Economics

Thailand marks first Consumer Confidence Index rise in four months

BANGKOK, June 10 (TNA) – Thailand’s Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) in May increased to 75.5 for the first time since February, a University survey found, a rise of 0.5 from the previous month.

Published

11 years ago

June 11, 2010

Aishwarya Gupta

Thailand’s Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) in May increased to 75.5 for the first time since February, a University survey found, a rise of 0.5 from the previous month.

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Thailand marks first Consumer Confidence Index rise in four months

The Thai Chamber of Commerce Center for Economic and Business Forecasting surveyed 2,222 respondents nationwide at the end of May when the country’s political turmoil began to ease.

All consumer confidence indices on Thailand’s future have improved, but the political turmoil impacted tourism, while drought affected farm outputs and living conditions, lowering the CCI on the current situation for the fourth consecutive month.

Thanawat Polwichai, the center’s director said overall poll results indicated that consumer confidence, which has improved, indicated the expectations of the public. It also depends on implementation of the national reconciliation plan. If the attempt fails and politics lacks stability, consumer confidence will drop.

Demand from businesses have increased rapidly over the years in Thailand

Recent crashes in Thailand’s GDP and export markets, plus the drop in tourism fuelled by recession and last year’s domestic political turmoil, have dispelled illusions that the country is insulated from the effects of the global downturn. Numerous indicators of economic health are hitting the red, foreign investment is evaporating, unemployment is surging, and credit lines are freezing up. Thailand’s government still says there is a possibility of positive growth this year, despite facing a rougher ride than in the 1997 Asian financial crisis as conditions infest the real economy on a broader scale.
Infrastructure services, if quickly improved, could promote a better investment climate in Thailand.

Logistic costs, for example, are reported by firms to be higher for them in 2007 compared to 2004. This is particularly true for industries that are located in regions other than Bangkok and vicinity or the East where the major markets and ports are located. They include the food processing and furniture industries. A partial explanation for the higher logistic cost was the sharp rise in diesel prices from 2004 to 2007.

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China, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Australia and Chile are top importers of Thai fruits, especially fresh durian, mangosteen, longan and mango. Thai exporters are able to benefit from FTA privileges.

Published

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National News Bureau of Thailand

BANGKOK (NNT) – Thailand’s fruit exports continue to increase, despite the sluggish global economy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, with key trade partners being countries that have free trade agreements (FTAs) with the kingdom.

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Economics

50:50 campaign may not get immediate extension

Published

4 weeks ago

March 26, 2021

National News Bureau of Thailand

BANGKOK (NNT) – The government’s 50:50 co-pay campaign expiring on 31st March may not be getting an immediate campaign extension. The Minister of Finance says campaign evaluation is needed to improve future campaigns.

The Minister of Finance Arkhom Termpittayapaisith today announced the government may not be able to reach a conclusion on the extension of the 50:50 co-pay campaign in time for the current 31st March campaign end date, as evaluations are needed to better improve the campaign.

Originally introduced last year, the 50:50 campaign is a financial aid campaign for people impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, in which the government subsidizes up to half the price of purchases at participating stores, with a daily cap on the subsidy amount of 150 baht, and a 3,500 baht per person subsidy limit over the entire campaign.

The campaign has already been extended once, with the current end date set for 31st March.

The Finance Minister said that payout campaigns for the general public are still valid in this period, allowing time for the 50:50 campaign to be assessed, and to address reports of fraud at some participating stores.

The Fiscal Police Office Director General and the Ministry of Finance Spokesperson Kulaya Tantitemit, said today that a bigger quota could be offered in Phase 3 of the 50:50 campaign beyond the 15 million people enrolled in the first two phases, while existing participants will need to confirm their identity if they want to participate in Phase 3, without the need to fill out the registration form.

Mrs Kulaya said the campaign will still be funded by emergency loan credit allocated for pandemic compensation, which still has about 200 billion baht available as of today.

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