Archive

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.

Kanchanaburi flooding hits 13 districts as two big dams keep releasing water Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

Flooding from 24 Sep 2026 has affected 13 districts and 90 subdistricts in Kanchanaburi, with about 9,600 households hit, around 4,400 houses damaged and roughly 31,000 rai of farmland affected. Vachiralongkorn Dam plans to raise releases to 42 million cubic metres a day from 30 Sep to 4 Oct, and Mae Klong Dam has increased releases, so water along the Mae Klong in Tha Muang and Tha Maka may rise another 1-1.5 m. If you have operations, stock, or farms in Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi or Suphanburi-side low-lying areas along the Mae Klong, move goods and equipment up and check transport routes. Emergency relief zones are declared for all 13 districts.

Kanchanaburi floods hit 13 districts as two big dams keep releasing water Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

Flooding across 13 Kanchanaburi districts has damaged over 4,300 homes and about 31,000 rai of farmland, and the province has declared emergency aid areas. Water from the Vajiralongkorn and Mae Klong dams is still rising, with the Tha Muang and Tha Maka lowlands expected to rise another 1-1.5 m. If you have operations, stock, or staff in the Mae Klong or Khwae basins, move goods and equipment to higher ground now and check whether your area is on the watch list. Vajiralongkorn plans to release 42 million cubic metres per day from 30 September to 4 October 2026.

Flood-hit Siam Park shuts for 6 months, seeks loan deferral: what SME owners should watch Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

Siam Park City's Siam Amazing Park closed for six months from 26 September after the worst flood in 46 years. Initial damage is estimated at over 100 million baht, plus about 100 million baht in lost revenue, and equipment was not raised above water. The operator plans to ask banks for new credit and a deferral of at least six months on debt, and is waiting on government flood measures. For Thai SMEs in flood-prone areas: check insurance limits, move equipment and stock above flood levels, and talk to your lender early about payment holidays before cash runs out.

Phuket airport says Thai Airways is clearing bags stranded at Suvarnabhumi since 26 Sep Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

Baggage held at Suvarnabhumi since 26 September is mostly now at Phuket airport, and Thai Airways will handle redelivery, contacting passengers first. Passengers collecting in person can call Thai Airways baggage tracing at 076-351217 at the Phuket international arrivals hall. For a Phuket business, this matters only if you or your staff or customers are waiting on bags; otherwise it is background. Check with customers who fly in and out of Phuket if they mention lost luggage.

Chao Phraya dam release capped at 2,200 cubic metres a second, Bangkok flood risk still in play Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

Deputy PM Thongsri said the National Water Resources Committee approved only 2,200 m³/s from Chao Phraya Dam, not the 2,500 m³/s rumoured, and releases will be stepped gradually to protect Bangkok. A government spokesman said Bangkok only floods if the Bang Ban-Bang Sai channel reaches 3,000 m³/s; it currently sits at 2,100 m³/s. For Bangkok and central-region SMEs, flood risk is not resolved: check stock storage, delivery routes and staff access in low-lying areas over the coming weeks, and rely on official Royal Irrigation Department updates rather than social media rumours.

Bangkok flood shuts Siam Amazing Park for six months, a warning on flood-hit leisure and tourism income Bangkok Post · Sep 30, 2026

Siam Amazing Park (Suansiam) in Khan Na Yao is closing for about six months after floodwaters from heavy rain since Sept 26 submerged almost the whole site. Estimated loss is over 100 million baht, and the operator will seek rehabilitation financing from banks once the water recedes. For Bangkok SMEs in flood-hit districts, this signals the scale of lost income and the need to check insurance coverage, equipment protection and lender options early.

NBTC deadlock over the chair's status stalls spectrum auctions and TV rules Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (กสทช.) is still deadlocked over whether its chair, Dr. Soranas Boonbaichaiphruek, is eligible. On 25 September a Central Administrative Court dismissed his suit against the disqualification ruling, but he has reportedly appealed to the Supreme Administrative Court. Most of the other commissioners say they will not attend a board meeting he chairs, so the board may not be able to meet on 1-2 October. For a small business, this means delays to spectrum auctions and TV and telecom rules. No action is needed now; watch for the meeting outcome and any court order.

PTT raises interim dividend cap to 39,989 million baht; record date 8 October Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

PTT's board raised the interim dividend ceiling to about 39,989 million baht to cover a possible sale of all 238.66 million shares it bought back. The rate stays at 1.40 baht per share, and the record date is 8 October 2026. Only shares held on the record date receive dividends. For a small Thai business this is an investment-market update with no direct action needed, unless you hold PTT shares.

Thai stocks slide to 3-month low as foreign investors pull 40,000 million baht; baht and oil costs stay in focus The Standard Wealth · Sep 30, 2026

The SET fell to about 1,560 on 30 September, a 3-month low. Analysts link the selloff to negative real interest rates, expensive oil from the Strait of Hormuz closure, and a weaker baht, which drove about 40,000 million baht of capital outflow over two months. Analysts see the baht as a cost driver: imported oil and food may get pricier, and the Bank of Thailand is unlikely to raise rates soon. Analysts expect the outflow may not last long, and their watch points are oil above 100-105 USD per barrel and the US dollar. For a business, this means reviewing import costs, fuel and food input budgets, and keeping borrowing plans flexible. The article gives no direct guidance for SMEs.

State welfare card: 11.25m approved, 7.6m rejected, e-KYC deadline 14 Oct Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

The Finance Ministry announced 11,254,921 approved welfare card holders for 2026 and about 7.6 million rejected. Approved holders must complete e-KYC via Krungthai and the Pao Tang app, or at five banks, by 14 Oct to get an extra 700 baht (1,000 baht total for Oct-Nov). After that, the benefit drops to 300 baht a month. Rejected people, and about 470,000 existing holders who did not register, move to the Thai Chuay Thai Plus (60/40) scheme, which they can confirm on the Pao Tang app 1-15 Oct. For a shop or small business, this shifts household spending power in the coming months, mainly among low-income customers. Check whether your regular customers are on the list, and plan stock and credit accordingly.

KKP raises 2026 Thai GDP forecast to 2.5%, still lowest in ASEAN, with AI gains staying offshore Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

KKP Research raised its 2026 Thai GDP forecast to 2.5% (from 2.1%), but still ranks lowest in ASEAN alongside the Philippines. Exports are growing strongly, yet the current account is in deficit and much of the AI-driven gain flows to foreign data-centre owners. Households face debt and tighter credit, and KKP flags SME closures in export supply chains. For a Thai SME, plan for slow domestic demand this year and watch credit access and supplier stress rather than expecting a broad recovery.

Floods hit 2,700 sq km across four regions; Bangkok stay-at-home extended, avoid named roads Bangkok Post · Sep 30, 2026

Floods now cover about 2,700 sq km and have killed 40 people, mostly in the Central Plains. 748 Bangkok communities remain flooded in 15 districts, including Lat Krabang, Bang Kapi and Lat Phrao. The PM has asked Bangkok to extend the stay-at-home period while drainage continues, so plan for staff absences and late deliveries. Avoid the named roads, including Lat Krabang Rd at the Lotus's store. Mae Klong River levels rise 80cm in Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi and Samut Songkhram when dams resume discharge, and the discharges stop again on Sunday. Prachin Buri and Rayong hospitals are partly closed, and water is expected to move toward Chachoengsao in a few days.

A proposed 200 billion baht loan could be redirected from solar subsidies to flood management Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

After heavy rain on 25-27 September flooded parts of Bangkok and nearby provinces, an editorial reports a proposal to shift part of the 200 billion baht energy-transition loan toward water management. The editorial argues the solar subsidy spending has not been shown to be good value, and that solar panel waste and recycling rules need to be settled early. For a small business, this is a proposal, not a decision. Watch whether flood-prone areas and industrial estates get new drainage or flood works, and whether solar subsidy programmes change. Flood risk to premises and stock is worth reviewing now.

Thai Airways' flood meltdown was a staffing failure, not an aircraft problem The Standard Wealth · Sep 30, 2026

Opinion piece on Thai Airways' flood disruption at Suvarnabhumi. Runways and aircraft kept working, but about half of ground staff could not reach work, so bags piled up (around 5,600) and on-time departures collapsed. Columnist's lesson for a small business: plan for losing half your workforce in a disaster (backup staff, nearby accommodation, transport, cross-trained people) and decide early what to cut back rather than push at full capacity. Emirates' 2024 Dubai flood response is cited as an example of pausing operations to clear backlogs. Some claims, such as the handling-priority question, are unverified.

Thai Airways cargo terminal stops accepting shipments Oct 1-6 because of flooding Bangkok Post · Sep 30, 2026

Thai Airways has suspended inbound, outbound and transit cargo acceptance at its Suvarnabhumi cargo terminal from 12.01am on Oct 1 to 11.59pm on Oct 6, due to flood-related staff shortages and a large backlog. Exemptions cover diplomatic documents, live animals, human remains and mail. If you export or import by air, move shipments earlier or reroute, and warn customers about possible delivery delays. Flooding also delayed about 5,600 bags and disrupted around 330 flights over the weekend, so expect knock-on delays.

Thai Airways halts cargo intake at Suvarnabhumi from 1-6 Oct because of flood staff shortages Bangkok Post · Sep 30, 2026

Thai Airways Cargo has stopped accepting inbound, outbound and transit cargo at its Suvarnabhumi terminal from 00:01 on 1 Oct to 23:59 on 6 Oct. Flooding has kept staff from getting to work, causing a backlog in deliveries and flight loading. Exemptions cover diplomatic documents, live animals, human remains and mail. If your business ships or receives air freight, move urgent consignments through other carriers or airports, or book earlier, and warn customers of possible delays. The airline has not said when normal service will resume beyond the 6 Oct end date.

Salesforce will charge per API call when AI agents connect, from November; price notice comes 30 days ahead Blognone · Sep 30, 2026

Salesforce says that from November it will start charging for platform use when software connects through AI agents, counted per successful API call (called Headless Platform Interaction). Agents must be registered first, and admins can control which features humans versus agents can use. The multiplier is not yet decided and prices will be announced 30 days before billing starts. If your business runs Salesforce and uses AI agents or automation tools against it, check your contract and budget for extra API-based costs once the price is published.

Super El Niño could cut Thai farm output by up to 61,860 million baht, so plan for drought and rice, cane and cassava shortfalls Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

Krungthai COMPASS estimates a Super El Niño in 2026 could cost Thai agriculture up to 61,860 million baht through drought and erratic rain. KKP Research expects rice output to fall about 5.4 million tonnes, cane about 12 million tonnes and cassava about 3.1 million tonnes. Drought may also worsen PM2.5 haze early next year. For a business, watch raw-material prices and supply from farm inputs, and plan water and cash flow for a dry period.

Bangkok flood pumps from Prachinburi and Ayutthaya reach Khlong Chan; Lat Krabang still waiting Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

Bangkok's governor is using locally built high-volume pumps to drain floodwater from Khlong Chan housing into Khlong Saen Saep, and pumps are being moved to Lat Krabang where Khlong Prawet Buri is still high. Water levels are falling in some areas, but deep pockets remain and Ratchadaphisek and Huamak roads are still partly flooded. Expect traffic disruption around Nida junction and Ram Khamhaeng. If your shop or warehouse is in eastern or northern Bangkok, check access and stock protection, and watch for Cell Broadcast alerts about Saiyai water flowing in from Pathum Thani.