Archive

Oil falls five sessions in a row on US-Iran talk hopes; Saudi pipeline restart may ease supply The Standard Wealth · Sep 23, 2026

Brent fell below $100 and WTI below $90 after five straight sessions of declines, driven by reported US-Iran talks and Saudi Arabia's first steps to restart the 7 million barrel-per-day East-West pipeline, which could reach significant flows by Saturday. Prices are still more than 60% above end-last-year levels, and the article warns a deal is far from certain, with past ceasefires having failed. For a Thai SME, fuel and transport costs are still high; do not assume a sustained drop yet. Avoid locking in fuel-dependent pricing or long-term contracts on the back of one week's decline, and keep watching diesel and freight quotes over the coming weeks.

NBTC board deadlock: court ruling on 25 Sep may decide chairman's status Prachachat · Sep 23, 2026

The NBTC (telecom and broadcast regulator) board has failed to reach quorum 12 times, with 233 agenda items pending. No new meeting is scheduled. The Central Administrative Court reads its ruling on the chairman's eligibility on 25 Sep 2026. Only relevant if your business depends on NBTC licences, spectrum or broadcast approvals: expect delays in those decisions, not a change to your daily operations.

Police rescue three Chinese women held at a Chon Buri house, four suspects arrested Bangkok Post · Sep 23, 2026

Police in Bang Lamung, Chon Buri rescued three Chinese women early Wednesday from a two-storey house where four Chinese men allegedly held them for sexual abuse and extortion. The suspects had no passports and reportedly entered Thailand illegally. The case is a police and immigration matter with no direct change for legitimate businesses. Small operators renting out property should simply stay alert to suspicious tenants and report concerns to police.

Government plans energy-transition skills training funded by the 200bn-baht loan decree Prachachat · Sep 23, 2026

Five ministries under the Pheu Thai government plan to propose Upskill and Reskill programmes for installing energy-transition equipment such as solar, using the 200bn-baht loan decree. Projects will be packaged and sent to the Finance Ministry's review committee; no budget figure has been set, and solar projects may move fastest. For a Thai SME, this signals future demand for trained installers and electrical technicians, and possible subsidised training. Nothing is open to apply for yet, so watch for the committee's decisions before planning hiring or training.

SAWAD pays a THB 0.35 interim dividend; shares trade ex-dividend on 6 Oct 2026 Prachachat · Sep 23, 2026

Listed consumer-finance firm SAWAD approved a cash interim dividend of THB 0.35 per share, totalling THB 581.53 million, based on January to June 2026 results. Record date is 7 Oct 2026 and payment is 21 Oct 2026. Only relevant if you hold SAWAD shares; for most SME owners this is background news with no action needed.

BSMB launches Nano Plus guarantee for micro traders, now covering non-bank and virtual-bank loans Prachachat · Sep 23, 2026

The SME Guarantee Corporation (BSMB) has launched Nano Plus, a loan guarantee for micro traders and sole proprietors. Guarantees run from 5,000 to 50,000 baht per borrower, last up to 4 years, and the guarantee fee is waived for those 4 years. Non-bank nano-finance lenders under Bank of Thailand supervision and virtual banks are now eligible. Total facility is 2,000 million baht, with 500 million in the first phase. If you are a small trader without collateral or a guarantor, this is a new route to working-capital loans. Ask your nano-finance or partner lender whether they participate. The article gives no application deadline or detailed eligibility criteria.

Government says no major flood expected; disaster insurance scheme starts 1 October Prachachat · Sep 23, 2026

Deputy PM Thongsak Thongsri says the government does not expect a major flood and dismisses a viral disaster-warning page as unreliable. Heavy rain is forecast for 24-26 September in the North, Central and Northeast, which officials say is not severe. The government approved 15.5 billion baht for disaster insurance covering flood, storm and earthquake, effective 1 October 2026, with claims payouts targeted within 45 days. For a Thai SME: check your premises and stock are exposed to flood, watch the 24-26 Sept rain, and follow official Thai Meteorological Department and government warnings rather than social media posts.

Rooftop solar panels, inverters and cables to need TIS (มอก.) certification from September Prachachat · Sep 23, 2026

The Industry Ministry's TISI (สมอ.) plans to make TIS (มอก.) certification mandatory for solar panels by September 2026, covering panels (มอก.61730), DC breakers, fuses, cables, lithium batteries and inverters. Imported panels for sale will also need certification. About 260 firms have applied for licences so far. If you sell or install solar, check your supplier's certification now. Installers must hold recognised certification. Those already certified need not change anything, per the minister. Separately, GHB (ธอส.) offers green loans of 100,000-150,000 baht for 5 kW systems over 7 years, with no collateral, based on electricity usage data.

State welfare card holders get an extra 700 baht a month for Oct–Nov, so small shops in the Thong Fah network should expect more sales Prachachat · Sep 23, 2026

The Finance Ministry has approved an extra 700 baht per person per month for state welfare card holders for October and November, raising the total from 300 to 1,000 baht. The card can be used at Thong Fah shops and other stores the Commerce Ministry designates. The card holder pool is expected to grow to about 14.5 million from 13.1 million. Around 7.5 million people who fail the new review will be moved to the Thai Chuay Thai Plus scheme. If you run a small shop near these customers, expect more spending in Oct–Nov and check whether you are registered to accept the card. Rules for who qualifies apply from 1 Oct.

Crude oil falls after Saudi East-West pipeline restarts, but full recovery takes 6-8 weeks Prachachat · Sep 23, 2026

Brent fell to about $99.25 and West Texas Intermediate to about $94.59 a barrel on 22 Sep 2026 after Saudi Arabia restarted the East-West pipeline and resumed exports from Yanbu. Full operation may take 6-8 weeks, and Iran has said Hormuz could reopen within 7 days if US pressure eases. Talks are uncertain: the US has signalled possible renewed military action, and Trump has lowered expectations of a peace deal before US midterms in early November. For a small business, fuel and transport costs may ease slightly but are not safe to assume lower. Avoid locking in fuel-linked price cuts or surcharges yet; keep the current cost base in your quotes and watch pump prices over the next few weeks.

Gold bar and jewellery prices up 150 baht on 23 Sep 2026; jewellery sells at 68,950 baht per baht weight Prachachat · Sep 23, 2026

Thai Gold Traders Association prices as of 09:04 on 23 Sep 2026: jewellery sell-out price 68,950 baht per baht weight, up 150 baht from the previous close. Gold bars: buy 67,950, sell 68,150. Jewellery buy-back 66,597.88 baht. Global spot 4,341.00 USD per ounce. The spread between buy and sell prices is wide, so shops that buy back old gold keep a margin. If you price gold-linked goods or take gold as collateral or payment, reprice against today's figures.

Baht opens stronger at 33.13 per dollar on 23 Sep, with Fed rate-hike bets in play Prachachat · Sep 23, 2026

The baht opened at 33.13 per dollar on 23 Sep, up from 33.17 at Tuesday's close. TTB expects a 24-hour range of 33.00-33.30. The dollar firmed after Fed officials backed tighter policy and investors expect another rate rise this year. Foreign investors sold 796 million baht of Thai bonds and 3,000 million baht of Thai equities the previous day. For importers, the baht is roughly stable in the short term. Exporters should keep watching the 33.00 and 33.30 levels when pricing dollar receipts, and check the rate before converting large payments.

Thailand's 73 data centres are 63% in Bangkok, and new power rules may raise their electricity costs Prachachat · Sep 23, 2026

Thailand has 73 operating data centres, about 63% of them in Bangkok, per Kasikorn Research. The state is moving to tighten zoning, safety and water rules, and to set a separate electricity tariff for data centres. The article estimates that a 1 baht/unit rise in the data-centre rate would add about 10-14 million baht a year per average 1.2 MW Bangkok facility. For most SMEs this is background: it matters mainly if you supply, lease space to, or rely on data-centre hosting, or if you watch for how electricity tariffs are structured.

Diesel at B7 is 40.69 baht a litre and B20 is 35.69 at Bangchak today (23 Sep) Prachachat · Sep 23, 2026

Bangchak's pump prices on 23 Sep: B7 diesel 40.69 baht, B20 35.69, Hi Premium Diesel 49.25; gasohol 95 at 39.94 and 91 at 39.57; E20 34.94 and E85 30.88. Prices exclude the Bangkok local tax. Tomorrow's new prices take effect at 05:00. Check your own station before budgeting fuel for delivery vehicles or generators, and note the B20 gap if your fleet can run on it.

Social Security board election is on 27 Sep 2026: check your eligibility and polling place before voting Prachachat · Sep 23, 2026

The Social Security Board election is on Sunday 27 Sep 2569 (2026), 08.00-16.00. Employers and insured persons who have paid contributions for at least 3 of the past 6 months (Nov 2025-Apr 2026 window) can vote. Check your polling place via the SSO website, SSO Plus app or e-Self Service. Bring your Thai ID card, driving licence or ThaID/DLT digital ID. Company representatives need a company registration certificate (under 6 months old) and an authorisation letter if several authorised signatories exist. Employer ballots are blue; insured-person ballots are pink. You may select up to 7 candidate numbers.

Heavy rain forecast for the East, Bangkok and the South today: flash-flood risk, so plan deliveries and stock around it Prachachat · Sep 23, 2026

The Meteorological Department warns of heavy to very heavy rain in parts of the East, and heavy rain in Bangkok and metropolitan area, lower Northeast, lower Central and the South over the next 24 hours. Risk: flash floods, mountain runoff and landslides, especially near streams and low-lying areas. Sea waves about 2 m in the upper Gulf of Thailand, over 3 m where storms occur. For a Thai SME: move deliveries off flood-prone routes, protect stock and equipment at ground level, and plan for staff travel delays. Avoid boat trips in storm areas.

Government plans 823 billion baht in transport projects over 2027-2030, with southern motorway and rail lines Prachachat · Sep 23, 2026

The Transport Ministry plans 313 projects worth 823,178 million baht over 2027-2030, covering road, rail, water and air. 2027 starts with 262 projects (229,769 million baht), including the 61 km M8 motorway from Nakhon Pathom to Pak Tho. Three southern double-track rail lines worth 106,797 million baht are going to tender; the Ministry says the rail network is due to be complete by 2033. For SMEs in logistics, construction supply, or businesses along the southern routes, this points to future demand, but these are plans and timelines can slip.

Thai Chuay Thai Plus extended two months to Nov 30, merchants must confirm by Oct 15 and register online via Tung Ngern Prachachat · Sep 23, 2026

The cabinet extended the Thai Chuay Thai Plus (60/40) scheme for two months, 1 Oct to 30 Nov 2026. Eligible people confirm via Paotang 1-15 Oct; eligible businesses confirm via Tung Ngern from 1 Oct to 30 Nov. The state co-pays 60% of spending on food, drinks, goods and services, capped at 200 baht per person per day and 1,000 baht overall. Shops can use the Paotang app and food delivery partners (06.00-21.00). Welfare card holders also get an extra 700 baht for October, bringing grocery-type spending on the blue-flag shops to 1,000 baht per month. Funding comes from the remaining roughly 44 billion baht of the first 200 billion baht loan. Bank economists expect private consumption to slow in Q4, so plan cash flow for a softer last quarter.

Tisco ESU sees Thai growth at 2.1% this year and baht near 34.50 by end-2026 Bangkok Post · Sep 23, 2026

Tisco ESU raised its 2026 Thai GDP forecast to 2.1% from 1.8%, driven by exports, private investment and electronics demand, but expects growth to slow to 2% in 2027 as living costs and energy prices weigh on domestic demand. It expects the Bank of Thailand to hold the policy rate at 1% until at least mid-2027 and the baht to weaken to 34.50 per dollar by end-2026. For a small business: plan for steady export-linked demand this year, tighter domestic spending next year, and a weaker baht that may help exporters and raise import costs. The unit also warns a rapid rise in US bond yields could trigger a market correction; it is a forecast, not a guarantee.

GH Bank offers low-rate solar loans for homes with reliable power bills Bangkok Post · Sep 23, 2026

GH Bank new lending rose 15% year-on-year in H1, reaching 160 billion baht (66% of its 240 billion full-year target). It plans a government-linked solar rooftop loan for private homes: about 100,000-150,000 baht per borrower, seven years, monthly instalments just over 1,000 baht. Eligibility needs an average electricity bill of at least 2,000-3,000 baht a month and the borrower's name must match the meter owner. Terms are still under consideration. Covers panels and inverters only, not batteries, and not commercial offices. For a business owner, this matters if you live in a home with a qualifying bill or are a installer; the one-stop service with MEA and PEA may help sales.