Archive

Finance minister lays out STI economic plan: rooftop solar and EV investment are the priorities for SMEs Bangkok Post · Oct 6, 2026

Finance Minister Ekniti outlined the STI strategy (Stabilise Today, Transition Now, Investment for Tomorrow). Rating agencies moved Thailand's outlook from negative to stable. The government wants rooftop solar for households, with surplus power sold to EGAT via the smart grid, and has named seven priority sectors: smart agriculture and food processing, smart electronics, EVs, wellness and medical, quality tourism, logistics and retail, and the creative economy. BoI promotion applications reached 1.47 trillion baht last year, up nearly 40%. No specific new rules, subsidies or deadlines were announced in this article. For an SME, the practical signal is to watch whether your sector is on the list and whether rooftop solar support is announced in detail.

National cyber report flags AI-enabled attacks as Thailand's top risk, with backups and vendor checks advised Bangkok Post · Oct 6, 2026

Thailand's National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) 2026 risk report ranks AI-enabled attacks as the top cyber risk over the next two years, ahead of ransomware, software vulnerabilities and phishing. For a small business, the practical steps are: keep backups isolated from your main systems and test restores regularly; limit AI tools' access to what they need and keep a person approving consequential AI-driven actions; list the AI tools and software vendors you rely on; and ask key service providers what security they maintain. The report warns that a breach at a shared provider can spread to many businesses.

Bangkok condo market turns to buyers' market after floods delay 1,000+ units Bangkok Post · Oct 6, 2026

Savills says floods have weakened homebuyer confidence and pushed developers to delay launches of more than 1,000 Bangkok condo units. It expects about 20,000 new units this year (up 20% from 2025, still below pre-pandemic average) and a buyers' market through the rest of 2026, with some developers cutting completed-unit prices by over 50%. For a small business, this matters mainly if you supply construction, interiors, or property services, or are weighing property purchases or leases: expect slower new-project work and more price negotiation room.

Flood damage looks limited for most sectors, with factories near Chonburi the main exposure Bangkok Post · Oct 6, 2026

Bualuang Securities estimates the latest floods cut SET earnings by no more than 2% and GDP by no more than 0.1%, assuming the situation does not drag on or spread to major production bases. Commerce earnings are seen down no more than 2%, and banks 1–2% from higher loan provisions. About 150 factories at Amata City Chonburi are affected, with 34 halted temporarily. Electronics faces more logistics and supply-chain disruption than direct damage. If you supply or sell to factories in the eastern industrial estates, check delivery and payment timing. Otherwise, the broad impact looks small, though the forecast depends on floods not lasting or spreading.

Flood relief payouts start this week, but apply via Tang Rat app now Bangkok Post · Oct 6, 2026

The PM ordered the first flood relief payments to reach households this week, paid as verified claims clear without waiting for nationwide processing. Under the cabinet scheme, flooded homes qualify for 9,000 baht (5,000 baht for high-rise residents surrounded by water for 7+ days). Register or amend details in the Tang Rat app under "My Requests", and check your registered location and disaster dates, since homes outside designated areas must contact local authorities. Funding may be short, so more provinces may get top-ups. Expect more rain this week, including Bangkok and heavy rain in the South, so plan for drainage and stock protection.

Southern provinces face heavy rain on 5–7 and 11–13 October, flash-flood warning issued Bangkok Post · Oct 6, 2026

The government ordered southern governors and the Fourth Army Area to prepare for possible flooding after the Meteorological Department forecast heavy rain on Oct 5–7 and Oct 11–13, with flash floods and runoff from mountains possible. Officials are also reviewing the central-region flood-risk map, which will go to provincial authorities. If your business or stock is in the south, check stock storage, delivery routes and staff safety before the 11–13 Oct window, and follow official warnings.

Dams have room for more rain water, but Chao Phraya flood barriers are being rechecked Bangkok Post · Oct 6, 2026

The RID says Bhumibol dam is 68% full and Sirikit 81%, so there is room for more inflows. A 2,500 cubic metre per second discharge from the Chao Phraya dam has passed Bangkok without flooding, and river levels there are stable. Rain is possible in Kamphaeng Phet and Uthai Thani from Oct 5-11. If your premises or stock sit near riverside or low-lying areas in Nonthai, Pathum Thani or Ayutthaya, check your flood plan this week and keep stock off the floor.

Pandora's Vietnam plant puts Thai gem makers on notice; GIT sees 10% growth target still on track The Standard Wealth · Oct 5, 2026

GIT's director says Pandora's large Vietnam plant could meaningfully hit Thai jewellery production, though Thailand's cutting and quality-upgrading ecosystem still holds. Non-gold gem and jewellery exports grew nearly 10% and are expected to land near the 10% target this year. Risks: US tax rates that put Thailand at a disadvantage versus rivals would squeeze affordable mass-market silver and jewellery. For SMEs, watch US tariff terms and the RJC certification push, which GIT says needs about 5 years of adjustment and carries high upfront cost.

NESDC says flood damage will hit Q4 GDP, not Q3, so plan for weaker Oct–Dec demand and supply disruption The Standard Wealth · Oct 5, 2026

The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) says flooding damage is mainly in agriculture, with some factories hit. Q3 GDP (due in November) will not show it; the impact is expected in Q4 (Oct–Dec). NESDC is still mapping damage across supply chains and which factories are affected. Flood-hit areas include Prachin Buri. Practical steps: check your suppliers and logistics routes now, and plan for softer Oct–Dec sales. Government relief: flood cash aid of 9,000 baht per household and up to 49,500 baht for house repairs; Bangkok raised its repair cap to 88,600 baht from 2 Oct 2026. A state flood insurance scheme covering 30 million households started 1 Oct 2026.

State moves to rewrite private power purchase contracts after only 3% of producers accept new terms Prachachat · Oct 5, 2026

Only about 2-3% of the 400-500 private power producers with contracts due for revision accepted the state's new terms. The Energy Policy Office (สนพ.) is recalculating a lower step-down purchase rate, from about 3 baht per unit (including Ft) to a proposed 2.15 baht, for the National Energy Policy Committee to approve. The government says it will terminate contracts under existing clauses if producers refuse to negotiate. Relevant mainly to SPP, VSPP, Non-Firm and solar producers, and to businesses that buy from or supply them. Expect a new standard contract and rate framework in the coming months.

Insurance agent and broker licences expiring 25 Sep–31 Dec 2026 can be renewed late if flood-hit Prachachat · Oct 5, 2026

The Office of Insurance Commission (คปภ.) has eased licence renewal for individual insurance agents and brokers affected by the floods. If your licence expires between 25 September and 31 December 2026, you can file for an extension within 15 days after the flood ends, and no later than 31 December 2026. Check the OIC Q&A or call the insurance intermediary hotline (02-515-3995-9 ext. 1008, 1118-1121) if you need help. This only matters if you or your staff sell insurance and were hit by the floods.

Bangkok hosts the IMF-World Bank meetings in October 2026, bringing about 10,000 visitors and possible airport and visa snags Prachachat · Oct 5, 2026

The government says it is ready to host the IMF-World Bank 2026 meetings in about one week, with about 191 countries attending and roughly 10,000 participants expected. Officials expect investment and economic benefits but gave no figures. The PM has told Airports of Thailand and airlines to avoid baggage and check-in problems, and visa and immigration handling is a priority. For a small business, the practical effects are likely to be temporary: possible traffic, hotel and airport congestion around the meetings, and possible demand for hospitality and transport in Bangkok. No concrete measures for SMEs were announced.

Flooding now hits 26 provinces and Bangkok, so check stock, staff access and delivery routes this week Bangkok Post · Oct 5, 2026

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reports flooding in parts of Bangkok and 26 provinces, mostly the Central Plain, affecting about 3.52 million people. Worst-hit areas include Ayutthaya, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Suphan Buri and Chachoengsao, with some levels still rising while others recede. For a small business, expect disrupted roads, supply deliveries and staff commuting in these areas. Move stock off the floor, confirm alternative transport routes, and check your insurance coverage for flood damage.

Flood hit cuts 2026 GDP by about 0.1%, while draft 14th plan targets 3%+ growth The Standard Wealth · Oct 5, 2026

SCB EIC says flooding across about 32 provinces (over 1.3 million households and small businesses affected) will drag Q3 2026 GDP by about 0.3%, trimming the full-year 2026 forecast by about 0.1% from 2.2%, with repair work expected to support Q4. Revised statistics also show manufacturing output (MPI) growing above 4% and the trade balance turning positive. The draft National Plan No. 14 (2026–2030, rollout from October 2026) targets growth above 3% and lifts seven target industries (processed agriculture, modern automotive, technology, wellness tourism, creative economy, etc.) to about 38% of GDP. For planning: expect a soft Q3 and a rebound in Q4 for flood-hit businesses, and watch the plan's target sectors for future support.

Heavy rain due this week in eastern Bangkok: check flood exposure and stock now Bangkok Post · Oct 5, 2026

Authorities are speeding up canal drainage and adding pumps in eastern Bangkok (Lat Krabang, Sai Mai, Saphan Sung, Klong Sam Wa) ahead of heavy rain forecast for Monday, Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday. Chalong Krung Road in Lat Krabang and Nong Chok remains deeply flooded, so avoid it for deliveries and staff travel. The Chao Phraya is 1.28m below the embankments, so river overflow is not the immediate threat. If your shop or warehouse is in these districts, move stock off the floor and plan for access disruption. Flood compensation and relief registration is open via the Thang Rath app, and more than 14,000 claims have been filed.

Floods hit farmland in 43 provinces, with 1.66 million rai damaged, mostly rice Prachachat · Oct 5, 2026

Flooding between 3 September and 4 October 2026 has hit farmland in 43 provinces, with about 1.66 million rai expected to be damaged, 1.33 million of it rice. 24 provinces have already been declared aid zones, and more are expected. Aid requires a farmer registry book (สมุดทะเบียนเกษตรกร) and damage confirmed by inspection, capped at 30 rai per farmer. The Department of Agricultural Extension plans soil restoration and short-cycle seed distribution after the water recedes. If you buy rice, vegetables or produce from affected areas, expect supply shortages and price pressure; if you source from farmers, check their registration and damage status.

Proposal to move Thai PBS, Thai Health Promotion and three other funds off sin-tax money sparks debate Prachachat · Oct 5, 2026

A proposed law change would move four funds (Thai PBS, Thai Health Promotion Foundation (สสส.), the National Sports Development Fund and the elderly fund) from earmarked sin-tax levies on alcohol and tobacco to the annual state budget. Academics at a Thai PBS forum argued the 1.5% levy is an extra fee on producers, not a share of excise tax, and the funds total about 14,000 million baht (about 0.5% of the budget). Critics warn annual budget funding could expose the bodies to political pressure. No change applies to a business yet; the proposal is still being debated.

Chao Phraya flows held at 2,500 cu m/s before new rain; Bangkok and Nonthaburi dikes not expected to overflow Prachachat · Oct 5, 2026

The Irrigation Department will keep releasing 2,500 cu m/s from the Chao Phraya dam to pre-drain before extra rain forecast for 5-6 and 11-12 Oct. It says current flows will not overtop dikes in Bangkok, Nonthaburi or Samut Prakan, but low-lying areas and riverside communities still face impact. East side (Prachinburi, Chachoengsao) may take 2-3 weeks to recede; Tha Chin basin flooding may last about a month. If your premises or stock sit in low-lying or riverside areas, check flood readiness and delivery routes this week.

PM urges flood evacuees to leave pets behind, sparking backlash from pet owners Bangkok Post · Oct 5, 2026

PM Anutin told flood victims to prioritise evacuating people and leave pets to local authorities, saying animals at shelters often disturb other evacuees. Pet lovers pushed back online, and a law lecturer proposed separate pet zones at relief centres, as Thammasat did in 2011. For a small business, the practical point is that flood plans for staff and families may need to cover pets, and shelter arrangements for pets could change. Government says the message was about moving quickly, not a policy on animal welfare.

Flood watch for 5-7 October covers Bangkok, the central plains and the East; move stock and vehicles off low ground now Prachachat · Oct 5, 2026

The National Water Resources Office (สทนช.) issued Notice No. 9/2569 warning of flash floods, waterlogging, river overflow and landslides from 5-7 October 2569 (2026). Bangkok and its vicinity, the central provinces, the East (including Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong) and parts of the North and South are named. Large reservoirs above 80% capacity are being watched, and the Chao Phraya is releasing 2,500 cubic metres per second. For a shop or workshop in a low-lying area: move stock, equipment and vehicles up, check drainage, and plan for possible evacuation if warnings escalate. Follow the alerts closely.