Archive

Airport Rail Link may be run by a state subsidiary after 30 Sep, with a 4-month extension still unconfirmed by CP Prachachat · Sep 8, 2026

CP's Asia Era One has not yet confirmed a proposed 4-month extension of the Airport Rail Link operating MOU (to 31 Jan 2570) that would let the State Railway of Thailand's subsidiary take over. The transport minister says service will not stop on 1 Oct. Only 4 of 9 trains were running after wheel-wear problems since 7 Sep, with 8 expected by 14 Sep. Affected businesses near the line or relying on airport transfers should plan for possible timetable changes and a handover period rather than a sudden shutdown.

Thai Thiew Thai Plus raises hotel subsidy to 1,500 baht and coupons to 2,000 baht in regional towns Prachachat · Sep 8, 2026

The government has finalised the Thai Thiew Thai Plus tourism scheme: a flat 1,500 baht hotel subsidy per right nationwide, 1 million rights, up to 5 per person. Co-payment coupons rise to 1,500 baht in main cities and 2,000 baht in secondary towns, usable beyond restaurants at spas, massage and nail shops, transport, tour activities and souvenir shops. Registration opens 1 October 2026 (2569 BE). Sales period: 1 Nov – 15 Dec 2026 and 16 Jan – 28 Feb 2027, with a gap in between. Hotels, spas, tour operators and shops should prepare for the booking window and price for co-pay customers.

Diesel up 70 satang and benzine and gasohol up 80 satang from 9 Sep 2026 at 5am Prachachat · Sep 8, 2026

The Fuel Fund committee raised diesel by 0.70 baht/litre and benzine/gasohol by 0.80 baht/litre, effective 5am on 9 September 2026. PTT now sells standard diesel at 39.84 baht and gasohol 95 at 39.09 baht; premium grades are unchanged. Prices exclude the Bangkok local tax. Fleets, delivery vehicles and any fuel-linked pricing should be updated for tomorrow; premium fuels stayed flat, so they are the only grade not affected.

Diesel up 70 satang and benzine up 80 satang a litre from 9 Sep 2026 as the oil fund runs over 83 billion baht in the red Prachachat · Sep 8, 2026

The Oil Fund committee (กบน.) raised retail prices from 9 Sep 2569 (2026): diesel +0.70 baht/litre, benzine +0.80 baht/litre. The fund is about 83,000 million baht negative and pays roughly 500 million baht a day in subsidies, so it is cutting subsidies and letting pump prices track world prices. Singapore diesel reached above US$172/bbl and gasoline about US$137/bbl on 8 Sep. Budget fuel and delivery costs now, and pass on cost increases where you can. The committee asks users to cut consumption where possible. Current prices: B20 diesel 34.84, diesel 39.84, gasohol 95 39.09, gasohol 91 38.72, E20 34.09, E85 30.03 baht/litre.

Heavy rain and flash-flood warning for 9-13 September in the north, Northeast, Central and Bangkok areas Prachachat · Sep 8, 2026

The National Water Resources Office (สทนช.) issued Notice No. 3/2569 warning of flooding, flash floods, flash rivers and overbank flows from 9 to 13 September 2569 (2026). Risk areas include Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chonburi, Rayong, and parts of Bangkok and its vicinity. Reservoirs over 80% full are being watched. If your shop, warehouse, stock or delivery routes are in these provinces, move stock off low floors, check drainage and pumps, and plan alternative transport for the week.

Draft PDP 2026 targets average power tariff at no more than 3.88 baht per unit The Standard Wealth · Sep 8, 2026

The Energy Ministry has opened public consultation on the draft PDP 2026 (power plan for 2026-2050). The preferred hybrid scenario targets 73% renewables alongside CCS, with a 300 MW SMR pilot led by EGAT and an average tariff cap of 3.88 baht/unit over the plan. Data centres and EVs have requested 22,000-30,000 MW. Premium clean power for buyers such as data centres may be priced above the standard household rate. The plan will be revised every 2-3 years. For an SME, the tariff ceiling is the key number; direct PPA and third-party access expansion may matter if you have high load and want clean power. Nothing needs to change yet, but watch the final plan.

Health ministry probes Pathumwan clinic after filler death, with clinic-standards checks Bangkok Post · Sep 8, 2026

Thai health officials (DHSS and FDA) are investigating a Pathumwan clinic after a British patient died in March following a penile filler injection. Officials inspected the clinic on Monday and will refer the case to the Medical Council of Thailand. For clinic and aesthetic-service operators, expect tighter scrutiny of filler procedures, consent and aftercare documentation, and check that your own filler practices and dose limits meet required standards.

US tariff deal may be settled within a week, with export tariff rates kept at the earlier agreed levels The Standard Wealth · Sep 8, 2026

Commerce Minister Supajee Suthumpun said on 8 September that talks with the US on tariffs are going well and the key points are settled. Only drafting and language details remain, which she expects to finish within about a week, before the terms go to the US trade representative and then to President Trump. She said the target tariff rate will stay at the level agreed under the previous government, and that exports should proceed normally if the deal closes. For exporters, this is a signal to keep current orders and pricing plans on track, but the deal is not signed yet, so do not change contracts or prices on the strength of it alone.

Industry executives expect global diesel supply to remain tight through winter. For Thai SMEs that run trucks, generators or delivery fleets, plan fuel budgets for higher diesel costs this quarter and consider locking in supplier pricing where possible.

Government to set new electricity rules for data centres, with a proposed 4.5 million baht per MW deposit and a separate tariff The Standard Wealth · Sep 8, 2026

Thailand is preparing a major screening framework for data-centre investment. Proposed measures include a 4.5 million baht electricity deposit per MW and a new power-user category 9 for data centres, with tariffs expected around 5-6 baht per unit (ministry estimate). The BOI is also shifting from project count to investment quality, with over 70% of promoted projects concentrated in the EEC. Google says the big-user tariff should not single out data centres and that large electricity users such as semiconductors should be treated the same way. For an SME, this is mainly background on future power pricing for large users. Watch for the final rules, since they may shape grid costs and industrial electricity rates over the coming years.

Malaysia edges ahead of Thailand in foreign arrivals, with China visitor growth neck and neck Bangkok Post · Sep 8, 2026

Malaysia recorded 21.1 million foreign arrivals so far in 2026, slightly ahead of Thailand's 20.9 million for January to August. Chinese arrivals grew 17% to Malaysia and 16% to Thailand in the first half. Thailand projects 34 million foreign visitors this year. For a Thai tourism-linked business, the signal is that regional competition for Chinese visitors is tightening. Minor International's chairman called for easing the 30-day visa-free policy for wellness tourists, but no change has been announced.

Kasikorn expects SME lending to grow only 1-2% in 2026, with SME Credit Boost possibly expanding Prachachat · Sep 8, 2026

Kasikorn Bank expects SME lending to grow 1-2% in 2026, with bad debt steady and not rising. Agriculture SMEs are slowing most, while wellness and hospitality are growing. The bank cut its SME share of loans to about 28% from 30%. If the Bank of Thailand's proposal lifts SME Credit Boost from 80,000 to 100,000 million baht a year, Kasikorn says it will participate. For SME owners, this signals credit is available but tight, so prepare financials and check whether your business qualifies for the guarantee scheme with the SME credit guarantee corporation (บสย.).

Cabinet approves Startup Act draft; it still has to pass the House before it affects your business The Story Thailand · Sep 8, 2026

The Cabinet approved the draft Startup Act, which now goes to the House of Representatives. It would let startups issue convertible bonds, let companies hold treasury stock for staff incentives, and turn debt into registered capital. NIA would become the one-stop body for startup certification and funding information. Certified startups would get benefits for 5 years, up to 10 for deep tech. Nothing takes effect yet, so for most SME owners this is background; watch for the House vote if you run a tech or startup-linked business.

Court orders blackchin tilapia eradication and Samut Songkhram disaster declaration Bangkok Post · Sep 8, 2026

The Central Administrative Court ordered the Fisheries Department to keep working to eliminate invasive blackchin tilapia from Thai waterways, and told the Interior Ministry to have Samut Songkhram declared a disaster area so budget compensation can flow faster. The ruling is first-instance and an appeal is expected. If you farm or fish in Samut Songkhram, watch for the disaster declaration and compensation eligibility; a civil suit seeking over 2 billion baht for about 1,000 farmers is also pending.

Competition Commission orders some platforms to freeze GP fee hikes for 6 months Prachachat · Sep 8, 2026

On 7 Sep 2026 Commerce Minister Supajee told a competition conference that the Trade Competition Commission has ordered some platform operators to suspend GP (commission) fee increases for 6 months. Authorities will also work with the Digital Economy ministry and ETDA to review fee structures for fairness and transparency. Credit terms, nominee businesses and big-business ties with SMEs are also on the watch list. If you sell through delivery or marketplace platforms, hold current fee levels in your pricing for now, and keep records of any fee increase notices. The speech itself contains no new rules, and the measures are not yet in force as detailed rules.

UTCC says Sept–Oct 2026 is the turning point for Thai growth; oil near $95 and the US ART talks are the risks to watch Prachachat · Sep 8, 2026

The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce says September–October 2026 will decide whether the recovery continues. Watch three things: Middle East tensions and oil (Brent near $95; domestic diesel 38.39 baht/litre at end-August), the outcome of the US reciprocal trade (ART) talks, and domestic politics. Consumer confidence rose to 53.2 in August, a six-month high, and exports grew 21.64% in July. Thai Chamber GDP forecast is about 2.3% central, with 2.5% possible. The UTCC will publish its official forecast on 10 September 2026. For planning, keep cost buffers for fuel and energy, and avoid committing to large expansion until the oil and ART picture is clearer.

Burger King shifts to Thai customers as tourist spending slows, a signal to rethink reliance on visitors Prachachat · Sep 8, 2026

Since 28 February 2026, Middle East tensions pushed up energy, air freight and flight costs, and foreign arrivals to Thailand slowed sharply. Burger King says its tourist-heavy branches in Phuket, Krabi and Samui (about 80% foreign customers) took the hit, so it moved focus to Bangkok and vicinity branches (about 80% Thai customers) from March. Year-to-date sales are up 2-3%. For a Thai SME, the lesson is to check how much revenue depends on tourists and to plan a domestic-customer fallback before a shock hits. The executive also said government support has not targeted the right problems and asked for faster control of energy and imported raw material costs.

Draft PDP power plan faces pushback on gas, CCS and nuclear costs Prachachat · Sep 8, 2026

At the 8 Sep 2026 public hearing on the draft PDP power plan, critics asked the planners to disclose fuel cost assumptions, especially LNG versus domestic gas, and questioned adding about 9,000 MW of gas plants and making CCS a core option. The planners said the first 12 years look similar across options because of shared emission targets, and differences start after 2037 (BE 2580). The draft is still open to revision. For a Thai SME, electricity tariff direction depends on these assumptions, so watch the final plan before locking in long-term energy contracts or solar investment.

Phuket protest seeks ban on Jewish New Year event in Patong this Friday Bangkok Post · Sep 8, 2026

A Phuket residents' group petitioned provincial authorities to stop a Rosh Hashanah celebration planned for Friday at the Chabad Patong centre and Novotel Patong, expecting about 1,000 attendees. Authorities said they would meet to address it and residents' concerns. Tension over some Israeli visitors' conduct is rising on Phuket, Samui and Phangan. For Patong businesses, expect possible crowds, police presence and road disruption around the event, and some sensitivity in tourism marketing. No ban has been announced yet.

Gold may dip toward 66,500–66,800 baht per baht-weight in September before the next leg up The Standard Wealth · Sep 8, 2026

Hua Seng Heng sees gold consolidating after peaking near $4,700/oz in August, with short-term support at $4,200–4,230 (about 66,500–66,800 baht per baht-weight locally). Pressure comes from the Fed's 15–16 September FOMC meeting, where a rate hike is being priced in, plus a stronger dollar and higher bond yields. The firm calls it a pause, not a trend reversal, with resistance at $4,530. For a business that buys or sells gold, or holds it as a cash buffer, this is a timing signal, not a reason to change long-term plans.