Archive

Who leads the NBTC is in dispute, with board meetings set for 1–2 October and possible criminal exposure Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

A former Supreme Court judge says the NBTC chair, Dr Soran, lost his authority after the Central Administrative Court dismissed his case on 25 September 2026, so the board meetings called for 1–2 October are unlawful. The board has failed to reach quorum 12 times in the past month, leaving 198+ agenda items pending. For a Thai business this matters only if you depend on NBTC decisions (licences, spectrum, telecom or broadcast rules), where delays are likely to continue. This is one commentator's legal view; the outcome is not settled.

Baht opens stronger at 33.56 per dollar on 30 Sep as US yields hit multi-decade high Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

The baht opened at 33.56 per USD, up from 33.60 the previous close, with a 24-hour expected range of 33.40-33.70. Driver: US 30-year Treasury yields hit 5.62%, the highest since June 2002, and markets are pricing a likely Fed hike (70.3% for October, 94.9% for December). Oil fell 3.48% to $89.38/barrel amid Middle East supply worries. For a Thai SME: the baht is in a narrow band for now, so keep existing FX quotes and hedges as planned; watch the US PCE inflation data and jobs report due this week and early October, since they can move the rate. Foreign investors sold net THB 7.7bn of Thai stocks and THB 3.1bn of Thai bonds the previous day.

Fastwork is moving from fastwork.co to fastwork.com by early 2027, so freelancers and clients should update their links Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

Fastwork confirmed its second notice: fastwork.co will really close, but gradually. Everything moves to fastwork.com from late 2026 to early 2027. The company says freelancer income and client jobs will not be affected. Demo Day is 14-15 October 2026 at Siam Paragon, and there is a waitlist at fastwork.com. If your business uses fastwork.co for hiring or listings, update bookmarks and profiles and watch for the migration. The same article reports the operator's 2025 net loss of about 74.5 million baht, which is a reason to check payment terms before relying on the platform.

Diesel and gasohol prices today (30 Sep 2026): B7 at 41.44 baht, B20 at 36.44 baht Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

Bangchak's posted pump prices for 30 Sep 2026: B7 diesel 41.44 baht/litre, B20 36.44, premium diesel 50.05; gasohol 95 at 39.94, gasohol 91 at 39.57, E20 at 34.94, E85 at 30.88. Prices exclude the Bangkok local land tax and take effect tomorrow at 05:00, so tomorrow's price may differ. Check your own station before budgeting fuel for delivery vehicles or machinery, and note the B20 gap if your equipment can run on it.

National flood and disaster insurance starts 1 Oct, but insurers are hesitant and coverage is being cut back Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

The government plans to start a national disaster insurance scheme on 1 Oct 2026, covering flood, windstorm and earthquake for about 30 million households, with 75,000 million baht in total cover. Insurers have not finished agreeing and many are hesitant; they had offered 60,000 million. Talks may limit cover to residential buildings and deaths, excluding furniture and household electrical appliances. Only disasters declared from 1 Oct 2026 would be covered; earlier declarations stay under existing policies. For SMEs: check your own property policy now, especially contents cover, since the scheme may not replace it. Watch for final terms before 1 Oct.

Rain eases in upper Thailand, heavy rain stays in the south for 24 hours Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

The Thai Meteorological Department forecasts less rain in the upper north and central regions, with thunderstorms in about 30% of areas. The east and west coasts of the south still face heavy rain and flood risk, with 60% thunderstorm coverage. Sea waves are 1-2 m in the Andaman Sea and over 2 m near storms. If your business ships, fishes, or runs boats in the south or Andaman, plan around rough seas and delays. If you run outdoor work or deliveries in the south, expect rain disruption.

Floods hit 28 provinces: 9,000 baht relief pending, BOI tax waiver on machinery and raw materials Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

Floods now affect 28 provinces. Cabinet approved 4.73 billion baht in emergency funds; the 9,000 baht per household payout is still pending and expected to go to cabinet after the agency compiles affected-household data. Government state banks have set up a single support centre. BOI will waive taxes on machinery and raw materials. Durian orchards in the east reportedly lost 30% and Khao Yai-Pak Chong hotels cancelled 100% of bookings. Kasikorn Research warns that prolonged flooding could hit the high season and Q4. Check whether your premises or stock are in an affected province, and prepare to claim relief and state-bank support.

Thai Airways cuts 30-40% of flights after Bangkok floods leave ground staff short Prachachat · Sep 30, 2026

Flooding in Bangkok has left Thai Airways with about half its ground staff, so on-time departures have fallen below 3% over three days. From 28 September it cut flights by 30-40%, moved some passengers to other airlines and set a 72-hour target to clear 5,600 stranded bags. For Thai SMEs that ship cargo or travel on Thai Airways, expect delays and cargo backlogs, and check rebooking and compensation with the airline. Flood disruption to Suvarnabhumi ground operations may affect other logistics too.

TAT plans a 2027 push for Japanese tourists, aiming at wellness and spa packages Bangkok Post · Sep 30, 2026

The Tourism Authority of Thailand starts its 2027 marketing plan in October, targeting Japanese visitors with wellness, traditional spa and massage products and 140 historical and cultural routes tied to the 140th anniversary of Thai-Japanese relations. Average spend per Japanese trip is targeted to rise from 40,400 baht to 42,000-44,000 baht. TAT is urging tour operators to sell premium or wellness retreat packages with higher margins rather than compete on price. Weak yen is pulling Japanese travellers toward Taiwan, South Korea and Vietnam, so Japan-focused businesses should plan for softer seat capacity and tighter pricing.

Bangkok flooding halts logistics for a week, so plan for delayed deliveries and closed shops Bangkok Post · Sep 30, 2026

Flash floods have inundated the Lat Krabang Inland Container Depot since Saturday, and about 60-70% of Bangkok logistics operations are affected. Logistics operators say goods transport will take at least seven days to return to normal if no more rain falls. Hypermarkets and convenience stores in heavily affected eastern Bangkok remain closed. If you ship, receive stock or sell in Bangkok, expect delays, check with your carrier, and build buffer stock for the coming week. More heavy rain and dam discharges are forecast.

Eastern floods are snarling egg deliveries, but supply and farm-gate prices are holding Bangkok Post · Sep 30, 2026

Flooding has damaged some layer farms in the eastern provinces and cut transport on some flooded routes, but the Layer Farmers Association says domestic egg supply is sufficient and there is no shortage. Farmers expect conditions to improve within 5-7 days if no more rain falls, though losses cannot be assessed until the water recedes. If you buy eggs from eastern suppliers, expect possible delivery delays and plan a small buffer; no price rise is reported.

Bangkok flood risk rises as proposed city plan cuts retention land in west and east Bangkok Post · Sep 30, 2026

The Thailand Consumers Council warns that Chao Phraya flows are rising (Chao Phraya Dam discharge raised to 1,950 cu m/sec on Sunday) and that old floodwater has not yet drained. The proposed fourth revision of Bangkok's city plan would turn green-striped flood-retention land in western Bangkok and eastern districts such as Nong Chok, Min Buri, Khan Na Yao, Sai Mai and Lat Krabang into housing and condo zones. For a business, check whether your premises, warehouse or land sits in a flood-prone or retention area, and watch for the plan's public hearing and final approval before buying, leasing or building in these districts.

Floods hit 29 provinces and Bangkok: check your flood plan now Bangkok Post · Sep 30, 2026

DDPM reports flooding in 29 provinces and Bangkok, affecting 2.6 million people and 940,000+ households, with 22 deaths as of Tuesday. Water is still rising in Pathum Thani, Chon Buri, Ayutthaya and other areas. The RID plans to raise Mae Klong Dam releases above 2,000 cubic metres per second, lifting downstream levels more than 80 cm in Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram and Samut Sakhon. If your shop, warehouse or delivery routes are in these areas, move stock to higher ground, protect electrical equipment, and watch official DDPM and RID warnings closely.

Bangkok floods expose weak official warnings, so plan your own flood response now Bangkok Post · Sep 30, 2026

After three days of continuous rain, flooding in and around Bangkok left residents of Klong Chan Flats (Bang Kapi) stranded for days with cut water and power, and critics said early warnings were poor. Observers say disaster preparedness by the central government and BMA fell short despite large budgets. Practical point for a small business: do not rely on official alerts alone. Check Thai Meteorological Department and state agency updates directly, verify social media claims, and plan for pumps failing, power and water cuts, and access being blocked by floodwater, including protecting stock, vehicles and staff routes.

Thai Airways cancels 37 more flights through Thursday after Bangkok flood baggage backlog Bangkok Post · Sep 29, 2026

Thai Airways has cancelled 37 more domestic and international flights for Sept 29 to Oct 1, on top of 59 cancelled since flooding began in Bangkok on Sept 26. About 5,600 bags were delayed after flood-stranded staff could not reach Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang. If your team or customers travel by Thai Airways to Phuket, Chiang Mai, Udon Thani or Europe this week, check the flight status before you travel and allow extra time for baggage. Keep the flight numbers handy for any refund or rebooking claims.

NBTC board deadlocked again as chairman takes leave from 1–2 October meeting Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

The NBTC (telecom and broadcast regulator) board has failed to form a quorum 12 times in about a month, leaving 198 agenda items pending. Chairman Dr. Soravich has asked the remaining commissioners to elect a temporary chair for the 1–2 October 2026 meeting, as he is unavailable from 30 September to 4 October. Relevant mainly if your business depends on telecom licences, broadcast or spectrum rulings, or internet service contracts: expect approvals to stay slow until the board is functioning again.

Land Bank Management Institute dissolved effective 1 October 2026 Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

The Royal Gazette published a Prime Minister's Office notice dissolving the Land Bank Management Institute (BEDO-linked public organisation, known as บจธ.) from 1 October 2026. Its assets and accounts go to the National Land Policy Committee (สคทช.) for review and closing within one year, with any leftover funds returned to the state. Its farmer contracts and open projects will be handled by สคทช. temporarily. For most Thai SME owners this is background only; it matters mainly if you have dealings with the institute or its farmer land-reform programme.

Public debt heads to a record 68% of GDP, and 200 billion baht of new loans for solar, EVs and reskilling are next in line The Standard Wealth · Sep 29, 2026

The Public Debt Management Office expects public debt to reach 68% of GDP at the end of fiscal 2026, a record, but still under the 70% ceiling. Government borrowing costs average 2.6% and are expected to stay flat in fiscal 2027. The cabinet approved 1.26 trillion baht of new borrowing for fiscal 2027, including a second 200 billion baht energy loan. Projects queued for that loan are public-facing solar, EV buses and motorcycles, and staff upskilling/reskilling. For a small business, the practical signals are possible state-backed demand in solar and EV, and training subsidies to watch. Nothing requires action yet; no new deadlines are stated.

Bangkok closes schools in 15 high-flood districts until 2 Oct, so plan for parent childcare and staff absences Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

Bangkok's Education Office has suspended classes at city-run schools in 15 districts with high flood levels from 30 Sep to 2 Oct 2026. Schools in 14 medium-impact districts and 21 unaffected districts are left to each district director. Affected districts include Chatuchak, Bang Khen, Bang Kapi, Lat Krabang, Min Buri, Saphan Sung and Lak Si. If you run a business there, expect staff with school-age children to be absent or need cover, and plan for delivery and customer disruption. Watch for extra closures in medium-impact districts.

US navy carrier brings 5,000 sailors to Phuket on Oct 4-9 Bangkok Post · Sep 29, 2026

A US aircraft carrier, the USS George HW Bush, is scheduled to call at Phuket from Oct 4-9 with about 4,800 personnel plus a destroyer with about 320. Police and US Embassy officials are arranging security, and Thai authorities have asked the visiting sailors to follow Thai law. If you run a hotel, restaurant, tour, transport or shop in Phuket, expect a short surge in foreign visitors. The Pattaya visit a month earlier was reported to have brought about 100 million baht into the local economy, which gives a rough sense of the scale.