Mr. Nantapong Jiralertpong, Director of the Office of Trade Policy and Strategy (OTPS), revealed that Thailand's overall Consumer Price Index (CPI) or inflation for August 2026 stood at 102.67, rising 2.53% from 2025—the highest in three months. This increase was due to higher fuel prices caused by Middle East conflicts, along with widespread rises in processed food prices as well as fresh food, eggs, fresh chicken, vegetables, and fruit, fueled by stronger purchasing power.
As a result of the Thai Help Thai Plus project, the average inflation over the first eight months (Jan-Aug) of 2026 increased by 1.37% compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, core inflation, excluding fresh food and energy, rose 1.44% in August compared to July, and increased 0.94% over the eight months compared to the same period in the prior year.
Regarding the details of August 2026 inflation increases, categories other than food and beverages rose 2.23%, including public transport fares, housing rent, laundry products, fabric softeners, and dishwashing liquids. Meanwhile, prices of some goods declined, such as electricity, hotel room rates, personal care items, soap, shampoo, conditioner, perfume, and clothing.
The food and non-alcoholic beverage category rose 2.99%, driven by higher prices of ready meals, noodles, curry rice dishes, stir-fried basil rice, fried rice, rice, eggs, fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, purified drinking water, instant coffee, cooking ingredients, shrimp paste, fish sauce, and soy sauce. By region, the South had the highest inflation at 2.85%, followed by the Central region at 2.81%, Northeast at 2.43%, Bangkok and its vicinity at 2.38%, and the North at 2.21%.
"The inflation outlook for September 2026 is expected to continue rising, driven by retail fuel prices in the country remaining higher than last year due to Middle East conflicts. This has caused widespread increases in processed food prices with relatively high per-plate costs, higher travel expenses including bus fares, and some agricultural products affected by El Niño leading to reduced output," he said.
Factors expected to curb general inflation include lower electricity rates from September to December 2026, reduced to 3.86 baht per unit from the previous 3.95 baht per unit, and a likely decline in personal care product prices due to increased competition and ongoing marketing promotions by major businesses. The Ministry of Commerce maintains its forecast for 2026 overall inflation at 1.5-2.5%, with a midpoint of 2.0%.