Thailand’s economic performance is improving, with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 2.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025, accelerating from 1.2 percent in the previous quarter and lifting full-year expansion to 2.4 percent.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ekniti Nitithanprapas stated that the improvement in the Thai economy, which surpassed the earlier projection, was a result of the Government’s “Quick-Big-Win” measures to stimulate the economy and domestic travel spending. These measures also include the “half-half plus co-payment” program and the “travel well, get a rebate” project.

Mr. Ekniti said that major factors supporting economic growth in the fourth quarter were the expansion of investment, private consumption expenditures, and greater public confidence. In particular, the Board of Investment (BOI)’s new mechanism, known as "Thailand FastPass," has started to bear fruit. This mechanism aims to attract more investment in large projects in target industries of national importance. 

He said that the Government had set a target to push Thailand's economy to expand by 3 percent in 2026.

According to the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), in the fourth quarter of 2025, total investment increased by 8.1 percent, driven by 6.5 percent growth in private investment and a 13.3 percent rise in public investment. Private consumption expenditures expanded by 3.3 percent, accelerating from 2.5 percent in the previous quarter.

As for economic outlook, the Thai economy in 2025 expanded by 2.4 percent, against 2.9 percent in 2024. On the expenditure side, private and government consumption grew by 2.7 percent and 0.6 percent, decelerating from expansions of 4.4 percent and 2.6 percent in 2024, respectively. Total investment expanded by 4.9 percent, compared with a contraction of 0.3 percent in 2024. Exports of goods recorded strong growth of 11.9 percent, whereas exports of services declined by 1.9 percent.

Thailand’s GDP amounted to 18.97 trillion baht (577 billion US dollars), increasing from 18.68 trillion baht (529 billion US dollars) in 2024.  The unemployment rate stood at 0.81 percent, average inflation registered -0.1 percent, and the current account recorded a surplus of 3.1 percent of GDP.

The NESDC expects that the Thai economy in 2026 will grow within the range of 1.5-2.5 percent, with a midpoint estimate of 2.0 percent. Key supporting factors include (1) continued expansion in private domestic demand, both consumption and investment, (2) an increase in budgetary framework, covering both current and capital expenditure, (3) a gradual recovery in the tourism and related sectors, and (4) favorable water conditions that contribute to increased agricultural production.