2025.10.3005:14:21UTC+00Thailand Upgrades 2025 GDP Forecast to 2.4%

Thailand's economy is anticipated to experience a growth rate of 2.4% this year, an upward adjustment from the previous forecast of 2.2%. This optimistic revision is attributed to a series of government stimulus initiatives and stronger-than-expected export performance, as reported by the finance ministry on Thursday. Exports, which serve as a critical impetus for Thailand's economic expansion, are now expected to increase by 10% this year compared to an earlier projection of 5.5%, stated Vinit Visessuvanapoom, the head of the Finance Ministry's Fiscal Policy Office, during a press conference referenced by Reuters. The number of foreign tourist arrivals is estimated to reach 33.5 million this year, slightly down from the July forecast of 34.5 million. Nevertheless, gross domestic product (GDP) growth is anticipated to decelerate to 2.0% in the following year, with exports forecasted to decrease by 1.5%. In contrast, tourist arrivals are projected to recover to 35.5 million by 2026, although this figure remains below the pre-pandemic peak of nearly 40 million visitors recorded in 2019. Last year, Thailand, Southeast Asia's second-largest economy, recorded a growth rate of 2.5%, trailing behind its regional counterparts.