Archive

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.

BAAC opens 4-year retirement deposit at up to 1.55% a year, open to 31 October 2026 Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

BAAC is taking subscriptions for a 4-year retirement deposit from 1 to 31 October 2026 (or until closed). Minimum deposit is 100,000 baht, open only to individuals aged 50 and over, with monthly interest stepping from 1.30% to 1.55% a year and no interest tax for individuals. Average rate is 1.40%. Relevant if you or a staff member near retirement has spare savings; the account is opened at any BAAC branch or via baac.or.th.

Bank of Thailand flags flood hit to SMEs and households, urges banks to ease loans for cash-flow relief Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

The BOT says flood damage so far hits services, transport, and wholesale/retail most, with some construction sites temporarily halted; manufacturing and industrial estates reported no damage yet. It warns SMEs and households face a second shock that squeezes cash flow, and that repair borrowing may add to household debt. 16 financial institutions (10 commercial banks, 6 specialised state lenders) are offering debt relief such as principal/interest grace periods, longer terms, lower instalments, emergency loans and SME working capital. Check with your bank now about relief options, and check stock damaged by water and whether trade partners are affected. Central bank says the flood's GDP impact is estimated at 0.03-0.1%, and could be larger if it drags on.

SEC warns ETC shareholders to scrutinise the 330m-baht BWC purchase before the 6 October vote Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

The SEC urged ETC shareholders to study the information before voting on ETC's 330m-baht purchase of BWC shares from BWG at a meeting on 6 October. The independent adviser (IFA) said the price is 11.77-30.56% above its DCF valuation of 252.87-295.38m baht and recommended rejecting it; ETC's board argues the adjusted book value supports the price. Under the new related-party rules effective 1 July 2026, objections from 10% or more of attending voting shares can block the deal. This is a listed-company governance story with little direct effect on a small business, though it shows the new blocking mechanism exists.

US tariff on Thai goods stays at 12.5% for now, with a second Section 301 ruling still pending Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

The Thai Chamber of Commerce says the 12.5% US tariff on Thai goods covers only the forced-labour Section 301 finding. The excess-capacity probe is still open, so the final tariff burden is not settled. The chamber wants the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) concluded with a combined rate around 18-20%, no higher than Thailand's ASEAN rivals. For exporters to the US, plan pricing and orders as if the rate could move again. Thai exports to the US were up 23% in 2025 and 38% in the first eight months of 2026.

Suvarnabhumi air cargo congestion may slow exports into peak season, Thai Chamber says Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

The Thai Chamber of Commerce is pushing for fixes at Suvarnabhumi after flight delays, stranded cargo and congestion in air cargo. Air trade in the first seven months of 2026 was about 5.53 trillion baht, with about 2.42 trillion baht in exports, and electronics and agri-food rely heavily on air freight. The Chamber will present short-, medium- and long-term proposals to the Transport Minister on 5 October. For exporters and forwarders, plan for possible cargo delays and build extra lead time into peak-season shipments, especially before the IMF–World Bank meetings on 12–18 October.

Air cargo stalled six days: exporters should reroute shipments and warn buyers now Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

Air freight disruption has run six days. Air cargo is about 26-27% of Thai export value, and the Commerce Ministry (DITP) says buyers, especially for electronic parts, may switch suppliers if deliveries slip. The ministry says other carriers besides Thai Airways can take cargo, so exporters can reroute or switch forwarders. If a shipment is stuck, check with your forwarder and ask DITP for help, including mediation with buyers over late-delivery penalties. Impact on total exports is not yet assessed.

Bangkok's 13 giant flood tunnels: what's built, what's still waiting for budget Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

After the 25-26 Sept 2026 "rain-soaked" 48-hour downpour, Bangkok flooding still came through even though several giant tunnels are finished. Per Governor Chadchart, three main tunnels (Bang Sue, Phra Khanong, Makkasan) give about 150 cubic metres per second. Five completed tunnels total 28.57 km and 255 m³/s. Eight more projects (55.32 km, 370 m³/s) are under construction or awaiting budget, including a 9,561 million baht eastern extension still pending contractor qualification. For a small business in flood-prone districts, plan for drainage to stay slow; check whether your district is on the tunnel list before relying on it.

Ratchaburi flooding: Mae Klong river surge hits low-lying communities and closes roads Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

Flooding in Ratchaburi municipality is critical as Mae Klong river levels rise after the Mae Klong dam increased releases to 2,000–3,000 cubic metres per second (from 1,666). Roads and rail underpasses in the municipal area are closed or flooded, and low-lying communities are being evacuated. If your premises, stock or delivery routes are in low-lying parts of Ratchaburi, move stock and equipment to higher ground now, plan alternative routes, and warn staff and customers. Ratchaburi hospital remains open as normal.

StudyLoan fund plans whitelist for good payers, no blacklist for defaulters Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

The student loan fund (กยศ.) got 1.2 billion baht in emergency funds after 11,004 applicants exceeded its quota, and a 9 billion baht budget for 2027 starts 1 October 2026. It will not blacklist defaulters but will pursue them and may raise rates for some. Good payers may get lower rates and a credit whitelist shared with state banks. For a business owner, the relevant point is that staff or family with student loans may see changed repayment rules, and on-time payment now counts as a positive credit signal. No action is required from the business itself.

Ang Thong flood surge hits 2–5 October: water up 1.5–1.8 m in Chaiyo, Mueang and Pho Mok Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

Ang Thong province warns a large water surge will hit along the Chao Phraya and Noi rivers from 2–5 October 2026. Expected rises: 1.5–1.8 m in Chaiyo, Mueang Ang Thong and Pho Mok; about 80 cm–1 m in Wiset Chaichan. The Royal Irrigation Department's notice (No. 6, dated 29 September) puts flows past Chao Phraya Dam at 2,800–3,000 cubic metres per second. If your shop, warehouse, stock or equipment sits near the river, move goods above floor level, secure sandbags or barriers, and plan for disrupted access and deliveries this week.

NBTC chairman ordered to step down within 7 days, with a 50,000 baht daily fine for non-compliance Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

A selection committee has ordered the NBTC (telecom and broadcast regulator) chairman to stop performing his duties within seven days, after courts ruled his appointment challenge failed. Non-compliance carries a fine of 50,000 baht per day. For a small business, this is a political and regulatory governance story with no direct action required. Watch only if your business depends on NBTC licensing or telecom/broadcast rulings, where pending agenda items may be delayed.

Commerce Dept shares 100,000+ foreign-linked company records with 43 embassies to crack down on nominee schemes Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

The Department of Business Development has sent embassies data on over 100,000 limited companies with foreign directors or shareholders (48 nationalities), split by foreign stake: 0.01-49.99%, 50-99.99%, and 100%. The department says this is preliminary and does not mean any company has broken the law. For Thai owners: if you hold shares for a foreigner or lend your name for a fee, the penalty is up to 3 years' jail and/or a fine of 100,000-1,000,000 baht. Foreign-linked companies should make sure their licences and shareholding structure are in order, since enforcement with other agencies will target high-risk sectors.

Northern Thai business confidence fell to 0.42 in Q3, with retail hardest hit; tourism expected to pick up in Q4 Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

A survey of 167 businesses in Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Lampang (Aug 2026) puts the overall confidence index at 0.42, below the 0.50 steady line. Costs for energy, electricity, fuel, wages and raw materials are the main drag. Wholesale and retail is weakest (0.30 in Q3, 0.40 expected in Q4); construction is at 0.33. Tourism is expected to rise to 0.60 in Q4 as high season arrives. Plan Q4 stock, staffing and pricing around a slow start to the high season rather than a sharp rebound, and watch cost pressure on margins.

Six Chao Phraya provinces face 20-30 cm higher water this week after dam releases rise to 2,200 cubic metres per second Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

The National Water Resources Office (สทนช.) issued notice No. 7/2569 warning that water levels just below the Chao Phraya Dam will rise a further 0.20-0.30 m after releases were raised to 2,200 m³/s, due to heavy rain in the Ping basin. Watch areas include Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi. Rain is expected to ease from 1-3 October in the upper country, but water levels remain under close watch. If your premises or stock sit in low-lying districts in these provinces, check flood barriers, move stock and equipment up, and be ready to evacuate on short notice.

Prachinburi flooding worse than 2011, at least 300 million baht in damage, durian orchards hit hardest Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

The Prachinburi Chamber of Commerce says floods this season are worse than 2011 and hit every district. Losses across agriculture, the economy and trade are estimated at at least 300 million baht, and the industrial sector is still surveying. Durian orchards are among the hardest hit, and fast-rising water left some businesses unable to move stock and equipment in time. If you operate in or supply Prachinburi, check flood exposure for stock, equipment and orchards now, and plan for delayed deliveries and lower local demand while water is still moving downstream.

US-China tariff deal and midterms lift global stocks, but SCB CIO calls it short-term sentiment The Standard Wealth · Sep 30, 2026

SCB CIO says the US-China deal to cut tariffs on about US$30bn of mostly non-strategic goods (toys, phone accessories, small electronics, farm products) is small relative to total trade and only delays a tariff rise set for 10 November by two months. The bigger near-term risks for a Thai SME are oil and rates: Brent-linked prices spiked to US$107-108 before easing to the low US$90s, and US 10-year yields are at 5.2%, with the Fed possibly hiking 1-2 times this year. The 3 November midterms, likely giving Democrats a majority in both houses, could curb extreme trade policy. Nothing here requires action now; keep watching fuel costs and export pricing.

Draft PDP 2026 brings nuclear back: SMRs in every scenario from 2026, power price roughly 3.83–3.89 baht/unit Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

Thailand's draft PDP 2026 (public hearing started 8 September 2026) writes nuclear back in: all four policy cases include a 300 MW small modular reactor (SMR) led by EGAT in 2026-2037, with cases diverging after 2037. Only the renewables-led case scales SMRs to 9,000 MW. Average retail power price is projected at 3.83-3.89 baht/unit across cases. Context: LNG supply disruption pushed gas costs up and the Ft charge rose about 1.8% for May-August. For an SME, this is a long-horizon planning signal on electricity cost stability, not a change to act on now. Watch the final PDP and tariff decisions.

Vajiralongkorn Dam releasing water at 42 million m³ a day; Mae Klong riverside homes in Ratchaburi and Samut Songkhram may flood Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

Vajiralongkorn Dam was at 90% capacity on 29 Sep and is releasing water faster, rising to 42 million m³ per day. Mae Klong releases were raised to 2,300-2,500 m³/s, though the minister later said the flow might ease to about 2,195 m³/s. Officials expect flooding mainly on low riverbanks in Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi and Samut Songkhram, with farmland largely spared. If your shop, warehouse or stock sits near the river in these districts, move goods to higher ground and check evacuation notices.

Commerce minister says Thailand should position itself as a trusted trade partner as US and China shares of exports shift Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

Commerce Minister Supajee said non-tariff measures are rising and the US (over 20%) and China (over 10%) make up about a third of Thai exports. Government wants to add EU and India markets; Thai-EU FTA talks are at round 9 with about two-thirds of issues closed, and Thailand targets closing core issues at round 10. For SMEs, this signals more non-tariff scrutiny from the US and possible China sourcing shifts toward Thai inputs and food processing, but no concrete rule or deadline applies to your business yet.