Archive

Diesel, gasohol and benzine up 60 satang a litre from 21 October 2026, squeezing transport and delivery costs Prachachat · 1d ago

The Oil Fund committee approved a 0.60 baht/litre retail rise for B7 diesel, gasohol 91 and 95, and benzine, effective 21 October 2026 (05.00). Diesel B7 retail is now 43.54 baht/litre, gasohol 95 42.04, gasohol 91 41.67, benzine 51.03. E20, E85, B20 and premium fuels are unchanged. Driver: Middle East supply disruption and higher shipping costs. Fuel-heavy businesses should update delivery and transport budgets and quotes now. The Fund asks users to use fuel efficiently.

Finance ministry says Thai public finances are not heading France's way, but EV import tax hike and rooftop solar scheme are still pending The Standard Wealth · 1d ago

The Permanent Secretary for Finance says Thailand has a high fiscal buffer, keeps spending on welfare, and will avoid new unnecessary borrowing; the three rating agencies back this. For business, the concrete items are pending: a possible tax increase on imported EVs (still awaiting a decision from the deputy PM and finance minister) and a community rooftop solar project the ministry expects to put to the cabinet in October. No new rule is in force yet.

Crude oil prices ease on Middle East mediation hopes, but Brent and WTI remain above $100 Prachachat · 1d ago

Crude prices fell on 20 Oct 2026: West Texas Intermediate at US$101.79 a barrel (down $1.87) and Brent at US$108.79 (down $0.76). The drop follows talks between Iran's president and Pakistan's army chief on mediating the Middle East conflict, but Houthi attacks in Yemen continue and the outlook is uncertain. Russian diesel tankers are also heading to Turkey and Brazil after US sanctions were lifted. For a Thai SME, fuel and transport costs remain high; avoid locking in cost assumptions on a single day's dip, and check diesel and energy-linked input prices before pricing or budgeting for the quarter.

Big retailers must pay SME suppliers within 45 days from 3 November Prachachat · 1d ago

The Trade Competition Commission has issued a binding rule: large retail and wholesale firms (revenue of 500 million baht or more) must pay SME suppliers within 45 days, or 30 days for agricultural goods such as vegetables, fruit, chicken and eggs. Payment is counted from delivery, quality check and billing. It takes effect 3 November. Fines can reach 10% of revenue. If you supply a big retailer, check your payment terms now, keep delivery and billing proof, and file a complaint with evidence if payments run long. Anonymous complaints are allowed. Construction, steel and auto-parts supply chains may be next.

From 2 Nov 2026, large buyers must pay SME suppliers within 30 or 45 days of invoice The Standard Wealth · 1d ago

The Trade Competition Commission's credit-term rule becomes legally binding on 2 Nov 2026. Large wholesalers and retailers (revenue 500m baht+) must pay SME and farmer suppliers within 30 days of invoice for farm and processed goods, and within 45 days for general goods and services. Payment clocks start after delivery and inspection, cannot be extended once started, and terms cannot change without 60 days' notice. Breaches can be fined up to 10% of revenue. SMEs with proof of invoice and non-payment can file directly with the Commission. Check your buyer contracts and invoice dates now. The rule starts with modern wholesale and retail, with construction, steel and automotive possibly next.

Kasikorn's 9-month profit rose 3.43%, but lower interest income is squeezing bank margins Prachachat · 1d ago

Kasikorn Bank reported 9-month 2026 net profit of 40,635 million baht, up 3.43%, but that gain relied on fee income up 21.51%. Net interest income fell 8.87% to 94,992 million baht as rates were cut, and the bank cut lending rates to ease customers' financing costs. Loan-loss provisions rose to 30,171 million baht. For an SME, this points to cheaper loan pricing possibly continuing and banks leaning on fees, while credit standards stay cautious; check your loan terms rather than expect new credit to loosen.

Chinese tourist arrivals keep falling and the Chinese embassy has issued a new safety warning, so expect slower bookings from China this year-end season Prachachat · 1d ago

Foreign arrivals to Thailand have dropped for three years in a row. The Chinese embassy issued a new travel safety advisory, warning Chinese citizens, especially influencers, artists and actors, after kidnappings and scam-linked disappearances near the Thai-Myanmar border. The Thai Tourism Industry Council and the Thai-Chinese Tourism Association have asked the Tourism and Sports Ministry for 8 measures, including a coordination body, a 1155 tourist police hotline with Chinese-language help, checks on tour operators and guides, and a China-facing communication campaign. If your business depends on Chinese guests, plan for weaker bookings through the late-year high season. Check that your tour and transfer partners are licensed, and watch for the government's response.

Outbound travel tax still under review, public comment open until 29 Oct Prachachat · 1d ago

The Revenue Department is taking public comment on a draft outbound travel tax law until 29 Oct. It would apply to all passengers of any nationality, not only Thai nationals and residents. The Finance Ministry says no start date is set and the rate is not final; a 1,000 baht figure was mentioned, with a 5,000 baht ceiling. Tourism operators fear double charging alongside the inbound tourist fee. For a travel, tour or airport-linked business, this is worth tracking, and submitting comments before the deadline is the only direct input available now.

Gold bar and jewellery prices rise on 21 Oct 2026: jewellery at 66,450 baht per baht-weight Prachachat · 1d ago

Thai gold prices rose 50 baht as of 9:00 on 21 Oct 2026, per the Gold Traders Association. Jewellery sells at 66,450 baht per baht-weight, buys back at about 64,142, a gap of roughly 2,300 baht. Gold bars sell at 65,650 and buy back at 65,450. Gold spot is about US$4,121/oz. If you trade or hold gold, check the buy-sell spread before transacting, since the gap between selling and buying back is the real cost.

US bond selloff pushes up global borrowing costs, but intervention has not worked Prachachat · 1d ago

US 30-year Treasury yields hit 5.36%, a 19-year high, and a wave of bond selling is spreading to markets outside the US. Washington's two rounds of intervention (buybacks and a yen-support deal with Japan) did not bring yields down durably. For a Thai SME this is background: global interest rates and oil prices may stay high, so keep an eye on loan rates and the cost of imported inputs, and avoid assuming cheap funding is coming soon.

Government solar scheme for 1 million homes opens registration in November, with installer sign-ups open to firms Prachachat · 1d ago

The cabinet is due to consider a 50,000 baht subsidy per rooftop for 1 million homes on 26 October; PEA and MEA plan registration from early November 2026. Installers can register with PEA, but criteria are not yet published and installer capacity will be limited. Subsidy is paid only after grid connection. State banks offer 2.5% loans for 7 years. Daytime-use homes suit solar best, since grid sell-back is only 2.20 baht/unit. Check the official rules before committing.

Industry minister pushes tougher industrial waste law: fines in the tens of millions of baht Prachachat · 1d ago

The Ministry of Industry is pushing to amend the industrial waste law and factory law. Fines for illegal dumping would rise from 200,000 baht to the tens of millions, with asset seizure, forfeiture and recovery-cost charges for repeat or serious offenders. Exact rates and enforcement rules are still pending the formal bill. For factories and firms that handle waste, check that your waste goes only to licensed carriers and disposers with full documentation, since tracking from source to final destination is the stated direction. Solar panel and EV battery waste rules are also being prepared.

Heavy rain and flash-flood warning for southern Thailand this week: check stock, delivery routes and boat schedules Prachachat · 1d ago

The Meteorological Department warns of continued heavy rain across much of southern Thailand, with flash floods and mountain runoff possible in slopes and low-lying areas. Rain covers about 60% of the south on both coasts, and waves above 2 m are expected where storms form. Thunderstorms and gusty winds are forecast for the upper north, northeast, central and eastern regions, and Bangkok. For SMEs in the south, plan for delayed deliveries, flooded access roads and stock or equipment at risk; boat operators should avoid storm areas.

Baht opens slightly stronger at 33.63 per dollar, with Fed meeting on 27–28 October in view Prachachat · 1d ago

The baht opened at 33.63 per dollar on 21 October 2026, slightly firmer than the previous close of 33.65. Analysts expect a 24-hour range of 33.50–33.80. The Fed is widely expected to hold rates at 3.75–4.00% on 27–28 October, with a possible hike in December. Indonesian market turmoil could bring some short-term inflows into Thai assets, which would limit baht weakness. For a business that imports or exports, this is only a small move: check your dollar quotes and hedges, but no immediate action is needed.

PHP patches two critical flaws tonight at 11pm Thai time: update your website software now Blognone · 1d ago

The PHP project will release security patches for two critical vulnerabilities at 14:00 UTC (23:00 Thai time) today. The flaws have a CVSS v4.0 severity of 9.2, and rumours describe remote code execution affecting PHP 5 through the latest version. Details are not yet public, but PHP reserves the right to release earlier if attacks or leaks appear. If your website, online shop, or booking system runs on PHP (including WordPress or other PHP-based software), check with your web developer or host to confirm the update is installed tonight and take a backup first.

Diesel at 43.54 baht and B20 at 37.19 baht on 21 Oct 2026, Bangchak says Prachachat · 1d ago

Bangchak's posted pump prices for 21 Oct 2026: high-speed diesel 43.54 baht/litre, B20 diesel 37.19 baht (unchanged), gasohol 95 42.04 baht, gasohol 91 41.67 baht, E20 35.69 baht. Prices exclude Bangkok's local land tax, and tomorrow's prices take effect at 05:00. For fleet and delivery budgets, use B20 vs high-speed diesel as the cost gap, and check your own station's price before fuelling.

Soaring LNG prices squeeze Thai households and businesses Bangkok Post · 1d ago

Spot LNG prices are near US$30 per mmBtu, and an unnamed senior energy official says high energy costs are spreading through supply chains, inflation and weaker economic activity. Thailand is a net energy importer, so expect higher energy and input costs to persist. The official gives no timeline, policy measure or specific tariff change. Plan for tighter margins on energy-heavy costs and review your pricing and cash buffer. Renewables and storage are framed as the long-term fix, not a near-term relief.

Data centre rules still unsettled, final framework targeted for Q1 2027 Bangkok Post · 1d ago

Thailand's DES Ministry aims to finalise a regulatory framework for data centres by Q1 2027. Draft rules cover land use, urban planning and location, with fuel-storage setbacks of 100 m (up to 180,000 litres) and 200 m (180,000 to 500,000 litres) from homes, schools, hospitals and temples. Rules for facilities inside industrial estates differ and are not final. Water supply in the EEC is still under review. For most SMEs this is background only, unless you supply land, utilities, construction or logistics to data centre projects.

Flood relief loans and tax breaks open for Thai SMEs and farmers Bangkok Post · 1d ago

Cabinet approved B10.5bn in FY2027 funds for flood victims plus a Finance Ministry package. For SMEs: GSB will lend B30bn via commercial banks to flood-hit SMEs at up to 3.5% for two years, then 5% in years three to five. Debt relief from state banks includes payment suspensions of at least three months. Customs duty is waived until March 31, 2027 on new machinery to replace flood-damaged factories and hotels in declared disaster areas. Ask your bank about on-lending and debt restructuring now.

Outbound travel tax may be delayed if the economy stays weak Bangkok Post · 1d ago

The Fiscal Policy Office says the planned tax on outbound travel could be postponed if economic conditions are not suitable. The Finance Ministry is reviewing the timing, and the decision depends on the economy and public sentiment. Nothing is final yet, so keep the current travel tax costs in your plans and watch for a formal decision before changing pricing for tour or travel-related services.