CARTAKER Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul today (Feb. 19) summoned Deputy Prime Ministe-cum-Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanpraphat, Minister of Digital Economy and Society Chaichanok Chidchob, and Justice Minister Pol. Gen. Ruttaphon Naowarat to a meeting where he emphasised that Thailand’s GDP growth must exceed 2.5% this year, Amarin TV said this evening.
This followed the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) having earlier this week said that Thailand’s economy grew by 2.5% in the fourth quarter of 2025, surpassing earlier projections and improving from 1.2% in the previous quarter.
“I hope the next quarter will see continued growth, and I believe things will improve,” Anutin said.
NESDC Secretary-General Danucha Pichayanan said that investment and exports were the main drivers of growth in Q4 2025, while private consumption continued to rise due to ongoing government stimulus.
Total investment increased by 8.1%, driven by 6.5% growth in private investment and a 13.3% rise in public investment. Exports of goods and services grew by 5.6%. The tourism-related services sector declined by 6.9%, while construction grew by 11.2%.
Household spending benefited from government measures, with durable goods consumption up 12.2%. Vehicle sales rose 26.4%, mainly due to increased electric vehicle purchases before state support schemes ended.
The NESDC also reported a 39.5% increase in budget disbursement, supported by front-loading measures in the final quarter to boost the economy through seminars and public spending initiatives.
Overall, Thailand’s economy grew by 2.4% in 2025, showing a stronger recovery in manufacturing and investment despite ongoing weakness in tourism.
Looking ahead, the NESDC projects that Thailand’s economy will continue expanding in 2026, with growth expected between 1.5 and 2.5%, centered at 2.0 %, supported by recovering global trade and sustained export momentum.
Anutin also asked the Justice Minister about progress of a case involving a network illegally using electricity for Bitcoin mining in Samut Sakhon province. Implicated are an assistant governor of the Provincial Electricity Authority and a deputy regional manager.
As this case resulted in enormous electricity losses, Anutin instructed that the perpetrators be prosecuted without leniency and that all those involved be brought to justice.
CAPTION:
Caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, second right, talking to Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanpraphat, right, and Commerce Minister Supajee Suthamphan, third right. Photo – PPTVHD36
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