BANGKOK, Dec 30 : Thailand’s economic system in November expanded in comparison with the earlier month, supported by increased exports and funding, however consumption fell over the interval, the central financial institution stated on Tuesday.
Though general home demand improved, helped by private and non-private funding, non-public consumption declined with decrease gas and electrical energy utilization offsetting a rise in spending on client items and providers, the Bank of Thailand stated in a press release.
Consumption ought to enhance in December on account of festive year-end spending, Assistant Governor Chayawadee Chai-anant advised a briefing.
The central financial institution expects Southeast Asia’s second-largest economic system to develop 2.2 per cent this yr and 1.5 per cent in 2026. Economic development was 2.5 per cent final yr.
The economic system, which has lagged regional friends for the reason that pandemic, has struggled with a number of headwinds in 2025, together with U.S. tariffs, excessive family debt, a border battle with Cambodia and political uncertainty forward of elections in early February.
The baht has additionally strengthened past financial fundamentals and the central financial institution has measures to attempt to handle the foreign money, stated the assistant governor.
The baht has gained about 9 per cent in opposition to the dollar to this point this yr, making it Asia’s second-best performing foreign money, posing a menace to the competitiveness of Thailand’s export and tourism sectors.
Exports, a key driver of the economic system, rose 5.5 per cent in November from a yr earlier, whereas imports soared 17.3 per cent, the central financial institution stated, resulting in a commerce deficit of $0.2 billion, the central financial institution stated.
Thailand recorded a present account deficit of $0.6 billion in November.