Archive

Doi Inthanon trails closed after heavy rain, with flash-flood warnings for Chiang Mai's Om Koi and Chom Thong Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

Inthanon National Park has temporarily closed the Pha Dok Siao nature trail and Mae Ya waterfall after rain built up water on the site. The Meteorological Centre expects heavy, intermittent rain on 28-29 September 2026, with flash floods and landslide risk at night in Om Koi and Chom Thong. If your business runs tours, homestays, or restaurants in these areas, move bookings and stock to higher ground, plan for cancellations, and check the park's Facebook page before reopening.

Bangkok floods cost 12.3 billion baht in 5 days; retail, dining and delivery takings are hit hardest The Standard Wealth · Sep 29, 2026

Flooding from 25-29 Sep cost an estimated 12,283 million baht in the base case (range 5,896-20,635 million), excluding property losses. Consumer spending, restaurants, tourism and logistics are the main channels; Bangkok took 57%, and Pattaya/Chonburi were hit hard. Expect slower sales, delivery delays to some outlets (Bang Kapi, Minburi, Rangsit) and a holiday-driven drop in working days on 28-29 Sep. Watch vegetable prices into the Vegetarian Festival (10-18 Oct), and the risk that flooding reaches EEC or industrial estates, which would raise the damage.

Thai Airways apologises for Suvarnabhumi baggage backlog and delays, promises fix within 3 days The Standard Wealth · Sep 29, 2026

Thai Airways' ground handling at Suvarnabhumi is backed up by flooding that kept staff, including licensed equipment operators, from reaching work. Flights may be merged or cancelled with passengers moved to other airlines, and bags are being delivered to homes via Thai Post after a QR-code address scan. For a Thai SME shipping air cargo or travelling for business, expect delayed bags and cargo and possible rebooking. Keep shipment and travel dates flexible for the next few days and check with your airline or forwarder about delayed cargo. The airline says it aims to clear the backlog within 3 days.

SME group demands immediate flood aid for small firms, loan relief and rent support before waters recede The Standard Wealth · Sep 29, 2026

The SME Thai federation is asking government and Bangkok to act now on flood relief, not wait for waters to drop. Bangkok has declared a disaster zone in all 50 districts, but net damage is not yet assessed. Its five asks: a 6-month to 1-year debt and interest grace period, low-interest emergency loans, faster compensation with fewer forms, temporary relief on rent, wages and utilities, and support to bring customers back. These are proposals only; nothing is in force yet. Practical step: if your shop or workshop is in a flooded area, document losses with photos and receipts now, and talk to your lender about restructuring before payments fall due. The federation warns that a 3-4 day closure can take revenue to zero and recovery can take 3-6 months.

Thai Airways baggage backlog at Suvarnabhumi: ministry says airline must compensate passengers Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

Thai Airways has a large backlog of delayed and stranded passenger bags at Suvarnabhumi, blamed on staff shortages after flooding affected employees. The Transport Ministry says the airline must compensate passengers, and it wants a board meeting to set fixes. AOT, the Air Force and Thailand Post are helping sort and deliver bags. For a business owner: if you travel on Thai Airways or ship goods with cargo or baggage tied to its flights, expect delays, and keep records of any losses to claim compensation.

Suvarnabhumi baggage delays from flooding expected to clear within a week Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

Flooding around Suvarnabhumi Airport left Thai Airways ground staff short-handed, and bags sat on belts for 26–27 September. The government sent 69 soldiers and says the backlog should clear within a week. For a business that ships or travels through the airport, expect delays on Thai Airways flights and knock-on departure delays for a few more days. Build in extra time and keep customer delivery promises realistic until services normalise.

Crude oil climbs again as US-Iran talks stall, keeping diesel and transport costs under pressure Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

West Texas crude was about US$92.60 a barrel (+0.19) and Brent about US$105.28 (+0.96) on 28 Sep 2026 after Trump rejected Iran's proposed 7-day ceasefire. Iran will not ease conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, so the outlook stays uncertain. Saudi crude exports rose about 80% in September to roughly 6 million barrels a day. For a Thai SME, keep fuel and freight cost assumptions high and avoid locking in cheaper prices yet. A US-China deal to cut tariffs on US$60bn of goods and extend the trade truce to 10 Jan 2027 eases some demand worry.

BOI flood relief: BOI-promoted firms can claim duty-free replacement machinery and write-offs within 6 months Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

BOI has three flood-relief measures for companies holding BOI investment promotion: duty-free import of replacement machinery, tax-free write-off of damaged machinery and raw materials, and permission to raise capacity in line with new or replacement machines. Eligibility requires premises in an officially declared flood disaster zone. Claims with damage evidence must be filed within 6 months of the flood ending, where the end date is set by the disaster-zone declaration. Contact BOI at 0-2553-8111 or Line @boinews.

Government approves 165bn baht Chainat-Pasak-Gulf flood plan; works start FY2027, 8 years Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

The cabinet is considering a 165bn baht long-term flood-management project (Chainat–Pasak–Gulf of Thailand), which has passed EIA and would run about 8 years, starting in FY2027 with budget set aside. Officials say part of the funding may be foreign loans, so timing depends on Finance Ministry negotiations. Estimated flood damage avoided is 17bn baht a year. For a Thai SME, this is a long-horizon infrastructure item: check whether your premises or supply routes sit in the Chao Phraya floodplain (Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Bangkok flood zones), and watch the current northern water releases and PAD flood warnings this week.

Flood-hit SMEs: Finance Ministry hotline 1689 (press 1 or 4) now routes debt-deferral and emergency loan requests Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

The Finance Ministry has opened a flood-relief coordination centre at the ministry in Bangkok (Mon–Fri, 09:00–16:00, from 29 Sept 2569 / 2026). Flood-affected people and businesses can call 1689, press 1 or 4, to ask about measures, report problems getting aid, or ask the centre to coordinate for them. The centre works with seven policy banks, including GSB, SME Bank, BAAC, GHB, EXIM and the SME credit guarantee corporation (BSY), plus the insurance regulator OIC. Relevant help: debt payment deferral, liquidity and recovery loans, and loans to repair premises and assets. Insurance claim rights can also be checked via OIC at 1186. Owners with flood damage should note the direct numbers for each bank and act early.

155 Bangkok schools still closed by flooding; government readies emergency repair budget Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

Education Minister Prasert Chantarasuwan says 155 schools, mainly in Bangkok, remain closed as floodwater has stood for 4-5 days and smells. Schools may suspend classes, and a damage survey is underway before the ministry requests central emergency funds for repairs. No reopening date is set; the minister said they will not reopen within this week. For a Thai SME, expect slower school-linked trade (uniforms, canteens, school transport, tutoring) in affected areas, and watch for flood-relief contracts for repair and cleaning work.

Gold prices fell 250 baht today, with jewellery gold at 66,700 baht per baht-weight Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

As of 09:01 on 29 Sep 2026, per the Gold Traders Association, the gold bar (96.5%) buy price is 65,700 baht and sell price 65,900 baht per baht-weight. Jewellery gold sells at 66,700 baht and buys back at 64,384.52 baht, so the spread is wide. Gold spot is around US$4,135 per ounce. If you hold gold for stock, sale or collateral, check the buy-back price before selling, since the spread on jewellery is large.

Thai Airways cancels 11 flights on 29–30 Sept as Bangkok flooding hits Suvarnabhumi; check bookings and baggage status Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

Flooding in Bangkok and its outskirts has forced Thai Airways to cancel 11 flights on 29–30 September 2569 (2026), including Bangkok routes to Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Phuket, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, New Delhi, Frankfurt, Hanoi, Munich and Brussels. Baggage from 52 flights of 26–27 September is still being delivered. If your staff, suppliers or customers are travelling, rebook early and confirm flight status. If you are owed bags, call 0-2134-5373–74 (domestic) or 0-2134-5466–68 (international) or check your QR registration.

11.22 million people pass the 2026 welfare card screening, with cars and home loans the top disqualifiers Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

The Finance Ministry will submit the 2026 State Welfare Card screening results to the cabinet on 29 Sep 2026. Of 18.82 million registrants, 11.22 million (59.63%) passed and 7.6 million failed. The main reasons for failing were owning a car (3.0 million), a home loan above 100,000 baht (2.49 million), and annual income above 100,000 baht (1.61 million). Over 6.9 million passers are aged 51 and over. For a small business, this mainly matters if your customers or staff are welfare-eligible. Check the official Finance Ministry announcement for rights and next steps.

Baht opens weaker at 33.62 per dollar as oil and Fed rate-hike bets push the dollar up Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

TTB reports the baht opened at 33.62 per USD on 29 Sep 2026, down from 33.59 the prior close, with a 24-hour range of 33.40-33.80. Higher oil prices tied to US-Iran tensions are lifting the dollar, and markets now give 70.3% odds of another Fed hike in October. For importers paying in dollars, a weaker baht raises costs; exporters gain some margin. Watch the US PCE inflation data this week, plus Friday's US jobs report. Foreign investors were net sellers of Thai stocks (THB 3.9bn) and bonds (THB 5.6bn) the previous day.

Cabinet to weigh 165 billion baht Chao Phraya flood plan and 2 billion baht relief for Bangkok and vicinity Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

At its last meeting of fiscal 2026 (year ends 30 Sep), the cabinet may approve a long-term water plan, "Chainat-Pasak-Gulf of Thailand", worth about 165,000 million baht to drain the Chao Phraya basin faster and ease repeat flooding in Bangkok and nearby provinces. It may also allocate 2,000 million baht in emergency funds for flood victims in Bangkok and vicinity. Rice farmers may get 1,000 baht per rai (up to 10 rai, 10,000 baht per household) under the existing rule. The commerce ministry may seek 300 million baht for low-price essential goods to ease cost of living. These are proposals, not yet approved. Flood-hit firms in Bangkok and central provinces should watch for relief application rules once funds are released.

Diesel at Bangchak stations is 41.44 baht a litre today, B20 is 36.44 Prachachat · Sep 29, 2026

Bangchak reference prices for 29 Sep 2026: High-speed diesel S 41.44 baht/litre; B20 diesel 36.44 baht (up 0.75 baht from the previous day); Gasohol E20 34.94; Gasohol 91 39.57; Gasohol 95 39.94. Prices exclude Bangkok local land tax and take effect from 05:00 tomorrow. Fleet and delivery operators should budget fuel at these levels and check actual station prices, since these are reference figures.

Apple releases iOS 27.0.1 and security patches for iPhone, iPad and Mac Blognone · Sep 29, 2026

Apple has released minor updates across its platforms, including iOS 27.0.1, iPadOS 27.0.1, macOS Golden Gate 27.0.1 and watchOS 27.0.1, plus security fixes for iOS 26.7.1 and macOS versions. The update fixes a Face ID reboot bug and a colour issue on 2x photos on iPhone 18 Pro models, and it closes security holes. If your staff use iPhones, iPads or Macs for sales, billing or customer chats, install the update soon, and do it after backing up the device.

Bangkok floods could cost the city 11.8bn baht, hitting retail, dining and logistics this week Bangkok Post · Sep 29, 2026

The UTCC Center for Economic and Business Forecasting estimates Bangkok's flood losses at up to 11.8bn baht for Sept 25-29, with a base case of about 12.3bn baht nationally (worst case 20.6bn). Flooding has cut spending at malls, shops, restaurants and petrol stations, disrupted worker commutes, and blocked main roads, making deliveries hard to Bang Kapi, Min Buri and Rangsit. Expect slower sales and delivery delays while water stays high; the centre expects it to ease within a week. Estimates exclude property, inventory and farm damage, which will be assessed later, so check stock and insurance claims.

Floods hit auto plants in Rayong, Chachoengsao and Chon Buri; check your supply chain Bangkok Post · Sep 29, 2026

Heavy weekend rain flooded Rayong, Chachoengsao and Chon Buri, where many car plants sit. The FTI says some plants have flooding inside their facilities, but production continues and trucks are moving vehicles to ports. If you supply auto parts or logistics in the East, confirm delivery schedules with your customers now and watch for delays. The FTI expects more updates from automakers in the coming days.