Archive

Delivery and ride-hailing platforms face GP fee rules by 18 Dec, so restaurants should ask for cost justification Prachachat · 2d ago

The Trade Competition Commission (TCC) plans a rule requiring large ride-hailing and food-delivery platforms with market power to disclose GP and fee structures and justify cost-based fee increases before applying them. Public consultation runs 21 Oct to 20 Nov 2026, with publication targeted for 18 Dec 2026 and no grace period. The rule does not cap GP rates. Violations can bring fines of up to 10% of revenue. Expect about 3 platforms to be covered. Restaurants and riders who face unexplained fee hikes can use the consultation to comment, and should keep records of fee changes. Timeline is a plan and may slip.

PEA gets cabinet nod to borrow 10.4 billion baht for 11 long-term grid projects Prachachat · 2d ago

The cabinet approved the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) borrowing 10,406 million baht domestically for 11 long-term investment plans for 2025, within a total budget of 13,880 million baht. The plans cover grid support, substation equipment, underground cable, transformers, and digital systems. For a typical Thai SME this is background only: it signals ongoing state utility capex and no direct change to your tariffs, permits or costs.

PM 2.5 plan and crackdown on illegal waste recycling plants ordered by cabinet Prachachat · 2d ago

The cabinet has ordered provinces to prepare measures against PM 2.5 dust, with governors and deputy PMs coordinating. Separately, the Commerce Minister Supajee has been told to crack down on illegal toxic waste recycling factories, and Customs will inspect imports for hidden toxic waste. The article gives no dates, rules or fees. For a Thai SME, the practical point is that factories and import-linked businesses may face tighter inspections and possible air-quality rules, but nothing is yet in force.

KResearch expects BOT to hold policy rate at 1% on 28 Oct and in December, so loan costs stay flat into year-end Prachachat · 2d ago

KResearch (Kasikorn's research arm) expects the Monetary Policy Committee to keep the policy rate at 1.00% at its 28 October 2026 meeting and again in December 2026. Inflation is seen as manageable, though energy and food prices may push it up, and Q4 growth is expected to slow with an uneven recovery. For a business owner, this means no rate cut to count on for loans or overdrafts through year-end. Plan cash flow and borrowing costs on current rates, and watch energy and food input costs. The 2027 rate direction is uncertain and depends on global energy prices and major central banks.

Flood-hit SMEs can now defer bank loans up to a year and get tax relief on repairs Prachachat · 2d ago

The Finance Ministry announced three flood-relief measures after the 2026 floods. Seven state banks will offer loan deferrals of 3 months or more, some up to 1 year. SMEs can borrow working capital up to 5 million baht at 0% to 3.25% for up to 7 years via Krungsri-style state lenders such as GSB, Islamic Bank and SME D Bank. Income-tax deductions cover home repairs up to 100,000 baht and car repairs up to 30,000 baht. Tax filing deadlines for personal and corporate income tax, withholding tax and specific business tax are extended to 31 December 2026, and Excise filings and licence renewals to 15 November 2026. Import duty on repair machinery is waived until 31 March 2027. Check eligibility with your bank and tax office now, since the deadlines are close.

Draft BNPL rules propose ฿20,000 cap and 15% fee ceiling; comments open until 15 November Prachachat · 2d ago

The Finance Ministry and Bank of Thailand opened comment on draft rules for buy-now-pay-later lending, running 16 October to 15 November 2569 (2026). Proposals: users aged 20+, a ฿20,000 limit per person, instalments up to 6 months, and an effective annual cost cap of 15% including fees. Providers need a dedicated BNPL licence, paid-up capital of at least ฿50m, and must join the National Credit Bureau. If your shop offers BNPL instalments or relies on them for customers, check how the rules would affect your checkout and pricing, and submit comments before the deadline if they matter to your business.

Bangkok flood aid registration extended to end of November, but apply now Bangkok Post · 2d ago

The BMA has extended the flood aid registration deadline by one month, to the end of November 2026, after long queues at district offices. Aid is 5,000 to 9,000 baht per household depending on severity. Flooded houses and people trapped by floodwater (e.g. flat residents) use different claim forms, so check which applies. Apply via the thangrath app, claim.bangkok.go.th, online queue booking, or walk in at your district office, and prepare supporting documents. Staff or workers affected by the floods should file now rather than wait, since the deadline is 30 days from district disaster declaration and queues are long.

Cabinet approves 10.5 billion baht flood relief reserve for fiscal 2027 Prachachat · 2d ago

The cabinet approved a 10.5 billion baht emergency reserve from the FY2570 central budget to compensate remaining flood victims, after the FY2569 flood relief funds ran out, as proposed by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. For a small business, this signals continued government flood compensation in affected areas, which may matter if you are claiming relief or planning around flood-hit local demand. The same meeting also extended the term of the National Anti-Corruption Commission secretary-general by one year. No action is required from most SMEs.

Three Thai potash mines are moving forward, with Khorat first in late 2027 and Udon Thani around 2030 Prachachat · 2d ago

Industry Minister Wiroj Silpa-archa says three potash mines (Khorat, Udon Thani, Chaiyaphum) could reach 3.2 million tonnes a year, cutting the roughly 1 million tonnes of potash fertiliser Thailand imports (about 14,000 million baht a year). Khorat is expected to produce in the second half of 2570 (2027), Udon Thani around 2573 (2030), and Chaiyaphum is stuck in a 8,000 million baht state-benefit dispute in court. For now this is a long-term supply story; it does not change fertiliser prices or your costs this quarter. Watch for potash fertiliser options (e.g. 0-0-60) if you farm or buy agricultural inputs.

SEC lets bond trustees act on defaults without bondholder votes from 16 Apr 2027 Prachachat · 2d ago

The SEC amended four rules on bond trustees (ผู้แทนผู้ถือหุ้นกู้), effective 16 April 2027 (2570). Trustees can now act on a issuer default under the bond terms without calling a bondholder vote. The rules also tighten conflict-of-interest checks, set trustee qualifications, require trustees to report material events to the SEC, and define when a trustee's duties end. This only matters if your business issues or holds corporate bonds, or if you deal with bond markets. Otherwise no action is needed.

Oil spike, possible Fed hikes and a planned EV excise rise weigh on Thai markets this week Prachachat · 2d ago

Broker GBS expects the SET Index to trade between 1,550 and 1,590 this week, pressured by a sharp rise in oil prices from Middle East tensions and a selloff in US AI tech stocks. The Finance Ministry plans to propose raising excise tax on imported fully built EVs from 10% to at least 30% within two weeks or by November 2026, possibly effective 1 January 2027. US September inflation came in at 3.7% YoY, above forecast, and markets now price a 42% chance of a Fed hike in October. Watch Thai bank Q3 results (due by 21 October), the Bank of Thailand policy meeting on 28 October, and fuel costs for your transport and energy budget. Finance rates or costs with this in mind.

Bangkok flood compensation applications extended to 30 Nov; government housing not eligible Prachachat · 2d ago

Bangkok has extended the deadline for flood compensation applications to 30 November 2026. Khet Sai Mai has added queue slots (1,500 booked, 300 walk-in per day) and extended service hours to 18:00; residents can take a morning queue and return later without losing their place. Queue cards must not be sold. Government housing residents are not eligible; ineligible claimants who already received money must repay. Relevant if your business or staff in affected Bangkok districts (e.g., Sai Mai, Lat Krabang, Nong Chok) claimed or plan to claim.

Cabinet to add 10.5 billion baht for flood relief, with 9,000-baht payouts now under review Prachachat · 2d ago

The Finance Ministry's budget office says the Disaster Prevention Department asked for 10,500 million baht in extra mid-year funds for flood relief, to go to Cabinet on 20 October. Payments are said to continue without a break once approved. Households get 9,000 baht if flooded and damaged, and 5,000 baht if cut off for 7 days. Some recipients are being asked to repay, and Bangkok district offices are the checkpoint. If your business or staff were flood-hit, check eligibility now and keep documents ready for verification. Anyone who claimed without meeting the conditions may face repayment or prosecution.

Gold prices dropped 500 baht today, with jewellery at 66,550 baht per baht-weight Prachachat · 2d ago

Gold Traders Association prices at 9.12am on 20 Oct 2026: jewellery sells at 66,550 baht per baht-weight (down 500 from yesterday's close). Gold bars (96.5%) buy at 65,550 and sell at 65,750. World spot is about US$4,130 per ounce. Jewellery buy-back is much lower (about 64,233), so the spread is wide. If you buy or sell gold stock or take gold as payment, check the buy and sell gap before you trade.

Baht opens weaker at 33.60 per dollar as traders eye Fed rate hike bets Prachachat · 2d ago

The baht opened at 33.60 per dollar, slightly weaker than the previous close of 33.58, with a 24-hour range of 33.40-33.70. Markets expect the US Federal Reserve may hike rates in December (90% weight per CME FedWatch), which is pushing the dollar up. For importers paying in dollars, costs may edge up; exporters may gain slightly. Foreign investors sold a net 2,136 million baht of Thai stocks the previous day. Check dollar-denominated purchase commitments and pricing this week, but no immediate action is required from a single day's move.

Cabinet to weigh 10.5bn baht flood relief top-up and corn and rice price support Prachachat · 2d ago

Cabinet this week is considering an emergency flood-relief top-up of about 10.5bn baht for the Interior Ministry's Disaster Prevention department, covering 1.48 million households, plus proposed measures to stabilise paddy and corn prices for 2026/27. The article says a tax or financial-transaction relief measure for flood victims may also be proposed, but gives no details. If you buy or sell rice or corn, or trade in flood-hit areas, watch for the price-support measures and any tax relief announcements.

Diesel and gasohol prices on 20 Oct 2026: B7 at 42.94 baht, B20 at 37.19 baht per litre Prachachat · 2d ago

Bangchak's reference prices for 20 Oct 2026: diesel B7 42.94 baht/litre, B20 37.19 baht (unchanged), gasohol 91 41.07 baht, gasohol 95 41.44 baht, E20 35.69 baht. Prices exclude the Bangkok local-land-tax levy and may differ at individual stations. The article says tomorrow's prices take effect tomorrow. For fleets and delivery vehicles, the B20 vs B7 gap of about 5.75 baht per litre is worth checking against which blend your vehicles can run on.

Chinese arrivals forecast to reach 5–5.5 million this year despite new scam alert Bangkok Post · 2d ago

The Chinese embassy issued a fresh warning about job scams, but TAT and Atta say it targets high-profile individuals such as influencers, artists and celebrities, not general tourists. Chinese arrivals were 4.14 million as of Oct 17, up 14% year-on-year, and TAT expects 5–5.5 million for the year. Around 2.1 million seats on China-Thailand routes could bring at least 1 million more Chinese visitors in the last three months. For a business serving Chinese tourists, this suggests keeping Chinese-market plans on track rather than cutting back, while watching for any change in the warning's scope.

French protests may hit European tourist flow to Thailand later this year Bangkok Post · 2d ago

Tourism bodies say high-season bookings from France are unchanged so far and arrivals are forecast near last year's 800,000+, at over 60,000 baht spend per trip. The risk is that prolonged protests weaken the French economy and cut outbound travel. Airfares via Middle Eastern hubs remain the bigger drag on European demand. Arrivals from the UK and Germany are slipping slightly, while Eastern Europe is growing. For tourism-linked businesses, watch French bookings and new direct routes (Virgin Atlantic to Phuket, SAS to Krabi and Phuket) rather than changing plans now.

Bangkok pilot zone targets bribery in entertainment venues, with building and business laws under review Bangkok Post · 2d ago

Khao San Road is being used as a pilot zone against bribery involving entertainment venues. The PACC has 60 days to decide whether to open a formal inquiry into alleged bribes paid to officials for protection from enforcement. Authorities will also review building and business-establishment laws for loopholes, since officials say businesses may pay bribes when permits or setup rules block them. If you run a venue or any licensed business, check your permits, opening hours and licence paperwork now, because enforcement is tightening.