Archive

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.

Flooding hits 21 provinces with heavy rain moving south this week Bangkok Post · Oct 11, 2026

Flooding persists in parts of 21 provinces, mainly on the Central Plain, affecting 3.14 million people, per the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. Flood levels are falling in Bangkok, Ayutthaya and Ang Thong but rising in Samut Prakan and Phitsanulok. Heavy rain is forecast for the South on Monday and Tuesday. Check stock, transport routes and supplier deliveries in affected provinces, and plan for disruption in the South. Watch the Bang Pakong basin, where three dams were at 83-97% capacity.

Flood damage is spreading down supply chains, so check your raw materials and delivery plan now Prachachat · Oct 11, 2026

Flooding in late September is hitting production through supply chains, not just flooded plants. The Thai Chamber of Commerce figures show 1,315 businesses affected across 40 provinces (still being checked for duplicates), and 34 Amata City Chonburi plants reported stopped. Risk is highest for fresh and short-shelf-life food, seasonal canned and frozen goods, and SMEs with limited cash. Advice: map every link from farm to carrier, line up backup suppliers, tell customers early about possible delays and offer revised schedules, and budget extra working capital for longer storage, longer transport and slower payments. Risk may run into early 2027.

Oil fund debt nears 100 billion baht, but government says borrowing is last resort Prachachat · Oct 11, 2026

The Energy Ministry says the oil fund's deficit is about 98-100 billion baht, but it will not borrow for now. Subsidies run about 316 million baht a day (diesel about 2 baht/litre). Fund may recoup via refinery excess-profit levies and pump-price adjustments later, so pump prices could rise when prices ease. Watch diesel above 30 baht/litre and weekly swings of more than 2 baht/litre, which trigger the crisis plan. Plan transport and LPG costs with possible price increases ahead.

Iran war energy shock and high debt top the IMF-World Bank talks in Bangkok Bangkok Post · Oct 11, 2026

Finance officials meet in Bangkok while the Iran war, now in its eighth month, keeps oil and diesel prices high and supplies tight. The World Bank says diesel, fertiliser and energy costs are hitting at once, and it is not cutting its global forecasts yet. The IMF expects about 3% global growth in 2026, with Gulf countries and Ukraine downgraded. For a Thai SME, plan for higher fuel, transport and input costs over the coming months, and keep cash buffers and borrowing costs in view. The article gives no direct Thai policy change.

Finance Ministry explains why it is considering a departure tax on Thai travellers The Standard Wealth · Oct 11, 2026

The Finance Ministry spokesperson says the departure tax is still at public-consultation stage at the Revenue Department and is not final. The medium-term fiscal plan projects 28,000 million baht collected in FY2569 and 12,000 million in FY2570, and the revenue aim is to fund tourism development. The ministry says the statutory cap is 5,000 baht, but past rates never went above 1,000 baht. Revisions to the plan are normally discussed in November to December. For SMEs in travel, tourism, or any business relying on outbound trips, watch for the final rate, and budget for a possible higher cost per trip.

Riyadh airport attack and possible US strikes on Houthis could disrupt Gulf flights and fuel prices Prachachat · Oct 11, 2026

Saudi authorities suspended all operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh after an attack killed at least 12 people, including a US citizen. Saudi-led coalition vows retaliation, and US President Trump said the US may join strikes against the Houthis. Flights and cargo routes through the Gulf may be disrupted, and oil prices could move. Thai businesses that import through the Middle East, export to Saudi, or rely on fuel costs should check exposure and watch for travel advisories and route changes.

IMF warns AI boom adds pressure on the global economy, with high energy prices and debt Prachachat · Oct 11, 2026

The IMF says AI investment could lift global GDP by about 0.5% a year this decade, but benefits will concentrate in countries tied into the AI supply chain. Meanwhile, energy prices are high due to the Middle East conflict, government bond yields have risen to multi-decade highs, and interest rates are staying elevated. For a Thai SME, this is background: watch borrowing costs and energy-driven living costs, but no immediate action is needed from this article alone.

Diesel B7 at 42.94 baht and B20 at 37.19 baht per litre today, 11 October 2026 Prachachat · Oct 11, 2026

Bangchak's posted pump prices for 11 October 2026: B7 diesel 42.94 baht/litre, B20 diesel 37.19 baht/litre (unchanged), Gasohol 95 41.44 baht, Gasohol 91 41.07 baht, E20 35.69 baht, E85 31.63 baht. Prices exclude Bangkok's local land tax and take effect from 05:00 the next day. Check fuel-cost assumptions for delivery vehicles and generators, and check the price at your own station before budgeting.

Flood-hit southern and western provinces face more heavy rain from 12–13 October, so plan stock, staff and equipment now Bangkok Post · Oct 11, 2026

The PM has told 14 southern provinces, plus Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan, to prepare for more heavy rain. The Meteorological Department forecasts rain from 9–13 October, with very heavy rain in the South on 12–13 October. If you run a business in these areas, move stock off the floor, check delivery routes, and plan for possible closures or evacuation orders. Flood relief payments are rolling out: households register through the Tang Rat app and submit damage lists to DDPM. Keep your records ready if you need to claim.

Exam fraud case moves to NACC, with 6,000 accused and no change for your business Bangkok Post · Oct 11, 2026

Police sent their file on fraud in local government recruitment exams to the National Anti-Corruption Commission within the 30-day deadline. Three suspects were released after the NACC ran out of detention time. More than 6,000 people are accused, and the NACC expects to notify them by late November. This is a public-sector corruption story with no direct consequence for a small business owner's costs, staffing, or permits.

Proposal to move Thai PBS funding to the national budget opens for consultation until 14 October Bangkok Post · Oct 11, 2026

A Bhumjaithai-backed proposal would replace Thai PBS's earmarked alcohol and tobacco excise funding (1.5% of collections, capped at 2 billion baht a year) with allocations from the national budget, and would also review ThaiHealth, the Elderly Fund and the National Sports Development Fund. Public consultation runs 30 September to 14 October. The article says the bill is unlikely to pass this parliamentary session, so nothing changes for businesses in the near term. Only sector-level watchers such as media, advertising and alcohol/tobacco-linked firms need to follow it.

Social Security board election is on 11 October: employers must check polling station and documents before voting Prachachat · Oct 10, 2026

The Social Security Office holds the board election on Sunday 11 October 2026, 08.00-16.00. Employers and insured persons can check their polling station via SSO Plus, the sso.go.th site, or the SSO Line Official rich menu. Individual employers need an ID (ID card, driving licence, government card, or ThaID / DLT QR Licence app). A company employer must bring a company registration certificate dated within 6 months (or a DBD e-Certificate). If the company has two or more authorised signatories, one must be appointed in writing to vote for the company, and that person can vote for only one company. Employer ballots are blue; insured-person ballots are pink.

Property associations ask government for five fixes, including loan assessment for freelancers and a first-home policy comeback Prachachat · Oct 10, 2026

Developer associations report Jan-Jun 2026 transfers up 17.6% in units (167,665) and 9.8% in value, but say the market is fragile: strict loan approval, household debt and higher construction costs remain. They ask the government to assess loans on freelance income, revive the first-home policy (loan rejections now above 50%), and set a new flood-aware town plan in 2027. Nothing is law yet; these are proposals. For a builder or contractor, expect demand to stay cautious and used homes to take share; watch the 2027 flood-zoning rules if you work on land.

Social Security board election is on 11 October: employers and insured workers should check their polling station on sso.go.th Prachachat · Oct 10, 2026

The Social Security Office holds elections for employer and insured-worker representatives on the Social Security board on Sunday 11 October 2026, 08:00-16.00, at about 5,233 polling units nationwide. Check your polling station in advance at www.sso.go.th or the SSO Plus app, since locations can change. If a district is declared disaster-hit, voting moves to a nearby safe district, with notice given. Bring the identity documents SSO specifies and allow travel time. Results appear on the unofficial Dashboard after polls close at 16.00.

Government spokesman says Thai Health Promotion Foundation's 4,000 million baht sin-tax budget must go through the normal budget system Prachachat · Oct 10, 2026

The government spokesman, Ekkaphop Phiansiri, says the 4,000 million baht a year that the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (สสส.) receives from sin taxes should be spent on direct health assets rather than training, meetings, events and advertising, and that the budget must be brought into the national budget system. For a Thai SME this is background: sin-tax funding for health campaigns and sponsorships may tighten, and any SME that has bid for or relies on SSF-funded campaigns or events should watch for changes in how that money is allocated.

Eastern floods hit durian orchards for years; farmers without a green registration book may struggle to get aid Prachachat · Oct 10, 2026

Floods in Eastern Thailand (Rayong, Chanthaburi) have damaged over 20,000 rai of durian in Rayong alone. Damaged trees may die over several years, and root damage will hit next season's yield. Fewer than half of affected Rayong orchards were in the farmer registry (green book), which officials use to verify aid. Orchard owners should check their registration and update land-use records now, and keep evidence of farming activity. Replanting 4-6 year-old trees is costly, so plan cash flow for lost output.

Bangkok flooding narrows to six eastern districts; 40–50 mm rain forecast until 4 a.m. tomorrow Prachachat · Oct 10, 2026

Flooding in Bangkok has eased after two days without rain, but 97 communities in six eastern districts (Min Buri, Nong Chok, Prawet, Saphan Sung, Lat Krabang, Bueng Kum) remain flooded, mostly along canals. Another 40–50 mm of rain is forecast from 4 p.m. today until 4 a.m. tomorrow. If your premises or deliveries are in the east, plan for flooded access roads, stock on higher shelves, and monitoring of drain levels. The governor says future residential-project approvals will weigh flood risk, and the city will add pumps.