Archive
September 28, 2026
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The Office of Insurance Commissioner (คปภ.) lists four steps for flood claims: 1) check the policy covers flood or natural disaster (car Type 1 covers flood; Type 2+ and 3+ need flood add-on checked; home fire policies must name flood). 2) Photograph damage item by item and, for cars, the engine bay and water marks. 3) Notify the insurer as soon as possible with policy number, plate, date, place, and keep the Claim No. 4) Prepare ID copy, damage photos, car registration, house registration or land deed. Car repair guide: water to carpet about 8,000-10,000 baht; to seats 15,000-20,000; to lower console 25,000-30,000; to upper console 30,000+. Total loss is settled per policy terms.
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The Department of Medical Sciences lists 8 flood-linked risks: respiratory infections, food and waterborne illness, leptospirosis, fungal foot infections and wounds, pink eye, dengue, electrical, drowning and animal-bite accidents, and flood stress. For a small business, this means protecting staff who wade through flooded areas: boots, washing feet with soap, cooking food thoroughly, and cutting power at the breaker before water reaches the premises. Staff with fever after flood exposure, or with jaundice, bloody-red eyes or swollen infected wounds, should see a doctor promptly. Plan for absences and keep a first-aid kit ready.
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On 28 Sep 2026 the Khlong Rayok reservoir in Rayong held about 24 million cubic metres, 121% of its maximum capacity. The Royal Irrigation Department is releasing water at 100% (about 6.02 m³/s) through the spillway, which may raise water levels downstream. Four subdistricts in Kleng district (Thung Khwai Kin, Nam Pen, Ban Na, Khlong Pun) are on watch. The ministry estimates 11,960 rai of farmland and 497 farmers are affected across six districts, and relief surveys are pending. If you have stock, equipment or crops in these areas, move them to higher ground now and watch for official updates. Farmers in the area should register damage with the local agriculture office to qualify for relief.
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The Subdivision Developers Association says the Bangkok flooding will hurt property sales short-term, mainly for projects in flood-prone areas, on top of a still-fragile market. REIC data show Bangkok-area transfers up 20.8% and value up 7% year on year, while new unit launches fell. For a small builder or contractor, the practical signals are to check flood history and drainage when choosing land, and to expect buyers to ask about flood resilience. The article's policy asks (zoning, drainage investment) are proposals only, with no decision or deadline yet.
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On 27 Sep 2026 the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare issued a request (not a binding rule) after flood warnings for Bangkok and central, eastern and southern Thailand, with impacts expected until 29 Sep. Key asks: treat late arrival or absence caused by flooded homes or blocked travel as not a leave day or a disciplinary offence; prepare an emergency plan; check electrics, machinery and buildings for hazards; have the welfare committee support affected staff; and resolve issues in good faith with staff and unions. For a small business, decide now how you will record flood-related absences and check your premises before the rains return.
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The Digital Economy Ministry and the Meteorological Department say they will simplify rain warnings, using numbered levels in place of the current yellow, green and red colours. They have already issued 18 warnings since 21 September. Updates will go out on the TMD website, the TMD app, social media, and the TMD Weather platform. The hotline is 1182. For a shop or factory, set up the TMD app now so you receive alerts. Flood risk depends on drainage and ground water, so also check with the Royal Irrigation Department and the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DDPM). The new scale has not been finalised yet.
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Flash flooding in Bangkok and surrounding areas over the weekend lifted home-repair, auto-parts and essentials retail stocks on 28 Sep 2026, while analysts expect insurance claims to rise from Q4/2026 to Q1/2027. Analysts say the impact on the broader market should be limited because factories and industrial estates were not hit, unlike 2011. For a Thai SME, the practical effects are short-term: demand for repair materials, bottled water and dry food may rise, while transport of goods could be disrupted and branches may close temporarily. Check your delivery routes and stock levels, and review any flood-related customer claims or loan-relief requests.
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The Finance Ministry says people approved for the 2569 State Welfare Card must complete e-KYC before benefits start on 1 Oct 2569 (2026). Results are announced 30 Sep. Verify at the 4 partner banks (GSB, BAAC, GHB, Islamic Bank) by 14 Oct 2569, or via the Paotang app (06:00-23:00) or Krungthai by 12 Jan 2570. No back-dating if you are late. For a small shop that takes welfare card payments, or staff or family who rely on the card, check status now and tell them to verify this week.
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Suki Teenoi group is switching to all-inclusive net buffet prices from 1 October 2026, with drink refills included. Standard buffet goes up 3 baht to 279 baht; Plus+ and BBQ drop 3 baht to 359 baht. Previously the price excluded the 39-baht drink refill and 7% VAT, so the headline figure now includes both. Restaurant operators who compete on buffet price should check how their own quoted prices compare with this new all-in structure.
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After Bangkok declared all 50 districts flood-affected, the Department of Mental Health has a free 24-hour hotline (1323) and an online booking system (1323 All time) that lets you pick a time for a callback. ooca offers free online counselling until 30 October 2026 with code standbyme. Mental Health Check-In gives a result in 3-5 minutes with no sign-up. For an owner, this is a free channel to pass to staff or family who are under strain. Keep the 1323 number on the staff notice board.
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TISCO Economic Intelligence says Thai SMEs face higher financing costs, harder credit access, inflation-driven production costs and weaker consumer demand. Half of Q2 inventory growth came from categories where sales fell, so check your stock levels and cut production if sales are slowing. ttb suggests starting small before opening new branches, and avoiding crowded segments with many branches, such as drink shops. Growth niches it names include pet care, elderly-related services, boutique hotels, and EV repair shops that can handle EV work.
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A reference list of Thai flood contacts. For rescue or evacuation call ปภ. 1784 or use LINE @1784DDPM, sharing location and number of people trapped. Report downed power poles or submerged lines to the local electricity utility (1129 upcountry, 1130 Bangkok/Nonthaburi/Samut Prakan). Water supply: 1128 upcountry, 1125 Bangkok area. Road closures: 1586 or 1146; expressways 1543. Bangkok flooding: LINE Traffy Fondue or 1555. Stress support 1323; unresolved complaints 1567. Save these numbers to your phone and staff's phones before the next flood.
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The Government Welfare Office (Comptroller General's Department) says eligible card holders get, from 1 October 2026: 1,000 baht per person per month for consumer goods (October only, no cash withdrawal, no carry-over); 80 baht gas discount per person for October to December; and 750 baht per month for public transport. Disability allowance recipients also get an extra 200 baht from 20 October. Small shops selling everyday goods or LPG may see more spending from these card holders this quarter. Check which shops and apps accept the card through the official channels; the article does not list participating merchants.
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AOT says the 5-6 hour bag delays at Suvarnabhumi come from Thai Airways' ground handling running short of staff, and only affect airlines that use Thai Airways for handling. Don Mueang and the other two handlers are not affected. AOT is sending its own staff and army and Thai Post help, and plans to deliver bags to homes. For a business that ships or travels on these routes, expect delays on arrivals at Suvarnabhumi and plan for them. The contract has no delay penalties, and AOT cannot fix this on its own.
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If floods stop your staff from working, or you must halt operations temporarily without pay, Section 33 insured employees can claim unemployment benefit for force majeure at 50% of daily wage, up to 90 days. Employers must issue a certificate of force majeure unemployment, submitted via the e-Service system or at the SSO Bangkok area office, provincial office or branch. Employees need form สปส.2-01/7, an employer certificate of unemployment, and a savings bookbank copy if PromptPay is not linked to their ID. Check eligibility and gather documents now. Questions: SSO hotline 1506.
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After heavy rain on 25-27 September 2026, the Agriculture Minister ordered the Royal Irrigation Department to run six flood-relief measures around Bangkok: cutting inflows from the Chao Phraya and Pa Sak rivers, speeding drainage through eastern canals, pumping via coastal stations, and coordinating with the BMA on pumping. Pumping and draining are prioritised in some areas, so flooding may persist or be slow to clear. If your shop, warehouse or delivery route is in Bangkok or its outskirts (Lak Si, Bang Bua, Bang Khen, Khlong Chan, Min Buri, along Khlong Saen Saep), plan for access disruption and stock damage. Food relief kitchens are also being set up for affected communities.
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Bangkok's 50 districts were declared flood-affected, and road access to Saha Pathana's Petchaburi Tat Mai head office is disrupted. The company set up a crisis team and business continuity committee, and moved head-office staff to work from home from 28 September 2026 until further notice. It says operations continue as normal. For a small business, the useful step is to check how your own staff and suppliers would reach your site during flooding, and to agree a remote-work fallback now.
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The Office of Insurance Commission has told insurers to speed up flood damage surveys for cars, homes and property, and to pay clear claims within 7 days, including in Bangkok. Hire-purchase cars that are total losses may face document delays; the OIC will work with the Thai Bankers' Association to speed paperwork. Premium grace periods are also available: up to 180 days for motor policies (except Class 1 and 2) and up to 60 days for life policies. Business owners with flood-damaged vehicles or insured premises should file claims promptly and gather policy and loan documents now.
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Bangkok declared all 50 districts a disaster zone, effective 25 September 2026. Relief requires a district survey and a victim certificate (หนังสือรับรองผู้ประสบภัย) before aid is assessed. Report damage at your district office, then keep photos or video of the building, stock and work tools, plus your ID, house registration and ownership papers. Relief is paid on actual damage, not a flat rate: building repair up to 49,500 baht, work-capital up to 11,400 baht if tools are unusable, rent support up to 3,000 baht a month for up to 2 months if the home is wholly damaged. Hotlines: BMA 1555 or Traffy Fondue.
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The government says Bangkok flood victims are eligible for the standard 9,000 baht per household relief, one payment per household, as long as the home was flooded for under 7 days with property damage, or for over 7 days, and sits in a declared disaster zone. The 2,000 million baht mid-year budget covers floods from 20 Sept. Floods from 1 Oct 2026 move to the National Catastrophe Insurance scheme run by the Office of Insurance Commission. The cabinet discusses vehicle flood relief on 29 Sept, but no decision yet. Business owners should check whether their premises are in a declared zone and whether their property insurance covers flood, and document damage now.