The Governor of the Bank of Thailand, Vitai Ratanakorn, stated on Wednesday that due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Thailand's GDP growth rate in 2026 might decrease by 0.1 to 0.2 percentage points. Vitai, during an interview with reporters, pointed out that although current inflationary pressures persist, he believes inflation remains within a controllable range.
Vitai also mentioned that the central bank is prepared to handle potential economic fluctuations and will implement appropriate monetary policy measures when necessary. He further emphasized that Thailand's external economic conditions remain strong enough to withstand external shocks, including the volatility caused by geopolitical tensions.
Amid the global uncertainty sparked by the situation in the Middle East, Thailand's economy is facing certain pressures. In particular, disturbances in oil prices and the global supply chain could further impact the country's economic growth. Vitai noted that despite potential short-term economic slowdowns, Thailand's economic fundamentals remain robust, with external risks relatively controllable.
