Archive

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.

Data centre rules may take effect by mid-October, with power caps for hyperscale sites Prachachat · Sep 20, 2026

The National Economic and Social Development Council secretary says rules for regulating data centres could be concluded and enforced by mid-October 2026. Details are still pending the board's decision. Power-use caps for hyperscale sites (proposed at 100 MW or more) and industrial-estate siting are being considered, and the Energy Ministry will set the electricity consumption limit. Data-centre-specific electricity tariffs already exist. For most SMEs this is background: relevant mainly if you supply, build, host or power data centres, or sell to them.

Heavy rain across Bangkok and nearby provinces this week: plan for flooded roads and delivery delays Prachachat · Sep 20, 2026

The Meteorological Department forecasts heavy rain over about 80% of Bangkok and its surrounding provinces for the next 24 hours, driven by cold air from China meeting the monsoon trough. Low-lying areas may flood briefly and disrupt travel, so expect slower deliveries and staff commuting delays, and avoid known flood-prone routes. Small boats in the upper Andaman Sea should stay in port until 20 Sep 2026 (BE 2569). Move stock off ground floors and check that outdoor work or events have a rain plan.

Fed hikes rates and signals more; baht seen weakening toward 33.8 per dollar by year-end Prachachat · Sep 20, 2026

The US Fed raised rates on 16 September, its first hike in over three years, and signalled further hikes this year. The columnist now expects about three hikes, peaking near 4.4%, and sees the baht weakening to around 33.8 per dollar by year-end before easing next year. For Thai SMEs this means higher import costs and dollar-linked debt risk, so review USD pricing, hedge any dollar payments or loans, and watch the oil price, which the columnist identifies as the key driver.

India's rice export pivot could pressure Thai rice prices into 2027 Prachachat · Sep 20, 2026

India has eased rice export curbs after high output, and its non-Basmati exports reached 15.01 million tonnes worth US$5.82 billion in 2025-26. Major buyers include Benin, Bangladesh, Guinea, Togo and Ivory Coast. The Thai commerce attaché says Thai rice exporters should watch four things through late 2026 and 2027: India's 2026-27 harvest, government rice stocks, non-Basmati and broken-rice prices and volumes, and any change in export policy. Thai exporters selling into these African and South Asian markets may face tighter price competition. Government stocks and the pace of India's export policy are the key signals.

Bank of Thailand says young SMEs under 10 years old are hardest to get loans, and the Finance Ministry is drafting a new guarantee scheme Prachachat · Sep 20, 2026

BoT Governor Vitai Ratanakorn says SME lending has contracted for 16 straight quarters, while large firms are growing. Only 11% of SMEs aged 0-5 years and 26% aged 6-10 years get bank credit, even though new firms show higher profitability. Among the top 30% most efficient SMEs, only 21% access bank credit. The BoT is asking the Finance Ministry to set up a new guarantee scheme and is negotiating with the credit bureau and NDID to cut fees. If your business is profitable but young, watch for this guarantee programme and get your credit history and financial statements in order now. SME borrowing costs can reach 13.4%, versus 6.9% for large firms.

Diesel and gasohol prices today (20 Sep 2026): B20 at 35.69 baht, B7 at 40.69 baht per litre Prachachat · Sep 20, 2026

Bangchak's posted pump prices for 20 Sep 2026: B20 diesel 35.69 baht/litre (up 0.85 baht from the previous day), B7 40.69, gasohol 91 39.57, gasohol 95 39.94, E20 34.94. Prices exclude Bangkok's local land-and-building tax, and tomorrow's prices take effect at 05:00. Check the price at your own station before budgeting fuel costs for delivery vehicles or generators, and note that B20 is the cheapest diesel option listed.

Household solar quota rises to 10,000MW with 50,000 baht subsidy, starting next month Bangkok Post · Sep 20, 2026

Energy Minister Akanat Promphan announced the household rooftop solar quota will rise from 100MW to 10,000MW. The government gives a 50,000 baht subsidy against an installation cost of about 140,000 baht, and surplus power is bought back by the state and deducted from later bills. Installations are capped at 5kW and applications go through one online PEA form. The scheme is scheduled to start next month. Businesses that install, sell or finance rooftop solar should prepare offers now. Owners with roofs should check their own load, since a 5kW system is said to produce about 600-700 units a month. The new PDP is still pending, and the Direct PPA for industrial users is being expanded with no overall cap.

If your team uses ZCode, check that it runs 3.14.0 or later, since older versions upload whole code repositories to the cloud Blognone · Sep 19, 2026

Users of ZCode, the coding tool for Z.ai's GLM Coding Plan, found that running it uploaded their entire code to the cloud. Zhipu says this was a default-on Codebase Index feature that uploads the repository once to build AI documentation, then deletes it. After backlash, Zhipu reset users' quotas and released ZCode 3.14.0, which removes the upload. If your business runs ZCode or hands it client or proprietary code, update now and review what code was exposed. Zhipu has also promised to open-source ZCode for review.

Zombie firms are rising in property and hotels, and SME credit has shrunk for 16 quarters Prachachat · Sep 19, 2026

SCB EIC says about 12% of operating Thai firms are "zombie firms": profits did not cover loan interest for two straight years, and they are over 3 years old. Property, hotels and restaurants have the highest share, and SMEs have nearly three times the zombie rate of large firms. The central bank governor says firms that lack capacity or cannot adapt will have to accept reality, and that support will target those with growth potential. SME lending has been negative for 16 quarters as banks tighten. For an SME owner, expect tighter credit and refinancing that is harder to get, so review debt-service capacity, cut fixed costs and adapt your business model now rather than waiting for recovery.

Competition Commission fines Shopee THB 3.47m over forced free-shipping and coin-cashback programmes Prachachat · Sep 19, 2026

The Trade Competition Commission ruled that Shopee abused market power by automatically enrolling sellers in its free-shipping and 10% coins cashback promotions without advance notice or consent, and made leaving the programmes burdensome. It ordered a THB 3.47m fine, payable within 30 days of notice; the company can appeal to the Administrative Court within 90 days. If you sell on marketplaces, check whether you are enrolled in promotions you did not opt into and what the exit terms are for your shop.

Producer prices up 9.1% in August on energy and baht; costs likely to climb again in September The Standard Wealth · Sep 19, 2026

The Commerce Ministry's producer price index rose 9.1% year on year in August 2026 (index 115.4), with all three categories higher. Drivers: energy prices, a weaker baht, and low prior-year bases. The ministry expects September to rise further as energy stays high. Exporters may not be able to pass these costs on to buyers, so margins are at risk. Review input costs (fuel, freight, imported materials) and build them into quotes now. Rubber and some metal prices rose; durian, pineapple, coconut, pork and chicken prices fell.

US rate hike means baht and fuel costs may rise again this year Prachachat · Sep 19, 2026

The US Federal Reserve raised its policy rate by 0.25% to 3.75-4.00% on 17 September 2026 (Thai time), its first hike in three years. Its dot plot points to one more hike, likely around December, and possibly another in early 2027. A weaker baht and high oil prices would raise import costs and domestic fuel prices. Exporters in textiles, electronic parts and processed food may gain competitiveness, and inbound tourism and medical services may benefit. Review fuel and imported input costs, and watch for government support measures such as the Thai Chuay Thai Plus programme.

KKP raises 2026 Thai GDP forecast to 2.5%, but warns SMEs face a widening K-Shape gap The Standard Wealth · Sep 19, 2026

KKP Research raised its 2026 Thai GDP forecast to 2.5% (from 2.1%) and 2027 to 2.7%, driven by AI-related investment, exports and tourism. The recovery is uneven: electronics and data-centre supply chains are growing while autos, petrochemicals and domestic SMEs facing imported goods are under pressure. KKP expects the Bank of Thailand to hold policy rates through end-2027, and says the 400-billion-baht loan programme should show clearer effects in 2027. For an SME: plan for weak demand in traditional segments, watch import competition in your product line, and don't assume rate hikes are coming soon.

HBA re-elects Sunthorn for 2026-2028 and signals real estate recovery in Q4 2026 Prachachat · Sep 19, 2026

HBA re-elected Sunthorn Sathaporn as president for 2026-2028 and says the housing market is showing a slow, selective recovery in Q4 2026, driven by government stimulus. REIC data for H1 2026: 167,665 units transferred (+17.6%) worth 429,839 million baht (+9.8%); resale homes are 63% of transfers and foreign condo transfers fell 8.8%. REIC forecasts 2027 value up 3.1% but units down 0.9%. For a small builder or property-related SME, expect buyers to focus on price, value and location, so plan for quality over volume. The association also plans to press for LTV, transfer-fee and mortgage-fee measures, and for rules on foreign residency (including a Usufruct Act bill).

Insurgent bomb kills two defence volunteers in Narathiwat, 16 hurt Bangkok Post · Sep 19, 2026

Two territorial defence volunteers were killed and 16 injured when a roadside bomb, reportedly built inside a 50-kg gas cylinder, hit their truck in Sukhirin district, Narathiwat, on Friday. Police say insurgents likely carried it out in retaliation for a 9 September security operation. For Thai SMEs in the far south, expect road checkpoints, security movements and possible delays on local routes. Businesses elsewhere have no direct action to take.

EEC's EECiti new city tender slips to 2027, so Chonburi property plays are years away Prachachat · Sep 19, 2026

The EEC agency (สกพอ.) says the EECiti new city in Huai Yai, Chonburi (about 15,000 rai, six zones, 1.1 trillion baht over 15-20 years) will open its 72,000-million-baht utilities PPP tender in mid-2027, with a private winner expected in 2028. Phase 1 covers 6,000 rai with land compensation already paid. Medical and housing zones are due to start in 2028, and the construction workforce (about 1,000 at first) arrives then. The high-speed rail is still waiting on national policy, and the article says a 160 km/h speed cut could ease financing. For a Chonburi or Rayong SME, this is a multi-year demand story, not a reason to change this quarter's plans.

Energy minister pushes rooftop solar for households, with buy-back and 10,000 MW set aside Prachachat · Sep 19, 2026

The energy minister says 10,000 MW of rooftop solar is reserved for households, about 5 kW per home, with surplus power bought back and netted against the electricity bill. Illustration: a 5 kW system may produce roughly 600-700 units a month, worth about 2,000 baht. Approval is targeted at about 1 week for self-use systems and up to 1 month for sell-back. Financing via subsidies and loans is still being designed, and no start date is given. Also: the 200-unit 3-baht tariff is already in force. The new PDP is still pending. Owners with roofs or installer businesses should watch for the online application and installer standards.

Gold jewellery up 50 baht to 69,900 baht per baht-weight today, 19 Sep 2026 Prachachat · Sep 19, 2026

Thai gold association prices as of 09:06 on 19 Sep 2026: jewellery sells at 69,900 baht per baht-weight (buy-back 67,522.64), up 50 baht from the previous close. Gold bars sell at 69,100 (buy-back 68,900). Global spot is US$4,379/oz. Shops that buy gold or sell jewellery should reprice counters and check buy-back margins against this morning's spread, since the gap between sell and buy-back prices is about 2,377 baht per baht-weight on jewellery.