12.02.202605:04:05UTC+00Thailand Consumer Mood Improves on New Government

The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce’s consumer confidence index rose to 52.8 in January 2026, up from 51.9 in December. The improvement was driven by stronger export performance and optimism surrounding the formation of a new government.

The ruling Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) secured a decisive victory in Sunday’s general election, boosting expectations that a more stable coalition government could emerge and bring an end to a prolonged period of political uncertainty. Led by incumbent Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the BJT was on course to win the largest share of seats in the 500-member lower house and is currently in talks with smaller parties to form a coalition.

On the external front, the latest data showed that Thailand’s exports jumped 16.8% year-on-year in December 2025 to a three-month high of USD 28.93 billion. This marked the 18th consecutive month of export growth and the fastest pace of expansion in outbound shipments since September 2025. For the whole of 2025, exports increased by 12.9% to USD 339.64 billion.