ธปท.ชี้ศก.ไทยก.ย.69 ดีขึ้น ได้แรงหนุนส่งออก-ท่องเที่ยว แถมเอไอดันลงทุนเอกชนพุ่งสุดรอบ 20 ปีThe Bank of Thailand Indicates Improvement in Thai Economy in September 2026, Supported by Exports and Tourism, with AI Driving Private Investment to the Highest Level in 20 Years
ธปท. ชี้ศก.ไทย ก.ย.69 ดีขึ้น ได้แรงหนุนส่งออก-ท่องเที่ยว แถมเอไอดันลงทุนเอกชนพุ่งสุดรอบ 20 ปี วันที่ 30 ตุลาคม นางปราณี สุทธศรี ผู้อำนวยการอาวุโส ฝ่ายเศรษฐกิจมหภาค ธนาคารแห่งประเทศไทย (ธปท.) เปิดเผยว่า ภาพรวมเศรษฐกิจไทยเดือนกันยายน ที่ผ่านมา ปรับดีขึ้นจากเดือนสิงหาคม โดยการส่งออกสินค้าไม่รวมทองคำปรัThe Bank of Thailand indicates that the Thai economy in September 2026 improved, supported by exports and tourism, while AI drove private investment to the highest level in 20 years. On October 30, Mrs. Pranee Sutthisri, Senior Director of the Macroeconomic Department at the Bank of Thailand, revealed that the overall economic situation in Thailand in September improved from August, with exports of goods excluding gold increasing due to the electronic sector influenced by the global technology cycle and artificial intelligence (AI), along with a significant surge in private investment driven by imports of data processing equipment related to data centers.
The Bank of Thailand indicates that the Thai economy in September 2026 improved, supported by exports and tourism, while AI drove private investment to the highest level in 20 years. On October 30, Mrs. Pranee Sutthisri, Senior Director of the Macroeconomic Department at the Bank of Thailand, revealed that the overall economic situation in Thailand in September improved from August, with exports of goods excluding gold increasing due to the electronic sector influenced by the global technology cycle and artificial intelligence (AI), along with a significant surge in private investment driven by imports of data processing equipment related to data centers.
(Data Center), resulting in an increase in industrial production accordingly. In the tourism sector, income from international tourists increased due to longer stays, although the number of international tourists decreased, especially from nearby markets where demand declined after the end of the summer vacation period, as well as rising travel costs due to increasing oil prices. Mrs. Pranee stated that private consumption slowed down in the service sector, particularly spending on hotels and restaurants.
This reflects consumer caution in spending during a period of high living costs, resulting in a slowdown in tourism-related service activities. Meanwhile, government spending contracted due to reduced disbursements from both the central government and state enterprises. The index of private investment in September surged significantly, resulting in an overall private investment growth of 10.1% compared to the previous quarter, with growth in September reaching 21.6%.
This marked the highest growth in more than 20 years since the Bank of Thailand began compiling the index, as several enterprises imported machinery, computer equipment, and systems for data centers and AI simultaneously. Due to these factors, the Bank of Thailand has adjusted its private investment forecast for this year to 13% and expects continuous growth of 7-8% next year. Mrs. Pranee mentioned that economic stability and general inflation increased from the energy sector due to rising domestic oil prices.
This trend is consistent with global crude oil prices following the resurgence of tensions in the Middle East. Meanwhile, inflation in the fresh food category and core inflation remained stable, close to last month’s levels. The current account recorded a deficit primarily due to deficits in services, income, and remittances. The overall labor market remained stable, but it is essential to monitor the increasing number of unemployment benefit claims. Mrs. Pranee noted that in terms of exports, overall exports in the third quarter grew by 8.5% compared to the previous quarter, with exports of goods excluding gold in September expanding by 3.7%, led by telecommunications equipment, computers, and electronic components exported to the United States, which aligns with the Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) for the third quarter that grew by 1.5% compared to the previous quarter and by 3.4% compared to the same period in 2025.
The current account in September registered a deficit of 1.6 billion USD due to repatriated profits and increase in shipping costs; however, the overall third quarter maintained a surplus of 1.4 billion USD.
"Although the Thai economy has shown a strong recovery, the recovery remains K-shaped or uneven, with benefits still concentrated in businesses related to AI and technology. In the near future, the Bank of Thailand has identified four closely monitored risk factors: 1. The continuity of the global AI technology cycle. 2. Geopolitical risks, warfare, and oil price trends. 3. Confidence and recovery of international tourists. 4. Impacts from natural disasters, including flooding and the El Niño phenomenon," Mrs. Pranee stated.