The Office of Trade Policy and Strategy (OTPS) presented an overview of average monthly household expenses during the first nine months of 2026. Thai households spent an average of 21,217 baht per month, up from 20,891 baht in the same period of 2025, an increase of 326 baht. The rise in living costs was mainly driven by spending in the vehicle and transportation category.
The household expenditure structure for the first nine months of 2026, broken down by major goods and services categories, reveals several noteworthy points as follows.
The vehicle, transportation, and communication category saw the highest increase, with average monthly expenses at 4,895 baht, up from 4,667 baht in 2025 (an increase of 228 baht), accounting for 23.07% of total expenses. This rise was primarily due to higher retail fuel prices and increased public transport fares aligned with global energy price trends. Meanwhile, expenses on entertainment, reading, education, and religion rose slightly to 842 baht (an increase of 7 baht).
Expenses on food and non-alcoholic beverages averaged 8,342 baht per month, up 118 baht from 2025. Ready-made meals accounted for 3,528 baht, up from 3,435 baht (an increase of 93 baht), while rice, flour, and flour products were 736 baht (up 14 baht). Other items such as non-alcoholic drinks (705 baht), eggs and dairy products (374 baht), sugar products (186 baht), and vegetables and fruits (1,026 baht) also rose slightly. In contrast, fresh cooking ingredients like meat, poultry, and seafood fell to 1,536 baht (down 15 baht), and cooking condiments were 252 baht (down 6 baht). This indicates households favor ready-to-eat and dining-out options, reflecting a lifestyle prioritizing convenience.
Expenditure on housing and luxury goods slowed down. Housing costs decreased to 5,117 baht per month (down 17 baht), supported by reduced electricity rates aimed at easing living expenses for the public. Additionally, spending on non-essential or postponable items also tended to decline, including healthcare and personal services at 1,327 baht per month (down 5 baht), clothing and footwear at 444 baht (down 4 baht), and
tobacco and alcoholic beverages at 250 baht (down 1 baht).
The overall rise in household expenses is mainly attributed to prolonged geopolitical conflicts abroad affecting global energy supplies, leading to higher domestic retail fuel prices. These increases have passed through to travel, transportation, and food production costs. Simultaneously, households currently prefer ready-made foods for convenience rather than buying fresh ingredients, driving up related expenses. Nonetheless, some households have adjusted by tightening budgets and delaying spending on non-essential items such as clothing and alcoholic drinks to manage cash flow in line with necessary daily expenses.
Looking ahead, household expenses are expected to remain elevated due to ongoing volatility in global fuel prices, as well as increased economic activity and travel during the year-end festival season that will boost energy demand. Additional risk factors include flood situations in several areas causing damage to farmland, potentially leading to short-term volatility and price increases in agricultural products, especially fresh vegetables. Households may also face higher necessary costs from purchasing building materials for home repairs and replacing electrical appliances or household items damaged by flooding.
Overall, household expenditure structures highlight fuel, travel, and food as critical cost categories directly impacting living expenses, especially fuel costs that influence transportation and other product prices. For the remainder of the year, the impact of flooding on production volume, transport routes, and product distribution must be closely monitored, as it may cause short-term price fluctuations in items like fresh vegetables and agricultural goods. The Ministry of Commerce has responded since the situation began by establishing a Single Command Center and War Room operating 24/7, linking data from all relevant agencies and provincial commerce offices to monitor supply, demand, prices, and transport routes. They promptly coordinate solutions when problems arise. OTPS will continue closely monitoring the situation, assessing impacts in advance to issue warnings and recommend timely measures to manage living costs effectively.