Archive

Oil leak found in Rama 3 drain: the energy minister has ordered two pipeline operators to fix it and pay for the damage Prachachat · Sep 9, 2026

Energy Minister Ekniti Phromphan inspected an oil contamination in Bangkok's drainage system at Charoen Phleng Road under the Rama 3 elevated expressway (Khlong Toei/Yan Nawa) and found the leak source. He ordered pipeline operators Baffle Pipeline Transport and Bangkok Pipeline Transport and Logistics to repair the leak, restore the area, and pay compensation for all damage. The ministry says it will monitor the cleanup. For most SMEs this is background, but if your business operates near Rama 3 or relies on drainage in that area, watch for cleanup works and possible access or water-quality disruptions.

SET chief urges government to launch TISA savings accounts this year, not next Prachachat · Sep 9, 2026

The SET chairman wants the government to set the TISA personal savings account limits and tax benefits this year, warning that a December announcement would leave people little time to plan. Reports suggest the launch could slip to next year while the Finance Ministry weighs the tax revenue impact. Dual-Class Shares and trust-law reform are also proposed to help private firms and state enterprises list. Nothing changes for a small business yet; watch for TISA limits if you or staff plan retirement savings.

KTB pays 0.48 baht interim dividend; buy before 22 Sep to miss it Prachachat · Sep 9, 2026

Krungthai (KTB) board approved a cash interim dividend of 0.48 baht per share for both common and preferred shares, based on January to June 2026 results. Ex-dividend (XD) date is 22 Sep 2026, record date 23 Sep, payment 8 Oct 2026. Only relevant if your business holds KTB shares or you are weighing bank share investments; otherwise it is background news.

BOI approves 55 more Business Transformation and Skill Bridge projects, with 4,800 million baht in support Prachachat · Sep 9, 2026

On 9 September 2026 the BOI sub-committee approved 55 more projects under the Business Transformation (48 projects, 3,540 million baht investment, 1,663 million baht support) and Skill Bridge (7 projects, 307 million baht) schemes. Total approved is 108 projects with over 4,800 million baht in support. Business Transformation funds machinery upgrades, automation, AI, R&D and green industry shifts; the BOI says the 66 projects are expected to add about 3,900 million baht a year in operator revenue and 7,100 million baht a year in local purchasing. Relevant if you are a supplier in agro-processing, food, bio, electronics, automotive or digital, or a subcontractor to them. Applications and eligibility are not described in the article, so check directly with BOI.

Rooftop solar subsidy of up to 50,000 baht opens mid-October: check if your premises suit it Bangkok Post · Sep 9, 2026

The government will subsidise up to 50,000 baht per solar installation (rooftop or ground-mounted), with registration opening mid-October 2026, initially for 1 million households. Funding is 50 billion baht from an energy-transition pot. Surplus power is sold to utilities, and state banks (GSB, GHB, BAAC) will finance the upfront cost, with repayments deducted from sales revenue. Payment comes only after grid connection is completed, and one electricity meter owner per entitlement applies. Some solar panel part imports will also be tax-exempt. Business owners with daytime power use, such as shops and factories, may benefit most, but a battery is needed for night-heavy use. Details on business eligibility are not yet confirmed.

Bank of Thailand says SME loan rejections run 55% to 70%, and it is building a credit portal due December The Standard Wealth · Sep 9, 2026

The Bank of Thailand governor says SMEs were rejected for bank loans at 55% in the system data, and possibly 60-70% in reality. SME NPLs reached about 9.5% versus under 2% for large firms, and the average SME borrowing rate is about 6.9% versus 3.9% for large firms (2025). The central bank plans an SME Credit Portal to match SMEs with lenders, first expected to open in December, plus a new loan guarantee scheme (about 100,000 million baht a year on top of BSY) and a data bureau that adds utility, tax and payment records. For owners: keep bills, tax and payment records clean and organised now, since alternative credit data may be used in future lending decisions. Expect the portal to be a more direct route to lenders.

Two Pathumwan-area vocational colleges shut for three months after brawls near Siam BTS Bangkok Post · Sep 9, 2026

Two vocational colleges near Siam and Pathumwan are closed to on-site classes for three months, with possible extension, after repeated student brawls, including a stabbing at Siam BTS on Monday. Police presence in the area will be increased. If you run a shop or service business near Siam–Pathumwan, expect fewer students on campus and possibly more police and foot traffic disruption in the short term, and plan staffing or promotions accordingly.

Bank of Thailand says SME loan rejections are rising and three support measures are coming Prachachat · Sep 9, 2026

BoT Governor Witai Ratanakorn said SME loan rejection rates have stayed at 60-70% and are 78% for new firms without credit history and 86% for firms with existing bad debt. SME borrowing costs average about 6.9% versus about 3.9% for large firms. The BoT aims to lift SME lending to 200 billion baht a year, with three measures still to be detailed in this article. For owners: expect tighter credit assessment, so keep clean financial records and bank statements ready, and watch for the measures before planning new borrowing. The article gives no start dates or eligibility rules.

Ornamental fish exporters face tighter traceability checks after Tilapia mossambica case Prachachat · Sep 9, 2026

Civil society group Siang Jak Pa has asked the court to review how government agencies oversee traceability for aquatic animal imports and exports. Its data shows 11 ornamental fish firms exported about 320,000 fish in 222 shipments to more than 10 countries in 2013-2016, before spread was reported in 2017. The group says it is not yet concluding that exporters are at fault. A Central Administrative Court ruling of 8 September 2026 orders agencies to control and remediate the affected areas within 180 days. For ornamental fish and aquatic exporters, expect tighter species identification and document checks, and keep export records and species certificates on file.

Illegal dumping of 20 tonnes of Data Center construction waste in Ban Chang, Rayong, must be cleared within 7 days Prachachat · Sep 9, 2026

Pollution Control Department inspectors found about 20 tonnes of construction waste (bricks, stone, cement, plastic, fibreglass) dumped and used as fill on 1-2 rai in Ban Chang, Rayong. Ban Chang municipality says removal starts 9 Sep 2026 and should finish within 7 days, handled by licensed waste disposers. The ministry also asked ONEP to decide whether the Data Center project needs an EIA report. The earlier 100,000-tonne figure was not confirmed. For Thai SMEs: contractors and waste haulers should use only licensed disposal operators and keep records, because illegal dumping is now under close scrutiny.

Brent crude settled above $100 a barrel on 9 Sep 2026 as Middle East conflict intensified. Expect higher diesel and fuel costs for delivery, transport and energy-heavy operations; review fuel surcharges and budgets this quarter.

NBTC board deadlock leaves 148 agenda items stalled, with TV licence roadmap still pending Prachachat · Sep 9, 2026

The NBTC board has failed to reach quorum nine times in two months after its chairman was ruled ineligible. Six remaining members are pushing for meetings, and 148 agenda items are pending, including a roadmap for digital terrestrial TV, whose current licences expire in 2029. For most SME owners this changes nothing today. If you run a TV, media or broadcast-related business, watch for the roadmap, since it will set the rules you plan around.

Invasive black chin tilapia found in Lam Pao Dam, Kalasin: fish farmers and anglers should watch for checks on 12 September Prachachat · Sep 9, 2026

Kalasin provincial fisheries officials say suspected black chin tilapia (ปลาหมอคางดำ) have appeared in Lam Pao Dam, a large reservoir used by people for fishing and for cage-raising Nile tilapia and giant freshwater prawns. Preliminary lab results from the Department of Fisheries point to the species; official written confirmation is expected within the week. A deeper field inspection with provincial officials is planned for 12 September, and the Director of the Freshwater Fisheries Research and Development Division will attend in person. If you raise fish or prawns in cages or sell catch from Lam Pao, expect inspections and possible restrictions, and watch for the official confirmation before moving stock.

Used-home listings hit 195,941 units in Q2 2026, with Bangkok and vicinity taking the largest share Prachachat · Sep 9, 2026

REIC and GHB data show used-home listings nationwide reached 195,941 units at end-Q2 2026 (+6.1%), with listed value up 24.9% to 941,218 million baht. Growth is concentrated in homes priced above 10 million baht, while listings at or below 1 million baht fell. Bangkok and vicinity hold 48.3% of units and 71.6% of value, and Bangkok alone rose 29.4% in units. For a Thai SME, this signals a larger pool of resale property and more competition among sellers in the capital, which may matter if you deal in property, renovation, furnishings or mortgage-linked services. Listings are not sales, so treat this as market direction rather than a price signal.

Interior Ministry eyes 1.5 million rooftop solar subsidies at 50,000 baht each, registration expected mid-October The Standard Wealth · Sep 9, 2026

The Interior Ministry is considering raising the rooftop solar subsidy from 1 million to 1.5 million households, at 50,000 baht per household (about 75,000 million baht total). Details go to the Finance Ministry by 11 September, with registration expected mid-October. The proposal is not yet final. State banks (Krungsri-style lenders GSB, GHB and BAAC) would offer loans, and EGAT-linked buyback of household power is planned, with an estimated 1,000 baht a month for a 5 kW system. Installers and solar suppliers should watch for demand from this scheme, and Thai factories may get import-duty relief for locally made panels.

Traders expect India's central bank to step in to slow the rupee's fall, driven by oil import costs and capital outflows. No direct action is needed for a Thai SME; it is a signal of regional currency and oil-price pressure to watch.

Shopee starts 1-hour grocery delivery with free shipping and no minimum, competing with LINE MAN The Standard Wealth · Sep 9, 2026

Shopee launched Shopee Instant Mart (groceries, fresh food, daily goods delivered within 1 hour, 24 hours, free delivery with no minimum) and Shopee Telepharmacy on 7 Sep 2026, starting in Bangkok, Pathum Thani and six provincial cities. LINE MAN is running a similar pharmacy service. If you sell groceries or household goods, expect tougher price competition and more shoppers comparing delivery options. The press release does not say whether free delivery is permanent or who pays the lost shipping fees, so do not plan around it yet. Thai e-commerce grew 22% and food delivery spend per order rose about 2.8% to around 185 baht in 2024, so consider whether your margins can absorb platform discounts.

Thai Chamber pushes businesses to stop under-the-table payments from 1 October Prachachat · Sep 9, 2026

The Thai Chamber of Commerce chairman says 1 October 2026 will be the launch day of a campaign asking businesses to stop paying under-the-table money, as part of the Zero Corruption drive. He says the government should enforce existing laws more strictly on smuggled, mis-labelled and identity-abused goods, and cut discretionary steps. No new penalties or rules were announced in the article. For an SME, the practical point is to review any informal payments to officials or intermediaries before the campaign starts, and expect tighter enforcement on food and industrial imports at retail.

Manufacturing confidence slips to 89.7 as FTI asks government for E20, local-content and domestic buying push Prachachat · Sep 9, 2026

The FTI industrial confidence index fell to 89.7 in August 2026 from 90.0 in July, driven by energy and raw material costs, weak domestic demand and tight credit. Car sales were down 17.38% in the first seven months. FTI expects confidence to rise to 97.0 in three months. Its proposals are E20 as the base petrol, local-content rules for FDI supply chains, and a year-end push to buy Thai goods. None is in force yet. For SMEs, watch energy costs and year-end demand, and check whether you can become a supplier to foreign-invested projects.

Rooftop solar subsidy may expand to 1.5 million households, with import-tax cut on panels under consideration Prachachat · Sep 9, 2026

The Finance Minister says the Interior Ministry will send a rooftop solar programme to the Finance Ministry on or around 11 Sep 2026 to draw on the 200 billion baht energy-transition loan decree. Initial plan: 1 million households at 50,000 baht each (50 billion baht), possibly raised to 1.5 million; start targeted mid-October with runs to end-2027. Households may be able to sell power back via EGAT smart meters, with Government Savings Bank, BAAC and GHB financing installation upfront. Import-tax cuts on some solar components are also being considered. Still a proposal pending board review, so no eligibility or rates are final. If you run a solar installer, electrical or roof-related business, prepare for demand and staffing; if you are a household or shop owner, watch for the October launch details.