Archive

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.

US Navy carrier and destroyer dock in Phuket 5-10 October with about 5,000 crew ashore Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

Two US Navy ships, the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (about 4,800 personnel) and destroyer USS Delbert D. Black (about 320), are scheduled to berth at Phuket's deep-water port from 5 to 10 October. Police in Patong are coordinating with the US embassy and a group chat has been set up for liaison. For Phuket businesses, this means a short burst of foreign crew visiting bars, restaurants, shops and tour operators during that week. Plan extra staff and stock for the window, and remind staff that crew must follow Thai law. The article gives no spending or economic figures.

BOI flood relief for promoted firms: duty-free replacement machinery, and claims due within 6 months of the flood ending Techsauce · Sep 29, 2026

BOI reminds BOI-promoted firms hit by floods that they can import replacement machinery duty-free and write off damaged machinery or raw materials without tax liability. Eligibility: the premises must be in an area declared a disaster zone or emergency relief zone for the flood. Claims with damage evidence must be filed within 6 months of the flood's end, which is the date the relevant zone declaration ends. Machinery bought to replace damaged units can also expand production capacity under the scheme's conditions. Details sit in BOI announcements 15/2567 and ป.7/2568. Questions: BOI head office 02-553-8111.

Suvarnabhumi air cargo jam delays exports: airlines pause acceptance from 29 Sep to 3 Oct Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

Thai Airways warehousing asked customers to limit and delay outbound cargo from 29 Sep to 3 Oct 2026, and some airlines have temporarily stopped accepting export cargo at Suvarnabhumi. Some inbound raw materials are taking up to 7 working days to clear. If you ship by air, plan earlier cut-offs, warn overseas buyers of possible delays, and consider alternative routes or forwarders. The Thai Exporters Association (TEA) is urging government to add space, expand off-site screening, and speed up KC/RA certification. SMEs can ask about RA certification without needing their own X-ray machine.

Kanchanaburi dam releases rise to 486 cu m/s from 30 Sep to 4 Oct, closing three tourist sites Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

Heavy rain has pushed Vajiralongkorn Dam releases up to 347 cu m/s on 29 Sep and 486 cu m/s from 30 Sep to 4 Oct (EGAT, reported 28 Sep at 96% capacity). Mae Klong Dam may release up to 3,000 cu m/s, raising water levels about 2.5–3 m and up to +80 cm in Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram and Samut Sakhon. Sri Nakarin National Park has temporarily closed Huai Mae Khamin falls, Mae Khamin hot spring and Pha Tat falls, including bungalows and campsites, and a road at km 25+300 toward Nern Sawan is damaged. Businesses in Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi and the Mae Klong river basin should check stock, equipment and staff safety in low-lying areas, and plan for lost tourism bookings in the park area.

SEC has 12 companies queued for IPOs, 6 already approved Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

The SEC lists 12 companies in the IPO queue: 6 approved and 6 under review. So far in 2026, 3 IPOs have raised 700.92 million baht in total, and 39 more firms are in pre-consultation. For a typical SME owner this is background only. It matters only if you plan to raise equity from the public or compete with listed firms for capital; no action is needed now.

THAI baggage chaos and flood delays hit Thai tourism image, minister says Bangkok Post · Sep 29, 2026

Flooding in Bangkok over the weekend delayed about 5,600 bags and 330 Thai Airways flights, and the airline cut daily flights by 30% to reset operations. Thai Airways says baggage backlog should clear within three days, and a compensation claim process is open for affected passengers. For a small business, the practical point is to expect possible delays on Thai Airways routes, especially if you travel or ship goods by air, and to keep your own passenger claim records. The minister said the damage to Thailand's tourism image could affect demand.

Mae Klong flood warning: Ratchaburi and Samut Songkhram shops should move stock and vehicles to high ground now Bangkok Post · Sep 29, 2026

Ratchaburi municipality has ordered schools and childcare centres closed for the week and told riverside communities to move belongings, valuables and vehicles to high ground or municipal safe parking. The Mae Klong Dam raised discharge to 1,900 cubic metres per second, heading to 2,500, and the 1,500 critical level has already been exceeded. Samut Songkhram is building sandbag barriers, and high Gulf tides may worsen the flood. If your shop, warehouse or workshop sits near the Mae Klong in Ratchaburi or Samut Songkhram, move stock and vehicles now and plan for disrupted deliveries and staff absence this week.

Ratchaburi readies evacuation as Mae Klong floods, so move stock and vehicles to high ground now Bangkok Post · Sep 29, 2026

Ratchaburi municipality has put residents on standby for evacuation and ordered municipal schools and childcare centres closed for the week, as the Mae Klong rises past a critical flood point. The Muang district flood is expected to be serious. Samut Songkhram is building sandbag barriers, and high Gulf tides could worsen the flood. If your shop, warehouse or vehicles are in Ratchaburi's Muang district or along the Mae Klong, move stock, equipment and vehicles to high ground or the municipal safe parking areas now, and keep track of official updates.

Samut Songkhram warns low-lying riverside areas to brace for Mae Klong dam releases and high tides Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

Mae Klong dam releases from Kanchanaburi are rising and tides are pushing high twice a day. On 29 September 2026 the forecast peak is about 1.3 m in the morning and 1.2 m around 18:00–19:00. If your shop, warehouse or stock is in a low-lying or riverside area in Samut Songkhram, move stock and valuable equipment to higher ground now and track water levels. Emergency lines: PPD 1784, 034-715-835, Damrongtham 1567.

US bond yields hit 19-year highs, but Thai markets are less exposed than in 2013 or 2022 The Standard Wealth · Sep 29, 2026

US 10-year yields hit a 19-year high and the 30-year a 22-year high, pushing up the dollar and pressuring gold. A SCB FM strategist says the baht has weakened about 7% year to date, less than the 10-15% in past crises, and EM equities are still positive. The Thai 10-year yield rose about 20 bps, half the US move. Markets now price some BoT rate hikes next year, but the strategist expects the BoT to hold rates given Thailand's fragile recovery. For a business, the practical point is a softer baht and a weaker outlook for rate cuts: review USD-linked import costs and loan repricing, but there is no sign of a crisis.

Thai Airways shares slip 2.4% over baggage crisis, but analysts see only a 2-3% profit hit The Standard Wealth · Sep 29, 2026

Thai Airways (THAI) shares fell about 2.4% after baggage backlogs and delays, and it cancelled some flights on 29-30 September. KGI analyst Parinya Kitjathonpitak sees a short-term sentiment hit and a 2-3% cut to full-year profit estimates, assuming the impact lasts 7 days. The late-September low season limits the damage. For a small business, this is mainly background: if you rely on THAI cargo or flight schedules, check your bookings for the affected dates.

Mae Klong dam releases rise to 3,000 cubic metres a second; Ratchaburi riverside businesses told to prepare for flooding within hours Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

Ratchaburi province has issued Cell Broadcast warnings as Mae Klong dam raises releases from 2,000 to possibly 3,000 cubic metres per second. Water downstream is expected to rise 2.5-3 metres, arriving in about 8-9 hours from the 13:00 release increase. Authorities ask riverside and low-lying areas to evacuate vulnerable people first. Municipal advice: move stock and vehicles to higher ground, unplug or raise electrical cables, and stock dry food and drinking water. Shelters are open at the Ratchaburi gymnasium and Khao Wang. Check official announcements closely, since the water level may change quickly.

Cabinet lets Chao Phraya Dam release up to 2,200 cubic metres a second in stages, flood-zone projects approved Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

Cabinet raised the Chao Phraya Dam release ceiling from 2,000 to 2,200 cubic metres per second, released in steps, not all at once; officials say this could lift water levels about 30 cm if fully used. Central Thailand flood-relief projects (Chai Nat-Pa Sak-Gulf of Thailand, 8 years, 2027-2034 per article) were approved, and the Bang Ban-Bang Sai drainage project's deadline was set to July 2028 (BE 2571) with no further extension. Governors were told to stay in their provinces. For a business in Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Chai Nat, Sing Buri or Lopburi, or in low-lying Bangkok, plan for repeated flooding and check stock, access roads and delivery routes. A 4,731 million baht relief fund for flood victims was also approved and is to be disbursed quickly.

Cabinet approves B160bn flood project; Thai SMEs get B9,000 relief per household after floods Bangkok Post · Sep 29, 2026

The cabinet approved a 160bn-baht, eight-year plan to divert water from Chai Nat through the Pasak River to the Gulf, plus a 90bn-baht "second Chao Phraya" project. Budget and loan sources are still being finalised, so no work or contracts are certain yet. Immediate relief of 9,000 baht per household needs local agencies to submit data first; check whether your household or business area is eligible. At least 23 people have died in floods across 42 provinces since Sept 16. If your premises or supply routes are in the central region, review flood protection and stock now.

Cabinet approves FY2027 public debt plan: 1.26 trillion baht in new borrowing, debt to near 69% of GDP Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

The Public Debt Management Office got Cabinet approval for the FY2027 plan: 1.26 trillion baht in new borrowing, 1.9 trillion baht in refinancing, and 580 billion baht in repayments. Public debt is expected to reach about 69% of GDP, peak in 2028 and stay under the 70% ceiling. For SMEs, the near-term cash lever is the 200 billion baht energy-transition loan: no projects are approved yet, but agencies can submit proposals until 30 September, with solar, electric motorcycles and buses, and upskilling among the likely categories. Thai Chuay Thai Plus phase 2 has been funded with 30–40 billion baht and starts 1 October. Those loan funds cannot be used for flood relief.

Flooding has pushed car insurance claims past 4,000 vehicles, so check your fleet's cover now Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

Viriya Insurance reports more than 4,000 flood-damaged cars as of 29 Sep 2026, mostly in Bangkok and its vicinity and the central and eastern regions. Claims are being surveyed and paid after inspection. If your vehicles or delivery trucks are in flood-prone areas, confirm you hold comprehensive cover and know your insurer's claim line and process. Move vehicles to high ground early, since the insurer says some cars could not be moved in time. Insurers may face slower claim processing during the flood.

Cabinet approves extra 1,544 million baht for rice farmers, paid via BAAC by 31 Dec Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

Cabinet approved an extra 1,544.98 million baht to pay 233,729 more rice-farming households for the 2025/26 crop year (68/69), at 1,000 baht per rai, capped at 10 rai or 10,000 baht per household. BAAC pays directly into farmers' accounts. The programme deadline moves from 30 Sep 2026 to 31 Dec 2026. For SMEs in rice-dependent provinces, this means extra cash flowing to farm households and local spending, and for ones who are farmers themselves, check whether your household is on the list.