Archive

Heavy rain still hits central Thailand and Bangkok through 26 Sep, with flash flood risk Prachachat · Sep 21, 2026

The Meteorological Department says rain eases from 21 to 26 Sep 2026 but heavy to very heavy falls remain in spots. Very heavy rain is forecast for central Thailand and Bangkok on 25-26 Sep, and for the eastern region on 24-26 Sep. Flash floods and runoff are a risk in low-lying areas and near hill slopes. For a small business, check stock and equipment stored at ground level, plan deliveries and staff travel around flooded roads, and keep delivery schedules flexible. Small boats in the upper Andaman should stay in port for one more day (20 Sep).

US Fed raises rates for first time in 3 years, oil above $100 keeps pressure on Thai costs Prachachat · Sep 21, 2026

The US Federal Reserve raised its policy rate by 0.25% to 3.75-4% in September 2026, the first hike in three years, to fight persistent inflation. Oil has climbed above $100 a barrel on Middle East tensions, including Hormuz shipping disruption. Markets expect possibly two more hikes this year, with one in December likely. For a Thai SME: expect pressure on fuel and imported input costs, and watch for a stronger US dollar and possible higher borrowing costs. Review cash flow, fuel and import-cost assumptions, and avoid locking in new variable-rate debt without a plan.

GHB opens unsecured solar rooftop loans of 100,000-150,000 baht per household, 7-year term Prachachat · Sep 21, 2026

GHB (Government Housing Bank) plans unsecured solar rooftop loans of about 100,000-150,000 baht per household, repaid over 7 years at low interest, for a 5 kW system costing roughly 140,000-150,000 baht. Eligibility: applicant must match the electricity meter owner's name, and utility usage of roughly 2,000-3,000 baht/month is typical; the bank will use PEA/MEA usage history (about 2 years). The government subsidy of about 50,000 baht per roof is preliminary, pending cabinet approval. Installers must be on the electricity authority's approved list. Final details are not yet set. Relevant if you run a shop or home-business with rooftop space or plan energy-cost savings.

Baht opens at 33.33 per dollar on 21 Sep, weaker than Friday's 33.31 Prachachat · Sep 21, 2026

The baht opened at 33.33 per dollar, slightly weaker than Friday's close of 33.31, with a 24-hour expected range of 33.20-33.50 (TTB). Drivers cited: the Bank of Japan's 1.25% hike failing to lift the yen, a 55% market chance of another Fed hike in October, and the stalled US-Iran talks that pushed oil prices around. Watch Thailand's August export figures. For importers, a weaker baht raises the baht cost of dollar-priced inputs; exporters get a small benefit. Foreign investors were net buyers of Thai stocks (464.61m baht) and bonds (1,228m baht) on Friday.

Diesel and gasohol prices today (21 Sep 2026): B20 at 35.69 baht, B7 at 40.69 baht Prachachat · Sep 21, 2026

Per Bangchak stations, B20 diesel is 35.69 baht/litre, up 0.85 baht from the previous day, while B7 is 40.69 baht and gasohol 95 is 39.94 baht. Prices exclude the Bangkok local-area tax and the new prices take effect at 05:00 the next day. Fleet and delivery operators should check current pump prices and adjust transport budgets and fuel-surcharge pricing; verify at your own station before relying on these figures.

US tariff deal nears: reports point to 19% on Thai goods, final condition still open Bangkok Post · Sep 21, 2026

PM Anutin says Thailand has its target US tariff rate, but one extra US condition is still being finalised. Reports say the US would impose 19% on Thai goods; this is not yet confirmed as final. Negotiations are ongoing, the draft still needs leader approval, and there is no fixed signing date. For exporters, plan on 19% as a working assumption for US-bound goods and avoid locking in US prices or contracts until the deal text is published. Watch for the draft agreement and any linkage to the Thai-Cambodia border commitments.

Driver pay floor for ride-hailing and delivery is still a framework, not a rule Bangkok Post · Sep 21, 2026

The DES Ministry and Etda have presented a formula for a minimum payment floor covering working time, distance-based vehicle costs and extra pay for special jobs. It is a reference standard, not a rate every platform must pay, and more data is still needed. The government is also considering separate legislation for platform workers. For a Thai SME that uses or runs delivery drivers, or relies on platform couriers, expect future rules on driver pay, but no change is required yet. Lalamove has reduced its driver suspension period from three days to one and added a complaints hub. The 10 baht per km demand is still unresolved.

Thai cyber agency says firms must harden defences now, whatever AI labs agree Bangkok Post · Sep 21, 2026

Thailand's National Cyber Security Agency says existing AI tools already let attackers scan public software code for weaknesses, so a pause by AI developers would not remove the risk. For a small firm, the practical steps are: keep a current inventory of software and its dependencies, know which systems are critical before any automated response, and decide who must approve actions that could stop business or affect money or customer data. The article is general advice from an official, with no new rules or deadlines for SMEs.

Blue Line MRT outage to be fixed by Sept 21 morning, so plan commute and deliveries accordingly Prachachat · Sep 20, 2026

On 20 Sep 2026 a short circuit near Tao Poon–Bang Pho damaged the Blue Line's power supply and signalling systems, and service was suspended between Bang O and Kamphaeng Phet stations. The state rail operator MRT says full service should resume the morning of 21 Sep. For a business, this only matters if staff or deliveries depend on the Blue Line; allow extra travel time until service is confirmed back to normal.

Blue Line MRT fire disrupts Monday commute, with buses running between stations Bangkok Post · Sep 20, 2026

A fire on the Blue Line overhead power rail near Tao Poon stopped service between Bang O and Kamphaeng Phet on Sunday 20 September 2026. Repairs were aimed at restoring full service Monday morning, but resumption depends on safety certification. If your staff or deliveries rely on the Blue Line, plan for possible delays and extra bus transfers on Monday. The Purple Line was running normally to Tao Poon.

Udon Thani's horticultural expo opens 1 November, bringing 3.6 million visitors to the northeast Prachachat · Sep 20, 2026

The Udon Expo 2026 (Nong Daeng, Udon Thani) is over 95% built and runs 1 November 2026 to 14 March 2027. Organisers estimate 3.6 million visitors and about 32 billion baht in circulating spending. The Udon Thani Chamber of Commerce expects total 2026 tourist arrivals of about 5.5 million. If you run a hotel, restaurant, transport, or shop in Udon Thani, plan stock, staffing and pricing for the late-2026 to early-2027 peak. TAT says it is building linked tour routes, so consider joining local tour packages.

MRT Blue and Purple lines partly shut after short circuit; plan commute and deliveries around the gaps Prachachat · Sep 20, 2026

A short circuit on the MRT track has halted Blue Line service between Bang O and Kamphaeng Phet stations, and Purple Line service between Bang Son and Tao Poon. The MRT Authority is repairing it and has no restart date yet. BMK buses are running shuttles: 3 between Sanam Chan Market and Bang Phlat via Tao Poon, and 2 between Bang Son and Tao Poon. If your staff or deliveries rely on these stations, plan alternative transport and check for updates.

MRT Blue Line closed between Bang O and Kamphaeng Phet after a power fire at Tao Poon station Prachachat · Sep 20, 2026

On 20 Sep 2026 a short circuit on the overhead power lines at Tao Poon station set fire to the MRT track. The Blue Line is closed between Bang O and Kamphaeng Phet, with delays of up to 60 minutes. Passengers were told to use nearby stations. If your staff or customers commute on this line, plan for late arrivals and allow extra travel time while service is restored. The cause is still preliminary and under investigation.

The Rest Village Sri Racha, a 121-rai M7 rest stop, goes fully open in June 2027 Prachachat · Sep 20, 2026

The Highways Department says the 121-rai Rest Village on the M7 motorway at Sri Racha, which opened partly in April, will be fully open in June 2570 (2027), with about 1,000 parking spaces, 300+ toilets, 60+ EV charging bays and fuel stations on both sides. Construction is slightly behind plan. If your business sells food, drinks, fuel or services to motorway travellers between Bangkok, Chonburi and Pattaya, plan for new competition and possible leasing or supply opportunities from mid-2027.

Hong Kong seizes record HK$125m cannabis container shipped from Thailand Bangkok Post · Sep 20, 2026

Hong Kong customs seized about 535kg of cannabis buds hidden in 1,342 insulated boxes in a sea container declared as coming from Thailand, worth roughly 533 million baht. Three people were arrested. Cannabis seizures rose 27% in the first eight months of 2026 versus the same period last year. For a Thai business, this means exporters of cannabis or insulated-box shipments face heavier inspection and risk profiling on routes from Thailand. Keep export paperwork exact and make sure cargo matches its declaration.

ttb CEO sees household debt stabilising, consumer loans growing 1-2% this year Prachachat · Sep 20, 2026

ttb's CEO Thakorn Piyapan says household debt is levelling off as banks restructure loans, and NPLs in some consumer loans are starting to fall. He expects retail lending to grow about 1-2% this year after several negative years, with car loans possibly improving late in the year (EV tax changes may pull buyers forward) and credit card spending picking up toward year-end. He says low household income, not debt itself, is the main problem. For a small business, this points to softer credit conditions easing gradually, and Q4 demand from consumers may improve somewhat. The article also mentions ttb's RBP (risk-based pricing) for good-credit customers, which is worth asking your bank about if you borrow personally.

Rama 3 fuel pipeline leak found: 6.6 cm crack, 32 km of line under inspection Prachachat · Sep 20, 2026

The Energy Ministry's secretary says a 6.6 cm, 7 mm-deep crack was found under a pipe sleeve on the Rama 3 fuel line. Bangchak group must repair it with wrap, retest with UT Scan, then run a pressure test and an intelligent pigging inspection along the full 32 km. Any high-risk sections need a replacement plan. The regulator has also ordered maintenance records and sleeve locations. For a Thai SME this is mainly background, though fuel supply on Rama 3 could be disrupted while repairs run and the pipe-replacement plan may affect the area's road and logistics access.

Bangkok orders leak checks on underground fuel pipes after Klong Toey crack Bangkok Post · Sep 20, 2026

Officials found a 4 cm crack in an underground fuel pipe under Chuea Phloeng Road in Klong Toey after a 13-day search. Oil leaked into drains and residents complained of fuel smell. The pipe cracked after soil subsided beneath an expressway pillar. Governor Chadchart has ordered leak checks at similar installations where ground conditions match. For a small business, the practical impact is limited: watch for fuel smells or oil sheen near your premises and report it to officials.

Microsoft confirms September patch KB5002914 breaks Excel copy-paste; uninstall it for now Blognone · Sep 20, 2026

Microsoft has confirmed that the September 2026 Windows security update KB5002914 breaks copy-paste, autofill and formula fill-drag in Excel 2024, 2021, 2019 and 2016. Pasted content does not appear at the destination and the source cell stays highlighted. No fix has been released yet. Microsoft advises uninstalling KB5002914 for now. If your office relies on Excel for quotes, invoices or stock sheets, check whether this patch has reached your PCs and hold off on installing it until a fix is out.

Thailand's US tariff deal still unsettled: PM says 19% rate not yet locked in Prachachat · Sep 20, 2026

The PM says Thailand's trade team (led by Commerce Minister Supajee Suthumpun) is still negotiating the reciprocal trade agreement (ART) with the US. Thailand is already at the rate it wants, but the US has added new conditions requiring document changes. The PM would not say what the conditions are, and no call with President Trump is scheduled. Talks may be settled by phone, timing is unclear. For an exporter, keep planning around the 19% rate as a working assumption, not a confirmed figure, and watch for the final announcement before committing to US pricing or contracts.