PATTAYA, Thailand – Thailand’s consumer confidence index declined for the second consecutive month in April 2026, reflecting mounting pressure from slow domestic economic recovery, elevated energy costs, weak purchasing power, and rising household and business debt.
Nuntapong Jiralertpong, Director of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office under the Ministry of Commerce, said the overall consumer confidence index fell to 45.0 in April from 45.5 in March, remaining below the neutral 50-point level and firmly within negative confidence territory.
The survey, conducted nationwide among 5,321 respondents, also showed the current consumer confidence index falling to 35.0 from 36.8, while the future confidence index for the next three months edged higher to 51.7 from 51.2, remaining in positive territory.
Officials said consumer sentiment continues to be weighed down by Thailand’s gradual economic recovery and persistently high energy prices linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, which have increased production and transportation costs across the economy.
Purchasing power remains limited, while household and business debt levels continue to stay high. The agricultural sector is also facing higher production costs, although tourism and exports are still helping support the broader economy.
“The continued decline in consumer confidence reflects ongoing economic pressure from both domestic and external factors,” Nuntapong said. “Middle East tensions have affected global energy prices, pushing fuel costs higher and increasing economic burdens throughout the system.”
He added that fuel prices have now become the second most significant factor affecting confidence after the overall Thai economy.
Despite the current weakness, consumers remain cautiously optimistic about the near future, largely due to expectations that government stimulus measures and cost-of-living support programs could help improve purchasing power in the short term.
Officials also said confidence could improve further if tensions in the Middle East ease and oil prices continue declining, potentially reducing economic costs and helping Thailand’s recovery gradually strengthen.
The Ministry of Commerce outlined several policy priorities aimed at supporting the economy, including cost-of-living relief measures, agricultural price stability, support for SMEs and community businesses, export expansion, and accelerating digital government services and regulatory reforms.
Authorities believe these measures could help stabilize household expenses and gradually restore consumer confidence in the months ahead.
