THAILAND’S consumer confidence rose for a third straight month in August, supported by easing concerns over the Middle East conflict, stabilizing fuel prices, and continued government stimulus measures, a survey showed on Tuesday.
According to a survey of 2,240 respondents conducted by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the consumer confidence index increased to 53.2 last month from 51.8 in July, reaching its highest level in six months, as all components of the index improved.
Higher prices for key agricultural products, compared with a year earlier, also helped lift sentiment and strengthen household purchasing power, providing a positive psychological boost to the economic recovery, the university said in a statement.
While current consumer confidence levels remain below the pre-conflict baseline recorded in February, the steady recovery reflects easing public anxieties regarding global economic volatility and energy market fluctuations, said Thanavath Phonvichai, president of the university. — Xinhua