Archive

Bangkok floods show SMEs need their own continuity plan, as the state response stays thin Bangkok Post · Oct 5, 2026

Recent flash floods in Bangkok disrupted Thai Airways ground staff and left workers unable to reach work. Tanit Sorat, vice-chairman of the Employers' Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry, says businesses should plan for worst-case scenarios: arrange transport to pick staff up from home, and arrange temporary housing for staff in severe cases, as V-Serve did in 2011. He urges authorities to give timely warnings and specific instructions to companies. Property consultancy Cushman & Wakefield Thailand says buyers may avoid flood-hit areas, as they did in 2011, so developers are reassessing locations. For a small firm, the practical step is a flood plan covering staff transport, backup work arrangements and communication.

Analysts see Q4 2026 tourism recovering, with Chinese and short-haul arrivals leading Bangkok Post · Oct 5, 2026

Brokers expect Q4 2026 foreign arrivals to rise, helped by Chinese demand, 14 new air routes added in August and flat seat capacity versus a 5% contraction in Q3. August arrivals fell 3% year-on-year, a smaller drop than June's 21% annualised fall. Southeast Asian arrivals were down 13%, mainly Cambodia and Malaysia. The 4-billion-baht tourism stimulus reportedly slipped from late 2026 to around April 2027, which could help hotels in the low season. For hotels and tour operators, plan for a modest Q4 lift, with China the main source of growth. Watch the IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok on Oct 12-18.

160-billion-baht flood diversion scheme approved, but expert questions its route and cost Bangkok Post · Oct 5, 2026

Cabinet approved the 160-billion-baht Chai Nat–Pasak–Gulf diversion scheme on 29 Sept 2026. Construction is due to start in fiscal 2027 and take eight years. About 70% will be borrowed and 30% from the budget. NESDC review and land-expropriation disputes could delay it. For a small firm, this is a long-run item: watch for land acquisition and construction-sector demand in Saraburi, Nakhon Nayok and Chachoengsao, and flood-risk planning for sites in the Chao Phraya Basin.

Floods cost Thai businesses 7-17 billion baht, so review your continuity plan now Bangkok Post · Oct 5, 2026

K-Research estimates the late September 2026 flooding in Bangkok, nearby provinces and more than 20 other provinces will cause 7-17 billion baht in economic damage. The initial disruption may last 3-7 days, hitting retail, restaurants, services, transport and small businesses that depend on customers visiting their premises. Impact could grow if floods persist or reach factories, industrial estates, or supply chains. K-Research advises operators to strengthen business continuity plans and says insurance and financial tools will matter for spreading risk. Day labourers may also lose income during the disruption.

Flood warnings cover Bangkok, Chao Phraya and southern provinces this week Bangkok Post · Oct 4, 2026

Flood warnings are out for Chao Phraya basin provinces including Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Ayutthaya and Samut Prakan, plus Phetchaburi, Chachoengsao and Samut Songkhram. Officials expect more rain next Saturday in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, the south and Chachoengsao, and heavy rain across the South this week. About 3.26 million people are affected across 27 provinces plus Bangkok. For a Thai SME: check stock and equipment storage on low ground, plan delivery routes around the flooded roads named (Chao Khun Thahan, Chalong Krung, Luang Phaeng, Lat Krabang), and watch for government announcements before shipping to affected areas.

AI-made food photos are saving restaurants money but can put customers off, a US backlash shows The Standard Wealth · Oct 4, 2026

US restaurants are using AI-generated food images for menus, takeaway and ads to cut photography costs. Customers often found the results unappetising, uncanny or even hostile: one San Francisco cafe took its AI sandwich signs down after online backlash and vandalism. One owner says AI ads are cost-effective and attract younger customers, while others call them a temporary fix. For a Thai shop, the practical point is to use real photos of your own food for anything customers judge on appearance, and to test any AI visuals before printing them.

Bangkok's new city plan redraws flood zones, so check if your land or premises sit in the east or west flood-way changes Prachachat · Oct 4, 2026

Bangkok's draft city plan (4th revision) is open for a 90-day public comment period and is expected to take effect in 2027. The east-side flood way area drops from about 90,000 rai to about 30,000 rai, and the west-side green-stripe zone (about 40,000 rai) is removed. The new flood-water plan classifies areas as flood-prone every 10, 25 or 100 years and lists 126 canal-improvement and 121 water-retention sites. If you own or rent land or a shop in Bangkok, especially in Bang Kapi, Ram Khamhaeng, Saphan Mai, eastern Bangkok, Lat Phrao, Bueng Thong Lang, Min Buri or Ramkhamhaeng, check the zoning map and file any objection within the 90-day window. Zoning changes affect what you can build and your flood exposure.

Google limits free Gemini users to the smallest model from October Blognone · Oct 4, 2026

Google updated its usage terms from October 2026. Free Gemini users can only use the Flash-lite model. The AI Plus paid tier gets Flash-lite and Flash but not Pro. Pro-tier and Ultra users get every model, with low, medium and high effort settings that change token use. If your team relies on free Gemini accounts for customer replies or documents, check which model you actually have access to, since output quality and token costs may shift. Otherwise, no action is needed.

Eastern Bangkok flood drainage is slow, but no new flooding is forecast this week Bangkok Post · Oct 4, 2026

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said on Sunday that drainage is slow in Lat Krabang, Rom Klao and Saphan Sung because Khlong Prawet Burirom is still critically high. Forecasts show no immediate risk of fresh flooding, with about 30mm of normal monsoon rain expected. Pumps are working and drainage in Lat Krabang should speed up from Monday. If your premises or stock are in these eastern districts, expect access, delivery and stock-loss disruption for some days, and check that your goods and equipment are raised or moved if rain comes. The northern flood surge on the Chao Phraya is reported as normal and manageable this year.

Eastern Bangkok floodwater drains slowly, but governor sees no new flood risk this week Bangkok Post · Oct 4, 2026

Flooding in Lat Krabang, Rom Klao and Saphan Sung is draining slowly because Khlong Prawet Burirom is still critically high. Governor Chadchart says drainage speeds up from Monday and forecast rain of about 30mm is normal monsoon rain, far below the 300mm that caused the latest flood. The northern flood surge on the Chao Phraya is at normal levels this year. For businesses in eastern Bangkok, expect access and delivery disruption in low-lying areas for some days, and plan stock and staff movement accordingly. The article gives no firm end date for the drainage.

YouTube Shorts will recommend less reposted clips with no original input Blognone · Oct 4, 2026

YouTube is changing its Shorts feed so it recommends fewer videos that re-upload other people's clips without adding anything. Channels that repost others' footage should add their own commentary, distinctive editing, or a new storytelling angle. If your business posts Shorts that reuse other creators' videos or generic templates, expect lower reach and plan to make original content instead.

Commerce Ministry asks exporters to slow 30-50% for 2-3 weeks as flood relief takes priority Prachachat · Oct 4, 2026

Deputy PM Supachai Thammapan asked exporters to voluntarily slow shipments by at least 30-50% for 2-3 weeks so domestic supply, especially fresh produce and eggs in flood areas, is covered. The ministry is monitoring egg and vegetable volumes weekly with farm associations and retailers, and cracking down on hoarding and price gouging (hotline 1569). A long-term "Thai Help Thai" low-cost goods programme at about 12,000 points nationwide is also planned. Exporters with delivery contracts should check buyer lead times now; domestic sellers in affected areas may face stock shortages and price scrutiny.

US Navy crew visit brings about 5,100 sailors to Phuket for six days Bangkok Post · Oct 4, 2026

Two US Navy ships with about 5,100 personnel are anchored off Phuket until Friday, with thousands of sailors going ashore on leave. Ferries will be busy shuttling crew, and police are preparing traffic and security measures. If you run a hotel, restaurant, tour, taxi or shop in Phuket or Wichit, expect a short spike in demand this week. A similar stop in Pattaya last month was estimated to bring about 100 million baht into the local economy.

Chao Phraya water levels easing, but Bangkok's eastern districts and Ayutthaya riverside still face flood risk this week Prachachat · Oct 4, 2026

The Water Resources Office (สทนช.) says Ping and Nan river inflows are falling, but Ayutthaya riverside areas may rise about 10 cm today (4 Oct) before water reaches Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Bangkok and Samut Prakan, where dikes are higher. Low-lying areas outside dikes may still be hit. Bangkok's eastern districts (Min Buri, Nong Chok, Prawet, Saphan Sung, Sai Mai, Lat Krabang) still have 20-30 cm standing water, with rain forecast 5-8 Oct. If your premises or stock are in low-lying or outside-dike areas, check protection and move goods now. 35,800 people have registered for relief with Bangkok.

Rubber wood supply tightens in the south as prices rise and some mills plan to relocate Prachachat · Oct 4, 2026

Rubber wood prices in the south have risen to about 2.30-2.60 baht/kg, versus the usual 1.70-1.80 in March-July, because farmers are delaying felling while rubber prices are good. Around 70% of southern rubber wood mills have slowed production lines, per one industry figure. Felling support is set to resume around October 2026 but the budget is limited, so supply may stay tight for months. If you buy or sell rubber wood, budget for higher input costs, and watch for supplier shortages or mill relocations to the north and northeast.

Bangkok flood clean-up moves to Prawet and Lat Krabang; report waterlogging to BMA for help Prachachat · Oct 4, 2026

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt reports flood water in Prawet and Lat Krabang is receding about 3-4 cm a day, with some areas still waterlogged, especially Lat Krabang. BMA is using pumps and five "ลุงถั่ว" boats to push water toward the Phra Khanong pumping station, and recovery has started in Khlong Chan, Bueng Kum and Mini Buri. If your premises or street still floods, report it to BMA officials for help. Also keep drain inlets in front of your shop or home clear of rubbish, since debris is clogging the pumps.

Bangkok Bank shuts Bualuang iBanking on 15 December: move standing transfers to the mobile app Blognone · Oct 4, 2026

Bangkok Bank is discontinuing Bualuang iBanking (its web internet banking) from 15 December 2026. All transactions move to the Bangkok Bank mobile app. Scheduled future-dated transactions set up on iBanking stop from 1 November 2026, and any still pending for 15 December are cancelled automatically. If your business uses iBanking for scheduled supplier or payroll payments, re-create them in the mobile app before 1 November to avoid missed payments.

SME Promotion Board sets FY2027 budget of 786 million baht to upgrade 41,480 small firms Prachachat · Oct 4, 2026

The SME Promotion Board, chaired by Deputy PM Supatra... (Supajee Suthumpun, Commerce Minister), approved a 786 million baht budget for fiscal 2027 (BE 2570) from the SME Promotion Fund, targeting at least 41,480 SMEs. Four priorities: digital and technology adoption (push SME ONE ID and SME Profile registration, target about 804,000 firms, up 35%), access to international markets via platforms, green business and renewable energy, and flood-disaster recovery support. If you run an SME, register on SME ONE ID and SME Profile now, since government support is channelled through that database. Watch for subsidy and training programmes under these four areas later in the fiscal year.

Government plans to change how sin-tax earmarks flow to health and sports funds, but tax rates stay the same Prachachat · Oct 4, 2026

The government spokesperson says draft laws would change how alcohol and tobacco excise money is allocated to Thai PBS, Thai Health Promotion Foundation (สสส.), the elderly fund and the national sports fund, routing it through the national budget. Excise tax is not being cancelled, and the four bodies are not being dissolved. The drafts are still in public consultation and not in force. For a liquor, tobacco or related business, excise obligations are unchanged for now; watch for the bill's final text and any effect on sponsorships or grants tied to these funds.

Gold prices rose 50 baht today, with jewellery gold at 66,750 baht per baht-weight Prachachat · Oct 4, 2026

Thai gold association prices on 4 Oct 2026 (as of 09:02): jewellery gold sells at 66,750 baht per baht-weight, up 50 baht from the previous close, and buys back at 64,430 baht. Bar gold buys at 65,750 and sells at 65,950 baht. World spot gold is about US$4,143 per ounce. If you hold gold stock or take gold as payment, reprice against the buy-back figure, not the sell price, since the spread is about 2,300 baht on jewellery.