กกร. ชี้พลังงานคลี่คลาย ดัน AI ดึงลงทุน ยกระดับเศรษฐกิจไทยJoint Private Sector Committee (JPSC) Indicates Energy Crisis Easing, Promoting AI to Attract Investment and Enhance Thai Economy

On Wednesday, July 1, 2026, Mr. Payong Srivanit, Chairman of the Thai Bankers' Association, chaired a press conference of the Joint Private Sector Committee of 3 Institutions (JPSC), with Mrs. Pimjai Leeissaranukul, President of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), and Dr. Poj Aramwattananont, Chairman of the Board of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, also present at the conference held at the Golden Tulip Sovereign Hotel, Bangkok.

The risk from energy supply chain disruption is beginning to ease following a temporary ceasefire negotiation between the United States and Iran, resulting in reduced concerns over impacts on the manufacturing sector. Energy prices are decreasing, while the global megatrend from investments in AI and Data Centers is a key factor driving the Thai economy through continuously expanding exports and improved private sector investment.

The risk from energy supply chain disruption is beginning to ease following a temporary ceasefire negotiation between the United States and Iran, which has led to reduced concerns about the impacts on the manufacturing sector. Energy prices have declined, with oil prices in June 2026 dropping from $75 per barrel before the ceasefire to $68 per barrel. Similarly, several commodities have passed their peak levels during the conflicts in the Middle East. However, damage to key oil infrastructure and low reserves in the OECD may prevent prices from dropping significantly beyond the current levels. Therefore, energy security must remain a priority in the future, with strategies to ease legal restrictions in the energy sector, such as exporting refined oil to manage high oil stocks, which impact the country's energy costs.

The global megatrend from investments in AI and Data Centers is a primary factor driving the Thai economy through consistently expanding exports and improved private sector investment. The Bank of Thailand recently adjusted its GDP forecast to 2.3%. However, the Thai economy is growing unevenly in a K-shaped manner, with households facing reduced purchasing power due to rising living costs and a weakening labor market. While exports and foreign direct investment (FDI) are growing rapidly, they have not translated into the same levels of economic drive and employment as in the past, reflected by low capacity utilization rates, particularly in traditional industries. SMEs and small players outside the system are not benefiting from economic growth, necessitating urgent collaborative efforts to leverage technology and FDI to enhance the capabilities of domestic entrepreneurs and labor productivity, supporting the participation of SMEs through the use of Thailand Content & Regional Value Content (RVC), amid the aging society which will further pressure Thai labor productivity in the future.

The JPSC supports restructuring towards a new economy to enhance competitiveness. Despite the latest IMD assessment showing Thailand improving to 26th place from 30th place the previous year, several areas still require urgent improvements. Neighboring countries are closely pursuing Thailand, with expectations from credit rating agencies regarding Thailand's forthcoming structural reforms, such as establishing standards and integrating data connections, for example, labor data, to aid in precisely designing and measuring policies while reducing systemic hidden costs. The JPSC will work closely with the Joint Public-Private Sector Committee (GPPC) to address economic issues to restructure and enhance the Thai economy through four key pillars, in line with the World Bank's Flagship Report which aims to propel Thailand towards a high-income country within the next 12 years and the Reinvent Thailand approach to drive 7 target industries for creating a strong new growth engine.

The JPSC, in collaboration with the World Bank, government, and private sectors, is preparing to host the Affiliated Program IMF-World Bank Annual Meeting 2026 before October, to showcase Thailand’s potential and build confidence in the global community, particularly in promoting a new economic model focused on productivity, innovation, and investment in future industries.

Economic Forecast Framework for 2026 by JPSC
Year 2025
GDP 2.4
Exports 12.9
Inflation -0.1

Year 2026
(As of April-May 2026) 
GDP 1.2 to 1.6
Exports -1.5 to -0.5
Inflation 2.0 to 3.0

Year 2026
(As of June 2026) 
GDP 1.6 to 2.0
Exports 8.0 to 10.0
Inflation 2.5 to 3.0

Year 2026
(As of July 2026)
GDP 1.6 to 2.0
Exports 8.0 to 10.0
Inflation 2.5 to 3.0

Source: NESDC, Ministry of Commerce, and forecasts by JPSC.