Archive

Government cheating probe into local civil service exams gets a 30 September deadline Bangkok Post · Sep 18, 2026

The PM has ordered the Interior Ministry to finish its probe into cheating in local government recruitment exams by 30 September. Officials involved will be suspended rather than transferred, and Amlo has seized more than 380 million baht in assets from outsiders linked to the case. The OCSC is also proposing a central blacklist of exam offenders so agencies can screen applicants. For a private SME owner this is background only, with no direct action required.

Govt orders review of citizenship grants and nominee company checks Bangkok Post · Sep 18, 2026

The government is reviewing Thai nationality application procedures and citizenships granted over the past year, ahead of amendments to the 1965 Nationality Act. Authorities will also watch for foreigners using Thai ID documents or Thai nominees to set up companies, and are checking unlicensed short-term rentals advertised online. For a Thai SME, expect tighter scrutiny of company registrations with foreign links or nominee shareholders, and make sure any short-term rental you run has the proper licence. No immediate action is required beyond checking your own company's shareholding and rental status.

Taiwan's ALP opens B10bn automated warehouse in Bangna, renting space without robotics capex Bangkok Post · Sep 18, 2026

Taiwan's Ally Logistic Property is investing 10 billion baht in the "Omega 1 Bangna" smart warehouse on the Bang Na-Eastern Economic Corridor route, over 260,000 square metres. Tenants pay to use automated storage and do not buy racks or robotic cranes; ALP says pricing is comparable to conventional warehousing. Phase one starts October 1, with phases two and three in Q1 2027 and Q3 2027. If you ship or store stock in the Bangna area and face labour shortages, it is worth asking for a quote. Treat the 35% efficiency claim as the company's own figure.

PM says govt not involved in US scam-sanctions request naming ex-deputy minister Bangkok Post · Sep 18, 2026

A US House committee letter asked US agencies to investigate 26 individuals and two companies, including former deputy finance minister Vorapak Tanyawong, over alleged links to Southeast Asian scam networks, and to consider sanctions. Prime Minister Anutin says the government is not involved. No sanctions have been imposed. For a small business, the practical point is limited: it is a political story, not a new rule. Still, US sanctions screening can affect banks and cross-border payments, so keep your payment and transfer records clean and be wary of unusual payment requests tied to scam patterns.

Fed hikes rates to 3.75-4%, and high US yields keep borrowing costs elevated for Thai businesses Bangkok Post · Sep 18, 2026

The US Federal Reserve raised its policy rate by 25 basis points to 3.75-4%, its first hike in over three years. Analysts see the 2027 outlook as less hawkish than feared, but US two-year yields near 4.7% and 10-year near 5% keep funding costs high. Foreign investors sold a net 7.2 billion baht of Thai equities on one day. For a small business, expect borrowing costs to stay firm rather than fall; avoid locking in new variable-rate debt on the assumption of quick relief. Lower Brent crude (around US$104) may ease business costs, but a diesel discount policy is squeezing refiners.

A Russian refinery reportedly stopped processing after a drone attack. Watch oil and diesel prices for a possible small effect on global fuel costs.

Opposition deputy urges overhaul of Local Content rules as EV import tax rises to 30% Prachachat · Sep 17, 2026

A People's Party deputy leader argues that raising excise tax on imported BEVs (from 10% to at least 30%, per the EV board's direction) is not enough to revive Thai car production. He proposes direct Local Content measures: tighter verification of self-declared local content for subsidised EV makers (about 25,000 million baht paid under EV 3.0–3.5, roughly 200,000 cars owed), counting R&D and new-tech investment, funding skills, and support for SME Tier 2–3 suppliers. This is an opinion post, not a policy decision. For auto-parts SMEs, the practical signal is that the EV tax change is being debated and the local-content rules may shift.

SET closes up 20 points at 1,583 after expected Fed hike; oil dip eases inflation worries Prachachat · Sep 17, 2026

The SET rose 1.32% to 1,583.34 on 17 Sep, led by DELTA, ADVANC, GULF and KBANK. The US Fed raised rates 0.25% as expected and signals one more hike this year. Crude fell on reports Saudi Arabia may reopen oil shipping routes, easing energy-cost and inflation worries. Brokers see a possible rebound tomorrow (support 1,575, resistance 1,590-1,595). For a small business this is market background only: no action needed. Watch the export figures due next week and any extension of the "Thai Help Thai Plus" measure, which could support domestic retail demand.

Baht slips to 33.43 per dollar, a 1.5-month low, after the Fed signals another rate hike Prachachat · Sep 17, 2026

The baht hit 33.43 per dollar intraday before closing at 33.34 (vs 33.28 the previous day), its weakest in about 1.5 months. The Fed raised its policy rate to 3.75-4.00% and signalled one more hike before end-2026. KResearch expects the baht to trade between 33.20 and 33.50 tomorrow. For importers paying in dollars, costs may tick up slightly; exporters get a small cushion. Watch the dollar-denominated input prices and loan rates over the next few weeks.

A Bank of Thailand official says monetary policy remains very accommodative and the growth outlook is unchanged. For a small business, this signals that low interest rates are likely to persist for now, so borrowing costs may stay manageable, but no new demand boost is expected. Title-only summary; check the full article before acting.

Thai Chuay Thai Plus 60/40 extended two months, Oct–Nov, pending cabinet approval on 22 Sept Prachachat · Sep 17, 2026

The Finance Ministry's loan-review committee approved extending the Thai Chuay Thai Plus 60/40 scheme (phase 2) for two months, October–November. The ministry says it will use existing budget, not reallocate from the 200bn-baht energy-transition loan tranche, and will submit to cabinet on 22 Sept. The State Welfare Card 2026 starts 1 Oct, with results on 30 Sept; people who miss the welfare card can fall back on Thai Chuay Thai Plus 60/40. For SME owners who sell to lower-income customers, expect this demand support to continue through November, but confirm cabinet approval before relying on it past September.

Thai alcohol ad ban still bites: what local brands can and cannot post Prachachat · Sep 17, 2026

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act (No. 2) B.E. 2568 bans alcohol advertising, celebrity endorsement that promotes drinking, and hidden ads using alcohol brand names or logos. Sponsorship of social or public events that promotes drinking is also banned, and so is publicising such sponsorship. Individuals face up to 6 months' jail and/or up to 100,000 baht. Producers, importers or sellers face up to 1 year and/or 500,000 baht, plus up to 50,000 baht per day while the breach continues. Officials can order ads taken down. Check marketing, influencer and event posts before publishing, especially anything that shows beer or spirits.

Bangkok rail fares capped at B45 a trip from 1 January 2027 Bangkok Post · Sep 17, 2026

From 1 January 2027, every electric train trip in Bangkok is capped at 45 baht, down from today's 17 to 65 baht range. Passengers whose normal fare exceeds 45 baht get the difference refunded within three working days via Pao Tang or the card used. Contactless EMV cards are supported. For staff who commute by rail, this lowers transport costs and may change how far they are willing to live from work. Shops and service businesses near stations may see more foot traffic as cheaper transfers become possible.

Hua Hin begins demolishing beachfront buildings from 25 September 2026 Prachachat · Sep 17, 2026

After a final Supreme Administrative Court ruling, Hua Hin Municipality will start demolishing unlawful buildings on public land on the beach, from the Fish Pier to the Tapthim Shrine, on 25 September 2026. Owners who have not yet removed their buildings were given 30 days from receiving notice, and a contractor has been hired. Notices of at least 7 days were posted at the Fish Pier. If your shop, stall or business sits on this stretch of public land, check your notice and status now and plan for relocation or closure.

MEA warns of storms in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan: cut power at the main breaker if floodwater reaches your ground floor Prachachat · Sep 17, 2026

MEA warns of thunderstorms and flash flooding over the next 24 hours in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan, with 70% of these areas at risk. If floodwater reaches your ground floor, switch off the main breaker or the circuit breakers for circuit 1 right away and move electrical equipment above water. Do not touch electric poles, lamp posts or metal signs while wet or near flooding, and do not trim large branches touching power lines yourself. Report damaged or unsafe MEA wiring 24 hours a day via the MEA Connect line or the MEA Call Center 1130. Check that staff and stock are safe and that stored electrical goods are raised off the floor.

Bangkok rail fares capped at 45 baht from 1 Jan 2570 with contactless payment, so staff commuting costs may drop Prachachat · Sep 17, 2026

The cabinet-level committee plans a single rail fare cap of 45 baht per trip across all Bangkok and vicinity MRT/BTS lines, with no duplicate entry fee when transferring, targeted to start 1 January 2570 (2027). Payment is by EMV contactless cards (credit, debit, or Mang Mum card), with any excess refunded via Paotang or the card within 3 working days. Thai citizens are covered; elderly, children, disabled and disadvantaged riders keep existing discounts or may choose the 45-baht option. Still a plan: the MOU for transferring the Green and Gold lines to MRTA is due for cabinet approval by December 2569 (2026). For SMEs, plan staff commuting allowances and delivery or travel budgets around this, but do not count on it until the official launch.

Thai-US trade deal nears close, aiming to keep US tariff at 19% before Section 301 moves Prachachat · Sep 17, 2026

The Thai-US Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) is in its final stage, with most key issues settled and only wording and details left. Thailand's target is to hold the US tariff at 19% and stay no higher than regional competitors. No date is set yet for a leaders' meeting, and the USTR's Section 301 process, which covers labour enforcement and excess capacity, could change the tariff structure for Thai goods. Exporters to the US should keep their pricing and order plans flexible until the final terms are published.

Household debt hits 794,945 baht per family, highest in 17 years, as living costs climb The Standard Wealth · Sep 17, 2026

UTCC survey (7-13 Sep 2026, 1,720 respondents): 91.8% of households have debt, averaging 794,945 baht, up 7.3% from 2025. Repayment is weak: 67.5% missed or delayed payments in the past year, and 25.2% expect debt to worsen slightly next year. Expect tighter lending from banks and weaker household spending. For a Thai SME, plan for slower customer demand, tighter credit for staff and customers, and keep cash buffers. Among factors, energy costs are a key pressure. Minimum wage and debt-aid measures are under discussion, not yet in force.

SEC pilots faster IPO route, cutting review time to 60-100 days from 147 Prachachat · Sep 17, 2026

The SEC is piloting a streamlined IPO process with 3 companies for about 3 months, aiming to cut review time to 60-100 days from an average of 147 (legal limit 165). Firms can talk to the SEC and their financial advisor before filing. A guideline is due in 2027 (พ.ศ. 2570). Relevant mainly if you plan to list; BOI-promoted New Economy firms may get relaxed market-cap and track-record rules.

Bangkok rail fare cap of 45 baht per trip starts 1 January 2570 — plan for lower commuting costs and card-payment changes Prachachat · Sep 17, 2026

Bangkok's Deputy Governor says a shared rail fare cap of 45 baht per trip across all Bangkok-area MRT/BTS lines is targeted to start 1 January 2570 (2027). Transfers between lines won't be charged a second entry fee. Payment will use EMV contactless cards (credit, debit, Mang Mum transit card); overcharges are to be refunded within 3 working days via Paotang or the card account. Vulnerable groups keep existing discounts. Trial runs and the official rules are still pending, so watch for final details before budgeting staff commute allowances or relying on the new fare. Cash-only or non-EMV card users may need to plan ahead.