Thailand Central Bank to Expand Role and Support SMEs

Thailand central bank SME credit support will expand as new Bank of Thailand governor Vitai Ratanakorn outlines a more hands‑on remit to address low productivity, weak competitiveness and high household debt.

Loan growth has contracted for 15 months, while SME credit fell 4% year‑on‑year in Q3, prompting a credit‑guarantee scheme aimed at lifting SME lending by about 100bn baht (USD2.78bn) from early 2026.

The bank is also working with the finance ministry, bankers and asset managers on a debt‑resolution programme for borrowers with under 100,000 baht, due to start January 1, to support households and SMEs as growth slows.