Archive

Thai health spending is outgrowing the budget, and a fiscal squeeze could start around 2030 Prachachat · Sep 25, 2026

KKPS analyst Teerapol Udomvej says Thai health spending grew 7.6% a year over 2000-2023, against 5.8% for nominal GDP. The government funds about 78% of it. Welfare's share of the budget rose from 20% (2016) to 30% (2026). Analysts expect fiscal room to tighten from about 2030, which could mean slower spending in other areas or new revenue measures. Social security benefit payouts grew about 9% a year against roughly 3% contribution income (2014-2024). No direct action is needed now; watch for changes to public health schemes, social security contributions and tax policy.

Cabinet extends Thai Chuay Thai Plus co-payment scheme for two more months Prachachat · Sep 25, 2026

On 22 September the cabinet extended the Thai Chuay Thai Plus (60/40) support scheme by two months, citing high energy prices and ongoing geopolitical conflict. This is an opinion column arguing that repeated short-term relief measures, funded partly by a 200 billion baht loan, may crowd out structural reforms. For a small business, plan for the scheme's support to continue only through the extension period, and do not assume further handouts will replace productivity and cost improvements.

AMD plans a 10% chip price rise from Q4, so PC and GPU parts will cost more Prachachat · Sep 25, 2026

AMD has told partners it will raise chip shipment prices by about 10% from Q4, driven by higher TSMC wafer costs. Retail GPUs, motherboards and AI chips are expected to get more expensive toward year-end, and GPU memory costs are also rising. If you plan to build PCs or upgrade IT equipment, budget a little more or buy before the new price lists reach shops. The report is from a secondary source (Biggo Finance), so confirm with your distributor before acting.

Customs wants gold imports regulated; no decision on a gold import tax yet Prachachat · Sep 25, 2026

The Customs Department says gold imports reached about 900 billion baht in the first 11 months of FY2569 (Oct 2025 to Aug 2026), and it wants tighter oversight to curb scam-linked flows and the trade deficit. Gold is not subject to import duty today; Malaysia charges 10% and India 15%. Customs says the decision on a gold tax belongs to policymakers. For a Thai SME, nothing changes yet, but a gold import duty would raise costs for jewellers and gold-linked businesses if adopted.

Flood warnings hit eastern Bangkok today: plan deliveries and staff travel around flooded roads Bangkok Post · Sep 25, 2026

Bangkok City Hall is concentrating flood control on eastern districts (Phra Khanong, Suan Luang, Prawet, Lat Krabang) because the Prawet Burirom Canal has reached red level, meaning it could overflow at any time. Rain was forecast to continue into Friday night, with several Greater Bangkok roads flooded and heavy traffic reported. If your shop, warehouse or delivery routes are in these areas, expect delays, check stock stored at ground level, and move vehicles and goods to higher ground. The Chao Phraya River level was reported as manageable.

Commerce raids Din Daeng for nominee firms; four illegal migrant workers at a sewing shop charged Prachachat · Sep 25, 2026

Commerce Ministry, Immigration, Labour Dept and FDA inspected a two-storey sewing workshop in Din Daeng, Bangkok. The owner was a Thai with no company registered, and four workers (two Cambodians with expired work permits since March 2569, two Lao with no work permit or visa stamp) were detained and charged. Employers were summoned for statements. For Thai SME owners: check that every foreign worker has a valid work permit and visa stamp, and that any business you front for a foreigner is properly registered. The ministry asks the public to report suspected nominee businesses.

Thai exports jumped 24.3% in August, but the boom is concentrated in electronics and US-bound goods Prachachat · Sep 25, 2026

Thai exports rose 24.3% year on year in August 2026, the fastest pace in 56 months, and 18.9% for the first eight months. Excluding oil-linked goods, gold and defence items, growth was 19.5%. Electronics for AI and data centres led, with US exports up 48.7%. Durian and mangosteen shipments to China also rebounded. The Commerce Ministry still keeps its full-year forecast at 5-11%, but says 15% is possible if exports average about 31,000 million USD a month for the rest of the year. It warns of risks next year from war, oil prices, freight costs and high US inventories. For SMEs, the upside is mainly in electronics supply chains and fruit exporters. Plan for demand to slow if the AI investment cycle or US tariff exemptions change.

SET proposes dual-class shares so family firms can list and keep control Prachachat · Sep 25, 2026

The Stock Exchange of Thailand is asking the government to allow Dual Class of Share, where shares carry different voting rights (for example 1 share with 2 or 5 votes) while dividends stay equal. Owners could sell more shares to the public (free float from about 15% to about 40%) and still keep control. It is only a proposal: legal changes are needed, the rules for already-listed companies are unresolved, and the hope is to see it in concrete form this year. For most small owners this is background; it matters only if you plan to raise capital through the stock market.

ChatGPT Ads now run in Thailand: how they work and what to do about them Techsauce · Sep 25, 2026

OpenAI has started ChatGPT Ads in over 60 countries, including Thailand. Ads appear as labelled "Sponsored" cards below the chatbot's answer, not inside it. Advertisers buy placement, not AI endorsement, and they bid on "Context Hints" describing the conversations where their product fits, not on search keywords. Advertisers see only aggregate impressions and clicks, not user chats. Ads are not shown to under-18s, on sensitive topics, or in Temporary Chat. For a small business, this is a new channel to test later, not an urgent switch away from Google or Facebook ads. Watch for the Thai rollout details and the Ads Manager setup before budgeting.

GISTDA satellite map flags high flood-stagnation risk across central, northern and northeastern Thailand Prachachat · Sep 25, 2026

On 25 Sep 2026, GISTDA's satellite images showed high-risk (red) flood-stagnation zones in Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Phetchabun, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Suphan Buri, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, parts of Bangkok, and Surin, Si Sa Ket, Buri Ram and Roi Et. If your shop, factory, warehouse or farm sits in these areas or near waterways, check stock and vehicle positions now and move goods to higher ground. Monitor the "Check Nam" app for updates, and watch for flooded roads on delivery routes.

From 1 October, ride-hailing apps must enforce licensing for drivers and vehicles or face penalties Prachachat · Sep 25, 2026

The Ministry of Transport will tighten enforcement from 1 October 2026 against ride-hailing apps (Grab, Bolt, inDrive, TADA, MAXIM, LINE MAN, Lalamove, FINGOGO), their drivers and vehicles. Platforms must check that drivers hold public-driver licences and vehicles are properly registered before dispatching jobs. Violations are tracked under the "สมุดพก App" system, with penalties from warnings and suspension to revoking app certification, and possible jail or fines. If you run delivery or transport work through these apps, or your drivers and vehicles use them, confirm licences and registration now. Public driver licence applications rose sharply after the June 2026 cooperation pledge.

Rain damage cuts Sa Kaeo longan quality and prices, so expect lower buying prices this season Prachachat · Sep 25, 2026

Continuous rain in Sa Kaeo (Wang Nam Yen and Khao Chakan districts) has flooded some longan orchards, blocking buyers and lล้ง from harvesting. Some fruit has dark or moldy skin, changed taste, and cracked during picking. Wet fruit needs blowing and drying, which adds cost for buyers. Buyers may cut prices for lower-quality lots or delay harvests. Thai provincial commerce office is monitoring and coordinating support. If you buy, sell, or supply longan, check fruit quality before committing and plan for lower or delayed cash flow this early-season.

Flooding hits 6 Ayutthaya districts as Chao Phraya dam releases rise, so move stock and vehicles to high ground now Prachachat · Sep 25, 2026

Floodwaters from increased Chao Phraya dam releases have reached 6 Ayutthaya districts (55 subdistricts, 240 villages), with some Bang Ban Kum areas over 1 metre deep and residents moving by boat. Water levels were still rising for the fourth straight day with heavy rain. The Disaster Prevention Department reports 38 districts across 12 provinces affected. If your shop, warehouse or workshop is in Ayutthaya, Sena, Bang Pa-in, Bang Sai or nearby low-lying areas, move stock, equipment and vehicles to higher ground and plan for delivery and staff access disruption.

Sa Kaeo flood warning: 6 districts hit as Khlong Phra Sathueng dam passes 121% capacity, riverside shops urged to move stock higher Prachachat · Sep 25, 2026

Floodwater has already reached 6 Sa Kaeo districts (Mueang, Wattana Nakhon, Aranyaprathet, Khok Sung, Khlong Hat, Wang Yen), affecting 227 households. The Khlong Phra Sathueng reservoir is at 121% of capacity and releases are being increased to 57.87 m3/s, so downstream levels in Khao Chakan and Mueang Sa Kaeo may keep rising. The Meteorological Department warns of heavy rain on 24-27 September 2569 (2026). If your premises, stock, vehicles or equipment are in low-lying areas or along the canal, move them to higher ground now, and plan for disrupted deliveries and access in the affected districts.

Crude oil climbs about 3% on Houthi strikes in Saudi Arabia, keeping fuel costs under pressure Prachachat · Sep 25, 2026

West Texas crude rose to US$94.61/bbl (+US$2.45) and Brent to US$106.60/bbl (+US$3.52) on 24 Sep 2026 after Houthi missile attacks on Taif and Yanbu in Saudi Arabia raised supply worries. Traders are also watching US secondary sanctions on Iran and a possible Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 7 days, which could ease prices. For a Thai SME, this means diesel and fuel costs may stay volatile; keep transport and energy budgets flexible and avoid locking in assumptions based on a single day's move.

Gold bar and jewellery prices rose 400 baht today, 25 Sep 2026 Prachachat · Sep 25, 2026

Gold rose 400 baht versus yesterday's close as of 09:06. Bar buy-in is 67,700 baht and sell-out 67,900 baht; jewellery (96.5%) sells out at 68,700 baht and buys back at 66,340 baht. Global spot is about US$4,291/oz. Jewellery owners and shops holding gold stock should note the buy-back gap of roughly 2,360 baht per baht weight, and check prices again before buying or selling stock.

Government to tighten solar installer standards; developer warns rooftop-solar demand is held back by loan rejections Prachachat · Sep 25, 2026

Sena Development (which also runs a solar installation arm) backs government plans to set stricter standards for solar contractors and installers. Its MD says the "1 million rooftops" solar policy's growth is uncertain because many households fail bank loan applications for systems costing around 100,000 baht, and failed loans can hurt borrowers' credit. She says local-only demand makes pricing hard; scale from a global market would lower panel and inverter costs. For a solar installer or a business selling to homeowners: expect tighter certification rules, and plan for customers who need financing. Sena has verified its own status with PEA and MEA at no cost.

Baht opens at 33.50 per dollar as oil above $93 and Fed hike bets build Prachachat · Sep 25, 2026

The baht opened at 33.50 per USD on 25 Sep 2026, with a 24-hour range of 33.45-33.60 (TTB). The dollar is expected to firm, pressured by higher oil (WTI above $93, Brent above $105) and rising US bond yields. Markets give about 69% odds of a Fed hike in October and 50% in December. For an importer, check dollar-denominated costs and fuel budgets; for an exporter, the stronger dollar may help margins. Keep pricing and hedging under review for the coming weeks.

Bangkok's new city plan opens more development zones, but the Land Department pushed back on smaller plots and foreign quotas Prachachat · Sep 25, 2026

Bangkok's new city plan (ผังเมือง) is in its 90-day public comment period and is expected to take legal effect around mid-2027. It adds orange zones and cuts green zones, e.g. Don Mueang–Lak Si gets orange and red zoning and Sri Nakarin–Romklao/Suan Luang rises from FAR 1.5 to 3. The Land Department said it will not approve cutting minimum plot sizes (detached house 50 to 36 sq wah, townhouse 25 sq wah) or raising the foreign condo quota from 49% to 60%, so those are unlikely. If you plan a small residential project, check your plot against the new zoning and keep current rules as the baseline. Permit processing at provincial offices is said to take about 15 days.

Diesel B7 at 41.44 baht and B20 at 36.44 baht a litre today, up 0.75 baht on B20 Prachachat · Sep 25, 2026

Bangchak's reference prices for 25 Sep 2026: B20 diesel 36.44 baht/litre (up 0.75 from yesterday), high-speed diesel S 41.44, gasohol 95 39.94, gasohol 91 39.57, E20 34.94, E85 30.88. Prices exclude the Bangkok local-area tax and take effect at 05.00 the next day. Check your own station before budgeting fuel for delivery vehicles or generators, and compare the B7 and B20 gap if your fleet can run on either.