"The Thai economy in October 2018 showed expanding signs from both private consumption and private investment, especially commercial car sales and domestic cement sales which recorded the highest expansion in 70 months and 65 months consecutively. Furthermore, the external demand expended as export values has recovered and showed positive expansion. For the supply side, Thai Industries Sentiment Index and Agricultural Product Index continued to expand, whereas number of foreign tourists slightly contracted."
Mr. Pornchai Thiraveja, Financial Policy Advisor as Spokesperson of the Fiscal Policy Office and Mr. Pisit Puapan, Executive Director of Macroeconomic Policy Bureau as Deputy Spokesperson of the Fiscal Policy Office revealed the economic report in October 2018 that "The Thai economy in October 2018 showed expanding signs from both private consumption and private investment, especially commercial car sales and domestic cement sales which recorded the highest expansion in 70 months and 65 months consecutively. Furthermore, the external demand expended as export values has recovered and showed positive expansion. For the supply side, Thai Industries Sentiment Index and Agricultural Product Index continued to expand."
Economic indicators on private consumption expenditures in October and 2018 continually improved as shown by passenger car sales registration of new motorcycles and real VAT collection.
Economic indicators on private investment in October 2018 showed expanding sign in both investment in equipment and machinery sector and construction sector as reflected by commercial car sales and domestic cement sales which recorded the highest expansion in 70 months and 65 months consecutively.
For the fiscal sector, total government expenditure in October 2018 was amounted at 468.3 billion baht and annual budgetary expenditure was disbursed at 447.8 billion baht as a result of current expenditure which was disbursed at 422.3 billion baht, capital expenditure which was disbursed at 25.5 billion baht, and carry-over budget which was disbursed at 20.5 billion baht
External demand as reflected by export values in October 2018 was 21.8 billion USD increased by 8.7 percent per year. Meanwhile, import values were 22.0 billion USD. As a result, trade balance in October 2018 showed a deficit of 280 million USD.
Supply-side indicators were supported by Thai Industries Sentiment Index (TISI) and Agricultural Product Index (API) which continued to expand. Meanwhile, number of foreign tourists slightly contracted
Internal economic stability remained favourable and external economic stability remained robust.
Number 71 /2018
28 November 2018
Source: Fiscal Policy Office / www.fpo.go.th