Archive

Excise tax on cars may be restructured to favour local parts, a chance for SME suppliers Prachachat · Sep 11, 2026

The EV policy board approved in principle a restructuring of the car excise tax to reward real investment and local production, and to link large automakers to SME parts suppliers. The Excise Department will draft details before going to cabinet, so nothing is in force yet. Auto-parts SMEs should watch for the draft and consider whether they can supply local content. The FTI says the sector has over 2,500 firms and supports more than 800,000 jobs. The EV registration share is 55% of new cars in the first seven months of 2026, so the mix is shifting.

Thai-China high-speed rail contractors win delays, but cost increases are still pending board approval Prachachat · Sep 11, 2026

The State Railway of Thailand board approved a 239-day extension for the Thai-China high-speed rail contract 4-3 (Nakhon-Ban PhO section), now ending 26 July 2027, due to Ayutthaya flooding. That extension adds no money for the contractor. Board deferred a combined 2 billion baht cost increase for contracts 3-4 and 3-2 (tunnel and foundation work, geology differed from survey), to be re-submitted next meeting. Relevance for a small business: mainly subcontracting and construction-supply timing in the Nakhon Ratchasima to Saraburi corridor; no action needed now.

Indonesia's halal rules take effect 18 October 2026: Thai exporters of food, cosmetics and drugs need certificates, labels and pre-shipment checks Prachachat · Sep 11, 2026

Indonesia's mandatory halal requirements start 18 October 2026 and cover food, drinks, cosmetics, medicines, supplements, chemicals, raw materials and food additives. Exporters must hold valid halal certificates, pass Pre-shipment Verification by a BPJPH-appointed LPH, and keep documents and storage/transport controlled to prevent contamination. Non-halal products may still sell but must be labelled "NON-HALAL", and pork-containing items must say "MENGANDUNG BABI". Penalties range from written warnings and fines to recalls and certificate revocation. DITP will hold more seminars with BPJPH, and Thailand meets BPJPH on 15 September 2026 on renewing the halal MRA. Start certificate and label checks now if you ship to Indonesia.

Heavy rain forecast for 8–13 September: Irrigation Department on watch for flash floods in low-lying areas Prachachat · Sep 11, 2026

The Agriculture Minister has ordered the Irrigation Department to monitor rain and water levels closely. Heavy to very heavy rain is forecast for the North and Northeast on 8–10 September, then for the Central region, East, Bangkok and vicinity, and the South from 10–13 September. Reservoirs nationwide are at 69% of capacity, with about 23,673 million cubic metres still available, and the Chao Phraya basin is currently managing its outflow. For a small business, this means checking stock and equipment in low-lying or flood-prone areas, keeping deliveries and staff travel flexible, and following official flood warnings.

Gold falls near $4,300 as ECB hikes and US inflation data runs hot; Fed hike odds rise Prachachat · Sep 11, 2026

Gold dropped about $50-88 on 10 Sep after the ECB raised rates 0.25% (its second hike this year) and US producer prices (PPI) accelerated on higher energy costs tied to the Iran conflict. Markets now price about a 71% chance of a Fed hike at the 15-16 Sep meeting. For a Thai SME, this is background: it signals firmer global rates and oil-driven inflation, which can feed into baht and import costs over time. If you hold gold for jewellery or savings, watch the US CPI release on Friday; no action is needed today.

Rubber Authority cuts EUDR traceable-rubber target to 90,826 tonnes, pushes Thai Traceability standard Prachachat · Sep 11, 2026

The Rubber Authority of Thailand (EGAT-style agency, กยท.) cut its target for EUDR-compliant rubber sold through the market from 130,800 to 90,826.85 tonnes, citing weaker real buyer demand. It will expand Thai Traceability into a national standard covering traceability, GAP, due diligence and sustainability, using its database of 1.4 million farmers and 15.5 million rai. For rubber growers and small dealers, traceable records (plot geolocation, documents, legal compliance) are increasingly what EU buyers ask for, and traceable rubber may earn better demand and prices. Watch for training workshops and registration updates from กยท.

Thai stocks may outperform this week as oil stays above $100, but a US rate hike risk weighs on tech Prachachat · Sep 11, 2026

A brokerage expects the SET to trade 1,600-1,630 today, with energy stocks supporting the market while oil holds at $100-109 a barrel. US PPI came in hot at 5.4% y/y, and markets now price a 71% chance of a Fed hike next week, pushing bond yields to multi-year highs. For a Thai SME, this is market noise unless you hold shares. The only practical signal is that high oil and possible US rate hikes keep financing and fuel costs under pressure.

Gold prices fall 650 baht today, jewellery gold at 68,700 baht per baht-weight Prachachat · Sep 11, 2026

Gold prices dropped 650 baht from yesterday's close on 11 Sep 2026. Bar gold buy-back is 67,700 baht and sell-out 67,900 baht; jewellery gold (96.5%) buy-back is 66,340 baht and sell-out 68,700 baht. Spot gold is US$4,322/oz. Drivers cited: a firmer dollar, rising US bond yields, Brent and WTI above $100, and a higher chance of a Fed rate hike at the 16 Sep FOMC meeting. For shops holding gold stock or buying it for resale, the spread between buy and sell prices is wide, so check the day's price before buying or selling.

US tariffs of up to 100% hit drone and parts exports from 3 September; parts follow on 9 February 2027 Prachachat · Sep 11, 2026

The US has imposed Section 232 tariffs of 25-100% on drones (UAS) and components. Drones over 25 kg, those with thermal imagers, and docking stations face 100% from 3 Sept 2026; drones up to 25 kg face 25%. Some parts face 25% from 9 Feb 2027. Thailand is not among the countries getting preferential rates. Thai drone exports to the US rose from USD 0.78m (2023) to USD 8.64m (2025), and parts reached USD 86.55m in 2025. Exporters should check HTS classification in Annex I-IV before shipping and reprice or re-plan costs. Trade Department hotline: 02-547-4735, or 1385.

National water agency widens flood watch for 11-13 September as heavy rain hits central, western and southern Thailand Prachachat · Sep 11, 2026

The National Water Resources Office (สทนช.) has added flood, flash-flood, flood-torrent and landslide watch areas for 11-13 September 2026 (Notice No. 3/2569). Added areas include Chon Buri (Si Racha), Ratchaburi (Suan Phueng), Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phuket, Trang, Songkhla and Satun, plus parts of Bangkok's surroundings in the rain forecast. Rain is expected to continue 14-16 September in Bangkok and its vicinity, the central, eastern and southern regions. If you run a business or premises in these districts, check stock elevation, vehicle and delivery routes, and staff safety plans now.

Crude oil jumps over $6 a barrel as Red Sea and Hormuz shipping risks rise Prachachat · Sep 11, 2026

Brent rose $6.42 to $107.63 and WTI rose $6.43 to $102.48 per barrel on 10 Sep 2026, after Houthis seized Yemen's Mocha port on 9 Sep. Fewer ships are transiting Hormuz (7 vs 12 the day before). Saudi exports via Yanbu recovered to 3.7m bpd in Sep from 3.2m in Aug. OPEC cut its 2026 demand growth forecast to 380,000 bpd, its fifth straight cut. For a Thai SME, expect pressure on diesel and fuel costs and on freight and transport surcharges; review fuel and shipping budgets and pricing for the coming weeks rather than assuming a quick reversal.

Baht opens weaker at 33.13 per dollar as oil above $108 pushes import costs up Prachachat · Sep 11, 2026

TTB says the baht opened at 33.13 per dollar on 11 Sep 2026, weaker than 32.95 at the prior close, with a 24-hour range forecast at 33.00-33.40. Brent crude above $108 a barrel and firm US inflation data (PPI 5.4% y/y) are supporting the dollar. For importers, pay dollar bills sooner or hedge where possible. Exporters may gain from a weaker baht. Watch tonight's US CPI, which could move the Fed's decision next week.

Heavy rain and flash-flood risk across the South and Central Thailand today; a tropical storm may form in the South China Sea by 13-14 Sep Prachachat · Sep 11, 2026

The Thai Meteorological Department forecasts heavy to very heavy rain in parts of the South, and heavy rain in parts of the Central region, Bangkok and its vicinity, and the East, with about 70% of Bangkok area getting thunderstorms today. Expect flash floods, landslides and waterlogging in low-lying areas, so plan deliveries and staff travel around flood-prone routes. A low-pressure system in the South China Sea may become a tropical storm and approach northern Vietnam around 13-14 Sep. Sea waves of 1-2 m or more affect boats and fishing or shipping operations; check forecasts again through the week.

Diesel and gasohol prices at Bangchak stations on 11 September 2026 Prachachat · Sep 11, 2026

Bangchak's posted prices today: B7 diesel 39.84 baht/litre, B20 diesel 34.84, Gasohol 95 39.09, Gasohol 91 38.72, E20 34.09, E85 30.03. Prices exclude the Bangkok local land tax, and tomorrow's prices take effect at 05:00. Check your fleet and fuel budget against these figures, and confirm the price at your own station before refuelling.

Gastech 2026 in Bangkok spotlights gas-driven power costs, a factor behind future electricity tariffs Prachachat · Sep 11, 2026

Bangkok hosts Gastech 2026 on 14-17 September 2026 at BITEC, with over 50,000 attendees expected. The article says gas supplies about 61% of Thailand's power generation (2025 average, about 4,422 million cubic feet a day), and domestic Gulf of Thailand gas is falling, so Thailand relies more on imported LNG. Because LNG prices follow world markets, gas costs feed into electricity costs. Data centres and AI could need up to 30,000 MW, which adds pressure on the grid. For an SME, this is background: watch electricity tariff changes and budget for energy costs, but no action is needed this month.

Airport Rail Link keeps running to January 2027 while CP and SRT negotiate fees Bangkok Post · Sep 11, 2026

The operating deal for the Airport Rail Link expires Sept 30, but Asia Era One (CP Group) has agreed to keep running it from Oct 1 to Jan 31, 2027. It proposed a 60 million baht monthly management fee, still under negotiation. If talks fail, the company can stop service immediately, and the SRT says it has a backup plan using Red Line staff. For businesses near the airport line or relying on airport commuting, service is secure for now, but watch for disruption if talks break down.

State loans of 2 billion baht a year open to cane farmers for harvesters before the Dec 2026 season Bangkok Post · Sep 11, 2026

The Office of the Cane and Sugar Board is running a 6-billion-baht state loan scheme for 2025-2027, with 2 billion baht a year for eligible farmers, cane growers included. It aims to replace field burning with mechanical harvesting of fresh cane. The 2026-27 harvest runs December 2026 to March 2027 across 57 mills, and output depends on weather. If you supply equipment, transport or contract harvesting for cane farms, this is the financing that could drive demand. Forecasts may be revised, so plan with that uncertainty.

Bank of Thailand tightens anti-illicit-finance rules across 11 financial associations Bangkok Post · Sep 11, 2026

The Bank of Thailand and 11 financial associations, including banks, e-payment and non-bank lender groups, signed a framework to block illicit financial flows. Banks and lenders must build clear governance, preventive measures and tighter customer due diligence, and the central bank will monitor high-risk transactions more closely. For SME owners, expect more questions on large cash withdrawals and transfers, and keep source-of-funds documents ready. The 5 million baht cash withdrawal clarification rule is already in force, and cash withdrawals above it fell to about 40 billion baht from 100 billion baht.

Govt may extend Thais Help Thais Plus within 2–3 weeks; vendors can use Nok Krasip data for loans Bangkok Post · Sep 11, 2026

Finance Minister Ekniti says the government will decide within 2–3 weeks whether to extend the Thais Help Thais Plus stimulus, mainly depending on whether the Middle East energy crisis persists; funding remains. Vendors can use Nok Krasip AI sales data as supporting evidence for loans. Government Savings Bank offers vendor loans up to 50,000 baht at 0.75% per month with no collateral; Krungthai Bank offers loans up to 500,000 baht at 11%. Plan cash flow around a possible end to the stimulus, and compare loan options before borrowing.

UTCC lifts 2026 GDP forecast to 2.5%, but says SMEs will keep contracting Bangkok Post · Sep 11, 2026

The UTCC forecasting centre raised its 2026 Thai GDP growth forecast from 2% to 2.5%, driven by exports and AI-related electronics demand. Its key point for small firms is that growth is K-shaped: high-tech and large companies gain while SMEs, households and traditional sectors (automotive, petroleum, construction materials) are expected to keep contracting. Plan for weak domestic demand and cautious bank lending, with farm costs (fertiliser) and lower-than-usual rainfall from El Niño as added pressure. The forecast assumes Middle East conflicts resolve by October and no US Section 301 trade conclusion this year.