Archive

Thai Airways flood measures: free one-time date change until 11 October 2026, full refunds for cancelled flights Prachachat · Oct 2, 2026

Thai Airways cut 24 flights on 1-2 October 2026 because flooding kept staff from reaching work, and bags are backing up. For tickets on BKK flights from 26 September to 11 October 2026, you can change travel date once with no change or no-show fee, on the same route and cabin. Departures from Bangkok must fly by 11 October. Cancelled flights qualify for a full refund. Delayed bags can be claimed online via QR code. Allow extra travel time to Suvarnabhumi and check flight status before leaving. If your staff or clients are booked on these dates, act now.

Thai Chuay Thai Plus phase 2 deadline is 15 Oct: confirm eligibility in Paotang or Tung Ngern app Prachachat · Oct 2, 2026

Thai Chuay Thai Plus (60/40) phase 2 runs Oct–Nov 2026 with 1,000 baht in total. Eligible people must confirm their rights in the Paotang or Tung Ngern app by 15 Oct. Around 21.6m existing recipients and 1.36m newly eligible people had registered by 2 Oct. No new shops are being accepted, so existing registered shops are the only ones that can take this spending. From June to September, 26m people received rights and spending reached 171,961 million baht, with 1.1m shops taking part. Shop owners should keep their registration active and be ready for higher footfall from cardholders.

Bangkok flood victims can request free home, appliance and vehicle repairs via Traffy Fondue Prachachat · Oct 2, 2026

Five ministries and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration launched a joint flood-recovery programme on Traffy Fondue. Residents can report damage to homes, electrical systems, appliances and flooded cars or motorcycles, and repairs are offered free through ministry technician teams, vocational colleges and volunteers. Vulnerable residents and those in National Housing Authority flats can be registered by community volunteers (อพม.). Business owners in flooded eastern and northern districts (e.g. Lat Krabang, Nong Chok, Sai Mai, Khlong Sam Wa) can use the same channel for repairs, and private firms can register as volunteers. Note that the article gives no deadline or cost details beyond "free".

Suzuki offers up to 110,000 baht off new cars for flood-hit owners until 30 November Prachachat · Oct 2, 2026

Suzuki's V CARE campaign runs 1 October to 30 November (2026) and gives flood-damaged car owners up to 110,000 baht off a new Suzuki (90,000 baht for other-brand owners switching), on FRONX, XL7 and CARRY. Eligibility needs an insurance claim or damage certificate, damage photos and the registration book in the owner's name. Separately, service customers get 30% off genuine parts and chemicals until 31 December, excluding labour, batteries, spark plugs, tyres and accessories. Useful mainly for a business with flood-damaged vehicles, especially a pickup or van fleet (CARRY), or for a motor-service shop to pass on the parts discount.

Southern provinces brace for heavy rain from 5 October, with Bangkok and central Thailand expected drier Prachachat · Oct 2, 2026

The PM ordered governors from Prachuap Khiri Khan to Narathiwat to prepare for heavy rain starting 5 October, peaking around 10-12 October. Forecasts show Bangkok and the central and northern regions getting less rain. For a business in the south, plan for flooding and supply disruption: stock food and medicine, secure stock and equipment above flood level, and watch for shelter and transport changes. Follow only official Meteorological Department and government announcements. The forecast may change.

Egg exporters asked to cut shipments 30-50% as floods hit supply; retailers told to restock Prachachat · Oct 2, 2026

Flooding in the east and on transport routes has prompted the Department of Internal Trade to ask egg exporters to cut exports 30-50% and delay some shipments, with exporters asked to report October-November export plans. Retailers and wholesalers are asked to increase orders. Farm-gate prices are held for now. Retailers that raise shelf prices without cost justification face legal action; complaints go to hotline 1569. Buy only what the household needs, do not stockpile. If you cannot get eggs delivered to your area, ask the department to request army transport help.

Phuket's vegetarian festival runs 9–18 October, with hotel bookings up about 10% in the city Prachachat · Oct 2, 2026

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival runs 9–18 October 2026, with the opening pole-raising on 9 October and night-time city processions from 11 October. Officials expect about 140,000 visitors (mostly Thai, plus Chinese, Singaporean and Malaysian tourists) and at least 1.4 billion baht in spending. Hotel bookings in Phuket town are up about 10% year on year, with occupancy forecast near 80%; Kathu and Thalang are normal. If you run food, hotel or retail in the town centre, stock up and staff for these dates. Businesses outside the centre should not expect the same lift.

Government must speed up its budget spending: 75% of FY2027 capital budget to be disbursed, with a March 31, 2027 commitment deadline Prachachat · Oct 2, 2026

The cabinet approved measures on 29 Sep 2026 to speed up FY2027 government spending: 4.31 trillion baht in total, with a target of at least 75% disbursement on capital budgets and 95% on state enterprise capital spending. Agencies that have not committed funds by 31 March 2027 risk losing them, so expect government construction, procurement and training contracts to be tendered and signed faster. Thai SMEs in construction, supplies, logistics and training services should prepare quotes and registrations for public tenders now, especially in the first half of the fiscal year.

US sends third carrier group and 10,000 troops to the Middle East as Brent crude climbs above $102 Prachachat · Oct 2, 2026

The US is sending the USS Makin Island and about 10,000 sailors and marines to the Gulf, which would put three carrier groups in the region, while the Iran war drags on with no progress on talks. Brent rose 0.4% to $102.74 a barrel after a 4% jump on 1 October. For a Thai SME, the risk is higher fuel and transport costs and more inflation pressure. Review diesel and shipping cost assumptions for the next few months and consider fuel surcharges in quotes. Tracking the Fed's tightening stance also matters for loan rates.

Thai Airways returns to normal flight schedules from Saturday after flood chaos Bangkok Post · Oct 2, 2026

Severe flooding in greater Bangkok forced Thai Airways to cancel flights and scale down services, leaving passengers stranded and about 10,000 bags and cargo pieces piled up at Suvarnabhumi. Cancellations fell from almost 40 at the peak to 9 on Friday, and Thai says full operations resume Saturday. If your business ships cargo or travels by air, check your bookings and ask Thai for updates via +66 2 356 1111. Confirm whether your delayed luggage or cargo has been returned, since the airline aims to return bags by Saturday night.

Interior Ministry expands household solar scheme to ground and floating systems, registration expected 1 November Prachachat · Oct 2, 2026

The Interior Ministry proposed letting households install solar on the ground or floating, not only on roofs, with a meter required. Target is 1-1.5 million households at 50,000 baht support each, 5-10 kW systems, and buyback of 5 kW output at 2.20 baht/unit for 20 years. Registration is expected 1 Nov, pending board approval today. Loans via GSB, BAAC or GHB at 2.5% for 7 years. Installers must be on the PEA/MEA Vendor List. Bank repayment from sales income is not yet approved. For SME owners: if you run a solar installation business, check Vendor List registration now; if you have space, plan ahead, since the scheme is not final.

Solar subsidy now covers ground and floating installs, not just rooftops: 50,000 baht grant and 2.5% loans over 7 years The Standard Wealth · Oct 2, 2026

The Interior Ministry, PEA, MEA and state banks agreed on 30 Sept 2569 (2026) to extend the household solar scheme beyond rooftops to On-ground and Floating Solar. Grant: 50,000 baht per household for systems of 5–10 kW. Loans via GSB, BAAC and GHB at about 2.5% a year over 7 years. Target 1 million households, with registration expected from 1 Nov 2569 (2026). Only up to 5 kW can be sold back to the grid, at 2.20 baht/unit for about 20 years. Installers must be certified and registered as PEA/MEA vendors. Using sale income to repay bank loans is still under review, due in October. Check your power bill first: the scheme only pays off at roughly 3,000–4,000 baht a month or more.

Japan raises permanent residency fees 20-fold and adds income tests, which matters only if your staff or family plan to move there The Standard Wealth · Oct 2, 2026

Japan raised the permanent residency application fee from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen (about 42,000 baht), effective 1 October 2026. From the same date, applicants must show stable annual income at least equal to the average for similar-sized Japanese households (5.75 million yen in 2024). Other tests (pension equivalence, near-N2 Japanese, integration checks) start April 2027. For a Thai SME this is background only, unless you have staff or family considering a move to Japan, or Thai sales to Japanese visitors and residents are affected.

Crude oil climbs again as US sends a third carrier toward Iran, so fuel costs may keep rising Prachachat · Oct 2, 2026

On 1 Oct 2026, West Texas crude rose to US$92.87/bbl (+2.45) and Brent to US$102.31/bbl (+4.28). The US Navy's USS Theodore Roosevelt is expected in the Middle East in November, and analysts see rising US-Iran tension. Iranian crude exports reportedly fell to near zero in September. For a Thai SME, expect diesel, fuel and transport costs to stay under upward pressure. Review fuel surcharges, delivery costs and energy budgets for the coming quarter, and watch for pump price changes.

Krungthai COMPASS says Thai Longevity Food market could double to 32,000 million baht by 2035 The Story Thailand · Oct 2, 2026

Krungthai COMPASS projects the high-value Longevity Food segment in Thailand rising from about 15.7 billion baht (2024) to 32 billion baht (2035), around 6.7% a year. Growth depends on consumers actually buying preventive health products; about 17% of Thais already practise preventive care seriously and about 20% would pay 10-20% more. Analysts say the opportunity is in adding proven health claims to Thai raw materials and herbs rather than competing on price. A small producer should treat this as a direction for product development, not an immediate change in sales.

Gold jewellery prices fall 200 baht to 67,000 baht per baht-weight today Prachachat · Oct 2, 2026

Gold prices dropped 200 baht versus yesterday's close. Jewellery sells at 67,000 baht per baht-weight and buys back at about 64,673 baht. Bullion (96.5%) buys at 66,000 and sells at 66,200. Gold spot is about US$4,150 per ounce. The gap between buy and sell prices is the spread you lose when you trade in and out, so check the day's quote before buying or selling gold stock or pricing gold-linked items.

Thai Airways says all flights resume 3 October, Suvarnabhumi cargo terminal open 24 hours The Standard Wealth · Oct 2, 2026

Thai Airways cut 15 flights on 1 October and 9 on 2 October, and says full schedule returns on 3 October 2026. If you ship air freight or fly staff, check bookings for 1-2 October and rebook if needed. Ticket offices at the Witthayu head office are open 08.00-17.00 on 3-4 October. The Suvarnabhumi cargo terminal says it is operating normally 24 hours a day; contact +66 2 137 4200 or Line @THAICARGOTERMINAL for shipment questions. The article does not state the cause of the disruption.

SCB EIC expects public construction to shrink 5% in 2027 as budgets tighten, with steel and tile imports pressuring materials prices The Standard Wealth · Oct 2, 2026

SCB EIC forecasts public construction value in the 2027 fiscal year at about 927,000 million baht, down 5%, after the investment budget falls 13%. Private construction is flat at about 598,000 million baht, with housing and office/retail falling while factories and data centres hold up. Building materials demand will stay low and prices may ease, but cheap imported steel and tiles are a threat. Contractors should favour cash flow and backlog discipline, avoid price-war bids, and lock in material supply in advance. Material makers should watch import competition and CBAM costs on steel exports.

Baht opens at 33.68 per dollar on 2 Oct; expect 33.50–33.90 range today Prachachat · Oct 2, 2026

The baht opened at 33.68 per USD, close to Wednesday's 33.69 close, and is expected to trade between 33.50 and 33.90 over the next 24 hours. The move is driven by a stronger dollar after US Treasury yields hit multi-decade highs, and traders are waiting on the US jobs report due today (consensus: +98,000 jobs, unemployment 4.1%). Foreign investors sold a net 3,562 million baht of Thai equities and 2,359 million baht of Thai bonds. For a business, this is a routine daily range: no action needed unless you have large USD payments or receipts due this week, in which case check your forward contract or bank rate before settling.

Bangkok flood response stays with the government as calls for governor to resign grow Bangkok Post · Oct 2, 2026

PM Anutin rejected calls to remove Bangkok governor Chadchart. The government put Defence Minister Adul in charge of flood response in Bangkok, working with the BMA. Flooding has eased in several areas, but five roads remain under high water, including Lat Krabang Road, Chalong Krung Road and Suwinthawong Road. If your shop or site is in those areas, expect continued disruption and plan access and stock around it. The BMA says Lat Krabang and Saphan Sung are next.