Archive

Commerce Ministry seeks 300m baht to extend low-cost goods scheme into Q4 amid flood and fuel pressure Prachachat · Sep 28, 2026

The Commerce Ministry plans to request 300 million baht in central reserve funds (not yet approved; it still needs a cabinet vote) to extend its "Thai Help Thai Reduce Cost of Living" scheme, selling affordable consumer goods, starting with flood-hit areas. Officials expect Q4 consumer spending to slow because of floods and higher oil prices. Price-tag and overcharging rules are being enforced; complaints go to hotline 1569. For a small shop: check price labels in flood-affected areas, expect softer demand in Q4, and watch for the scheme's product tenders or distribution partners.

Islamic Bank of Thailand offers SMEs in disaster zones loan holidays and up to 5 million baht in repair credit until 31 Dec 2026 Prachachat · Sep 28, 2026

If your business or home is in a government-declared disaster zone and you bank with iBank, you can apply until 31 Dec 2026 (BE 2569). SME loans with outstanding principal up to 20 million baht can get up to 6 months of principal-only payments (or 3 months of principal and profit if damage stops operations), with late fees waived during the break. New SME recovery loans go up to 5 million baht over up to 5 years, at 3.25% p.a. in year 1. Insured fire policies covering natural disasters get Fast Track claims handling. Contact any branch or the 1302 call centre.

Baht opens weaker at 33.48 per dollar as Fed rate-hike bets rise Prachachat · Sep 28, 2026

The baht opened at 33.48 per dollar, weaker than Friday's close of 33.41, with support at 33.30 and resistance at 33.60. The move follows expectations that the US Fed may raise rates again before year-end; markets price 66% odds of a hike in October and 93% in December. Foreign investors sold a net 3,584 million baht of Thai equities in the week of 21-25 Sep while buying 495 million baht of Thai bonds. For importers paying in dollars, expect slightly higher costs; exporters may gain a little. Watch US jobs data and Middle East developments this week. The 24-hour range is expected at 33.30-33.60.

Met Dept issues final heavy-rain warning: flood risk stays in north, central, east and Bangkok fringe for one more day Prachachat · Sep 28, 2026

The Thai Meteorological Department issued its final heavy-rain bulletin (No. 18) on 28 Sep 2026. Overall rainfall is falling, but red-alert provinces include Chiang Mai, Nakhon Sawan, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Chonburi, Rayong and Chanthaburi, and yellow-orange alerts cover Bangkok and its vicinity, Samut Sakhon, Ayutthaya and Phuket. Expect flash floods and water over low-lying areas for one more day. If your site, stock or delivery routes are in these provinces, protect goods and plan around road disruption. Small boats should stay in port until the sea warning lifts, as waves are 2-3 m or higher in the upper Gulf and Andaman.

Diesel B7 at 41.44 baht and B20 at 36.44 baht on 28 Sep: check your fuel budget Prachachat · Sep 28, 2026

Bangchak pump prices on 28 Sep 2026: diesel B7 41.44 baht/litre, B20 36.44 baht, gasohol 95 39.94 baht, gasohol 91 39.57 baht, E20 34.94 baht. Prices exclude Bangkok's local land tax. The article says tomorrow's prices take effect at 05:00, so check your fleet and generator fuel budgets. Prices may differ at other stations, so confirm at your pump. If your vehicles run on B7, switching to B20 where engines allow is a clear saving of about 5 baht per litre.

Diesel, gasohol and LPG stay subsidised, but fuel excise cuts and gradual price rises may follow from October 1 Bangkok Post · Sep 28, 2026

Energy ministry says diesel is subsidised by 4.95 baht/litre and gasohol by 4.2 baht/litre as of Sept 25, and LPG cooking gas is held at 423 baht per 15kg cylinder until Oct 31. The Oil Fuel Fund has accumulated losses of 92.2 billion baht, so if oil stays high, retail fuel prices may rise gradually rather than all at once. Any excise tax cut would target biofuels (E20, B20) and most likely take effect in fiscal 2027 from Oct 1. Electricity tariffs (Ft) are also being used to limit the impact, and Ft is reset every four months. Small operators running diesel vehicles or LPG-fired cooking should budget for possible gradual fuel price increases after the subsidy window closes.

Oil above $100 and Middle East war risk could push up Thai diesel, borrowing and baht costs Bangkok Post · Sep 28, 2026

Benchmark crude rose above US$100 a barrel after Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, despite US talk of progress with Iran. Tisco ESU projects oil around $90 a barrel, above the $70-80 market consensus. Analysts warn of higher diesel subsidies, inflation, rising government bond yields and pressure on SME borrowing costs, plus possible baht weakness if capital flows out. GDP growth is seen around 2%. For SMEs: plan for higher fuel and transport costs, review variable-rate loans and cash buffers, and avoid assuming cheap energy or credit this quarter.

Court ruling on election ballot barcodes due Monday, with little direct effect on small business Bangkok Post · Sep 28, 2026

The Constitutional Court rules on Monday whether barcodes and QR codes on ballot papers in the Feb 8 general election breached the secret-ballot requirement, after 22 complaints via the Ombudsman. Three outcomes are possible: dismissal, a finding of possible tracing without proof (election stands, but the Election Commission cannot use barcodes in future unless the law is amended), or invalidation, which would force a new election. For a business owner, there is no direct action needed; the main practical watch-point is political uncertainty if a new election were ordered.

Suvarnabhumi and THAI are fixing flood-hit baggage delays, so expect slow bag collection if you fly this week Bangkok Post · Sep 28, 2026

Flooding has left THAI short of ground-handling staff at Suvarnabhumi, causing departure delays and uncollected baggage since Saturday (26 Sep). The airport has asked THAI to add ground staff and repair baggage carts, and is posting baggage status on screens. If your staff or customers fly THAI, allow extra time for flights and baggage, and file a delayed-baggage form if bags do not arrive. Stranded travellers can be helped by hotels and tourism businesses through TAT coordination.

Bangkok and three provinces get special holidays Monday and Tuesday as floods hit; plan staff and deliveries now Bangkok Post · Sep 28, 2026

The cabinet declared Monday and Tuesday special public holidays in Bangkok and three neighbouring provinces because of widespread flooding. Expect travel disruption, so plan staffing, deliveries and stock around those two days and check whether your premises or access roads are in flood-affected areas. Provinces declared disaster zones will get more government funds, and provincial governors have full emergency authority. The government also plans to put the Chai Nat-Pa Sak-Gulf water diversion project (about 165 billion baht) before cabinet on Tuesday, a long-term flood measure with no near-term effect on your costs.

Bangkok flooding persists on Phetchaburi Tai Mai–Ekkamai and Lat Phrao canal areas; Ram Kham Haeng and Khlong Chan communities on watch Prachachat · Sep 27, 2026

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt reported that flood water on Phetchaburi Tai Mai–Ekkamai is being pumped out after Khlong Saen Saep levels fell, and Lat Phrao canal water remains high in the Sena Nikhom area. Ram Kham Haeng and Khlong Chan communities are being watched; some areas may take about a week to drain. If your shop or warehouse is in these zones, plan for access problems and stock damage, and check whether the BMA's donation points or shelters affect your staff or deliveries.

Carmakers cut flood-repair parts and labour by 30-50% until year-end Prachachat · Sep 27, 2026

Toyota, Isuzu, Suzuki, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, BYD, Zeekr, Geely and GWM are offering flood-affected owners discounts of roughly 30-50% on parts and labour, with most running to 31 Dec 2569 (2026); some end 30-31 Oct 2569. Exclusions are common: batteries, tyres, and high-voltage parts are often not discounted, and some offers exclude insurance claims. If you run a workshop, body shop or parts trade, expect flood-repair demand and price competition through year-end. Check each brand's terms before quoting customers.

Livestock farmers in 10 flood-hit provinces can now claim compensation, up to 39,000 baht per buffalo Prachachat · Sep 27, 2026

The Department of Livestock Development has opened emergency flood compensation for 10 provinces, including Ayutthaya-area Chai Nat, Saraburi, Rayong and Nakhon Ratchasima. Rates: cattle up to 35,000 baht per head (max 5), buffalo up to 39,000 (max 5), pigs and goats/sheep 1,500-3,000 (max 10), ruined pasture 3,180 baht per rai (max 30 rai). Claims go through the district livestock office, provincial office, or the DLD 4.0 app, open 24 hours. If you farm livestock or feed in these areas, register now and keep evidence of losses.

Banks stay open tomorrow (28 Sep) as flood-hit staff may be allowed to work from home Prachachat · Sep 27, 2026

The Bank of Thailand has asked commercial banks to keep serving customers as normal on 28 Sep amid flooding in several areas. Banks are asked to consider letting staff affected by the floods work from home, as appropriate, with staff safety weighed alongside customer service. For SME owners: expect banks open for banking, cash and payments, but branch staff may be thinner, so plan transfers and bill payments early and check your bank's branch notices. If you employ staff in flood zones, this is a cue to review remote-work arrangements.

Kalasin fish farmers: invasive tilapia spotted at Lam Pao dam, report sightings and check gear rules Prachachat · Sep 27, 2026

Kalasin's Lam Pao dam has 132 invasive Samchai-area black-chin tilapia recorded (31 Aug-24 Sep 2026), not yet affecting the province's giant freshwater prawn and cage tilapia farms worth about 1.9 billion baht a year. The deputy minister ordered "Find, Report, Catch" (เจอ แจ้ง จับ) campaigns, including QR Code reporting, and teaching farmers to tell black-chin tilapia from Nile tilapia. Provinces may now petition the Fisheries Department for exemptions to normally banned fishing gear. If you farm or buy fish or prawns in Kalasin, Mukdahan-side river basins (Pao-Chi-Mun), watch for the fish, report suspected ones, and check whether local rules on gear have changed before using traps or nets.

Floodwater from the west is heading for the Tha Chin basin, and the minister wants local bodies allowed to build flood retention ponds Prachachat · Sep 27, 2026

Minister Warawut reported to the cabinet that large volumes of water from the storm are moving into the Tha Chin river basin, from Kanchanaburi and Uthai Thani, plus northern flows through the Chao Phraya dam. The Royal Irrigation Department and the National Water Resources Office were ordered to forecast and plan. He proposed relaxing the 2-million-cubic-metre threshold so local governments can run retention ponds. Nothing is yet approved. If your site, stock or transport sits in Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon or along the Tha Chin, check flood exposure and access routes now.

Constitutional Court keeps ballot-barcode ruling on schedule for Sept 28, despite cabinet holiday Prachachat · Sep 27, 2026

The Constitutional Court will still hold its deliberation and vote on the barcode/QR-code ballot case on Monday 28 September 2026 at 09.30, with the verdict read at 14.00, even though the cabinet declared 28–29 September public holidays. The court says its schedule was set well in advance and other cases are booked through October. For a small business, there is no direct action needed; a government office closure on those days may affect any official paperwork you planned to file with state agencies. Livestream is available on the court's website from 14.00.

Toll-free M7, M9 and Don Mueang tollway extended to midnight 29 Sept, flood detours Prachachat · Sep 27, 2026

The Department of Highways has extended toll-free use of motorways M7 and M9, and the Don Mueang Tollway operator DMT has matched it, until 24.00 on Tuesday 29 September 2026. M6 (Bang Pa-In to Pak Chong, about 110 km) is also free until then, outside its usual Friday-Sunday free days. The extension is temporary: M6 reverts to Friday-Sunday free days from Friday 2 October. The M6 section is still under construction, so only 4-wheel cars are allowed and the speed limit is 80 km/h. For delivery or travel plans, use these routes to avoid flooded roads such as Phahon Yothin (Bang Pa-In to Saraburi) and Mittraphap (Saraburi to Kaeng Khoi), and check road conditions before leaving.

SMEs in Bangkok and vicinity hit by flooding can defer SME Bank-guaranteed loan fees and instalments for 6 months, register by 31 October Prachachat · Sep 27, 2026

Thai credit guarantee agency บสย. (SME Guarantee Corporation) is offering a 6-month deferral of guarantee fees and management fees for SMEs whose BSY-guaranteed loan fee payments fall due 26 Sep–31 Oct 2026. Borrowers with BSY-paid claims under debt restructuring who are not in default can also defer 6 months of instalments. Eligibility requires the business to be in Bangkok or vicinity and flood-affected, per official announcement or BSY criteria. Register via LINE OA @tcgfirst by 31 Oct 2026 (instalment deferral); call 02-890-9999 or ask the district office for details. If your business is in the affected area, check whether you have a BSY guarantee and contact them before your due date.

Floods nationwide: PM orders all 76 provinces to act, and the national disaster insurance scheme starts 1 October 2026 Prachachat · Sep 27, 2026

The PM chaired a meeting of all 76 provincial governors on flood response, ordering house-to-house checks so no affected household is missed, with a 50 million baht emergency advance per province that can be expanded. Provinces are told to survey damage quickly to speed compensation. A national disaster insurance system takes effect 1 October 2569 (2026). For a Thai SME: check whether your premises, stock and equipment are covered, and document flood damage with photos and records now so you can claim under relief or insurance.