Bangkok:Inflation in Thailand for October surged to 3.90%, primarily driven by a significant increase in oil prices, According to data released by the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO). The global rise in energy prices has been cited as a major contributing factor to this increase.
According to Thai News Agency, the Director of the Office of Trade Policy and Strategy, Mr. Nantapong Chiraleartpong, reported that the general consumer price index (CPI) for October 2026 reached 103.90. This resulted in a 3.90% inflation rate compared to October of the previous year. Fuel prices, which have increased by 29.18%, played a crucial role, contributing 2.18 percentage points to the overall inflation rate. Diesel prices rose from 31.35 baht per liter in October 2025 to 42.70 baht per liter in October 2026.
Core inflation for the month stood at 1.58%, indicating that the changes in inflation were largely due to energy prices and certain food items. The overall consumer price index also saw a month-on-month increase of 0.94%, with an average rise of 1.77% for the first ten months of 2026.
Thailand's inflation rate, based on the latest September 2026 data, ranked the country 37th out of 139 economies worldwide and 5th among ASEAN countries. This reflects a lower inflation rate compared to neighboring countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Laos.
The Ministry of Commerce has been actively involved in managing the cost of living through initiatives like the "Thai Helps Thai Blue Flag Cost of Living Reduction" project. This project, which ran through 3,036 outlets nationwide, aimed to provide essential goods at reasonable prices. Additionally, the Ministry worked with 27 private sector companies to offer discounts on 4,223 items during October and November 2026.
Looking ahead, the November 2026 inflation outlook is expected to remain positive, with high global energy prices, food and transportation costs, and weather conditions being key factors to monitor. Nevertheless, government measures and efforts by the Ministry of Commerce are anticipated to help control inflation and maintain the cost of living within the forecasted range of 1.8 - 2.2% for 2026.