BANGKOK, Thailand – The Thai Chamber of Commerce has welcomed stronger-than-expected economic growth figures, calling them a clear positive signal for Thailand’s recovery and urging the government to maintain policy continuity while balancing fiscal discipline with targeted stimulus.
Dr. Poj Aramwattananont, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade of Thailand, said the latest data released by the National Economic and Social Development Council showed the economy gaining momentum in the final quarter of 2025. GDP expanded by 2.5 percent year-on-year in the fourth quarter and 1.9 percent quarter-on-quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, accelerating from just 1.2 percent growth in the third quarter.
The improved performance lifted full-year 2025 economic growth to around 2.4 percent, exceeding earlier projections of 2.0–2.2 percent. Dr. Poj said the outcome reflected the impact of government stimulus measures introduced in late 2025, including the “Khon La Khrueng Plus” co-payment scheme, faster investment approvals through the Board of Investment (BOI), and accelerated budget disbursement.
He also pointed to closer economic policy coordination under Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, which helped restore confidence among consumers and investors. In parallel, expanded trade negotiations and market diversification efforts led by the Ministry of Commerce, together with proactive economic diplomacy by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have helped boost domestic spending and improve sentiment across manufacturing, industry, and services.
Private consumption, government spending, and private investment all played key roles in the recovery, with the Chamber noting that the current momentum should be systematically built upon. It called for regular weekly meetings between the Economic Cabinet and the private sector to sharpen strategy, closely track key indicators, and speed up policy decisions amid volatile global conditions.
Looking ahead to 2026, while the NESDC has revised its growth forecast to 2.0 percent amid global economic risks, trade uncertainties, and currency volatility, the Chamber believes Thailand still has the potential to expand further if growth drivers are sustained. Key priorities include maintaining fiscal stability, accelerating infrastructure investment, attracting high-quality foreign and domestic investment, and strengthening the competitiveness of SMEs and exporters.
The Chamber said it is preparing discussions with the Board of Investment to support the attraction of quality investment and reaffirmed its readiness to work closely with the next government under a public–private partnership framework to ensure long-term, competitive, and sustainable economic growth. (TNA)
