Archive
October 9, 2026
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Thai Gold Traders Association prices on 9 Oct 2026 (announcement 1, reported 09:03): gold up 550 baht versus the previous close. Bar gold buy-back 66,100 baht, sell-out 66,300 baht. Jewellery (96.5%) buy-back 64,778.68 baht, sell-out 67,100 baht. Global spot gold is USD 4,173 per ounce. If you buy or sell gold stock or trade-in jewellery, check the spread between buy-back and sell-out before you transact, since it is wide on jewellery.
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The baht opened at 33.66 per US dollar on 9 Oct 2026, stronger than the previous close of 33.70. TTB expects a 24-hour range of 33.50–33.80. The move follows a weaker dollar after the US Fed was expected to hold rates this month, while markets price about 81% odds of a hike in December. Foreign investors sold net THB 6.36bn of Thai stocks and THB 682m of Thai bonds the previous day. For importers and exporters, this is a small, short-term move: check your USD payment and receipt timing, but no major pricing change is needed from this single day's data.
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Bangchak's posted prices for 9 October 2026: High Diesel S 42.94 baht/litre, B20 37.19 baht, Gasohol 95 41.44 baht, Gasohol 91 41.07 baht, Gasohol E20 35.69 baht. Prices exclude the Bangkok local land tax and take effect at 05:00 the next day. Check the pump price before budgeting fuel for delivery vehicles or generators, since the B20 gap versus High Diesel S is about 5.75 baht a litre.
October 8, 2026
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Thai shrimp output was about 280,000 tonnes in 2025, and the Thai Shrimp Association expects lower production this year. Malaysia has barred Thai shrimp imports since June, and with low global prices, farm-gate prices are falling and some farmers are losing money or postponing new cycles. Flooding in central and eastern provinces, especially Chachoengsao, has added initial losses of 5,000 tonnes or more. If you supply, buy from, or lend to shrimp farms, review your exposure to lower prices, reduced volumes and possible payment delays this quarter.
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Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva asked the Interior Ministry to investigate the BMA's cancellation of the Khu Bon retention pond, alleging land bought in 2024 from a firm linked to a City Hall adviser. He also questioned zoning changes that would cut green space in the zone from 240 rai to 50 rai. This is political allegation at this stage, with no finding yet. For a Thai SME it signals possible flood-management and zoning shifts in eastern Bangkok, relevant mainly if your premises or land sits in that area.
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The Office of the Insurance Commission says first-half 2026 premiums reached 492 billion baht (up 4.12%), with non-life premiums at 150 billion baht. Flood claims this year are estimated at 10-11 billion baht, and about 30,000 vehicles have been reported. The regulator says actual losses, including uninsured ones, could be twice as high. For a small business, this is a reason to check whether factory, stock, vehicle and business-interruption cover is in place and current. The government disaster scheme charges 500 baht per household and covers house structure up to 100,000 baht, but excludes air conditioners, movable furniture and appliances.
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The Deputy PM says authorities are speeding up revisions to renewable power purchase agreements, especially with small and very small power producers, to lower electricity tariffs. Proposals go to the National Energy Policy Council, then to the Attorney General for a standard contract framework. An initial offer to cut purchase rates from about 3 baht to 2.15 baht per unit was accepted by only 2-3% of nearly 500 targeted operators. For most SMEs this is a background policy shift: electricity rates may come down over time, but no immediate action is required unless you are a rooftop solar or small power producer with a contract up for renewal.
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The Bank of Thailand says the flooding will last longer and reach more areas beyond Bangkok than first estimated, weighing on GDP this year. It expects SMEs and households to need extra loans for repairs and business recovery, and has asked banks to offer relief. Flood-hit owners should talk to their bank now about relief or repair loans. The SME Credit Portal is due to open by December, and the expanded SME Credit Boost guarantee scheme is expected in Q1 of next year. The Data Exchange Bureau, which uses alternative data for borrowers without regular income, is due around mid-to-late next year.
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The opposition has filed a no-confidence motion against PM Anutin Charnvirakul and 17 ministers, citing Senate election collusion, exam fraud and handling of flooding. Opposition parties asked for five days of debate, and MPs will vote after it. For a small business owner, nothing changes yet. Watch for a possible government shake-up, and for any new policy on grey capital, the cost of living or transport, since those are the issues the motion raises.
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The Revenue Department's draft Departure Tax Act proposes a 1,000-baht levy per trip on all departing passengers, Thai and foreign, initially for air travel. Public hearing runs 29 Sept to 29 Oct. Travel agents (Atta) are petitioning the Finance Ministry to delay it, warning of higher costs for budget trips, business travel and tourist demand. If your business relies on travel, tours, or frequent business trips, submit comments before 29 Oct and factor in possible higher airfares and softer demand. The draft is still under consultation and not yet law.
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The Central Bankruptcy Court ordered JKN Global Group Public Company Limited into absolute receivership on 25 August 2026. The Official Receivers' notice was published in the Royal Gazette on 1 October 2026. Creditors must file claims with the Official Receiver within 2 months of that publication date, so roughly by 1 December 2026. Anyone holding JKN's debts or assets must report them to the Official Receiver within one month of learning of the order. If your business is owed money by JKN or has been a supplier or contractor to it, check your receivables now and prepare the claim documents. Missing the deadline can cost you the recovery.
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The BoT governor announced plans to cut the cost of credit access for SMEs. NCB would let data owners check their own credit history free twice a year; the official announcement is expected in about 2-3 months. A new Data Exchange Bureau, targeted for mid-2027, would use alternative data such as utility bills, merchant payment records and deposits to assess income for self-employed and non-salaried SMEs. An SME Credit Portal is expected before end-2026, and a permanent loan guarantee scheme (building on Credit Boost, which lent 80,000 million baht in six months) starts Q1 2027 with a 100,000 million baht annual SME target. Practical step: keep utility, merchant payment and deposit records organised, and check your own credit report once the free service opens.
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The draft law sets a cap of 5,000 baht per trip, and the first phase proposes 1,000 baht per air trip, collected by airlines and ticket agents with the fare. A Chula economist argues the real burden depends on how far airlines can pass it on to fares. Thin-margin low-cost routes may be cut, and the cost could reach hotels, tour operators, restaurants and provincial tourism businesses. If your business depends on short-haul travellers or tourism, watch the consultation and plan for softer demand, not just a higher ticket price.
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Several agencies, including the Revenue Department, Land Department, AMLO and Business Development Department, searched three Bangkok buildings linked to Israelis as part of a probe into foreigners' business activities. Officials cite 61 companies registered at one address, and undocumented workers were found. Relevant for Thai SME owners mainly as a sign that registration addresses, foreign shareholding and worker permits are being checked closely. No direct change to rules is announced.
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The SET fell 2.3% in September to 1,559.01 points as foreign investors net-sold 26,328 million baht, though they remain net buyers of 24,856 million baht for the first nine months of 2026. Pressure cited: flood concerns, high energy prices, inflation, and Fed-driven bond yields. For a small business this is market background, not a trigger to act. Only relevant if you hold listed shares or plan to raise capital via the stock market.
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An expert from Kalasin University warns that the invasive tilapia (ปลาหมอคางดำ) has been in the Lam Pao reservoir for over a year and may spread into tributaries and the Chi-Phong basin as wind shifts in October and flood waters rise. Thai commentary estimates 2,500 million baht in damage to aquaculture, but the figure is not yet backed by published research. For Isan fish farmers and anyone buying fish from the Lam Pao area, this means watching for the yellowish-colored fish, avoiding releasing or moving live fish, and checking supply from affected waters.
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The Bank of Thailand says only 21% of the strongest 30% of SMEs get bank credit, and SME lending has shrunk for 16 quarters. Three measures are coming: a Credit Portal matching SMEs with lenders (launch December, expansion Q1 2027); a 5-year permanent loan guarantee fund aiming at about THB 100bn a year for strong SMEs (ready Q1 2027); and an alternative data bureau using utility bills and payment history (mid-to-late 2027). For owners, start keeping clean payment records, utility and transfer history, and bank statements now, since the new scoring will use them. Flood damage is also raising debt, so BOT is asking banks to help affected firms.
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Flooding in Samut Prakan hit the areas around Thai Agri Foods' plant, though the factory kept producing. Deputy PM Supachai Suthammaphan urged firms to prepare emergency plans with tiers, from normal conditions to worse-than-forecast cases, and to rehearse them regularly. Government offers help: the Department of International Trade Promotion can liaise with buyers and transport problems (sea, rail, road, air); the Department of Internal Trade can help source raw materials and link farmers via contract farming; the Department of Business Development offers online services if travel is restricted. Firms in flood-risk zones may be assessed by the ministry, so register issues early.
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The National Savings Fund (กอช.) now lets members set up monthly auto-debit through its app, from KBank or Krungthai accounts. Deductions run on the 5th of each month, between 100 and 2,500 baht. Government top-ups reach up to 100% or 1,800 baht a year, depending on age. Owners and staff who are members can set this up to avoid missed contributions. If a bank fails to debit for more than 6 months, the auto-debit is cancelled automatically.
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The SET is considering reclassifying Total Return Swap trades from foreign (F) to broker proprietary (P) accounts, which would lower reported foreign trading value and shift broker market shares. The SET says actual trades and foreign net buying are largely unchanged, and TRS is allowed under existing rules. Data back to early 2025 may be restated. Discussion with brokers is set for 28 October 2026. For a typical SME owner this is background only: no action is needed unless you work with listed-stock investing or follow SET fund-flow data.