Study finds Thais the ‘burden-bearers of Asean’ as expenses rise but incomes stagnate

FILE PHOTO: A vendor pulls a cart at Khlong Toei Market in Bangkok on April 25, 2024. Thais face ongoing pressure from rising living costs and a structural transformation in household priorities. - AFP

BANGKOK: Despite a slight rise in Thailand’s consumer confidence index in 2025, Thai households remain in “cautious spending mode”, reflecting persistent economic uncertainty and high living costs, according to the Asean Consumer Sentiment Study (ACSS) by UOB Bank in collaboration with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

The survey found that 39 per cent of Thai consumers are confident in the country’s economic outlook, up four per cent from the previous year. However, most respondents continue to spend conservatively, prioritising quality of life, health, and education over immediate consumption.