Archive

Bangkok floods put Anutin and Chadchart under political pressure Bangkok Post · Oct 10, 2026

Around 320 mm of rain over three days flooded all 50 Bangkok districts and disrupted transport and the economy. The government approved 4.1 billion baht in emergency aid and plans a 160 billion baht drainage programme over eight years. For a Bangkok SME, expect flood-response spending and drainage works to bring road closures and disruption, and plan for recurring flood risk to stock, premises and deliveries.

NBTC board deadlock drags on, leaving TV and spectrum plans in limbo Prachachat · Oct 10, 2026

The NBTC board has been deadlocked for over two months. The chairman's qualification dispute has stopped board meetings 13 times, and two rival meeting groups are now fighting over legitimacy. 149 consumer complaint items are waiting, and TV broadcasters are still waiting for a clear transition plan for digital TV and post-merger rules. For a small business, nothing needs to change yet. Watch for any ruling that sets a timetable for digital TV or the C-Band transition, especially if you rely on TV advertising or on a broadcast-related service.

Diesel and gasohol prices at Bangchak stations today, 10 Oct 2026: B7 at 42.94 baht, B20 at 37.19 baht Prachachat · Oct 10, 2026

Bangchak posted today's pump prices: B7 diesel 42.94 baht/litre, B20 diesel 37.19 baht (unchanged), gasohol 95 41.44 baht, gasohol 91 41.07 baht, E20 35.69 baht. Prices exclude the Bangkok local land tax and take effect tomorrow at 05:00. For a fleet or delivery business, the gap between B7 and B20 is about 5.75 baht per litre, so check which diesel your vehicles can run on. Confirm the price at your own station before budgeting.

Bank of Thailand flags SMEs, property and households as weak spots as war costs rise Prachachat · Oct 10, 2026

The Bank of Thailand's 2026 financial stability report says SMEs face higher energy and raw material costs, weaker revenue and limited access to bank credit at higher cost. Small firms should expect tighter liquidity and more difficulty borrowing, so review cash buffers and pass-through pricing now. About 30% of households do not earn enough to cover spending, so weaker local demand is likely. Property developers face high-yield debt rollover pressure, which could affect their suppliers and contractors.

Eastern auto parts makers restart from Oct 14 after floods; Amata waives fees for a year Bangkok Post · Oct 10, 2026

Floods in late September in Chon Buri, especially Amata City Chonburi estate, halted many Tier 2 and 3 auto parts SMEs. Carmakers from Toyota to Honda are expected to restart from Oct 14, but output is not yet at full capacity as factories clean machinery and restore power. If you supply auto parts or depend on them, plan for possible shortages and slower orders for now. Amata is offering 50% off maintenance fees for one year and 50% off utility charges, including tap water, starting this month. Ask your estate operator about eligibility.

Proposed 450-baht tourist fee moves to public consultation before cabinet Bangkok Post · Oct 10, 2026

Commerce Minister Suphajee backs a proposed 450-baht fee per foreign visitor, recommended by the Tourism and Sports Ministry. Agencies are drafting rules on collection and use of the revenue (tourist safety, under-funded attractions). It goes to public consultation, then cabinet, so no fee applies yet. For tourism-linked SMEs, watch for the consultation and possible effects on visitor numbers and pricing. The article also mentions a review of cash rebates for foreign film crews, with no direct SME action.

Tourist fee of 450 baht on air arrivals starts next year, operators want insurance cost out of it Bangkok Post · Oct 10, 2026

The Tourism and Sports Ministry plans to collect a 450-baht tourism fee from foreign air arrivals starting in the first quarter of next year. Part of it would fund travel insurance for all foreign visitors, to cover unpaid medical bills (estimated at 7 billion baht). The Thai Hotels Association and Atta want insurance excluded and the fund used for tourism development, with about 20% set aside for emergency help to tourists. Nothing is final yet. If you run a hotel, tour or travel business, expect higher trip costs for inbound guests from next year and check whether your tour groups are already insured.

Police widen Chiang Rai ID fraud probe into zero-number and Thai ID cards Bangkok Post · Oct 10, 2026

Police have arrested 24 people and linked 36 to an alleged civil registration fraud network in Wiang Kaen and Mae Sai, Chiang Rai. Authorities are examining whether Thai ID status used to set up companies and buy land was obtained fraudulently. For a business in the border areas, expect tighter checks on customers, partners and landlords holding Thai or zero-number IDs, and on company registrations linked to them. No direct cost change is stated in the article.

Anutin faces no-confidence debate over 18 ministers, no direct business impact yet Bangkok Post · Oct 10, 2026

The opposition has filed a no-confidence motion under Section 151 against 18 cabinet ministers, most from Bhumjaithai. PM Anutin says ministers are ready to answer, and Klatham has not joined the motion. The article has no policy change, budget or tax item affecting businesses. Keep watching for the debate date and any outcome that could shift government policy on costs, permits or support schemes.

Flood-hit borrowers may get bank debt relief, so check your loan options early Bangkok Post · Oct 10, 2026

Kasikornbank says flood damage has hit household mortgage and auto-loan borrowers harder than business customers. Business disruptions in affected areas have lasted about 1-2 weeks. KBank and Tisco both say they can offer debt relief programmes, and Tisco has built extra loan-loss reserves for the next 3-6 months. If your flooding has hurt cash flow, ask your bank about relief or restructuring early, and keep records of the damage. Few auto-loan customers had applied so far, since many moved vehicles to safety.

Phuket airport passengers top 17 million, new international terminal due 2030 for 5.5 million more Prachachat · Oct 9, 2026

Phuket airport handled 17.23 million passengers in fiscal 2026 (Oct 2025–Sep 2026), above its 12.5 million design capacity. The winter schedule (25 Oct 2026–27 Mar 2027) forecasts 8.9 million passengers. Construction of the international terminal expansion starts 2027 and finishes 2032. Peak-season crowding at the airport is likely to continue meanwhile. Virgin Atlantic and Kuwait Airways are adding direct routes, and India is the market to target for high season.

Chiang Mai airport counts 37% more Chinese arrivals in Golden Week, high season starting early Prachachat · Oct 9, 2026

Chiang Mai airport reports average daily passengers during China's Golden Week (1-7 Oct 2026) up 11.34% to about 24,317, and flights up 19.74% to 182 a day. Chinese arrivals through the airport averaged about 1,744 a day, roughly 37% above the September daily average. Trip.com data also shows more Golden Week bookings to Chiang Mai. The airport says late-year high season is starting. If you run a hotel, tour, restaurant or shop in Chiang Mai, this is a signal to check Chinese-language booking channels and staffing for Q4, though it is one airport's early figures, not a full-season forecast.

Chiang Mai airport: Chinese arrivals up 37% during Golden Week, so plan for a busy high season Prachachat · Oct 9, 2026

Chiang Mai airport reports average 24,317 passengers a day during Golden Week (1-7 Oct 2026), up 11.34%, with 182 flights a day, up 19.74%. Chinese arrivals through the airport reached about 1,744 a day, roughly 37% above the September daily average. Direct flights now link Chiang Mai to Chongqing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, Xi'an, Jinghong and Hong Kong. For Chiang Mai businesses, this points to a stronger late-year high season: check staffing, stock and Chinese-language service ahead of the peak. These are one-week figures from the airport, so treat them as an early signal rather than a full-season forecast.

Thailand and Timor-Leste speed up rice trade MOU, opening export room for Thai farm and food processors Prachachat · Oct 9, 2026

Thailand's Commerce Minister Suphajee and Timor-Leste's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão met in Bangkok on 9-10 October 2026. Both sides agreed to raise trade and investment and to finish a rice trade MOU sooner. Thailand says it will ease exports of farm and processed food products to Timor-Leste. No MOU terms, tariffs or timelines were given, so there is nothing to act on yet. If you export rice or processed food, watch for the signed MOU and any export-facilitation steps from the Commerce Ministry.

Udon Thani's horticultural expo runs 1 Nov 2026 to 14 Mar 2027, a tourism window for Isan businesses Prachachat · Oct 9, 2026

The government and TCEB will host the Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026 at Nong Daeng wetland (over 1,030 rai) from 1 November 2026 to 14 March 2027, the first such Category B expo in the Isan region. It features plants, precision agriculture, a carbon forest zone, and a "Eat, Shop, Visit community" zone for local food, silk and agricultural products. If you run a guesthouse, restaurant, food or handicraft business in Udon Thani, plan stock, staff and promotions for the 134-day window. The article gives no figures on visitor numbers or vendor booth terms, so check with the organiser before committing.

Commerce Ministry's 9-day vegetarian festival promotion runs 10-18 October with up to 50% off 852 items Prachachat · Oct 9, 2026

The Commerce Ministry, with 45 partners including Tops, Big C, Lotus's, Makro, Go Wholesale and 7-Eleven, runs a promotion from 10-18 October 2026 with up to 50% off vegetarian ingredients, sauces, ready meals and Future Food products (drinks up to 45%). Vegetable prices are reported back near pre-flood levels, and pork, chicken and eggs are being watched for supply. Food sellers can look at listing or supplying into these channels during the festival week; the article gives no detail on how small suppliers apply.

Social Security board election on 11 Oct 2026: employers must bring documents to vote Prachachat · Oct 9, 2026

The Social Security Office's board election is on Sunday 11 October 2026, 08:00–16:00. Employers who are individuals can vote with their ID card or a digital ID app (ThaID, digital driving licence). Companies must send an authorised person with a letter of authorisation and a company registration certificate issued within 6 months, or a DBD e-Certificate. The DBD Data Warehouse printout is not accepted. One representative can vote for only one company. Questions: 0-2956-2929 or hotline 1506 press 9.

Japan's new price hikes on 3,000 consumer goods show how weak yen and costs are spreading Prachachat · Oct 9, 2026

Japanese food, drink and consumer goods makers raised prices on over 3,000 items from 1 October 2026, citing logistics, energy and wage costs plus a weak yen. Japan's producer prices were up 7.6% year on year in August, and import prices have risen over 20% annually since April. For Thai SMEs this is background: Japanese-made goods and tourist prices in Japan may rise, and if you import Japanese inputs or packaging, expect supplier price pressure. No action is needed this month.

SNNP says Bento factory fire is under control with no injuries and stock supply intact The Standard Wealth · Oct 9, 2026

Snack maker SNNP says a fire at its Bento plant in Samut Sakhon is contained, with no reported casualties. It says it holds about one month of inventory and can shift production to its Vietnam plant, and that its property and goods are insured. The cause is still under investigation. This is the company's second fire in about a month, after an earlier one at a chicken-snack plant in Bangkok. For a Thai SME, the lesson is practical: check your own insurance coverage for stock and property, and have a backup supplier or production plan for critical products.

Flood disruption to Japanese carmakers is becoming a recurring risk, so review your supply-chain and staff-commute continuity plans The Standard Wealth · Oct 9, 2026

Toyota halted three Thai plants until 10 October and Honda and Mitsubishi paused until 9 October, after floods cut parts deliveries from suppliers such as Takebe Tekkosho in Chonburi. Suppliers in the east say dam and reservoir levels remain high, so disruption could last. Industry body FTI may revise its 2026 forecast of 1.45 million vehicles. For SMEs in auto supply chains, this means checking flood exposure at your site and your key staff's commute routes, and having a backup supplier or buffer stock. Amata says its Chonburi estate was still accessible on 7 October.