Bank of Thailand says the economy improved in the third quarter as exports and private investment picked up

30 October 2026

The Thai central bank put out its regular reading of the economy, numbered Press Release No. 42/2026. It said the Thai economy improved in the third quarter compared to the previous quarter, with private investment and merchandise exports doing the lifting. Merchandise exports excluding gold rose markedly in September, led by electronics. Tourism went the other way: foreign tourist arrivals fell in September, mostly from short-haul markets, and declined for the quarter as a whole, while tourism receipts held broadly steady. On prices, headline inflation rose in September because energy cost more. The current account recorded a deficit in September but returned to a surplus for the quarter, mainly on a better trade balance.