Archive

A US energy official says a Saudi Arabian oil pipeline should resume operations within days. Only the headline is available. If you buy fuel or diesel, watch pump and wholesale prices over the coming weeks, but no action is needed yet.

Saudi Arabia has cancelled some oil cargoes after a pipeline was hit, and a major buyer is looking for alternative supply. Title only; no article text was available. Watch fuel prices at the pump and in your delivery costs if supply tightens.

SME zombie-firm share hit 12.3% in 2025, and SCB EIC warns it will keep rising The Standard Wealth · Sep 15, 2026

SCB EIC says zombie firms (profits below interest costs for two straight years, and more than 3 years old) make up 12.3% of SMEs in 2025, nearly 3 times the large-firm share of about 5%. Highest shares are in property, hotels/accommodation and food & beverage, with healthcare, telecom and rubber also elevated. SCB EIC expects Thai GDP growth of 2.2% in 2026 and 2.1% in 2027, but says the recovery is K-shaped and SMEs are not sharing in it. For an SME owner, the practical implication is tighter credit scrutiny and more competition from weak rivals that survive on low rates and government support; check your own interest coverage ratio and whether your loan costs are covered by operating profit.

Some companies that shifted production out of China to avoid US tariffs are now moving back. Only the headline is available, so the details and any effect on Thai suppliers or export costs are unclear.

Reuters reports the dollar rising as Middle East conflict lifts oil prices and markets price in a possible Fed rate hike. For a Thai SME, watch fuel and imported input costs, and check whether your supplier contracts or pricing can absorb a move in the baht-dollar rate. No article text was available, so this is based on the headline only.

KBank sees SME loans shrinking 4.8% this year and NPLs hitting 2.8-3%, so plan for tighter credit Prachachat · Sep 13, 2026

KBank Research cut its 2026 Thai GDP forecast to 2%, with growth slowing to 1.7% in H2 as private consumption weakens under high energy prices and exports slow. SME loans are forecast to contract 4.8% this year (from -4.5%), while big-business credit grows 5.6%. Banks are restructuring debt heavily, but about 19 in 100 restructured borrowers return within a year. Expect banks to favour strong, investing borrowers for working capital. Bond yields are rising globally, which will make bond issuance harder for low-rated firms.

Thai restaurant market growth slows to 3.9% in 2026 as new openings and closures both rise The Standard Wealth · Sep 13, 2026

KResearch expects Thai food and beverage market value to reach 682 billion baht in 2026, up 3.9%, with growth slowing. New registrations rose 20% in the first eight months (3,263 firms) but deregistrations rose 11% (491). Government stimulus ends in Q4 2026, so expect uneven sales. Costs for imported ingredients, utilities, rent and delivery-platform fees stay high, and menu prices are already up 10-15% since the Middle East conflict. Margins are being squeezed by promotions and branch expansion. Plan for tighter pricing room, focus on value and a clear signature, and watch cash flow closely.

Election-fraud case over Senate selection goes to the Election Commission on 14 September Prachachat · Sep 13, 2026

The Election Commission is due to vote on 14 September on whether to prosecute 229 people accused of rigging the Senate selection, including 138 sitting senators and 21 Bhumjaithai executives and ministers. The case is also heading to several courts afterwards. This is political news with no direct effect on day-to-day business costs, permits, tax or lending. Keep it as background only.

Thai Thiew Thai Plus opens 1,500-baht flat hotel subsidy and 2,000-baht vouchers for small operators Prachachat · Sep 13, 2026

The government's Thai Thiew Thai Plus scheme covers up to 1,500 baht per night of hotel stay (flat rate, co-payment 50:50) with 1,000,000 rights, capped at 5 per person. Vouchers rise to 1,500 baht in main cities and 2,000 baht in secondary cities, usable at restaurants, spas, massage, transport, activities and souvenir shops, not just hotels. Registration via the Paotang app opens 1 October 2026; travel runs 1 November 2026 to 28 February 2027, with a gap from 16 December 2026 to 15 January 2027. Small hotels, restaurants and tour operators should plan staffing and stock for the Nov–Feb window and price within the 1,500-baht cap.

Home buying stays weak in 2026, with 56% of buyers not planning a purchase in five years Prachachat · Sep 13, 2026

SCB EIC's 2026 real estate survey finds home demand at its lowest in four years, with 56% of respondents having no plan to buy within five years. Demand is shifting to homes under 3 million baht and to resale properties. Lenders remain strict, and borrowers are more worried about being refused loans. SCB EIC expects the market to be flat to slightly up in 2026, mostly from a rush to transfer before the 0.01% transfer-fee cut for homes up to 7 million baht expired on 30 June 2026. If your business relies on new-home or construction-linked sales, plan for slow demand after mid-2026. Mid-market and luxury buyers are also pulling back.

Senate collusion case: a march demands prosecutions, but the EC is split Bangkok Post · Sep 13, 2026

Thousands marched in Bangkok demanding the Election Commission send the 2024 senate election collusion case (229 suspects, including PM Anutin and Bhumjaithai figures) to the Supreme Court. The EC's own panels disagree: one recommended referral in July, while a later 5-2 subcommittee vote dismissed the complaints. No business rule changes from this. Watch for political instability that could affect government policy, but no action is needed now.

Salary structures older than three years need updating, and a full market re-benchmark beats a flat percentage raise Prachachat · Sep 13, 2026

An HR columnist says many firms have not revised their salary structure in over 3 years, some in over 10, which leaves it unable to guide pay decisions. He describes two methods: (1) raise every grade midpoint by the same percentage as the market average, which is fast but distorts the structure; (2) re-run salary surveys from several sources, redo job matching for each grade, and rebuild the structure, which takes longer but is more accurate. He recommends method 2. For a small business, the practical step is to check when your pay bands were last reviewed and compare them with current market pay for your key roles.

UTCC warns an AI investment slowdown could cut Thai GDP, so watch export and data-centre orders Prachachat · Sep 13, 2026

UTCC's scenarios: if Hyperscaler firms cut AI and data-centre spending by 10%, Thai GDP falls about 0.29% (around 58,421 million baht); at a 20% cut, about 0.58% (around 116,842 million baht). Electronics exports and data-centre equipment currently drive growth, while domestic spending is slowing. Thai private machinery investment rose 16.6% in Q2 2026 and exports rose 16.1%. For an SME, the practical step is to watch orders from electronics and data-centre supply chains, and avoid over-committing capacity or debt tied to one AI-driven customer base. The base case is no slowdown in the short term.

Data centres may be added to factory list 108, requiring factory licences and EIA Prachachat · Sep 13, 2026

The Department of Industrial Works says it is considering listing data centres as factory type 108, which would require industrial estate location, an rg.4 factory licence, EIA and safety/environmental checks. No final decision yet; the department expects conclusions within a few months. Not a rule today. Relevant if you run, host, or supply power/cooling to data centres, or plan one. Watch for a cabinet decision and a ministerial regulation.

China's export flood could push global trade to a breaking point, a former US trade chief warns Prachachat · Sep 13, 2026

A column citing Michael Froman warns that China's overcapacity and record trade surplus (about US$1.2 trillion in 2025, per the article) are straining world markets. The US and EU are raising tariffs and trade barriers on Chinese goods. For a Thai SME, the practical risk is more trade protection and cheaper Chinese goods flooding markets, which can squeeze pricing and import or export margins. No immediate action is required; watch for tariffs or anti-dumping moves affecting products you buy or sell.

Ayutthaya nightclub raided for after-hours drug sales, owner faces possible five-year closure Bangkok Post · Sep 13, 2026

Officials raided a popular Uthai nightclub at 2.30am on Sunday after complaints it stayed open past legal hours and sold drugs. Twenty of nearly 200 patrons tested positive. The owner and related parties are being summoned, and the Ayutthaya governor will decide the action; the venue could be closed for up to five years if legal requirements are not met. For venue operators, this is a reminder that after-hours trading and drug tolerance on premises carry closure risk, and that staff and management are accountable for what happens inside.

SEC and BOT tighten USDT rules, Travel Rule starts 27 Feb 2570 (2027) The Standard Wealth · Sep 13, 2026

The SEC and Bank of Thailand are proposing tighter rules on USDT and stablecoins, which they say made up about 50% of crypto trading volume in Thailand in early 2026. Proposed measures include a cap of 5 million baht per transfer per day, stricter KYC with deposits and withdrawals only from same-name bank accounts, and delayed withdrawals for high-risk customers. The Travel Rule takes effect 27 February 2570 (2027). Still at public hearing. If your business accepts or pays out crypto or stablecoins, or receives transfers from crypto platforms, review your payment flows and be ready to document the source of funds.

Heavy rain and flash-flood risk across most of Thailand, 13–18 Sept: plan deliveries and stock now Prachachat · Sep 13, 2026

The Thai Meteorological Department forecasts 13–18 Sept rain across most regions, with 60–80% of areas getting thunderstorms and very heavy rain in spots (central, northeast, east, and Bangkok 60–80%). Flash floods and landslides are possible near waterways and low-lying areas. Expect delivery delays and flooded shopfronts or warehouses in low spots, so move stock off floors, plan alternative routes, and avoid travel through known flood-prone roads. Small boats in the upper Andaman should stay in port 15–18 Sept. Check the forecast daily, since a tropical storm near central Vietnam may affect the pattern.

Diesel B20 at 34.84 baht a litre on 13 Sep: check your fuel costs today Prachachat · Sep 13, 2026

Bangchak pump prices on 13 Sep: B20 diesel 34.84 baht/litre, up 0.70 baht from the previous day; B7 39.84; Gasohol 95 39.09; Gasohol 91 38.72; E20 34.09. Prices exclude Bangkok local land tax and may vary by station. Tomorrow's prices take effect from 05:00. If your fleet or machinery runs on diesel, check which grade you buy and whether your transport quotes need a fuel adjustment.

Justice Ministry prepares action against Israeli land-holding network in Pattaya Bangkok Post · Sep 13, 2026

The Justice Minister says the DSI is preparing an operation this month against a suspected network of Israeli nationals holding land in Pattaya, Chon Buri, and the case may be accepted as a special case based on damage value. Government also lists online scams, household debt and narcotics as national agenda items. For a Pattaya-area business, this is mainly background. Watch for property-related scrutiny and be careful about land deals or nominee arrangements involving foreign buyers.