Archive

Flood risk stays high along the Chao Phraya and Mae Klong, so check your BCP now Prachachat · Sep 28, 2026

The Federation of Thai Industries says rain is easing but water risk is not over (as of 28 Sep 2569 / 2026). Reservoirs are 85-89% full in the west and east. The Chao Phraya dam may release 2,000-2,500 m3/s, and the Mae Klong dam release was raised by over 1,500 m3/s. Rain is forecast to fall 29 Sep-3 Oct, with heavy rain still possible in the west and central north. For factories and shops in low-lying areas near rivers, or on logistics routes in Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi and Samut Songkhram: move key stock and documents up, test electrical systems and machines, and review your business continuity plan for production, transport and supply chain disruption.

Bangkok floods hit 700,000 people; Lat Krabang and Khannayao worst, drainage to take about a week Bangkok Post · Sep 28, 2026

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration says about 329,000 families (around 700,000 people) are affected. Worst hit are Lat Krabang, Khannayao and Bang Kapi. Officials say the main canals (Saen Saep, Prawet Burirom) need about three days to drain, and deeply flooded Lat Krabang about a week. For a Bangkok business, expect disrupted staff commutes, delivery routes and stock in the eastern and northern districts. Check on staff and premises in low-lying areas, and move stock off floors. The BMA is asking for drinking water and dried food donations, and reports help calls on 1669 and 1555.

Flood fallout splits sectors: repair, retail and telecom may gain, insurers face claims pressure Prachachat · Sep 28, 2026

Yuanta Securities says the flood hits sectors unevenly. Home-repair and hardware retailers (HMPRO, GLOBAL, DOHOME, TOA, PIMO) may see demand rise once water recedes. Convenience and consumer retail (CPALL, BJC, CPAXT) gain from demand for drinking water and dry goods, though flooded branches and transport problems could cut that. Telecom may see more data use. Insurers face higher claims for homes and cars, with earnings pressure expected from Q4 2026 into Q1 2027. Property and contractors face short-term slowdowns; hospitals, hotels and SET-listed industrial estates see mostly short-term effects. Electronics and auto suppliers may see short-term transport and labour disruption. Banks watch relief measures for flood-hit borrowers. For a Thai SME: if you sell repair materials, food, water or household goods in affected areas, plan for a demand lift; if you ship parts or rely on staff commuting, expect short delays.

EV import tax still undecided; 10%, 20% or 30% under review Prachachat · Sep 28, 2026

The auto industry body says the government has not decided whether imported EV tax rises to 30%; 10%, 20% or 30% are all still on the table, and there is no timeline for the next EV board meeting. Dealers are reportedly stockpiling imports and pushing promotions, and buyers may rush ahead of any increase, so demand may be distorted. For a Thai SME, avoid ordering stock or committing to EV-related pricing or financing until the rate is confirmed. Businesses in EV sales, parts or service should plan for a short-term sales spike followed by a possible slowdown.

Opposition MP proposes long-term Bangkok flood plan; Thai SMEs in flood-prone areas should watch the 2026 floods The Standard Wealth · Sep 28, 2026

MP Anusorn Thammajai asked the PM on 17 September to replace yearly flood budgets with a 30-100 year master plan, and proposed a Flood Way on Bangkok's east side plus dredging and retention areas. Flooding has since hit Bangkok and its vicinity; the article cites 21 provinces still flooded and 102,957 people affected nationwide. For a Bangkok or flood-prone SME, the practical points are: check your flood exposure and insurance cover, and watch for government support measures on loans and business relief. The article gives no new policy decision or deadline.

Flood-hit SMEs can now seek debt deferral and liquidity loans from state lenders such as GSB, SME D Bank and BAC Prachachat · Sep 28, 2026

Finance Minister Ekniti has ordered state financial institutions to set up flood relief: debt rescheduling, emergency and recovery loans from GSB, BAC, SME D Bank, EXIM Bank, GHB and others, plus credit guarantees via TCG. Each lender is to publish its criteria and contact channels. If your business or home is in a flood zone, contact your lender now to ask about deferral and new credit. For insurance: check your policy on the OIC CONNECT LINE account, document all damage, and report claims immediately. The OIC hotline is 1186. The OIC is also discussing towing support with BMA, faster claim timelines, and premium grace periods.

Trade Dept raises buffer stocks; no price hikes planned for soap, toothpaste, shampoo Prachachat · Sep 28, 2026

The Department of Internal Trade is raising safety stock for domestically produced goods because of weather risk and global hoarding. It says soap, toothpaste and shampoo makers have no price-increase plans. Egg prices are expected to fall from mid-to-late October as new-generation hens come into production. Palm oil supply is confirmed sufficient, and domestic prices are not expected to rise much if world prices hold. Cooking oil promotions will rotate among retailers. Price increases are granted only case by case and must stay below competitors' prices. For a small business, plan input purchases with buffer stock in mind, and expect lower egg costs from October.

Crude oil prices fall on US-Iran talks, but Trump rejects Iran's 7-day ceasefire offer Prachachat · Sep 28, 2026

West Texas crude fell to US$92.41/bbl and Brent to US$104.32/bbl on 25 Sep 2026, down about US$2.2 each, on hopes of new US-Iran peace talks. The Wall Street Journal then reported Trump rejected Iran's 7-day ceasefire offer and that US strikes may resume after the November midterms. Oil remains very high and volatile, and the Strait of Hormuz is still closed. For a Thai SME, keep fuel and transport budgets on the high side, avoid locking in cheap-oil assumptions, and watch diesel and energy-linked cost pass-through over the next few weeks.

GSB offers automatic 3-month debt holiday and 0% emergency loans for borrowers in flood areas Prachachat · Sep 28, 2026

Government Savings Bank (GSB) will automatically defer principal and waive interest for 3 months for borrowers whose residence, home or workplace is in a disaster zone declared by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM). Notices come by SMS or letter; to opt out, visit any branch or call GSB Contact Center 1115. Flood-related loans for SMEs include up to 5 million baht (up to 1 million baht without collateral guarantee via BSD) at MLR minus 2.65% in year one, with up to 1 year of principal grace. Emergency loans of up to 20,000 baht (0.60% flat per month after 3 months) and small business recovery loans of up to 300,000 baht (15% effective per year) are also available. Check whether your business location falls in a declared zone and confirm terms at a branch.

Sa Kaeo floods disrupt deliveries; Commerce Dept arranges army trucks to restock 2,000 trays of eggs Prachachat · Sep 28, 2026

Floods in Sa Kaeo province have cut road transport, so some shops and distributors cannot get essential goods into the area as usual. On 27 Sep 2026 the Department of Internal Trade asked the Army's 19th Military Region to provide vehicles and personnel to move 2,000 trays of eggs from a Kabin Buri supplier (Prachinburi) to the Makro Sa Kaeo branch. The department says it is monitoring stock and demand and asks the public not to stockpile. If you supply or sell in Sa Kaeo or nearby flood zones, expect delivery delays and plan alternative routes; the government is not restricting normal trade.

Praseae dam is 112% full and releasing more water, so move stock and equipment to higher ground now Prachachat · Sep 28, 2026

The Praseae reservoir (Rayong area, Irrigation Office 9) holds 331 million cubic metres against a 322 million capacity, or 112.2%. Engineers are lowering the flood gates and water will spill downstream at about 279.65 m³/s (24.16 million m³/day). Authorities urge residents to move valuables and goods to high or safe ground and to follow official announcements. If your shop, warehouse, workshop or farm sits near the Praseae river or low-lying land downstream, move stock, machinery and vehicles up now and plan for access disruption.

Thailand says US tax deal is agreed in principle, final details due before Section 301 ruling The Standard Wealth · Sep 28, 2026

Commerce Minister Supajee Suthumpun said Thailand and the US have agreed the principles of a tax deal, with only technical details left, and aim to finish before the US announces its Section 301 investigation findings. No date or tariff rate was given. For SME exporters to the US, plan for possible tariff changes but do not reprice orders yet. Transshipment (goods falsely labelled as Thai origin) is a key concern, so keep origin paperwork clean.

Gold prices fall again today: jewellery sells at 67,800 baht per baht-weight Prachachat · Sep 28, 2026

Gold fell 850 baht from yesterday's close. Jewellery sell price is 67,800 baht per baht-weight; buy-back for jewellery is about 65,461. Bullion sells at 67,000 and buys back at 66,800. Global spot is about US$4,218/oz. If you hold gold stock or take gold as payment or collateral, reprice before trading today; the spread between buy and sell prices is wide on jewellery.

Bangkok flood: 329,000 households hit, worst in Lat Krabang, Bang Kapi and Khan Na Yao Prachachat · Sep 28, 2026

BMA says about 329,000 households (roughly 700,000 people) across Bangkok have been affected by flooding, worst in Lat Krabang, Bang Kapi and Khan Na Yao. Water is expected to drop as canal levels fall, after which roads and communities will drain in sequence. If your shop or workplace is in these districts, expect disrupted access, staff absences and delivery delays for now. BMA is asking for emergency supplies (water, ready meals, high-clearance trucks, small boats, field kitchens) via 0-2248-5115 or 1555, and is preparing relief and compensation procedures that it has not yet published.

Bangkok floodwater in the east is draining slowly, so expect road and access disruption for days Prachachat · Sep 28, 2026

Bangkok Governor Chadchart says rain has eased after a low-pressure system moved out, but southwest monsoon showers continue. Heavy rain fell overnight in Nong Chok (about 62 mm), Lat Krabang (55 mm) and Min Buri (52 mm). Canals such as Prawet Burirom and Lat Phrao are still high, so water on roads and in communities will drain in stages. Some roads, including Phetchaburi and Vibhavadi Rangsit, are reopening gradually. If your shop, warehouse or delivery routes are on the east side, check road conditions before travelling and plan for delayed deliveries and staff commuting.

Thailand–US tariff deal reportedly agreed in principle, details still pending before US Section 301 ruling Prachachat · Sep 28, 2026

Commerce Minister Supachai says the Thai–US trade deal is settled in principle and only technical details remain, with the aim of closing before the US announces its Section 301 findings on tariffs, overcapacity and forced labour. No new tariff rates are given in the article, so nothing changes for pricing yet. Thai–EU FTA talks (round 10, Phuket, 28 Sep–6 Oct 2026) aim to close about a third of the remaining chapters this year. Watch for the 301 announcement, since it could affect exports to the US. Also watch for transshipment (สินค้าสวมสิทธิ์) controls, which could open room for Thai-origin goods.

MEA sends mobile crews to flooded areas to move meters and plugs and fix electrical hazards Prachachat · Sep 28, 2026

The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) is running mobile operations vehicles in flood-hit areas of Bangkok's MEA service zone. They can relocate electric plugs and meters where water is high and respond to outages or unsafe equipment. If your premises are in a flooded area, do not touch submerged electrical equipment; call MEA Call Center 1130 (24 hours), visit any MEA office, or use LINE @MEAthailand to request help with the exact location.

Bangkok flood relief: army on standby, district offices urged to request help fast Prachachat · Sep 28, 2026

Flooding continues in Khlong Chan, Rom Klao and Lat Krabang, with many evacuees. The Interior Deputy Minister says the overall situation is improving as Bangkok drains water, and levels may fall if rain stays within forecast. Army units are delivering field kitchens and mobile toilets to evacuation points. If your area is short of supplies, contact your district office or the nearest army unit quickly. Plan for disrupted deliveries, staff absence and possible Suvarnabhumi airport baggage delays while water recedes.

Kasikorn offers flood relief to borrowers: 3-month principal holiday on business and home loans, 50% car instalment cut for 6 months Prachachat · Sep 28, 2026

Kasikorn Bank is offering flood-affected customers in Bangkok's 50 districts and gazetted provinces a 3-month principal holiday (interest-only) on home loans, credit cards, quick loans and business loans, plus 0% 3-month repair loans. Car hire-purchase customers can get up to 50% off monthly instalments for 6 months, with terms extended 3 months. If your business or staff banks with Kasikorn and you were hit by the flood, call K-BIZ Contact Center 02-8888822 or your relationship manager. Requests are open until 31 Dec 2026. Flood-hit business owners should also check their insurance claims via the insurer Muang Thai Insurance (call 1484).

Thai Airways waives change fees for flood-hit passengers until 11 October The Standard Wealth · Sep 28, 2026

Thai Airways is waiving change fees for tickets issued on or before 26 September 2026 for travel between 26 September and 11 October 2026 to or from Suvarnabhumi, domestic and international. Passengers can change the travel date once, on the same route and fare class, subject to seats, but must fly by 11 October. Flights cancelled due to the flooding get a full refund. If your staff or clients fly THAI for business, check booking dates now and allow extra travel time because traffic in some areas may still be affected.