The consumer confidence index in April 2026 declined continuously to 45.0, impacted by the Middle East war and high oil prices that suppressed purchasing power. The Ministry of Commerce noted that tourism and exports still help support the Thai economy.
Mr. Nantapong Jiralertpong, Director of the Office of Trade Policy and Strategy (Director of OTPS). He revealed results from a public opinion survey of 5,321 respondents nationwide, showing that the overall consumer confidence index in April 2026 was 45.0, continuing to decline and remaining in the distrust range. This is due to ongoing slow domestic economic recovery combined with high energy prices caused by the prolonged conflict in the Middle East, which has increased production costs and consumer goods prices. Meanwhile, purchasing power has only recovered limitedly. However, tourism and exports continue to support the economy, with the government closely monitoring the situation and implementing ongoing measures.
The overall consumer confidence index in April 2026 was 45.0, down from 45.5 the previous month, remaining below 50 and thus in the distrust range for the second consecutive month. The current consumer confidence index stood at 35.0, down from 36.8 the previous month and still in the distrust range. Key factors eroding public confidence include:
1. The overall Thai economy is still expanding slowly.
2. Energy prices remain high due to the prolonged and uncertain Middle East conflict, which raises production costs and consumer goods prices. At the same time, purchasing power has only limited recovery, and businesses face increased costs but cannot fully raise selling prices.
3. Household and business sector debts remain at high levels.
4. The agricultural sector faces rising production costs and volatile product prices.
However, some factors help support the overall economy, such as the recovery in tourism boosted by festivals and foreign tourist arrivals, and exports which continue to grow well, helping sustain economic activity amid various pressures.
The consumer confidence index for the next three months stood at 51.7, up from 51.2 the previous month and still in the confidence range. This is supported by public expectations for government measures to stimulate the economy and alleviate living cost burdens, potentially boosting purchasing power in the short term. If the Middle East conflict eases and oil prices decline continuously, it will lower costs in the economy, allowing gradual economic recovery and improved confidence levels in the future.
Key factors affecting consumer confidence show that the Thai economy impacts the most at 32.25%, followed by fuel oil prices at 30.61%, the global economy at 14.32%, government measures at 9.21%, agricultural product prices at 4.53%, social/security factors at 3.48%, politics at 3.10%, other factors at 2.03%, and disasters/pandemics at 0.47%, respectively.
The consumer confidence index by region across five regions shows all remain in the distrust range: Bangkok and vicinity at 49.7, Northeast at 46.8, South at 44.5, North at 43.2, and Central at 43.1.
The consumer confidence index by occupation across seven groups shows all in distrust: government employees at 48.9, entrepreneurs at 46.8, private sector employees at 45.5, unemployed/pensioners at 45.3, students at 43.1, freelancers at 42.9, and farmers at 42.8. Similarly, experts’ confidence index remains low at 30.6 in the current month.
Mr. Nantapong concluded that the continued decline of the consumer confidence index in April 2026 reflects ongoing economic pressures from slow domestic recovery and external factors, especially the Middle East conflict impacting energy prices and economic costs. Notably, the importance of fuel oil prices as a factor has risen significantly, becoming the second most important after the domestic economy. Nevertheless, tourism and exports still provide economic support, while future confidence remains in the positive range due to expectations for government measures. If external situations, especially energy-related, improve, confidence should gradually recover.
The Ministry of Commerce has set key policy directions for the short and long term to manage living costs alongside strengthening and sustaining the economic structure. The main policies are as follows:
1. Managing living costs, generating income, and upgrading communities by accelerating measures to reduce expenses and generate income for the public through key government projects, while overseeing consumer goods prices and production cost management, especially in agriculture, to reduce living cost pressures and improve household liquidity.
2. Maintaining stability and adding value to agricultural products by managing the entire supply chain from upstream to downstream, promoting production management aligned with market demand, improving quality and standards, developing processing and logistics, and expanding domestic and international marketing channels to enhance competitiveness and increase value added for Thai agricultural products.
3. Strengthening SMEs and communities by enhancing capabilities, especially for SMEs and community entrepreneurs, through skills development (upskill/reskill), market expansion, business networking, and upgrading products and services with local identities such as GI products to increase income opportunities and regional prosperity distribution.
4. Creating export balance by supporting Thai businesses to access more foreign markets, maintaining existing markets while expanding new ones, and promoting higher-value Thai products through processing and developing local content to upgrade the export structure long term.
5. Upgrading technology and regulatory improvements by accelerating digital public service development, improving service efficiency and trade facilitation, updating regulations to be modern, transparent, and business-friendly, and using technology and data to enhance management efficiency. These policies and measures will help stabilize living costs and improve consumer confidence in the coming period.
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