BANGKOK (XINHUA) – Thailand’s consumer confidence fell for the seventh successive month in September, reaching the lowest record in 17 months, due to concerns over slow economic growth and flooding situations in several areas, a survey showed yesterday.
According to the survey of 2,243 respondents conducted by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the consumer confidence index dropped to 55.3 last month from 56.5 in August as all components of the index decreased. Flooding, particularly in the north and northeast, and high living costs harmed consumer confidence, despite the government’s launch of an economic stimulus programme for vulnerable groups, said university president Thanavath Phonvichai.
Additional government stimulus measures in the final quarter of the year, focusing on boosting domestic tourism and consumer spending, could help spur the Thai economy, Thanavath told a news conference.
