathiwat, to prepare for flooding. Flood relief has reached about 135,000 households in five transfers, totalling about 1,069 million baht, at 9,000 baht per recipient. The government wants relief paid by district and province as lists are verified. Flood insurance under a government-backed policy is also expected to pay out from 1 October onward. For a business in the south, check whether your area is on the list, keep damage evidence and photos, and be ready for quick document checks.

Intel's LGA1700 socket gets new chips in 2027, with DDR4 RAM still supported Blognone · Oct 12, 2026

GIGABYTE says it will release new BIOS updates for its B760 and H610 boards so they can run new Intel CPUs for the LGA1700 socket, expected in early 2027. Intel has not said what the chips will offer. The socket is still sold, partly because LGA1851 only supports DDR5 RAM, which has become much more expensive. DDR4 RAM is also now pricier than at launch: a 16GBx2 kit that once fell to about 1,600 baht now sells for 8,400-9,900 baht. For a shop selling or upgrading PCs, this means older DDR4 builds cost more to put together, and customers may want to stretch existing hardware rather than buy new DDR5 systems.

Gold prices up 250 baht today: jewellery sells at 67,600 baht per baht weight Prachachat · Oct 12, 2026

Gold rose 250 baht from yesterday's close (association data, 12 Oct 2026, 9:02am). Bar gold: buy 66,600, sell 66,800 baht per baht weight. Jewellery 96.5%: buy-back 65,263.80, sell 67,600. The gap between buy and sell prices is wide, so check the spread before buying or selling stock, and reprice gold-linked goods or pawn/buy-back offers to match today's rates. World spot was 4,212 USD per ounce.

Expressways 1, Si Rat and Udon Ratthaya are toll-free on Tuesday 13 October 2026 Prachachat · Oct 12, 2026

EXAT has waived tolls on three expressways on Tuesday 13 October 2026, a public holiday: Chalerm Maha Nakhon (Expressway 1, 21 toll booths), Si Rat (Expressway 2, 32 booths) and Udon Ratthaya (10 booths), 63 booths in total. For a business, plan delivery and staff travel around this day, and expect lighter tolls-related costs on those routes. Check the EXAT Call Center 1543 for details.

Baht opens stronger at 33.50 per dollar on 12 Oct; expect 33.35–33.70 range today Prachachat · Oct 12, 2026

TTB reports the baht opened at 33.50 per USD, up from Friday's close of 33.52, with a 24-hour range of roughly 33.35–33.70. The dollar rose about 0.3% over the week, its fourth straight weekly gain. Markets price an 80.6% chance the Fed holds rates in October and a 70.2% chance of a 0.25-point hike in December. Foreign investors sold a net 9,505 million baht of Thai equities in the week of 5–9 Oct but bought 5,122 million baht of Thai bonds. For an importer or exporter, this is a small daily move; if you have USD payables or receivables, check your hedge or quoted rate against this range before pricing or paying.

Diesel and gasohol prices on 12 Oct 2026: B20 at 37.19 baht, high-diesel at 42.94 baht per litre Prachachat · Oct 12, 2026

Bangchak pump prices today: B20 diesel 37.19 baht/litre (unchanged), high-diesel S 42.94, gasohol 95 41.44, gasohol 91 41.07, E20 35.69. Prices exclude the Bangkok local land tax. Tomorrow's prices take effect at 05:00. Check your station before budgeting fuel for delivery vehicles or generators, since prices change daily and vary by station.

Direct PPA clean power still blocked by unclear grid fees, SMEs told to watch Balance Charge The Story Thailand · Oct 12, 2026

A symposium panel (TDRI energy policy adviser) said the draft PDP 2026 raises clean power share, but private buyers still cannot price direct clean-power purchases (Direct PPA) because the grid fee, Balance Charge, has not been set. Without that cost figure, firms cannot sign supply contracts or budget for clean electricity. Panel also flagged grid readiness and SME access to finance as bottlenecks. For a Thai SME this is not a decision point yet: keep tracking the Balance Charge ruling and the PDP 2026 final draft before committing to green power contracts.

Govt orders inspections of all 1,203 elderly care facilities within two months Bangkok Post · Oct 12, 2026

After abuse and overcrowding reports in Kanchanaburi and Nonthaburi, the government ordered inspections of all 1,203 registered elderly and dependent care facilities within two months. Checks cover premises, safety, emergency systems, qualified staff and whether each facility sticks to its operating licence, under the Health Establishment Act 2016. If you run or plan to run a care home or day-care service, check your licence scope, staffing, safety equipment and emergency procedures now. Unlicensed operations are a focus, so confirm your registration with DHSS is current.

Traffic near the QSNCC and 22 hotels faces restrictions until 20 October during IMF-World Bank meetings Bangkok Post · Oct 12, 2026

Police have banned public gatherings around the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, One Bangkok Forum and 22 hotels hosting IMF-World Bank delegates until Oct 20. Police urge motorists to avoid Rama IV, Duang Phithak, Ratchadaphisek, Sukhumvit and Witthayu roads and the Na Ranong flyover, and say a vehicle-bar order may apply from 12.01am Monday to midnight Sunday if gatherings occur. No roads are closed for now. If your delivery, staff commute or customer visits run through these areas, plan extra time or use the MRT (QSNCC and Sukhumvit stations) or BTS Asok.

Nationwide inspections of 2,000 elderly care centres within two months; operators urged to check licence limits Bangkok Post · Oct 12, 2026

The Department of Health Service Support will inspect about 2,000 elderly care centres nationwide within two months after overcrowding, unlicensed services and abuse were found in Kanchanaburi and Nonthaburi. Facilities in breach will be ordered to fix problems, with licences revoked if they do not comply. If you run or plan an elderly care operation, check that your bed count, floor area and services match your licence now, and make sure your records are ready for inspection. Renewals rely on self-assessment, which the department says needs closer scrutiny.

Flood-hit shop owners can get Government Savings Bank loans now, including 20,000 baht with no collateral Bangkok Post · Oct 12, 2026

Flood damage is still stopping small shops in Bangkok and nearby provinces from reopening. The Government Savings Bank offers emergency loans up to 20,000 baht without collateral, disaster-relief loans up to 50,000 baht, and livelihood rehabilitation loans up to 300,000 baht (0% for the first three months, then 15% a year reducing balance, up to seven years). Emergency and disaster loans allow three months' deferral of principal and interest. The government admits approval is not guaranteed. If your premises were flooded, apply early and prepare documents for compensation claims. The Democrat party has proposed 200,000 baht loans at 0% for six months, but that is only a proposal.

Thai auto output keeps slipping, and FTI cuts 2026 production target to 1.45 million Bangkok Post · Oct 12, 2026

Thailand's auto industry association says output has weakened due to sluggish domestic demand, tighter bank lending for auto loans, and Middle East disruption to export markets. FTI's auto club cut this year's production target from 1.5 million to 1.45 million units, lowering its export target to 900,000 and keeping domestic sales at 550,000. Thailand is still Southeast Asia's largest producer at 1.46 million vehicles last year, but has slipped to 11th globally. For suppliers and parts shops, plan for flat or lower orders from automakers and tighter auto-loan access for customers, and look at export markets beyond the Middle East.

Thai poverty fell in 2025, but 3.6 million people sit just above the line Bangkok Post · Oct 12, 2026

NESDC says the poverty rate fell to 3.27% in 2025 (2.3 million people), helped by higher farm wages (up 4.88% vs 1.35% for non-farm) and about 346 baht more a month in state aid per poor person. Another 3.6 million are "near poor" and could slip under the line after a modest income shock. For a small business, expect pressure on spending in the South, Northeast and rural areas, where poverty is higher and household debt is mostly for consumption and farm inputs.

Japan's cyber agency calls the current wave of breaches critical after 20+ firms were hit Blognone · Oct 11, 2026

Several Japanese companies, including used-goods retailer Bookoff, JR East's Ekinet train booking system and Times Car, reported data leaks in recent weeks. Japan's digital minister called the situation critical. Experts link the rise partly to AI making attacks more frequent and removing language barriers for hackers. For a Thai SME, the practical point is the basic one: review who can access customer data and turn on two-factor login for email, banking and booking accounts. No direct change to Thai rules is reported.

Electricity rates cut for Sep–Dec 2026 bills, with 200-unit tier below 3 baht The Standard Wealth · Oct 11, 2026

The Energy Ministry says the new tariff structure for Sep–Dec 2026 lowers the average base rate to 3.72 baht/unit (from 3.78). Four measures apply to the current bill: public street-lighting costs removed from household bills, a lower rate for the first 200 units (under 3 baht/unit), a new tariff structure for rented rooms and homes without household registration, and the Ft charge fixed at 16.23 satang/unit. Check your own bill for the change. If you rent rooms or dormitories, review how you pass electricity costs to tenants under the new structure. Savings figures are reported by users and vary by usage.