Archive

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.

GSB opens registration for up to 50,000 baht QR working-capital loans on 24 Sep, with sales data used in place of paperwork Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

Government Savings Bank (GSB) opens registration for its QR Maheng x Nokkrasib working-capital loan on 24 Sep 2026, running to 31 Oct 2026. Eligible: market vendors and small shops with real sales and payments of at least 10,000 baht a month for 3 months, using the Thung Ngern app. Limit is up to 50,000 baht or 1.5x average monthly sales; flat rate 0.75% a month (16.20% effective a year); no collateral. Revolving credit, reusable after repayment. Bank starts assessing from 1 Oct 2026. Apply via www.gsb.or.th or call 1115; those without the GSB Maheng and MyMo apps must first sign up with the bank. Check whether your sales qualify and whether the effective rate beats your current borrowing cost before registering.

Bank of Thailand is drafting BNPL rules, and household debt is at a 17-year high The Story Thailand · Sep 24, 2026

The Bank of Thailand is preparing rules to regulate Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) lending. Per NCB data, household debt reached 13.6 trillion baht at end of Q1 2026 across 98.7 million accounts. A Thai Chamber of Commerce survey found 91.8% of households carry debt, averaging 794,945 baht, the highest in 17 years. BNPL use rose to 14.2% from 6.2% a year earlier. For a business owner, expect tighter BNPL and consumer credit rules that could affect how your customers pay, and watch your own staff and household borrowing. The article itself is an opinion piece and gives no effective date for the rules.

Officials float a VAT rise as public debt nears 70% of GDP; no decision yet Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

Fitch moved Thailand's outlook to Stable, but officials say fiscal room is only about 3-4% of GDP and public debt is near 70%. The NESDC secretary-general says spending must be tightly controlled for 2-3 more years. The VAT rate is 7% and officials are only discussing a possible increase (one point is estimated at about 10,000 million baht), with no decision or date given. For a Thai SME, this is a watch item: budget for possible tax changes and tighter government spending, but no action is needed yet.

DSI charges 34 over unlicensed Forex trading scheme, a warning on online investment pitches Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

The Department of Special Investigation has recommended prosecution of 34 people and companies (10 legal entities, 24 individuals) over unlicensed Forex trading and online investment solicitation, with losses reported in the billions of baht. The case includes charges of fraud against the public, operating unlicensed securities brokerage and forex contracts, and money laundering. For a business owner, the practical point is to check licences before paying into or partnering with any online trading or "guaranteed return" scheme, and to verify that any broker is registered with the SEC before moving money.

Bangkok warns of heavy rain 24–27 September: move stock up and plan earlier trips home Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

Bangkok Governor Chadchart says heavy rain is forecast across Bangkok 24–27 Sept, with the worst likely on Saturday–Sunday (26–27 Sept). The city is pumping canals down and says Chao Phraya river levels remain well below the 2.80 m flood wall, so the upstream water is not yet critical. For a shop or workshop in flood-prone areas: protect stock and equipment ahead of the weekend, plan staff to leave early on rainy evenings, and keep the city's 24-hour line or Traffy Fondue app handy to report flooding. Clear rubbish from your frontage, since blocked drains add to local flooding.

Farmers' group opposes plant variety law change and asks for a new ไร่ละ 2,000 baht aid round Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

Thai farmers' association opposes amending the Plant Varieties Protection Act B.E. 2542, worried about seed-saving rights. It says average rice production costs are about 6,000-6,500 baht per rai, while the pending 1,000 baht/rai aid (about 230,000 households, 1,846 million baht) has been delayed about 4 months. A new 2,000 baht/rai proposal (max 20 rai) is awaiting the national rice policy committee (นบข.), with meetings repeatedly postponed. For SME owners serving rice-farming customers or suppliers, expect weaker farm purchasing power and possible seed-cost changes; no action is required yet.

Parliament backs principle of four capital-market bills, giving SEC investigators more power Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

On 23 Sep 2026 the House of Representatives approved in principle four capital-market bills and set up a special committee to work through the details. They cover digital capital markets, securities and derivatives firm oversight, fundraising and auditors, and enforcement. SEC staff would gain joint investigation powers for serious offences, and minor offences would move to civil fines instead of criminal penalties. The bills still need committee review, both chambers, and Royal Gazette publication, so nothing changes for a small business yet. Relevant only if your business raises capital through bonds or shares, or deals with licensed brokers or digital-asset platforms.

China's sulphur checks push longan prices down and squeeze eastern orchard buyers Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

China's GACC is enforcing sulphur dioxide limits (50 ppm) on longan, and 162 containers were rejected from eastern Thailand in 2025. Orchard-gate prices have fallen to 20-25 baht/kg, and some buyers who pre-contracted at 32-35 baht/kg face losses. Peak harvest runs December to January. Growers, orchard buyers and packhouses should check sulphur compliance, avoid over-committing to forward contracts, and watch for export-route changes if containers are returned.

Gold prices fell again on 24 Sep 2026: bar gold at 67,800 baht to sell, jewellery at 68,600 baht Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

Thai gold prices dropped 200 baht on the morning of 24 Sep 2026 versus the prior close, per the Gold Traders Association. Jewellery (96.5%) sells at 68,600 baht per baht-weight and buys back at 66,249.20 baht; gold bars sell at 67,800 and buy at 67,600. The global spot price is about US$4,277 per ounce. The spread between buy and sell prices is wide, so shops holding gold stock or buying gold from customers should check the latest quote before pricing or trading.

Heavy rain across most of Thailand until 27 Sep: move stock, protect sites and hold small boats ashore Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

The Thai Meteorological Department's warning No. 6 covers heavy to very heavy rain from 24 to 27 Sep 2026 across the North, lower Northeast, Central, Bangkok and vicinity, East and South, with flash floods and flood runoff possible in low-lying and hillside areas. Waves of 2-3 m are forecast in the upper Gulf of Thailand and upper Andaman Sea, and small boats are advised not to leave shore until 27 Sep. For a business: check drainage and move stock or equipment off the floor, plan deliveries around flooded routes, and expect slower site work and fewer customers. Next bulletin: 24 Sep at 17.00. Updates: tmd.go.th or 1182.

Crude oil climbs again as Iran rejects US pressure, so fuel and transport costs may stay high Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

West Texas crude rose to US$93.16 a barrel (+1.64) and Brent to US$103.08 (+3.83) on 23 Sep 2026, as Iran said at the UN it will not yield to US pressure while talks remain open. Markets fear supply disruption through the Strait of Hormuz. Partial relief: Saudi Arabia has partly reopened the East-West pipeline to the Red Sea, and Iraq keeps exporting over 3 million barrels a day. For a Thai SME, expect diesel and transport costs to stay under pressure in the short term. Review fuel surcharges and delivery quotes, and check energy-heavy input costs before setting next quarter's prices.

Heavy rain across 43 provinces through 27 Sep: flash-flood risk in Bangkok and central Thailand Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

The Thai Meteorological Department warns of heavy to very heavy rain in 43 provinces, with Bangkok, its vicinity, the central region and the east worst hit (about 80% of those areas). Flash floods, flash torrents and landslides are possible, especially near hill slopes and low-lying areas. Small boats in the upper Gulf of Thailand should stay ashore until 27 Sep. For your business: plan deliveries around flooded low-lying roads, move stock off ground floors, check drainage and generators, and warn staff who travel through known flood spots. Sea waves reach 2-3 m in the upper Gulf and east coast.

Data centres using 0.5 MW or more must register with DE, minimum standards due by September Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

The board chaired by the Finance Minister agreed in principle to classify data centres by total facility load. Operators drawing 0.5 MW or more are directed to register with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE). Three sub-committees are rushing to finish minimum standards and practice guidelines covering infrastructure, land use and zoning, and environment by September, before they go to the board. A TH-DC dashboard is also being built as a central database. For most SMEs this does not apply; it matters only if you run or host a facility of that size.

Government approves 42 secondary-law changes to ease doing business, including hourly minimum wage rules for restaurants and hotels Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

A government business-facilitation subcommittee (chaired by Deputy PM Pakorn Nilprapunt, with SME federation and chambers present) approved private-sector proposals to amend 42 secondary-law items. Examples: Thai FDA product labelling via QR code, rules for new spa and health services, and revising the hourly minimum wage notice for retail, restaurants and hotels. It also noted two draft laws in public consultation: transit/transhipment rules to cut delays and costs, and a ministerial rule allowing High Cube containers on Thai roads. No effective dates are given in the article; watch for the final gazetted rules, especially the hourly wage change if you run a restaurant, hotel or shop.

PM says Thai-Cambodian border talks are ready, and gas supply is unaffected Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

The PM says Thailand is waiting for Cambodia to set a date for talks, and that the border situation is calm. He says the MOU 44 is being cancelled in favour of a new agreement if the neighbour agrees to talk. He also says gas supply from the Gulf of Thailand is unaffected and that a newly found gas field in the Andaman Sea gives energy security for 50-60 years. No direct action is needed for a business yet. Watch for fuel and gas price moves if the dispute escalates, and for any change to border trade.

Baht opens weaker at 33.45 per dollar as oil and the dollar rise Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

The baht opened at 33.45 per USD on 23 Sep 2026, down from 33.26 at the prior close. TTB expects a 33.30-33.60 range over 24 hours. Drivers: a stronger US dollar, falling gold below US$4,300/oz, rising US bond yields, and Brent crude above US$100/bbl. For importers paying in dollars, the weaker baht raises costs; for exporters, it helps margins. Check dollar-denominated supplier quotes and hedge if payments are due soon.

PM Anutin says US tariff talks will succeed, but Thailand cannot pick sides between China and the US Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

Prime Minister Anutin, speaking to Thai community members in the US, said Commerce Minister Suphajee is negotiating US tariffs and he expects a deal. He cited Thai exports to the US of about US$125bn and a trade surplus of nearly US$70bn, and said Thailand will not choose between China and the US. No tariff rates or deadlines were given. For an SME, treat this as a signal that the tariff position is still under negotiation: keep current US pricing and export plans, avoid committing to new fixed-price US orders until terms are published, and watch for the Commerce Ministry's announcement.

Diesel B7 at 41.44 baht and B20 at 36.44 baht per litre at Bangchak today Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

Bangchak pump prices for 24 Sep 2026: diesel B20 36.44 baht/litre (up 0.75 baht from yesterday), B7 41.44, Gasohol 95 39.94, Gasohol 91 39.57. Prices exclude the Bangkok local land tax and take effect at 05:00 tomorrow. Fleet and delivery operators should check their fuel budget and the pump price at their own station before the next morning's refuel.

US and China extend trade truce two months to 10 January 2027 Prachachat · Sep 24, 2026

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington and Beijing agreed to extend their trade agreement by two months, moving the deadline from November to 10 January 2027, as Xi Jinping arrived for a US visit on 23-25 September 2026. The agenda includes AI and tariffs. For a Thai SME, this means the US-China tariff uncertainty that affects export demand, input prices and supply chains is postponed rather than resolved. Keep current supplier and pricing plans, and treat the January 2027 date as the next point to review.