Economic Conditions

Press Release on Economic and Monetary Conditions

Dr.Chayawadee Chai-anant, Senior Director, Overall In April 2022, the Thai economy improved from the previous month. Private consumption indicators picked up from spending in services as concerns regarding the Omicron outbreak receded, while private investment indicators improved from investment in construction. External demand also gained momentum; foreign tourist figures continued to increase as more travel restrictions were relaxed, while value of merchandise exports excluding gold increased in line with trading partners’ demand. Manufacturing production, however, became flat partly due to shortages of production parts and material. Public spending declined from the same period last year both in current and capital expenditures of the central government. This was partly due to a high base last year as well as some disbursements had already taken place in the preceding periods.

Business Outlook Report

To enhance the economic forecasting efficiency and assist the MPC in making appropriate monetary policy decisions by providing some insights and useful information which cannot be captured by the econometric model, which is inevitably subjects to the theoretical constraints and structural model of quantitative analysis. Therefore, the Bank of Thailand has set up the Economic/Business Information Exchange Program as one channel for exchanging information and building better understanding about Thailand's economic conditions, both at macro and micro level, with private sector.

Credit Conditions Report

The Bank of Thailand conducts a quarterly credit condition survey to review opinions of senior loan officers from financial institutions, credit card and personal loan companies under supervision (Non-banks). It helps the Bank to be more efficiently and effectively in understanding and analysing developments of credit conditions. The Bank has been exploring how the surveys are conducted in the light of other central banks' experience.