Thailand’s economic growth likely slowed significantly in the third quarter as weakening household spending and domestic uncertainty overshadowed strong export performance, according to a recent Reuters poll. Economists surveyed between Nov. 10–13 estimated that Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy expanded just 1.6% year-on-year from July to September, down notably from 2.8% growth in the previous quarter. On a quarterly, seasonally adjusted basis, GDP was expected to contract 0.3% after posting 0.6% growth in April–June.
Private consumption, long a key engine for Thailand’s economic growth, has been under heavy strain due to high household debt and fragile consumer confidence. Central bank data highlighted a broad decline, with spending falling 0.2% in July, remaining flat in August, and dropping 0.8% in September. Krung Thai Bank strategist Poon Panichpibool noted that household debt continues to weigh heavily on the economy. In response, the government plans to repurchase 122 billion baht (around $3.7 billion) in small loans from 3.5 million borrowers in phases beginning early next year to help ease financial pressure.
Despite domestic weakness, Thailand’s export sector has shown impressive resilience. Exports surged 19% in September, the fastest pace in more than three years, supported by strong U.S. demand and robust shipments of electronics and AI-related semiconductors. As a result, the Bank of Thailand upgraded its 2025 export growth forecast to 10%, up from its earlier projection of 4%.
However, the broader outlook remains subdued. A separate Reuters poll showed GDP is expected to grow 2.0% in 2024 and 1.8% in 2025. Fitch Ratings recently downgraded the country’s outlook to “negative,” citing ongoing risks, including weaker Chinese tourism, higher U.S. tariffs, and sluggish investment. Economists say that while policymakers are considering rate cuts and the government is preparing $1.4 billion in stimulus measures, longstanding structural issues and political instability continue to hamper sustainable growth.


Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen
Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 



