Thailand Business Sentiment Improves in September

Thailand's business confidence indicator rose to 49.6 in February 2026, improving from a three-month low of 49.1 in the previous month. Sentiment strengthened for overall order books (52.2 vs 50.5 in January), investment (52.5 vs 51.4), and employment (50.8 vs 49.1). Meanwhile, sentiment weakened for performance (50.7 vs 51.3) and products (51.4 vs 52.4), while it deteriorated further for production costs (39.5 vs 39.7) and output prices (49.7 vs 49.8). By sector, the manufacturing index increased across nearly all industries, led by steel, which reported stronger demand from both domestic and overseas markets, particularly the US, and the electronics industry, supported by sustained growth in AI-related demand and data centers. The non-manufacturing index remained stable, despite a decline in retail trade, thanks to significant improvements in warehouse sector confidence. The three-month forward-looking sentiment index slightly eased to 52 from 52.3 in the previous month.

Thailand’s business confidence indicator fell to 49.1 in January 2026 from 49.8 in the previous month, marking the lowest level since October. Sentiment worsened on production costs (39.7 vs 42.4) and employment (49.1 vs 51.6), while optimism eased on investment (51.4 vs 51.8) and order books (50.5 vs 51.5). In contrast, assessments of performance (51.3 vs 49.9) and production (52.4 vs 51.4) improved. By sector, manufacturing fell across most industries, particularly in plastics and electronics as order books dropped amid US foreign policy uncertainty. Non-manufacturing activity also weakened across all sectors ahead of the new government formation, with total order books and services falling sharply. Hotels and restaurants were particularly affected due to the tourism low season and intensified regional price competition. The three-month forward looking sentiment index dropped to 52.3 from 54.4 in the previous month, marking the lowest level since September.

Thailand’s business confidence indicator fell to 49.8 in December 2025 from 50 in November, slipping below the threshold and signaling a deterioration in business sentiment. Expectations for performance edged below 50, showing a mild shift toward pessimism (49.9 vs 51.4), while production cost expectations remained negative (42.4 vs 42.5). Optimism declined for production (51.4 vs 51.6), investment (51.8 vs 52), and order books (51.5 vs 52). In contrast, employment outlook improved (51.6 vs 50). By sector, manufacturing grew on front-loaded exports in food, electrical appliances, and rubber, while non-manufacturing surged, led by hotels, restaurants, and retail, supported by government tourism stimulus. The three-month forward-looking sentiment index rose to 54.4 from 53.4, the highest since September 2023.