BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand’s industrial sector is facing widespread disruption from flooding, with 1,315 businesses in 40 provinces affected and preliminary damage estimated at 22.79 million baht, the Ministry of Industry reported on September 30. Industry Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said the ministry’s Crisis Management Center (CMC) found that those affected included 77 factories, 1,179 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), two mining businesses and 57 community enterprises.
The impact extends beyond businesses directly hit by floodwater, disrupting production, worker travel, raw materials, transportation and supply chains. Bangkok recorded the highest number of affected businesses at 312, followed by Samut Prakan with 289 and Prachin Buri with 237.
Five industrial estates have reported impacts. At Amata City Chonburi, 150 factories have been affected and 34 have already suspended production. The industrial estate initially requested large trucks and relief supply bags to support flood response efforts. Among provinces with clearer damage assessments, Rayong reported 30 affected businesses with damage estimated at 13.8 million baht. Chanthaburi reported six affected factories with approximately 4.75 million baht in damage, while Chachoengsao reported 16 affected businesses with preliminary damage of 1 million baht.
Samut Prakan, where six districts have been declared disaster areas, reported 25 affected businesses and the highest estimated provincial damage at 8.8 million baht. Nonthaburi reported 15 affected businesses with preliminary damage of 2 million baht, mainly involving raw materials. Bangkok has not reported any factories directly flooded but businesses have been affected by logistics disruptions. Nakhon Nayok reported 32 affected businesses, with many reducing production because workers could not travel to work.
The ministry said the current figures of 1,315 affected businesses and 22.79 million baht in damage are not final. Data collected from multiple sources may contain duplication and is undergoing data cleansing to establish a more accurate assessment. About 90% of the more than 1,000 affected businesses were identified through the customer database of SME Development Bank, or SME D Bank. Most reported financial needs rather than detailed physical losses, meaning information on machinery, logistics and supply-chain disruption remains incomplete.
The ministry is also assessing the wider impact on agricultural areas that supply raw materials to industry. Flooding can affect raw materials, transportation and production costs throughout the supply chain, making broader data collection necessary. Businesses are seeking both financial support and assistance with physical recovery. Priority measures include debt repayment suspension, recovery loans, machinery repairs, relief supply bags, Big Bags, water pumps, flood barriers and logistics support.
SME D Bank currently offers a 12-month debt repayment suspension and emergency funding of up to 200,000 baht. The Department of Industrial Promotion’s revolving fund offers debt suspension and new loans of up to 1 million baht, with zero interest for the first six months. The SME Development Fund under the Pracharat scheme offers a three-month debt repayment suspension.
For immediate flood response, the ministry has prepared 1,000 Big Bags for agencies and businesses requesting support and is coordinating large trucks to assist factories at Amata City Chonburi. Businesses and agencies needing assistance can call the Industry Ministry hotline at 1564.
