Thai-Chinese Chamber Warns GDP Growth May Drop Below 2%

Thansettakij•Economy•6d ago

Reader Briefing

The Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce reports a decline in business confidence and predicts Thai GDP growth may fall between 1.5% and 2%.

•The Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce conducted a confidence index survey of 503 participants between August 18 and 20, 2026.
•46.2% of survey respondents expect Thailand's annual GDP growth to be between 1.5% and 2%, which is lower than the government's median target of 2.2%.
•Thailand experienced a trade deficit of 12 billion USD in the first half of the year compared to a surplus of 15.4 billion USD in the same period of 2025.
•Survey respondents identified AI and digital economy development and the upgrading of industries and new investments as the two most necessary areas for long-term economic growth.

•The Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce conducted a confidence index survey from August 18 to 20, 2026.
•The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council reported that the Thai economy grew by 1.9% in the second quarter of 2026.
•Thailand's trade deficit with China reached 55,130 million USD during the first seven months (January-July) of 2026.
•27.4% of survey respondents believe high imports from China are due to China's excess production capacity leading to cheaper prices.
•The Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce notes that 46.2% of respondents expect GDP growth between 1.5% and 2%.
•The Thai government proposed Co-creation trade cooperation measures to increase value addition within Thailand.
•Foreign tourists visited Thailand 19.2 million times from the beginning of the year until the first week of August 2026, against a target of 35 million.
•Survey respondents prioritize policies requiring Chinese companies investing in Thailand to increase the use of local content, especially in electric vehicles and electronics.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Narongsak Putphrommongkol(ณรงค์ศักดิ์ พุทธพรมงคล)

Chairman of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce(หอการค้าไทย-จีน)

An organization that conducted a confidence index survey of 503 business people in 2026.

Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council(สำนักงานสภาพัฒนาการเศรษฐกิจและสังคมแห่งชาติ)ℹ️

The agency that reported Thai economic conditions for the second quarter of 2026.

Thailand(ไทย)ℹ️

The country experiencing economic growth fluctuations and trade deficits with China.

China(จีน)ℹ️

The country with which Thailand has significant trade and investment relations.

United States of America(สหรัฐอเมริกา)ℹ️

A country involved in geopolitical issues with China affecting trade flows to Thailand.

Co-creationℹ️

Trade cooperation measures proposed by the Thai government to increase domestic value addition.

Thai Tiew Thai Plus(ไทยเที่ยวไทยพลัส)

A tourism stimulus measure mentioned as necessary by survey respondents to support the short-term economy.