Archive

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.

Transit passengers at four airports can soon leave for free tours, so nearby tourism and food operators should plan for them Prachachat · Oct 9, 2026

Thailand's transport and tourism ministries signed an MoU for the Amazing Thailand Transfer Passenger Privilege, aimed at travellers with 6-8 hours (up to 24) between flights. Service starts early 2027 at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket and Krabi, with Hat Yai possibly later. TAT plans three free-of-charge routes: Gastronomy (Thai food and street food), Cultural (Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, old towns), and Health & Wellness (massage and spa). Restaurants, shops, and local tour and spa operators near these airports may get new walk-in customers. No sign-up, fees, or eligibility rules have been announced yet.

Bangkok train fares capped at 17 to 45 baht from Jan 1, subsidy up to B5.8 billion Bangkok Post · Oct 9, 2026

The Transport Ministry will seek cabinet approval next month for a B5-5.8 billion subsidy so electric train fares are capped at 17-45 baht per trip, with the government refunding the difference through the Pao Tang app. The uniform fare scheme is expected to start Jan 1, with payment-system linking taking six months to a year. Only Thai nationals qualify, so foreign customers pay full fare. Staff commuting costs may fall for Thai employees, and the scheme does not change BTS or BEM fare structures. Watch for the cabinet decision and the app rollout.

Draft PDP 2026 may extend old power plant contracts by 7 years, keeping electricity supply steady until new capacity arrives Prachachat · Oct 9, 2026

The draft PDP 2026 may extend some ageing IPP and SPP power plant contracts by 7 years, selected case by case with EEC plants first. Officials say power tariffs after renewal are expected to stay close to current levels, but no formal details have been discussed yet. For a Thai SME, this is background on the power-supply outlook: data-centre demand is rising and new gas plants take years to build. Watch the tariff (Ft) outcome, and factor in that supply stability is the government's priority over the next few years.

Election Commission sets limits on party and MP disaster donations: up to 3 million baht for parties, 300,000 baht for individual office-holders Prachachat · Oct 9, 2026

The Election Commission explains how political parties and MPs may give money or goods to disaster victims without it counting as election spending. Parties can give up to 3 million baht per occasion; party office-holders and MPs up to 300,000 baht; customary gifts up to 3,000 baht. Amounts above these limits can be counted against the party's future election expenses. For a small business, this matters only if you are asked to donate or sponsor relief through a political channel, or if you are a party office-holder yourself.

Phuket hotels face October deadline to file missing papers or risk closure Prachachat · Oct 9, 2026

Phuket tourism fell slightly in January-August 2026: 9.2 million visitors (down 1.76%), and hotel occupancy averaged 66.2% (down 1.44%). Foreign tourist revenue slipped 1.19%. Most hotels are back in the licensing system, but about 40 applications for renewal are still pending for missing documents such as EIA reports or building-safety certificates. The province wants them filed by October. Five hotels were ordered temporarily closed; others have 30 days to fix structures. Small and boutique hotels (300-400) are waiting on a ministry rule change on setbacks, parking and fire exits. If you run a hotel or guesthouse in Phuket, check your licence and papers now before high season.

Cassava disease crackdown: 664.8m baht proposed for clean cuttings and 0% loans in three provinces Prachachat · Oct 9, 2026

The Agriculture Ministry is proposing 664.794m baht from the central budget to supply clean cassava cuttings covering 100,000 rai, starting with a pilot Sandbox in Nakhon Ratchasima, Sisaket and Kanchanaburi. A separate 154.485m baht fund would give 0% interest loans for three years, up to 50,000 baht per farmer, for installing drip irrigation. Online and postal sales of infected cuttings are to be tightened. Three new disease-resistant varieties are due in early 2027, yielding 6-8 tonnes per rai. If you buy or sell cassava or cassava-linked inputs, watch the pilot provinces and check whether the funds are approved; the budget is still a proposal.

Farm support plan for 4.69 million rice households goes to the national rice board next Prachachat · Oct 9, 2026

The agriculture ministry's sub-committee has approved in principle two aid packages for the 2026/27 main-season rice crop, not yet final. Option 1: 1,000 baht per rai for management and quality costs, up to 10 rai (10,000 baht) per household, for about 4.69 million registered households. Option 2: 50% compensation of the gap when market prices fall below the guarantee price, across five rice groups, using a 7-day average price. The plan now goes to the National Rice Policy Board. Rice-selling or rice-supplying businesses should watch prices and the final approval; farm-input and rice-mill customers may see shifts in farmer cash flow.

Flooding Hits Demand and Cash Flow for Thai SMEs, SCB EIC Says Prachachat · Oct 9, 2026

SCB EIC estimates floods from 16 Sep to 7 Oct 2026 affected about 1.48 million households (around 6%) and 1.69 million workers, with Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Nayok, Chonburi, Chachoengsao, Prachin Buri and Ayutthaya most exposed. It cuts GDP growth by 0.05-0.1% in the base case, and up to 0.25% if Bangkok's inner flood barrier is breached again. Expect weaker demand in retail, restaurants, tourism and property, delivery delays in supply chains, and repair costs. Small firms with limited cash reserves are most at risk, so review cash runway and credit lines now. Demand for flood-protection materials and repairs may offer opportunities.

SEC proposes 5-year experience rule for internal auditors of IPO and SPO firms Prachachat · Oct 9, 2026

The SEC is consulting on draft rules for internal auditors at companies doing an IPO or SPO: a recognised internal audit certificate, at least 5 years of relevant work experience including 3 years in internal audit, and public disclosure of auditor details. Effective 1 Jan 2028 (the article says 2571 BE), with disclosure in Form 69-1 or 56-1 One Report. Comments are open until 9 Nov 2026. Only relevant if your business is planning to list or raise capital from the public; otherwise it is background.

Flood-hit factories get a proposed multi-billion-baht SME loan package, so check your eligibility Prachachat · Oct 9, 2026

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and the Ministry of Industry are working to get a loan package worth tens of billions of baht for flood-hit SMEs, covering working capital, machinery repair and payroll. The amount and terms are still subject to agency approval, so nothing is available yet. About 2,000 operators in 14 provinces, mainly central and eastern, have been hit. If you are affected, document damage to machinery and premises now, and watch for the terms. FTI also signed an MOU with SME D Bank to improve SME access to funding.

Flood victims can claim under the national disaster insurance policy, first payout is 2 million baht per death Prachachat · Oct 9, 2026

The Office of Insurance Commission (คปภ.) says the national disaster insurance policy will pay its first death claim, 2 million baht, for a woman killed by flood water in Chiang Mai on 5 October 2026. The OIC says claims will be settled within 15 days of the insurer receiving complete documents. Owners in flood-prone areas, including Chiang Mai and Lamphun, should check whether their business premises, staff and farmland fall under the scheme and ask their insurer or the OIC hotline 1186 about eligibility and documents needed.

Condo loan rejections hit 40% at one developer, and Q4 discounts of 10-20% may follow in oversupplied areas Prachachat · Oct 9, 2026

Origin Property's CEO says loan rejections on its condos reached 40% this year, mostly on sub-3 million baht units bought by first-time buyers with no credit history. Developers are pushing Q4 promotions, bundled bank interest packages and discounts, and resold units are common. Where stock is high, prices could fall 10-20%. For a Thai SME: if you sell property or plan to buy, expect more aggressive deals before year-end. Buyers should check loan pre-approval early. Landlords see strong rental demand near EEC factories and data centres, with 7-8% gross yields reported.

Creator content and ads still lack a national standard; the guideline is due by end-2026 Prachachat · Oct 9, 2026

The Thailand Content Creator Association says Thais rank first in the world for getting news from creators and fifth for buying on creator recommendations, but no official standard covers content or advertising yet. A full guideline is targeted for end-2026, with official use planned for 2027. The association has no legal enforcement power; the guideline is voluntary and may be used by the Ministry of Public Health if it adds rules later. If you pay creators to promote food, supplements, drinks or products, check claims and alcohol-ad limits yourself for now, and put compliance terms in your creator contracts.

Flood waters recede in Chachoengsao and Prachin Buri as relief payments roll out in batches Bangkok Post · Oct 9, 2026

PM Anutin says flood waters in Chachoengsao and Prachin Buri are receding and drainage will be accelerated, with clean-up of rubbish a priority in Bangkok once water drops. About 11,000 households have received relief, and agencies will submit verified recipient lists in batches rather than waiting for the full count. Flood-hit businesses should check whether they are on local recipient lists, and plan for clean-up, possible road disruption and slower deliveries in affected areas. Officials warn that payments made in error are hard to recover, so verify eligibility carefully.

Floods in 2026: prices holding for now, but household incomes and savings are under pressure Prachachat · Oct 9, 2026

The Department of Internal Trade says floods have not yet pushed prices up broadly: over 70% of tracked modern-trade items were stable in late September, while 16.9% fell and 12.4% rose. Fresh leafy vegetables (morning glory, holy basil, sweet basil) are the exception, though wholesale prices are now easing. Eggs need watching: the ministry has asked egg exporters to delay shipments and farms to hold farm-gate prices. The bigger risk for your business is demand: flood-hit households face lower income and higher repair and travel costs, and in the 2011 floods 53.4% drew on savings. Plan for softer local sales in affected areas. The "Thai Help Thai, Blue Flag, Cost of Living" campaign starts 12 October at over 1,000 locations nationwide.

Thai regulator's AI screen missed an online gambling site, and blocking now takes about four days Bangkok Post · Oct 9, 2026

DES blocked Shuffle.com after police requested it, but its AI screening missed the site because it had few Thai users. The ministry is reviewing detection criteria, and the website-blocking process now takes about four days, with a court order in about three. Overseas platforms remain hard to get removed. For a business owner, the main point is that online gambling and related sites may be blocked faster now, and that the regulator is tightening monitoring of illegal websites. Nothing here changes day-to-day operations for most SMEs.