Archive

Windows 11 24H2 gets its final update in September, and support ends in October 2026 Blognone · Sep 25, 2026

Microsoft released preview update KB5124010 for Windows 11 24H2, which is the last update for that version. Support for 24H2 ends in October 2026, and 25H2 continues as normal. If your office PCs run 24H2, plan an upgrade to 25H2 before support ends so they keep receiving security patches. The update also fixes File History backup bugs from the previous patch, so check that backups are running. PC-to-PC Migration is now replaced by Windows Backup.

Customs eyes tax on cheap parcel imports as MPI method is reviewed Bangkok Post · Sep 25, 2026

Finance and Industry ministries will meet next week to review how the Manufacturing Production Index is calculated, which currently uses 2021 as its base. Customs is also considering a review of tariffs on express parcels; packaged goods under 1,500 baht are now taxed from the first baht. Customs says imported parcels are hurting small domestic manufacturers. If you sell goods that compete with cheap imported parcels, watch for a tariff change. Origin certificates are also moving to a paperless system (Rovers Plus) that checks production costs and processes.

US-China summit and expected Fed hike are pushing gold prices around this month Bangkok Post · Sep 25, 2026

Gold traders say the Trump-Xi summit matters for gold prices: a deal that eases tensions could pull money back into stocks and cut gold demand, while escalation could support gold. Gold was trading around US$4,273-4,303 an ounce, under pressure from a stronger dollar, higher bond yields, rebounding oil prices and expectations of another Fed rate hike next month. For a Thai SME this mainly affects gold-linked costs and jewellery or gold-buying businesses; no direct action is needed for most firms.

Government may raise rice safety stock 30% as El Niño looms, and promo changes may hit consumer prices Bangkok Post · Sep 25, 2026

The Department of Internal Trade's subcommittee is only considering raising rice safety stock by 30% and palm oil stock by 20% because of El Niño; no decision yet. Thailand exported 3.28 million tonnes of rice in H1 2026, down 18.8% year-on-year. The department says soap, toothpaste and instant coffee makers have no plans to raise prices, and soap and cooking oil are under price control. Watch for promotions being dropped while shelf prices stay the same, which can make products look more expensive to shoppers. Plan for possible El Niño pressure on rice and palm oil costs later in the year, but no immediate price change is confirmed.

Social Security board election is on 27 September 2026: employers vote with a blue ballot, and a wrong mark spoils it Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

Employers in the social security system vote for the employer representatives on the Social Security Board on 27 September 2569 (2026). The employer ballot is blue; the employee ballot is pink. Pick up to 7 candidate numbers, each written in Arabic numerals in its own box, or mark X in "do not vote". Writing anything else on the ballot (symbols, names, hearts, ticks), writing more than 7 numbers, or using other marks makes it void. Notes cannot be brought into the booth, and phones are banned while voting, so memorise your candidate numbers beforehand.

Flooding hits six Ayutthaya districts as Chao Phraya releases rise, so move stock and equipment up high now Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

Chao Phraya releases were raised to about 1,750 cubic metres per second, and water has already overtopped riverbanks outside the flood walls in six Ayutthaya districts: Sena, Phak Hai, BangBan, Bang Sai, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya and Bang Pa-in. About 5,030 households are affected. Officials warn water may rise another 70-90 cm, so shops and workshops in these districts or along the river should move stock, equipment and vehicles to higher ground, and watch official alerts and evacuation-centre announcements.

Bangkok home transfers above 7.5m baht fell while cheaper units grew, and developers are cutting new launches The Standard Wealth · Sep 24, 2026

REIC and GHB say H1 2026 Bangkok-area transfers rose 20.8% in units, but the rise was driven by a rush before the transfer-fee cut ended 30 June 2026, and the cut was reportedly extended to 30 June 2027. Units above 7.5m baht fell 12.1%, a sign of softer upper-end demand. New project launches fell 20.9% and land-subdivision permits fell 50.7%, as developers clear stock, face tighter bank lending and higher construction costs. For suppliers and contractors, expect slower new-project orders and more price competition; for businesses selling to the mid-to-low price segment, demand is still growing.

US bond yields hit 5.12%, highest since 2007 — a shock for global markets, but little change for a Thai small business yet The Standard Wealth · Sep 24, 2026

US 10-year Treasury yields rose to 5.12% on 24 September, the highest since 2007, after the Fed raised rates for the first time in this cycle to 3.75-4%. Markets expect up to three more 0.25% hikes within a year. Analysts say the sell-off is driven by oil-linked inflation worries and heavy government and corporate bond supply. For a Thai SME, the main channel is higher global borrowing costs and possible pressure on stock markets and the baht. No immediate action is needed, but watch loan rates, import costs and the US mid-term elections, which could slow the sell-off.

Rooftop solar buy-back scheme for 1 million homes opens October 2026, at 2.20 baht per unit Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

At the Greenest Cities Forum in Phuket (24-26 Sept 2026), the Energy Ministry spokesperson said the 1-million-rooftop solar scheme is being designed, with registration expected in October 2026. Systems up to 5 kW per meter would sell power back to the grid at 2.20 baht per unit on 20-year contracts, with a 10,000 MW total cap. Hotels and property businesses are named as target users. If your premises have suitable roof space, start checking roof condition, meter size and quotes now so you can register when the window opens. The article gives no final rules, so confirm terms before committing money.

Kasikorn raises staff medical cap to 300,000 baht a year and offers 0.75% loans Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

Kasikorn Bank agreed new employment terms with its unions. From 1 Jan 2027, the annual staff medical reimbursement cap rises from 250,000 to 300,000 baht, with unused balances carried over for up to one year. A staff welfare loan of up to 50,000 baht at 0.75% a year, repayable over three years, runs 1 Oct to 30 Dec 2026. Relevant mainly to employers who benchmark staff benefits against big banks; the loan and voluntary-resignation terms are bank-specific and do not apply to other firms.

SME share of Thai business revenue has fallen from about 18% to 15%, and SMEs are stuck with thin margins The Standard Wealth · Sep 24, 2026

SCB EIC says Thai recovery is K-shaped: large firms have grown well past 2019 levels, while SME revenue share fell from about 18% before COVID to about 15% in 2025, and SME net margins have only partly recovered. Upstream auto parts, electronics, chemicals and agriculture SMEs are seeing revenue recover but profits stay flat because they cannot pass costs on. Housing-related and domestic-demand businesses (property, construction, retail, luxury goods) face weak purchasing power. Review pricing power and cost pass-through, and check whether your sector sits in the exposed group. US Section 301 tariffs and Chinese excess capacity are risks to watch.

PTT approves THB 1.40 interim dividend, XD on 7 Oct, plus buyback share sale from 28 Sep Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

PTT's board approved an interim dividend of THB 1.40 per share (about THB 39.7bn, roughly 51% of net profit for Jan-Jun 2026). Ex-date is 7 Oct, record date 8 Oct, payment 22 Oct. Only the THB 0.91 portion gets the personal-shareholder dividend tax credit; the THB 0.49 portion, paid from PTTEP dividend income, does not. The company will also sell up to 238.66m buyback shares on SET from 28 Sep to 12 Oct at no less than 85% of the 5-day average close. Relevant only if you hold PTT shares; otherwise background for energy-sector sentiment.

Flood warning for 9 districts in 4 provinces as heavy rain hits 23-27 September Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

Authorities expect a new round of heavy rain on 23-27 September 2026 and plan to release up to 1,800 cubic metres per second from the Chao Phraya Dam. Water levels below the dam could rise 0.7-1.7 m, putting low-lying areas outside the river embankments at risk. Watch flood alerts for Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Sing Buri and Chai Nat (9 districts), and for Bangkok and Samut Prakan, where canals are being drained. If your premises, stock or delivery routes are in these areas, move stock up and check your flood plan this week.

Fisheries Dept sorts tilapia-pest fishing gear into three groups: usable now, exemption needed, and banned outright Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

The Fisheries Department issued one standard guide for removing invasive tilapia (ปลาหมอคางดำ). Group 1: rod, nets, traps, fyke nets, and non-motorised trawl/push nets can be used without permission, but not for hauling ashore, encircling catches, or during the spawning/nursery season. Group 2: motorised push nets, chemical (กากชา) and large nets need a provincial fisheries committee approval or must be run by officials; electrofishing is banned for the public. Group 3: folding "ไอ้โง่" traps and phong-phang (โพงพาง) remain fully banned. Provinces can adapt the rules locally. If you fish or work in affected waterways, check which group your gear falls into before using it.

Agriculture ministry still undecided on UPOV 1991; farmers' right to save seed stays intact for now Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives says Thailand has not decided whether to join UPOV 1991 in the Thai-EU FTA talks, and it is still studying the issue and taking public comment. It says it will not proceed with any term that costs farmers their rights. Farmers may still save and replant their existing traditional seed, though protection would apply to newly bred varieties bought from breeders. No change for your business yet; if you buy or sell seed or farm inputs, watch for a final decision and any amendment to the Plant Variety Protection Act.

Chao Phraya dam raises releases to 1,750 cubic metres a second as rain returns through 27 September Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

The Royal Irrigation Department raised water releases through the Chao Phraya dam to 1,750 m³/s on 24 September, after 1,777 m³/s was recorded at the Nakhon Sawan C.2 station. The Meteorological Department expects more rain in the central region from 24 to 27 September, so levels in the Chao Phraya basin could rise again. If your shop, factory or land sits along the river or downstream of the dam, watch local flood alerts this week, protect stock and equipment stored at ground level, and plan for disrupted access roads.

Thai imports from China up 31.55% in H1 2026, and Thailand proposes an early-warning channel with Beijing on dumping Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

Thailand's Department of Foreign Trade reports imports from China reached about 2.21 trillion baht in the first two quarters of 2026, up 31.55% year on year. At the 8th Thai-China trade remedy meeting on 22 September 2569 (2026), Thailand proposed an "Early Warning" mechanism with China's TRB to flag fast-rising imports and possible dumping before they hurt local operators or become trade disputes. The department says the aim is proportionate use of trade remedies, not more retaliation. For a Thai SME, this signals more scrutiny of cheap Chinese goods and e-commerce imports, which could mean future anti-dumping measures affecting your inputs or competitors. No immediate action is required; watch for any named products or investigations.

US tariffs on Thai goods could reach 31.5% if the Section 301 forced-labour duty stacks on the 19% reciprocal rate Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

A Rangsit University economist estimates Thai exports to the US could face a combined 31.5% tariff: the 19% ART reciprocal rate plus a 12.5% Section 301 forced-labour duty, which Thailand falls under because it has not yet enacted a forced-labour import ban. This is an estimate, not confirmed, and many products are excluded or may face 0%. Scenarios range from 19% to 44%. Exporters to the US should price in the possibility of higher duties and watch the ART signing and any forced-labour import law. He urges negotiators to cap total additional duties at 19%.

US Section 301 tariff on Thai goods set at 12.5%; trade deal still open, 19% target Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

The US set a Section 301 tariff of 12.5% on Thai goods over forced labour. Countries with forced-labour import bans or ART commitments get 10%. Thailand is still finalising the ART trade agreement, aiming to keep total tariffs at 19% or lower, before the US announces its separate structural excess capacity ruling, which is still pending and not reflected in the 12.5% rate. Exporters should track official sources closely, since rates may change with each legal basis.

Docking annual leave for late arrival may breach the labour law's leave rule Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

A columnist argues that charging late arrivals against annual leave (1 hour late = 1 hour of leave) is wrong. Lateness is a disciplinary matter, handled through the work rules with verbal and written warnings, pay or bonus effects, and dismissal only after repeated warnings. Annual leave under Section 30 is the employee's right to rest, which the employer must schedule (at least 6 working days a year after one year of work). It is not sick or personal leave. If an employee sues, the employer could be ordered to pay back the leave. Check your own work rules: use discipline for lateness, and keep leave for leave.