Bangkok: The Ministry of Finance's latest release of its economic confidence index indicates a slowdown in growth across all sectors, affecting various regions in Thailand.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Vinit Visetsuwannapoom, Director of the Fiscal Policy Office and spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance, announced that the Regional Economic Confidence Index for April 2026 shows a deceleration in growth across 76 provinces nationwide. This slowdown is attributed to the situation in the Middle East, impacting energy prices and increasing production costs. However, the Northeast region continues to experience growth, primarily driven by tourism and industry.
The Eastern Region's confidence index stands at 66.0, showcasing strong economic growth supported by the service sector, fueled by policies to develop new tourist attractions and nature-based tourism. The agricultural sector also contributes significantly due to sustained high demand for agricultural products. The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) further supports this positive outlook with an index of 66.5, driven by growth in both the service and agricultural sectors. Meanwhile, the Northern Region's index is at 65.8, highlighting growth particularly in the industrial and service sectors.
In Southern Thailand, the Economic Sentiment Index is at 60.6, indicating expected economic expansion supported by the service and industrial sectors. This growth is bolstered by government and private sector efforts in recovering flood-affected areas like Hat Yai, along with rising orders from trading partners and increased demand in the palm oil and processed rubber industries. The Northeastern Thailand Economic Sentiment Index, at 59.5, benefits from the agricultural sector due to the rice harvest and tourism promotion activities in provinces such as Chaiyaphum, Yasothon, and Buriram.
The central region's economic confidence index stands at 56.2, while Bangkok and its surrounding areas register at 52.9, primarily supported by the expanding employment sector. Conversely, the western region's index is at 48.6, reflecting a slowdown due to rising chemical fertilizer prices and energy price instability. Despite the regional economic confidence indexes remaining above 50.0 in many regions, all experienced a decline from the previous month, driven by rising production costs and uncertainties in the Middle East.