Archive

Gold prices rise again today: bar gold 66,200 baht buy-out, jewellery 67,000 baht sell-out Prachachat · 3d ago

Thai gold prices rose about 100 baht on 19 Oct 2026 versus the previous close. Bar gold: buy-in 66,000 baht, sell-out 66,200 baht per baht-weight. Jewellery 96.5%: sell-out 67,000 baht, buy-back about 64,673 baht. The spread between buying and selling is wide, so a shop that buys back gold loses roughly 2,300-2,400 baht per baht-weight on the round trip. Global spot is around US$4,176/oz. Brent crude is about US$110 amid US-Iran tensions, which can feed into fuel and transport costs. If you hold gold for business or pricing, check the buy-back spread before you trade.

Attacks on Saudi airports and Gulf airspace closures push airfares and fuel costs up for flights to and from the Middle East Prachachat · 3d ago

Missile and drone strikes hit Riyadh's King Khalid airport on 10 October, and Houthi threats have led airlines to cancel flights in and out of Saudi Arabia. Most Gulf airspace is closed or restricted, so carriers fly longer detours that burn more fuel; Qantas now adds a Singapore refuelling stop on Perth-London. Expect higher air freight and fares on Middle East routes, and plan Gulf or Saudi trips and shipments with extra buffer time. Dubai and Doha capacity remains below 2025 levels, with Middle East seats down 5.7% in October.

Flood relief top-up of about 10 billion baht awaits cabinet approval, timing unclear Prachachat · 3d ago

The Interior Ministry's disaster agency (ปภ.) is finalising a flood-relief top-up that could reach about 10,000 million baht, covering roughly 1 million households. Cabinet submission tomorrow is not guaranteed; it depends on ปภ. compiling provincial figures. The 4,700 million baht emergency reserve is used up, and the FY2570 budget (about 99,000 million baht) is the source. For a Thai SME, this signals that relief money is being stretched across the fiscal year, so flood-hit businesses should not count on quick compensation. Check whether your area is on the provincial claims list and keep flood-insurance and cash-flow buffers in place.

Baht opens stronger at 33.42 per dollar on 19 Oct as Fed rate hike bets ease Prachachat · 3d ago

The baht opened at 33.42 per dollar, up from 33.51 at Thursday's close, with a 24-hour range of roughly 33.35-33.50 (TTB). The dollar softened after markets judged the US Fed less likely to hike as previously expected. CME FedWatch puts 83% odds on a hold at the 28 Oct meeting and 91% on at least a 0.25% hike at the 9 Dec meeting. For importers, the stronger baht trims dollar-priced costs slightly; exporters should review margins and pricing. Foreign investors bought 2,644 million baht of Thai bonds and sold 2,111 million baht of Thai stocks. Treat this as short-term movement, not a trend to restructure around.

TAT shifts 2027 tourism strategy to higher spending per visitor, targeting 5% revenue growth The Story Thailand · 3d ago

TAT's 2027 plan aims to grow tourism revenue 5% by raising spending per visitor, not just visitor numbers. It targets 19 new destinations and a 60:40 split between main and secondary cities, covering Chiang Rai, Nan, Sukhothai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Ubon Ratchathani, Rayong and Chanthaburi. Forecasts put foreign arrivals at 33.5–34.0 million, with average spend around 49,000–50,000 baht per person, up 1.8%. Long-haul guests spend 2.2 times more on accommodation per trip. For SMEs in hotels, guesthouses, tours and secondary-city services, the case is for premium, wellness and event-linked offers aimed at higher-spending visitors.

Diesel and gasohol prices on 19 Oct 2026 at Bangchak stations: B20 diesel at 37.19 baht a litre Prachachat · 3d ago

Bangchak's posted prices for 19 Oct 2026: B20 diesel 37.19 baht/litre (unchanged), High Diesel S 42.94, gasohol 95 41.44, gasohol 91 41.07, E20 35.69, E85 31.63. Prices exclude the Bangkok local-area tax and are reference only, so check at your station. Tomorrow's prices take effect at 05:00. If your fleet or delivery costs run on diesel, budget against these figures and recheck before fuelling.

Hardware prices up 50% and PCs stretched to 4-5 years, so budget for longer replacement cycles Bangkok Post · 4d ago

SIS Distribution says PC prices are up about 50% and AI servers about sixfold, driven by AI demand and memory shortages. Enterprises are stretching replacement cycles from 3 years to 4-5, and PC and server unit sales fell an estimated 10-20%. Hardware prices may ease in 2027 as memory capacity grows. For a small business, plan to keep existing machines longer and hold off on big IT purchases until prices move. Thai firms are still mostly testing AI agents, with broader adoption expected around Q2 2027. Subscription AI costs (about US$20 per user per month) add up across staff, so compare them with open-source options before committing.

Exports up 18.9% in 8 months, but gains stay with suppliers who meet buyer standards Bangkok Post · 4d ago

Thai exports reached US$266 billion in January to August 2026, up 18.9%, driven by electronics and AI-related demand. The Thai National Shippers' Council is considering raising its full-year growth forecast to 14-16%, but warns the 18.9% pace will not last because some buyers pulled orders forward. Agro-exports fell 2.4%. For SMEs, the council flags limited access to working capital, export credit insurance and market information, plus energy and logistics costs, as the main constraints. Review your buyer concentration, export paperwork and standards compliance, and check whether export credit insurance is worth it before Q4 orders slow.

Prachin Buri oil film prompts water checks as flood damage hits farms and aquaculture Bangkok Post · 4d ago

Authorities are testing water quality and placing oil-absorbent booms along the Bang Phluang canal after a suspected oil film was spotted near the Prachin Buri River, which is still high. Flooding since Sept 21 has hit 59,727 households, damaged 109,685 rai of farmland (mostly rice) and affected 58,732 rai of aquaculture. If your business operates in Prachin Buri, Si Maha Phot, Si Mahosot, Muang or Kabin Buri, expect water-quality checks and possible restrictions on nearby fish or water use, and check your insurance and recovery plans.

TDRI warns of growth concentration in sectors Bangkok Post · 4d ago

Thailand's economy is experiencing uneven growth concentrated in specific sectors (data centers, electronics) rather than benefiting broader populations and regions. TDRI economists warn that without adequate government investment in infrastructure and stimulus programs, and with mounting fiscal constraints, private investment is weakening and export competitiveness may deteriorate. Policy options include increased taxation and targeted stimulus, but effectiveness depends on broad-based stimulus distribution rather than cash handouts.

AI makes hacking easier, so small firms should tighten scam and cyber defences now Techsauce · 4d ago

IMF-hosted panel warned that AI lowers the skill needed for cyberattacks and makes fake emails, cloned voices and deepfakes cheap. Attacks that once took days can now finish in minutes. For a Thai SME, the practical risk is impersonation: verify any request to change bank details or transfer money through a second channel, enforce two-factor login on email and banking apps, and train staff to spot fake messages. Also check that outside IT vendors and software you use have up-to-date security. The article gives no Thai-specific rule or deadline.

BJC sells 20 idle properties worth over 1 billion baht, including former Big C branches in provinces Prachachat · 4d ago

BJC, the Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi group's retail arm, has completed the sale of 20 of 33 non-core properties (about 11.7 billion baht in total listed value) since it put them up for sale early in 2026. Two plots went to related parties, and 17 land-and-building lots went to 1 outside buyer and 16 related parties. Several provincial Big C stores that sat on these sites have closed since July 2026. The proceeds are meant to cut debt taken on to buy MM Mega Market Vietnam. For a Thai SME, the signal is limited: large retailers are shedding provincial real estate, so landlords and commercial property in secondary towns may see more supply. The article does not say what the sites will be developed into.

Bangkok flood aid: 300,000 claims approved so far, filing window to be extended Prachachat · 4d ago

Bangkok has approved about 300,000 of roughly 1 million flood-aid claims (about 33%), and some districts are at 50%. Inspectors are being added and the claim deadline will be extended. Flood-hit shop owners should check whether their equipment is covered, since motorcycles and sewing machines are on the list, and keep receipts and photos as evidence. Inspection dates are being set by community, so watch for notices from the community head.

Flood compensation registration is open now, but Bangkok queues fill early Bangkok Post · 4d ago

Flood victims in Bangkok are queuing from the night before at district offices, and quotas (1,200 tickets at Sai Mai, 600 places at Lat Krabang) filled by early morning. Officials are adding staff and accepting documents from late arrivals. Payments follow eligibility from provincial authorities and Bangkok. Government plans 5,000 or 9,000 baht per household, plus a national disaster insurance scheme covering October 2026 to October 2027. If your business or staff were hit, check the Thang Rath app and prepare photos and documents before going in person.

OpenCode Console breach let attackers take API keys and run up large bills; rotate keys if your team uses it Blognone · 4d ago

OpenCode reports its Console service, used to share external API keys across a team, was breached. Attackers pulled API keys from customer accounts, about 1.4% of users, reportedly to build distillation training data, and affected customers were billed heavily for API use. Affected customers have received email alerts. If your staff use OpenCode Console or shared AI API keys, check usage and billing now, rotate any shared keys, and limit who can access them. OpenCode is also working with Anthropic, OpenAI and Google to limit the damage from stolen keys.

Study-trip scam with fake Obec links hits 62 students; parents file with CSD Bangkok Post · 4d ago

About 62 students and 8 teachers from 11 schools lost about 39,900 baht each (около 2.7 million baht total) on a China study trip that never happened. The organisers claimed Obec links, and the trip was organised privately, not by Obec. For a Thai business, the lesson is practical: before paying deposits for group travel or education programmes, verify the organiser's registration and airline bookings directly, and don't pay through a third party's account. Parents have also raised concerns about students' personal documents being handed over, so keep copies of data shared and limit what you give out.

Factory and warehouse rents hold firm while office rents in Bangkok fall Prachachat · 4d ago

Q3 2026 property data from Cushman & Wakefield Thailand. Industrial estate land is tight, especially in Rayong (2.72% vacant), averaging 6.5 million baht per rai. Factory rents are 196 baht and warehouse rents 160 baht per sq m per month, with no new supply. Central Bangkok office vacancy rose to 23.5% and rents fell 2 baht to 941 baht per sq m, so tenants have more negotiating power. Landlords offer longer rent-free periods and fit-out support. Condo sales are weak and mortgage rejections are high at around 40%. If you are leasing office space, now is a good time to negotiate; if you need a factory or warehouse, expect limited options and possibly rising rents.

Floods still cover parts of Bangkok and 21 provinces, with 2.18 million people affected Bangkok Post · 4d ago

Flooding since mid-September has killed 80 people and still affects parts of Bangkok and 21 provinces, mostly in the Central Plains (Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Chachoengsao, Prachin Buri). Water levels are falling, but the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation still counts about 715,756 families in trouble. If you run a business in or supply to these areas, check stock, equipment and premises for damage, expect delivery and supplier delays, and review any flood-related insurance claims and loan repayment options with your bank.

Heavy rain and flash-flood risk hits the South, East, Central and Bangkok through Oct 25 Bangkok Post · 4d ago

The Meteorological Department forecasts heavy to very heavy rain through Oct 25, with flash-flood, runoff and landslide risk. The South and East get continuous rain Sunday to Tuesday, then Central, including Bangkok, the lower Northeast, East and upper South intensify through the following Sunday. Waves may exceed 3 metres in the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand. For a small business: check stock stored at ground level, plan deliveries around flooded routes, and avoid sending boats out in stormy areas.

Boromratchachonnani Road in Thonburi to close lanes from Jan 2027 for a 3-year elevated expressway build Prachachat · 4d ago

The Department of Highways plans to start building an elevated expressway extension on Route 338 (Boromratchachonnani, Phutthamonthon Sai 3 to Sai 4, 4.63 km, 4,386 million baht) in January 2027, with completion targeted for January 2030. Work is split into 6 contracts. Traffic will be closed in phases, one lane each side at first, and the road carries about 265,982 vehicles a day. If your business sits on or relies on this corridor (Nakhon Pathom, Phutthamonthon, Thonburi deliveries), plan alternate routes such as Phran Nok new road, Phutthamonthon Sai 4, Phetkasem/Rama 2, and M81, and budget for delivery delays. The start depends on the M82 motorway opening first and on final approval of the closure plan, so the date may move.