Archive

Weak spending power and oil above $100 squeeze Thai SMEs into the rest of 2026 Prachachat · Sep 12, 2026

Brent crude is near $108/barrel (11 Sep 2026) and KResearch expects Thai GDP growth of only 1.7% in H2, with policy rates held at 1% through year-end. Credit growth is forecast at 0.5% and NPLs may rise to 2.80-3.00% by year-end, so SME loans will be harder to get. The government is deciding by end-September whether to extend the Thai Yuan Thai Plus (60/40) relief scheme for 1-2 months. Plan cash flow for weaker sales among low-income customers, especially in Bangkok, and check whether the relief scheme applies to you.

Airport Rail Link operator CP threatens to stop service from 30 September; state rail decision due this month Prachachat · Sep 12, 2026

The operator CP Group's unit Asia Era One asked to end its Airport Rail Link contract and stop running the line after 30 September 2026, but it has agreed to keep operating from 1 October to 31 January 2027. Its conditions include 60 million baht a month in operating fees, refund of a 1,067 million baht guarantee, and a new MOU separate from the high-speed rail deal. The State Railway says the contract stays in force and is aiming for a conclusion by end-September. For a Thai SME, the direct effect is limited to commuting and logistics around Bangkok's airports; watch for any service disruption or fare change in October.

Diesel B7 at 39.84 baht and B20 at 34.84 baht a litre on 12 Sep, up 0.70 baht on Bangkok price Prachachat · Sep 12, 2026

Bangchak's reference prices for 12 Sep: diesel B7 39.84 baht/litre, B20 34.84 baht/litre (up 0.70 baht from the previous day), gasohol 95 39.09 baht, gasohol 91 38.72 baht, E20 34.09 baht. Prices exclude the Bangkok local-area tax and may differ at your station. Tomorrow's prices take effect at 05:00. If your fleet or delivery costs run on diesel, check tomorrow's price before you budget routes and fuel purchases this week.

Authorities may widen mortgage debt restructuring, while housing demand hits a four-year low Bangkok Post · Sep 12, 2026

Officials are reportedly discussing new debt restructuring measures for mortgages up to 5 million baht per borrower, as household debt servicing weakens. SCB EIC's 2026 survey finds 56% of respondents have no plans to buy a home within five years, the highest in four years, with tighter lending criteria cited as a major barrier. For a business owner, this signals softer demand for property-linked sales and building materials, and tighter credit for customers who want home loans. Treat the measures as still under discussion, not yet in force.

Authorities plan more mortgage debt restructuring as housing demand hits a four-year low Bangkok Post · Sep 12, 2026

Officials are reportedly discussing new debt restructuring measures for mortgages with credit lines up to 5 million baht per borrower; details are not yet final. SCB EIC's 2026 survey finds 56% of respondents have no plans to buy a home within five years, the highest in four years, with higher-income earners (over 100,000 baht a month) delaying most. Lending is tighter. If your customers include property, construction, or home-related trades, expect slower demand for the next few quarters and plan cash flow accordingly.

Thai Travel Plus stimulus heads to cabinet on 22 Sept, targeting 20 billion baht in activity Bangkok Post · Sep 12, 2026

The tourism minister says the Thai Travel Plus stimulus scheme goes to cabinet for approval on 22 September 2026, and is expected to generate 20 billion baht in economic activity. The article text available here is only the opening paragraph, so scheme details such as eligibility, subsidies and start dates are not confirmed. If you run a hotel, guesthouse, tour, restaurant or transport business, watch for the cabinet decision and the rules that follow, and check whether your business qualifies before planning promotions or staffing.

Airport Rail Link operator contract expires 30 Sept; services expected to continue Bangkok Post · Sep 12, 2026

The PM has ordered the State Railway of Thailand to fix Airport Rail Link problems and keep service running. The operating contract with Asia Era One (CP Group subsidiary) expires 30 Sept. The operator has agreed in principle to keep running trains, but amendments still need finalising, and a supervisory committee meets this month. A 60m baht budget to hire an operator for one year is separate from a four-month extension. If you rely on airport transfers or staff commute via this line, plan for possible disruption or extra suburban train options around late September.

Chinese tourist surge from 25 Sept to 7 Oct brings 250,000 visitors and B11.5bn in spending Bangkok Post · Sep 12, 2026

TAT expects 250,000 Chinese tourists between 25 Sept and 7 Oct, up 24% year-on-year, spending an estimated B11.5bn (up 35%). Drivers are a weak baht against the yuan (down about 10% y/y), new direct flights such as Bangkok-Xiamen and Shanghai-Chiang Mai, and a leave gap on 28 Sept–1 Oct that extends trips. For shops, restaurants, hotels and tour operators in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and other popular destinations, this is the window to stock up, staff up and offer Chinese-language service and payment options. TAT is backing the push with Nihao Month promotions and a Meituan tie-up. Competition from Brazil and Portugal is rising, so pricing and experience matter.

EV excise tax moves to three tiers, with details still pending for auto suppliers Bangkok Post · Sep 12, 2026

The EV Board agreed to a three-tier excise tax: lowest rate for vehicles meeting local content or made domestically, higher for domestic assembly using imported parts, highest for fully imported vehicles. Today's rates are 2% (BOI-promoted domestic plants), 8% (domestic, not promoted) and 10% (imports). Local content proportions and import volume limits are not yet defined, and automakers say investment decisions are on hold. If you supply parts or serve auto plants, hold major spending plans until the final rules are published, and check whether your products count as local content.

EV excise tax moves to three tiers, with local content deciding the rate Bangkok Post · Sep 12, 2026

The EV Board has agreed in principle to a three-tier EV excise tax: lowest for locally produced or local-content vehicles, higher for vehicles assembled locally from imported parts, highest for fully built-up imports. Today the rates are 2% (BOI-promoted domestic plants), 8% (domestic without promotion) and 10% (imports). The specific local-content proportions and import volume limits are still unclear, and automakers say investment decisions are on hold until details are published. For parts makers and suppliers, this points to local content and supply-chain integration as the route to better tax treatment. Watch for the detailed rules before changing production or sourcing plans.

Oil tanker freight rates have reached record highs after attacks on shipping involving Iran and the US. Article text was not available, so this is based on the headline only; if your costs depend on fuel or imported goods, expect upward pressure and review your budget and supplier pricing.

US core inflation ticked up in August, pushing markets to expect a Fed rate hike next week Prachachat · Sep 11, 2026

US core CPI rose 0.3% month-on-month in August, above the 0.2% forecast; headline CPI was 3.4% year-on-year and core 2.4%. Markets put about a 90% chance on a Fed hike at the 15-16 September meeting. For a Thai SME this is indirect: a stronger US rate path can pull the baht and Thai borrowing costs over time, and US petrol prices rose 3.9% in the month. No action is needed yet; watch the baht and loan rate quotes if you have floating-rate debt or US-linked imports.

Revue Dept collects 88% of FY2026 target early, so expect tighter VAT and audit scrutiny The Standard Wealth · Sep 11, 2026

The Revenue Department collected 2.16 trillion baht in the first 11 months of FY2569 (Oct-Aug), up 7.2% year on year, and expects to beat the full-year target by about 2% (40-50 billion baht). VAT was 980 billion baht, up 9.4%, helped by imports. Corporate income tax from energy firms rose on higher oil prices. The department is also matching online platform data, adding 170,000 new taxpayers, 56,000 of them online sellers with no physical shop. For an SME, expect closer data matching on online sales and VAT, so keep sales records and tax invoices reconciled with platform reports. Its FY2570 target is 2.5 trillion baht.

EV excise tax set to rise for imported cars without Thai factories Techsauce · Sep 11, 2026

The EV board approved in principle on 10 September 2026 a new excise tax structure: imported EVs without a Thai plant pay more, while makers that invest locally and use more Thai-made parts pay less. Four rate tiers are planned, but the article gives no rates or start date yet. If you sell, import, or service EVs or EV parts, hold off on big import or pricing decisions until the rates are published. Charging-station and used-battery rules are also being drafted.

Two DSI officials arrested over civil service exam bribes Bangkok Post · Sep 11, 2026

Two senior DSI officials were arrested for allegedly taking 55 million baht from about 700 job candidates in exchange for helping them pass local government civil service exams. A related network has led to 3,868 civil servants being dismissed nationwide. For a small business owner, this is a corruption case with no direct change to tax, labour or permit rules; it is background only, though it may reflect on the reliability of public recruitment.

Revenue Department to review temple foundation income, with e-Donation now mandatory for tax-deductible gifts The Standard Wealth · Sep 11, 2026

The Revenue Department will review income of a temple foundation after a scandal, and will meet the National Buddhism Office on 22 September to close e-Donation loopholes. Since 1 January 2026, charities including temples, foundations and associations may only accept tax-deductible donations through e-Donation. Foundations or associations with non-donation income must file tax form PND.55. For a small business owner, the practical point is: if you donate to a temple or charity for tax deduction, use the e-Donation QR system, and if you run a non-charity foundation or association, check whether your non-donation income is taxable.

Government to reorganise data centre rules, bar city-centre sites and pass higher electricity costs to them Prachachat · Sep 11, 2026

Deputy PM Ekniti says the cabinet has given sub-committees one month to set minimum standards for data centres covering economy, society and environment, using an EIA-style Code of Practice. Sites must not be in city centres, with safety as a factor. Data centres will pay higher electricity rates, with the money used to ease costs for the public, and clean-energy investment conditions are still to be considered. Only three BOI-approved data centres are in Bangkok. For most SMEs this is background: no direct change to your costs, but it may affect power prices and land or property near data-centre zones later.

Thai stocks slid 0.65% on 11 Sep as oil and US bond yields rose; a small business owner has no action to take Prachachat · Sep 11, 2026

The SET closed at 1,604.52, down 10.55 points (-0.65%), on Middle East tensions that pushed oil prices up and on rising US bond yields. Foreign investors sold a net 3,137 million baht and local retail investors bought a net 3,035 million. The market is watching the US CPI release due that night. For a small business owner this is background only: no change to costs, lending or pricing is announced. The one indirect link is oil, so keep an eye on diesel and fuel prices if your costs depend on them.

Revenue Dept: temples must be on e-Donation to offer tax-deductible donations this year Prachachat · Sep 11, 2026

The Revenue Department says this year is the first in which charitable organisations such as temples must receive donations through the e-Donation system for donors to claim deductions. About 46,000 religious sites of all faiths are registered, roughly 43,000 of them Buddhist. Donations via e-Donation reached 23 billion baht in the 11 months to August 2026. Temples that pay construction or rental costs still must withhold tax at source. For a business, check that any temple or foundation you donate to appears in the e-Donation system before claiming a deduction. Foundations that earn non-donation income must still file PND 55.

SEC speeds up capital-market cases and tightens short-selling rules, mostly affecting listed stocks Prachachat · Sep 11, 2026

The SEC aims to cut average capital-market investigation time to about 1 year 5 months, with most cases under 2 years by early 2027. It also plans wider short-selling oversight, an uptick rule for stocks that fall 10% in a day, and a first-phase tick-size change for stocks priced 10-25 baht. These rules mainly affect listed-stock investors and brokers. For a typical SME owner, there is no action needed beyond awareness unless you hold or trade listed shares.