Thai Retailers Association Unveils TRA ACT Strategy for SMEs

Thansettakij•Economy•6d ago

Reader Briefing

The Thai Retailers Association has launched the TRA "ACT" strategy to support SMEs and proposes government measures to stimulate domestic purchasing power.

•The Thai Retailers Association introduced the TRA "ACT" strategy focusing on inclusive growth, capability building, and sustainable cooperation.
•Thai GDP for 2026 is projected to expand between 1.6–2.0% according to the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce and Industry (JSCCI).
•The Thai retail market is expected to grow by approximately 3.0% in 2026, reaching a total value of 4.38 trillion baht.
•Household debt stood at 85.9% of GDP in the first quarter of 2026.

Overview

•Nat Wongpanich, President of the Thai Retailers Association, reports a K-shaped recovery for the Thai economy in the second half of 2026, where SMEs and small businesses recover slower than export and digital sectors.
•The Thai retail market is projected to grow 3.0% from a base of 4.25 trillion baht in 2025 to approximately 4.38 trillion baht in 2026, citing Kasikorn Research Center.
•The Thai Retailers Association notes shrinking purchasing power, as consumers maintain shopping frequency but reduce the number of items and average spending per bill.
•The Thai Retailers Association is implementing the TRA "ACT" strategy, comprising Advancing Inclusive & Fair Growth, Capability Building for Future-Ready Retail, and Together for Sustainable Growth.
•The Thai Retailers Association proposes the government implement an Instant VAT Refund for tourists with minimum purchases of 3,000 baht and establish a Free Tax Zone sandbox in Phuket.
•The Bank of Thailand projects Thai GDP to be approximately 1.8% in 2027, citing pressures from slower export growth.
•The Thai Retailers Association proposes reviewing and reducing import duties on luxury and lifestyle goods, such as fashion and cosmetics, which currently range from 20-30%.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Read on Thansettakij (Thai Version)View in Google Translate

Source: Thansettakij (Original)

Key Entities

Organization

Thai Retailers Association(สมาคมผู้ค้าปลีกไทย)

An association that launched the TRA "ACT" strategy to upgrade retail entrepreneurs and propose economic measures to the government.

Bank of Thailand(ธนาคารแห่งประเทศไทย)ℹ️

The organization that co-conducted the Retail Sentiment Index survey and provided GDP projections for 2027.

Joint Standing Committee on Commerce and Industry (JSCCI)(คณะกรรมการร่วมภาคเอกชน 3 สถาบัน - กกร.)

The source of the 1.6-2.0% GDP expansion projection for Thailand in 2026.

Kasikorn Research Center(ศูนย์วิจัยกสิกรไทย)

The source of projections for the growth and value of the Thai retail market for 2026 and 2027.

Person

Nat Wongpanich(ณัฐ วงศ์พานิช)

The President of the Thai Retailers Association.

Place

Phuket(ภูเก็ต)ℹ️

A province with high tourism potential proposed as a pilot for a Free Tax Zone sandbox.

Policy

Thai Chuay Thai Plus(ไทยช่วยไทยพลัส)

A government measure whose first phase ended in September, with entrepreneurs hoping for further extensions.

Made in Thailand (MiT)

A certification for Thai products to increase standards, credibility, and access to government procurement.