Thailand GDP up 2.4% in 2025, Beats Forecasts

Thailand’s economy grew by 2.4% in 2025, outperforming initial forecasts after a strong surge in the final quarter of the year. Data released on Monday, February 16, 2026 by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) showed Gross Domestic Product expanded by 2.5% in the fourth quarter alone. The result marked a sharp acceleration from 1.2% growth in the previous quarter and exceeded the agency’s earlier estimate of 1.7%.

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The late-year improvement was driven primarily by a decade-high rise in total investment. Investment climbed by 8.1% in the fourth quarter, the strongest increase since 2016, with private investment up 6.5% due to heavy spending on industrial machinery and office equipment. Consumer spending also grew by 3.3%, supported by a rush to secure benefits under the government’s EV 3.0 first-phase subsidy scheme before it expired.

Spending on durable goods rose by 12.2% in the final three months of 2025, reflecting heightened automotive purchases. The industrial sector recorded significant gains in exports of telecommunications equipment, which rose by 83%, and computers, which increased by 91%. However, agricultural exports such as rice and rubber declined amid strong price competition in global markets.

The automotive sector experienced mixed results, with passenger car exports falling by 36.2% despite growth in shipments of pickup trucks and jewellery. Despite these variations, Thailand recorded a trade surplus of US$23.3 billion for the full year. The overall figures indicate resilience in investment and domestic consumption, offsetting weaker performance in some traditional export segments.

The Nation reported that NESDC secretary-general Danucha Pichayanan set a growth target of 2% for 2026, within a forecast range of 1.5% to 2.5%. “The momentum in 2026 will be sustained by continued private consumption, a recovery in the vital tourism and service sectors, and a boost in government capital expenditure,” Danucha stated. The council added that favourable weather conditions and adequate water supplies are expected to support a rebound in agricultural production. Inflation for 2026 is projected to remain low, within a range of -0.3% to 0.7%.

Pictures courtesy of The Nation

Key Takeaways

• Thailand’s economy expanded by 2.4% in 2025, with fourth-quarter growth accelerating to 2.5%.

• Total investment surged 8.1% in Q4, the strongest rise since 2016, while consumer spending rose 3.3%.

• NESDC has set a 2026 growth target of 2%, with inflation forecast between -0.3% and 0.7%.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 17 Feb 2026