Thai business group raises 2026 GDP growth forecast to range of 2.1% to 2.5%
Thailand's economy is expected to grow by 2.1% to 2.5% this ‌year, a leading business group said on Wednesday, raising its outlook from an earlier forecast of 1.6% to 2.0% growth.
Thailand's economy is projected to grow between 2.1% and 2.5% this year, according to a recent forecast from the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB). The upgrade comes after a faster-than-anticipated rise in exports and private investment. Exports, a crucial factor in Thailand's economic growth, are now expected to increase by 12% to 16%, up from the previous projection of 8% to 10%.
The statement from JSCCIB suggests that the benefits of these exports and investments have not fully trickled down to the domestic economy due to Thailand's heavy reliance on imported goods. The latest surge in data center investments has not generated substantial employment opportunities compared to past increases. The state planning agency has urged the establishment of a central authority to oversee data center investments, aiming to ensure job creation and continued growth.
JSCCIB has kept its inflation forecast for this year at 2.5% to 3.0%, which is close to the central bank's target range of 1% to 3%. Despite a sharp decline in economic growth in the second quarter of 2026, Thailand's economy is still expanding at an annual rate of 1.9%, down from 2.8% in the previous quarter. The country, which has trailed its Southeast Asian peers since the pandemic, saw a 2.4% growth last year.
Written by urgent.news from Bangkok Post Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
