Archive

BoT moves to tighten non-bank lenders, targeting personal loans, nano-finance and car-title loans Prachachat · Sep 17, 2026

The Bank of Thailand will review licences and interest charging at non-bank lenders (over 3,600 firms; loans grew from 280bn to 470bn baht in five years). It is looking at three areas: firms holding multiple licences, credit-card minimum-payment borrowers (may be moved to 5-7 year loans at about 8-10%), and car-title loans, where rates may be cut to match collateral risk. If you borrow or lend through these channels, expect tighter rules on rates and licence use. Keep records of loan purposes and watch for formal guidance before changing your financing plans.

Energy regulator plans new gas auction and Data Center power rules; electricity costs may ease over time Prachachat · Sep 17, 2026

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) plans a new petroleum auction (round 26, Andaman Sea) to add domestic gas, which it says could lower LNG dependence and eventually electricity costs. Gas still fuels about 50% of power generation. For SMEs this is a long-term story: no immediate change to tariffs. Watch for the Wheeling Charge clarity for Direct PPA, expected by end-2026, and the public consultation on Data Center power purchase rules. Data Centers can connect in 1-2 years versus 7-10 for new power plants, so grid capacity and tariff fairness for existing users are the stated priorities. The 200-unit first-block tariff of 3 baht/unit is referenced as a policy to keep.

Hormuz disruption may keep oil high into next year, so plan fuel and transport costs for higher prices Prachachat · Sep 17, 2026

A TISCO research column says the Strait of Hormuz disruption is not resolving. Oil supply lost early in the conflict has partly recovered, but is still about 5 million barrels a day short. Several institutions have raised year-end oil price forecasts from about USD 75 to USD 90-95 a barrel. TISCO sees fair value of USD 100-110 short term and says the risk skews upward over 1-2 years. For a Thai SME, this points to higher diesel, fuel and freight costs, so review fuel-heavy budgets and pricing with suppliers. The column is investment research, so treat its forecasts as a view, not a fact.

Fed hikes to 4% and CIMB Thai warns US rates may stay high longer, with baht possibly sliding toward 34 Prachachat · Sep 17, 2026

The US Federal Reserve raised its rate 0.25 points to 4.00%, the first hike in three years. CIMB Thai's research head says markets may be underpricing further hikes, with the 10-year US bond yield possibly reaching 5.3%. He flags a risk the baht could weaken to 34 per dollar, with oil above $100 a barrel adding pressure, and that Thai rates could eventually follow upward. For an SME, this points to possible higher import costs and borrowing costs ahead. Review USD-linked import payments, consider locking in or hedging FX exposure, and check any floating-rate loans. These are forecasts from one bank's analyst, not confirmed policy.

US Fed raises rates for first time since 2023, gold falls over $130 — watch baht, dollar and borrowing costs Prachachat · Sep 17, 2026

The US Federal Reserve raised its policy rate by 0.25%, its first hike since 2023, and signalled possibly one more this year to fight sticky inflation. The dollar index rose above 100 and US 10-year yields closed near 5.01%, the highest since 2007. Gold fell over $130 to a low near $4,235 before recovering somewhat. For a Thai SME, a firmer dollar and higher global rates can pressure the baht and raise import costs and loan pricing over coming months. Gold-shop customers should expect volatile prices; if you buy or sell gold, watch the $4,300 level the analysts flagged. No immediate action is required beyond reviewing FX exposure and any dollar-linked costs.

Crude prices slip as Saudi East-West pipeline partly reopens, but Middle East risks keep fuel costs high Prachachat · Sep 17, 2026

West Texas crude fell to about US$102.43 a barrel (down US$3.40) and Brent to about US$105.83 (down US$2.92) on 16 Sep 2026, after Saudi Arabia said the East-West Pipeline will partly reopen, reportedly at half capacity within days and full capacity within six weeks. Attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, Yanbu and near Mecca keep supply risk high, so do not assume fuel prices will fall much. For diesel and energy budgets, plan on prices staying elevated and review pricing or fuel-surcharge terms rather than waiting for a sharp drop.

US Fed raises rates for first time since 2023 and signals another hike, pushing the baht to 33.40 per dollar The Standard Wealth · Sep 17, 2026

The US Federal Reserve raised its policy rate by 0.25% to 3.75-4.00%, its first hike since July 2023, and its new dot plot points to about one more hike this year. The baht opened at 33.39 per dollar, weaker than the prior close of 33.28. Krungthai Global Markets sees two-way risk for the baht in the short term, tied to Fed expectations and Middle East developments. If you pay for imports in dollars, or hold dollar-linked costs, budget for a weaker baht and consider hedging options. Dollar loans and US-linked costs may also get more expensive.

Oil prices dipped about 1% on easing fears of Middle East supply disruption. No action needed yet; watch diesel and fuel pump prices for any pass-through to your transport and energy costs.

LNG spot prices have nearly doubled and crude is above $100, so expect higher energy costs into 2027 Bangkok Post · Sep 17, 2026

Asian spot LNG hit about $28/mmBtu, nearly double last year's $13-14, as Qatari cargoes are delayed by Middle East disruption. Crude is above $100/bbl, and Bangchak's CEO expects elevated oil prices well into 2027 because of lost refining capacity. Thailand is shifting LNG supply toward US cargoes (70-80% of spot and term purchases). For an SME, plan for higher fuel and electricity costs over the coming months: review energy budgets, pricing and contracts with suppliers, and expect winter-season demand to keep spot prices volatile.

Thai airline seat capacity edges up in September, but Thai AirAsia cuts deepen and Korea seats stay tight Bangkok Post · Sep 17, 2026

OAG data: Thailand's airline seat capacity in September was 6.61 million, down 0.2% year-on-year, and it moved back to second place in the region behind Vietnam's 6.35 million... wait, Vietnam was higher at 6.35 million, so Thailand ranks second on capacity. Thai AirAsia capacity fell 24.8%, with Don Mueang down 6.8%, and its Bangkok-Seoul route stops from Oct 25. A Thai Travel Agents Association official says fewer seats to Korea and Japan mean fewer choices and higher airfares, and that travellers are accepting higher fares after the Gulf conflict. Thai outbound trips in 2026 are unlikely to match 2025's 15.4 million, with 8.8 million recorded in the first eight months. For tour and travel businesses, plan for pricier, tighter seats on Asian routes, especially Korea and Japan.

Academic warns Thai public debt could hit 80% of GDP and VAT may rise later Bangkok Post · Sep 17, 2026

A Chulalongkorn political scientist warns Thailand's fiscal system could face crisis within a decade without reform. Public debt was 67.5% of GDP as of July against a 70% legal ceiling, and he expects the ceiling to rise to 80%, then 100% over 5-6 years. He says VAT is not to be raised in the short term, but may rise after 3-4 years of broadening the tax base. For a small business, this is a long-range signal: no immediate change to VAT, but plan for possible tax increases and tighter government spending, such as on welfare and public services. These are opinions, not government decisions.

Forest land rules to widen, opening six new uses for renewable energy and telecoms Bangkok Post · Sep 17, 2026

The cabinet approved in principle on Sept 1 a draft ministerial regulation adding six permitted forest land uses, bringing the total to 16. New categories include renewable energy, telecoms, infrastructure and waste management, with permits of up to 30 years for some. The Royal Forest Department says it will speed up more than 200,000 pending applications and delegate some approvals. If your business is planning a solar, telecom tower or waste project on land near forest, check whether the site qualifies, since protected areas and community forests are excluded. Projects without legal permission can struggle to get budget allocations.

A Polish refiner bought extra crude to cover a Saudi supply disruption; with no article text, the link to Thai fuel costs is indirect and only worth watching if Thai pump prices move.

Reuters sources say Russia's Syzran and Saratov refineries have been put on hold after drone attacks. Only the headline was available, so the effect on global crude and diesel prices is unclear; watch Thai pump prices before changing any cost plans.

PTTEP, a Thai state-linked energy producer, estimates that every $3 rise in LNG prices could lift Thai power prices by about 5%. Only the headline was available, so the exact basis is unconfirmed. For a Thai SME, this signals that electricity costs may rise if LNG prices climb, so it is worth checking your power bill exposure and budgeting for possible increases in energy-intensive operations.

Thailand cuts data-centre power demand forecast to 8.8 GW in draft PDP 2026, from 35 GW requested The Standard Wealth · Sep 16, 2026

The Energy Ministry says data-centre power requests reached 35 GW, close to the national peak of about 40 GW, but much of it is "phantom demand" from over-requested quotas. The draft PDP 2026 plans for 8.8 GW instead. Grid reliability will be measured by loss-of-load probability (LOLE) rather than reserve margin. EGAT estimates about 35 billion baht (USD 1 billion) of grid upgrades, mainly in the EEC. For an SME this is background: it signals future grid investment and possible power-cost pressure, but no action is needed now.

Thailand is drafting Dual-Class Shares rules that could reshape stock listings, but the law is still 1-2 months from cabinet The Standard Wealth · Sep 16, 2026

The SET and the Securities and Exchange Commission are pushing a draft law to allow Dual-Class Shares, where one share can carry 2 or 5 votes while dividends stay equal. It is expected to take about 1-2 months to clear legal steps before cabinet. It would apply to new IPOs after it takes effect, and could also let large listed companies such as PTT or Krungthai sell more shares while keeping control. For a typical SME owner, nothing changes now. If you plan to list or raise equity later, it is worth watching, since the stated goal is to lift the stock index toward 2,000 points, which the article presents as an aspiration rather than a forecast.

Meta One paid tiers reach Thailand at 27–679 baht a month; free core features stay free Techsauce · Sep 16, 2026

Meta is testing Meta One, a monthly subscription on Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and Meta AI. Thai prices: Instagram Plus, Facebook Plus 35 baht; WhatsApp Plus 27 baht; Meta One Core 169 baht; Premium 679 baht; business Essential plan from 319 baht. Core features remain free. The rollout is limited, so not every account will see it. For a business, the paid tiers mainly add AI generation quota, 24-hour WhatsApp auto-replies and verification, which is worth paying for only if your team already relies on those tools. Meta's 15 million sign-ups and trials include free trials, so they are not 15 million paying users.

Global bond sell-off and oil spike may raise borrowing costs for Thai firms this year The Standard Wealth · Sep 16, 2026

Global bond yields have surged, with US 10-year yields above 4.8% and 30-year near 5.3%, driven by inflation worries, US debt issuance and Middle East tensions that pushed oil back near $100 a barrel. The author argues this raises financing costs for private companies issuing bonds or taking loans, which can squeeze profits and delay investment. He stresses the effect on the real economy is not immediate. For a Thai SME, this is background: review any upcoming borrowing or refinancing plans and keep an eye on fuel costs. The article is mainly about stock-market and portfolio positioning, not direct action for a small business.

SCB EIC keeps Thai GDP at 2.2% for 2026, warns SMEs will lag the AI-driven recovery The Standard Wealth · Sep 16, 2026

SCB EIC keeps its 2026 Thai GDP forecast at 2.2% and 2027 at 2.1%, describing a K-shaped recovery where AI-linked electronics exports and foreign investment benefit large firms more than SMEs. SMEs face slower income recovery, thinner margins, tighter credit access and strong foreign competition. Private consumption is expected to slow in the second half of the year. Remaining funds from the 400 billion baht borrowing decree (the first 200 billion) should support activity and living costs this year, with the second 200 billion, tied to energy transition projects, flowing mainly in 2027. Risks flagged include Middle East conflict, US trade barriers and a possible Super El Niño, which could raise costs and squeeze SMEs further. Plan cash flow conservatively and check whether you can link into new supply chains or qualify for the energy-transition funding.