Flooding affected 4,635 businesses in 59 Thai provinces and prompted the Federation of Thai SMEs to urge a national water-system overhaul, as 77.6% of affected firms needed urgent assistance, the Industry Ministry’s Crisis Management Centre (CMC) found.
The CMC estimated preliminary damage at 18.2 billion baht. Businesses inside industrial estates accounted for 17.8 billion baht of the losses, while those outside them represented 360 million baht. Rehabilitation funding was the leading request among affected businesses, followed by help for operational damage and machinery repairs.
The Bangkok Post reported that affected firms were concentrated in Bangkok and the provinces of Chon Buri, Samut Prakan, Rayong and Prachin Buri. It also described restoring production and securing liquidity as immediate needs for businesses seeking to resume operations.
The federation called for a nationwide overhaul of irrigation and water transport systems to address both floods and droughts. Sangchai Thirakulwanich, the federation’s strategic chairman, said disaster planning should deliver timely, targeted help to people, farmers and business operators. The Bangkok Post also reported that officials were coordinating repairs to machinery, electrical systems and buildings while conducting factory safety inspections, particularly at facilities using or storing hazardous chemicals in high-risk zones.
Sangchai said natural disasters recur every year and can cause property damage and loss of life. He said more effective response plans should reduce state-budget spending on post-flood relief and recovery.
The federation urged the government to reform the National Disaster Fund using actuarial science and ensure compensation is fair, transparent and auditable. Sangchai said audits would help keep the fund financially sustainable without unfair burdens or distortions in the private insurance system.
The Industry Ministry said SME Development Bank had granted 539 borrowers moratoria on principal and interest payments for up to 12 months. The loans totaled 1.81 billion baht.
