Archive

Baht weakness is pulling dollar deposits out of FCD accounts, so think twice before parking USD cash Prachachat · Oct 1, 2026

KResearch says FCD deposit balances fell about 2.4% year to date to end-July 2026, after four years of double-digit growth. Savers are converting dollars back to baht because the weaker baht gives more baht per dollar. Most FCD accounts are savings accounts paying under 4%, and corporate accounts mainly serve as natural hedges for trade receipts and payments. For a business holding USD or JPY, a weak baht means converting now gets more baht, while SCB's e-FCD promo pays 5% on the first 25,000 USD, but only for deposits made 1 Aug to 31 Dec 2026.

PM keeps flood watch tight as rain and runoff risks remain, even as some areas improve Prachachat · Oct 1, 2026

The Prime Minister chaired a second day of the national flood command meeting (บกปภ.ช.) on 1 Oct. Several areas are improving, but he warned that floodwater could return, dam releases and flash floods remain possible, and every province must stay at top readiness. Officials were told to clear accumulated flood waste quickly to prevent hygiene and pollution problems. For a Thai SME, the practical point is to check flood exposure at your premises, stock-up plans, and whether access roads and suppliers in affected provinces are operating. No new subsidy, tax or permit change is announced in this article.

Thai Airways cargo stays open but Air Cargo suspension notice of 1-6 October still needs checking The Standard Wealth · Oct 1, 2026

Floods on 26-28 Sept left about 10,000 Thai Airways bags stranded at Suvarnabhumi; about 1,800 were returned by 30 Sept and roughly 8,000 remain. The minister says cargo will not close, though it may slow, with tents set up for temporary storage. Thai Airways had earlier announced an Air Cargo suspension for 1-6 Oct 2569 (2026). Officials target clearing by 1-2 Oct, with possible errors until 2 Oct. If you ship or receive via Thai Airways cargo, confirm bookings and expect delays; for passengers, expect lost-bag delays and collect or arrange delivery.

Baht opens at 33.60 per dollar; expect 33.50–33.90 range over the next 24 hours Prachachat · Oct 1, 2026

The baht opened at 33.60 per US dollar on 1 Oct 2026, close to Wednesday's 33.58 close, with a 24-hour expected range of 33.50–33.90. US PCE inflation came in below forecasts, which weakened the dollar slightly. Foreign investors net sold 10,735 million baht of Thai stocks and 1,111 million baht of Thai bonds the previous day. The bigger mover this week is expected to be the US nonfarm payrolls report on Friday night. For importers and exporters, this is a small daily move; if you pay in dollars or sell in dollars, check your rate against the 33.50–33.90 band before committing to a large payment.

National disaster insurance starts 1 Oct: flood, storm and quake cover for 30 million households Prachachat · Oct 1, 2026

From 1 Oct, the state-bought National Disaster Insurance covers homes against flood, storm and earthquake damage, nationwide and including Bangkok. Payouts: 10,000 baht per household per flood event, 5,000 baht per storm or quake event, paid within 15 days, with further payment based on actual loss up to 100,000 baht per household per event. Death benefit is 2,000,000 baht. Claims can be filed at thainatcat.org, LINE @ThaiNATCAT, 02-012-5555, or at the local incident point, with photos of damage, proof of ownership and a PromptPay account. Check whether your shophouse or home is registered, and keep damage photos and documents ready. The article does not say whether business premises or stock are covered.

Royal Irrigation Department opens Lat Pho gate to drain Bangkok rainwater to sea Prachachat · Oct 1, 2026

The Irrigation Department is draining rainwater from Central Thailand, Bangkok and vicinity to the sea, opening the Lat Pho gate (cutting the Chao Phraya route from about 5 hours to 10 minutes) and deploying over 300 mobile pumps alongside about 15 fixed pump stations, targeting at least 34 million cubic metres per day. Low-lying areas near the Chao Phraya, Klong Rangsit and coastal canals are priority. Upstream flow from the Chao Phraya dam is still a concern, so expect flooding and access disruption in low-lying areas. Plan for possible road and site flooding, protect stock and equipment, and follow provincial governor instructions during emergencies.

Scattered storms forecast for 1 Oct: rain on 20-30% of most regions, 40-60% in the south Prachachat · Oct 1, 2026

The Meteorological Department forecasts scattered thunderstorms on 1 Oct across the north, northeast, central, east and Bangkok (about 20-30% of areas), and 40-60% of the southern areas. Seas are 1-2 m in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf, with higher waves where storms occur. For a business, plan for brief downpours and possible delivery or outdoor-work delays, and warn boat or fishing operators to avoid storm areas.

THAI baggage and staffing crisis may hit air travel and tourist flows this quarter Bangkok Post · Oct 1, 2026

Thai Airways shares fell after a ground handling and baggage crisis at Suvarnabhumi, with dozens of flights cancelled or delayed and 5,600 bags stranded, linked to Bangkok flooding. CEO promised a 72-hour recovery window. Analysts say the stock impact stays limited if resolved in 1-2 weeks, but a longer disruption could cost THAI high-season growth. For SMEs in tourism, logistics or freight, plan for possible flight cancellations, delayed cargo and lost bags in the coming weeks, and check booking and shipment schedules.

Travel agents push for wider passenger protection after THAI cancellations Bangkok Post · Oct 1, 2026

THAI cut flight capacity by 30% after flooding and staff shortages caused mass cancellations, and tour operators estimate tens of millions of baht in losses. The Thai Travel Agents Association wants CAAT Regulation No.101 amended so passengers' associated costs (pre-booked hotels, transport, guides, restaurants) are covered beyond airfares. This is still only a proposal. If you run tours or sell group travel, check your contracts for who bears rebooking and pre-paid service costs, and plan for delays on THAI routes.

Diesel and gasohol prices for 1 Oct: B7 at 41.44 baht, B20 at 36.40 baht per litre Prachachat · Oct 1, 2026

Bangchak posted today's pump prices: gasohol 95 at 39.94 baht/litre, gasohol 91 at 39.57, diesel B7 at 41.44 and diesel B20 at 36.40 (article text cut off). For fleet and delivery operators, the gap between B7 and B20 is about 5 baht a litre, so check whether your vehicles can run B20 before buying. Fuel costs feed directly into transport and delivery pricing, so re-check your cost assumptions if you buy fuel daily.

Flooding may hit retailers, restaurants and SMEs this month, so check your cash flow and lender options Bangkok Post · Oct 1, 2026

The Bank of Thailand says ongoing flooding will limit the impact on services, but retailers, restaurants, tourism operators, logistics firms and SMEs are expected to be hit. Flood losses to household and SME assets are already showing up. The central bank has urged banks to offer debt relief and extra liquidity to affected borrowers, so if your business is affected, ask your lender about these options now. If flooding lasts, tourism confidence may fall further. Bangkok's inner areas, where the IMF-World Bank meetings are held from Oct 12-18, are not affected.

Bangkok flooding in Klong Chan and Bang Kapi still hits some areas, with the Chao Phraya at 2.1m, below flood-defence capacity Bangkok Post · Oct 1, 2026

The BMA says Chao Phraya levels (about 2.1m, below the 3m+ flood-defence capacity) are manageable, but flooding persists in Klong Chan, Bang Kapi and parts of Lat Phrao 101, with water up to chest height in some spots. If your shop or workshop is in eastern Bangkok, expect continued disruption to access, deliveries and stock for a few more days. Check on stock stored at ground level, and keep an eye on the Saen Saep canal and BMA updates before reopening or moving goods.

Nationwide disaster insurance starts today, but it only covers homes, not your shop Bangkok Post · Oct 1, 2026

From 12am today, a government-backed disaster insurance scheme covers about 30 million households against floods, windstorms and earthquakes. Flood damage gets an initial 10,000 baht, rising to a maximum of 100,000 baht per household after assessment; windstorm and earthquake damage gets an initial 5,000 baht. Only residential structures and fixed fixtures are covered, not offices or commercial premises, so a shop or workshop needs its own commercial property cover. Payouts only trigger after an official assistance zone is declared, and areas already declared before today are excluded. Owners who live above or behind their business should check whether their home is covered and keep damage photos. Claims go through thainetcat.org, LINE @THNCat, or 02-012-5555.

Thai Airways cancels domestic flights for 1-2 October and reschedules some routes through 3 October Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

Thai Airways has cancelled domestic routes on 1 and 2 October 2026, including Bangkok to Phuket, Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Chiang Rai, Hat Yai and Udon Thani, plus several international routes such as Frankfurt, Singapore, New Delhi, Mumbai and Hanoi. Further international cancellations fall on 2 and 3 October, and the TG401 Singapore departure moves to 03.40 on 2 October. If your business ships goods, hosts travelling clients or staff, or relies on these routes, rebook flights now and arrange alternative transport or dates. The article gives no cause and no end date beyond saying the airline is working to resolve the situation.

Thailand's FY2027 budget act of 3.788 trillion baht takes effect 1 October Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

The Royal Gazette has published the FY2570 (fiscal 2027) budget act, totalling 3.788 trillion baht, effective 1 October 2026. The Finance Ministry and Budget Bureau now manage disbursements under it. For an SME, the practical effect is that government spending on projects and procurement starts flowing from the new fiscal year, so firms supplying government contracts or public works should watch for tender notices. The article itself gives no sector breakdown, so specific allocations need checking in the full act.

Thai bank bad-debt ratio tops ASEAN and floods may squeeze SME balance sheets The Standard Wealth · Sep 30, 2026

Fitch expects Thai banks' NPL ratio to reach nearly 4% in 2026, the highest among regional peers, and to stay around 3-4% over the next 1-2 years. Banks are cautious on lending, and AMCs are buying fewer NPLs, so debt is harder to sell off. The Bank of Thailand warns that the current floods can damage stock and assets and worsen SME debt problems, as SME balance sheets were already weakening. For SME owners, expect tighter credit approval and possibly slower loan growth. Prepare cash-flow plans and talk to your bank early if flood losses hit income, since the BOT says it will consider debt relief details once conditions settle.

Bangkok says its retention ponds are still going ahead, with 7 more planned by 2027 Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

BMA says it has not cancelled flood retention ponds. It has 38 ponds holding about 13.7 million cubic metres, with 7 more due by 2570 (2027), 4 of them in 2569 (2026). Two eastern-Bangkok projects (Khlong Khu Bon and Khlong Bang Chan) were dropped after cost and public-hearing problems. For a Bangkok SME, the practical point is flood risk in the east and the north: check whether your site sits near a planned pond or drainage canal, and keep flood-season stock and access plans in place.

THAI cargo at Suvarnabhumi may slow rather than stop from Oct 1, so plan for longer air freight times Bangkok Post · Sep 30, 2026

About 10,000 bags piled up at Suvarnabhumi on Sept 26-28 after flooding and staff problems at Thai Airways, and only 18% were cleared by Wednesday. The minister says THAI's cargo acceptance, which was due to be suspended Oct 1-6, will likely be slowed down instead. Authorities expect the bag backlog to clear in 3-4 days at up to 2,000 pieces a day. If your business ships by air through THAI cargo, confirm with your forwarder before sending time-critical goods, and allow buffer time. Passengers with lost bags are covered by THAI insurance.

Suvarnabhumi air cargo congestion may slow exports into the year-end peak The Standard Wealth · Sep 30, 2026

The Thai Chamber of Commerce warns that air cargo at Suvarnabhumi is congested, with warehouse space, staff, equipment and procedures all under strain as year-end peak season approaches. Air routes carried about 2.42 trillion baht of exports in January to July 2026, roughly a third of total exports, led by electronics and agricultural and food goods. TG warehouse has temporarily stopped accepting charter cargo. If you ship by air, plan for slower handling and build buffer time into delivery promises; the chamber is asking agencies for a coordinated plan but no deadline has been set.

Thai stocks fell 2.2% on 30 Sep as fund outflows and floods weigh on GDP outlook Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

The SET Index closed down 35.29 points (-2.21%) at 1,559 on 30 Sep, with trading value of about 121 billion baht. Brokerage Krungsri Securities (KSS) expects foreign funds to keep leaving because the Thai-US interest rate gap has widened, and flood risk could push GDP below target. Banks, oil refiners, airports and transport, retail (CPALL, CRC) and power producers led the fall. For a small business, this is a market signal rather than a direct cost change: watch flood-related disruption to sales and logistics, and be cautious about baht and borrowing-cost moves that follow capital outflows.