Archive

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.

Government disaster insurance for homes starts 16 September at no cost to households Bangkok Post · Sep 11, 2026

The government's national disaster insurance scheme for homes is due to start 16 September. Households pay no premium and need not register; eligibility follows household registration records, and condos are covered. Payouts only follow a major disaster that the government officially declares a public disaster zone; ordinary flooding is not covered. Legal setup of the disaster funds could take at least two years. Small business owners should check whether their home or shophouse is on a registered household record, and not assume ordinary flood damage will be compensated.

EV excise tax to be tiered by local content, with imported EVs taxed highest Bangkok Post · Sep 11, 2026

The EV Board has agreed in principle to a three-tier excise tax on EVs. Locally produced vehicles with local content pay the lowest rate, domestically assembled vehicles with imported parts pay more, and completely built-up imports pay the most. The Excise Department will set the Tier 3 rate first, and importers get a grace period. Today's rates are 2% for BOI-promoted domestic plants, 8% for other domestic production and 10% for imports. K-Research expects imports to fall and vehicle prices to rise, and says local-parts demand may grow. No final rates or dates were given. If you supply parts, components or services to EV or auto makers, watch for local-content rules. If you sell or import EVs, plan for higher costs and a possible grace-period deadline.

Parliament passes 2027 budget; 12,000 million baht energy-relief reserve could fund SME support Prachachat · Sep 10, 2026

The House approved the FY2570 budget bill (338–144) on 10 Sept 2026, with the Senate taking it up on 11 Sept. A 12,000 million baht contingency line is earmarked for measures easing energy price volatility and supporting the economy, and the article links it to the "Thai Help Thai Plus" phase 2 scheme. Growth is forecast at 1.7–2.7% (midpoint 2.2%), inflation at 0.5–1.5%. Watch for the scheme's eligibility rules before planning cash flow or energy-saving investments; the Middle East conflict and trade barriers are named as risks.

Apple's iOS 27 update rolls out 14 September to iPhone 11 and newer Blognone · Sep 10, 2026

Apple releases iOS 27 and its other new OS versions to the public on 14 September. Any iPhone that runs iOS 26 can upgrade, starting from iPhone 11. The headline Siri AI feature needs iPhone 15 Pro or newer with Apple Intelligence, and it launches in English only at first. For a business, check that staff phones and any work devices are on supported models before updating, and avoid updating during trading hours.

Trade Competition Office sets 30–45 day payment limits for small suppliers, and platform fee hikes are frozen for 6 months The Story Thailand · Sep 10, 2026

The Commerce Ministry says the Trade Competition Commission is working on credit terms for small suppliers: payment within 30 days for agricultural goods and within 45 days for general consumer goods, to ease working-capital strain from unequal bargaining power. Six major digital platforms have been asked to hold off on fee increases for 6 months while the Commission reviews how fees are set. The article gives no effective date, so treat these as proposals to watch. If you sell to larger buyers or sell through platforms, check your current payment terms and fee schedules, and keep records of any late payments.

SCB EIC survey: home-buying demand hits a four-year low, with 56% of Thais not planning to buy within five years The Standard Wealth · Sep 10, 2026

SCB EIC's 2026 survey finds home-buying demand at its lowest in four survey years, with 56% of respondents having no plan to buy within five years. Buyers are wary of loan rejection and tighter bank lending, and rising worry about future repayments. Demand is shifting to second-hand homes, while renting is also slowing as some tenants move back in with family to cut costs. For a Thai SME, expect cautious customers on big-ticket purchases and a weaker rental-driven market. Budget-focused and second-hand segments are where the activity is. The mid-term recovery is expected to stay slow.

Bank of Thailand tightens cash, gold and foreign-account checks to block grey-money flows The Standard Wealth · Sep 10, 2026

The Bank of Thailand and 11 financial associations signed a framework against illegal financial flows. Cash withdrawals above 5 million baht fell over 50% after the cap, and large gold bar withdrawals dropped about 70% after reporting rules over 2 kg. Expect stricter KYC/CDD checks at banks, e-payment providers and non-bank lenders, and closer scrutiny of foreign-linked accounts in tourist provinces. If your business moves large cash or gold, keep clear records of source and purpose to avoid delays in bank transactions.

EV board backs 3-tier excise plan: importers-only EVs face the highest tax, local production gets the lowest The Standard Wealth · Sep 10, 2026

The EV board agreed in principle to a 3-tier excise structure: makers with high local production and Local Content pay the lowest rate, firms that assemble and invest partly sit in the middle, and pure importers pay the highest. Importers-only groups will be targeted first. No new rates have been set; the Finance Ministry and private sector will settle rates and a grace period. Current EV import excise is about 10%, and the new import-only rate must be higher. Local Content may also be redefined to weight engines and motors. If you import EVs or parts, or plan to sell them, start reviewing your sourcing and investment options now.

EV excise tax set to split by local content, imports taxed highest; rates not yet fixed Prachachat · Sep 10, 2026

The EV Board wants a 3-tier excise tax on electric cars: locally made with high local content pays the lowest rate, imports pay the highest, and the top rate would exceed today's 10%. No figures are set yet. The Finance Ministry and Excise Department are to finalise by September, then send to the cabinet. Imported EVs are the first tier to be taxed. Also planned: sub-committees on battery management, end-of-life vehicle disposal and charging stations, plus commercial EVs (buses, pickups, motorcycles). If you import or sell EVs, or supply auto parts, price and sourcing plans should allow for a higher import tax; the grace period is still under discussion.

Oil leak under Rama 3 road drilling enters day two, cause still unclear Prachachat · Sep 10, 2026

The Energy Ministry's secretary is overseeing round-the-clock digging at the Rama 3 drainage line near Fuel Road after oil mixed with water was found in an old drain. Officials say the cause may involve the pipeline running under a railway, nearby park renovation, or other construction. No cause or repair timeline is confirmed. For businesses working near Rama 3 or Fuel Road, expect road digging and possible access disruption; check site safety and any drainage or oil-contamination issues on your premises.

Airport Rail Link operator talks stall; CP offers 4-month service from 1 Oct, State Railway rejects four conditions Prachachat · Sep 10, 2026

The State Railway of Thailand has not accepted four conditions from CP's Asia Era One, which has asked to end the Airport Rail Link contract on 30 September. CP has agreed to run the line from 1 October 2026 to 31 January 2027, but the 240m baht service fee, the 1bn baht deposit refund and the handover of trains are still under negotiation. Talks are targeted to conclude in September. If you commute or ship via the Airport Rail Link, expect possible service changes from October. The State Railway's backup is RFT, its subsidiary, which may take over with about 340 staff after the four months.

Independent Chinese refiners are buying crude aggressively, which lifts spot premiums. No article text was available, so this is based on the headline alone. For a Thai SME, the indirect effect may show up in diesel and fuel costs over the coming months.

EV excise tax is being restructured to favour cars built and sourced locally, so import-only EV plans may cost more Prachachat · Sep 10, 2026

The EV board approved in principle a restructuring of the EV excise tax, linking tax rates to investment, local production and local parts use. Importers without a Thai factory will face higher rates, while makers with local plants get lower rates on high local-content models. Imports for market trials will be capped in volume. Details and rates are not yet set; the board also assigned the Finance Ministry to study incentives for commercial EVs and electric motorcycles. If you sell, service or supply parts for EVs, watch for the final rate schedule and plan pricing and sourcing around it.

A Thai official says the tax on imported electric vehicles will rise. Check how it affects EV import, sale or leasing costs if your business buys or services vehicles.

Apple raises prices on older iPhones in Thailand by 4,000–12,000 baht as RAM and storage costs climb Blognone · Sep 10, 2026

Apple has stopped selling iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max now that iPhone 18 Pro is out. Prices for remaining older models went up at Apple Store, by 4,000 to 12,000 baht (e.g. iPhone 17 256GB from 29,900 to 34,900 baht). The article ties this to higher RAM and storage costs. Dealer prices may differ and stock is likely sold out. For a business buying iPhones for staff or resale, budget the higher cost; the rise is a sign that memory-driven device costs are climbing across the market.

Minister says EV excise tax must treat imported and Thai-made cars equally Prachachat · Sep 10, 2026

Industry Minister Wirawut Silpa-archa said at the National EV Policy Committee meeting (No. 1/2569) that excise tax measures should give imported and locally made EVs equal incentives, so neither gains an edge, and that supply chains and local skills must be developed during the shift from combustion cars. Concrete tax rates are not given in the article. For SME suppliers of combustion-engine parts, this signals continued support for the local auto supply chain and possible future measures for ICE producers, but nothing is yet binding.