Floods hit 4,635 businesses with losses at THB18.2 billion

Flooding has affected 4,635 businesses across 59 provinces, causing preliminary damage estimated at THB18.21 billion, with Chonburi accounting for the overwhelming majority of losses, according to the Industry Ministry.

Industry Minister Warawut Silpa-archa said data from the ministry’s Crisis Management Center (CMC), as of 3pm on October 13, showed estimated damage of THB18.20563 billion.

Businesses in industrial estates accounted for THB17.84569 billion of the losses, while those outside industrial estates suffered an estimated THB359.94 million in damage.

Chonburi recorded the highest damage at THB17.89667 billion.

Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Rayong, Prachin Buri and Chonburi had the largest numbers of affected business establishments.

Those hit include small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), industrial factories and community enterprises, putting pressure on businesses ranging from major industrial operations to smaller local operators.

Nearly 78% need urgent assistance

The CMC’s initial assessment found that 77.6% of affected businesses required urgent assistance.

Their top priority was financing to restore operations, followed by help repairing broader business damage and damaged machinery.

The ministry said recovery efforts would need to address both production capacity and liquidity so that affected businesses could resume operations as quickly as possible.

SME D Bank offers debt suspension

Financial assistance includes measures from the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand, or SME D Bank, allowing affected borrowers to suspend principal and interest payments for up to 12 months.

A total of 539 borrowers have joined the measure, covering loans worth THB1.80732 billion.

Further support includes THB50 million in financing through the DIPROM Pay programme and a three-month debt-payment suspension under the SME Development Fund linked to the Pracharath initiative.

The Ministry of Industry is also coordinating repairs to machinery, electrical systems and buildings damaged by flooding.

Officials will inspect factory safety after floodwaters recede, with particular attention to businesses that store or use hazardous chemicals in affected areas.