Thailand Microeconomic Weekly Update #51

THAILAND MACROECONOMICS WEEKLY UPDATE

In November 2023, Thailand experienced a mixed economic picture. Exports grew by 4.9% to $23.48 billion, while imports surged by 10.1% to $25.88 billion, leading to a trade deficit of $2.39 billion. Specifically, Thai rice exports soared by 67.9% to $632 million, marking a substantial increase from the previous year.

Despite a slight decrease in foreign investments compared to the previous year, investments still totaled 98.288 billion baht, contributing to the creation of 6,086 jobs. However, the Industrial Production Index (MPI) for November reflected a decline of 4.71% due to sluggish economic growth, high household debt, and a slowdown in trading partner economies, impacting industrial output.

INDUSTRY 

Inflation figures will be in the spotlight including the debate for the budget to be presented in parliament

TOURISIM

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports announced that from December 18 to 24, 2023 a total of 796,808 international visitors arrived in Thailand, which was a 16.6% increase compared to the previous week bringing the cumulative total for the year to an amount of 27,252,488 tourists.

TRANSPORTATION

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has officially announced that the fee of 15 baht for the Green Line’s extension between Mochit to Saphan Mai and Bearing to Samut Prakan will commence on January 2.

HEALTHCARE

Ratch Group, a power generation arm of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, is teaming up with Principal Healthcare to build a new hospital in the northeastern province of Mukdahan. Principal Healthcare is a subsidiary of Principal Capital Plc (PRINC.BK/PRINC TB), an operator of a private hospital network. The investment resulted in Ratch holding a 25% share in Principal Healthcare Mukdahan Co, a subsidiary of Principal Healthcare, which holds the majority 75% share.

AUTOMOTIVE

Four major Japanese automotive companies are set to invest in manufacturing electric vehicles in Thailand, reinforcing Thailand’s potential as a significant automotive industry producer and highlighting the government’s success in supporting investment policies.

DRAFT BILL

The Cabinet has approved the draft bill for the fiscal 2024 budget, amounting to 3.48 trillion Baht, and the bill will be presented to Parliament for its first readings between January 3 and 4, said Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. If the bill successfully passes all readings, the budget is anticipated to be submitted for royal endorsement on April 17.

SECTORAL UPDATE 

 SET closed the week at 1,416.85 points, an increase of 5.42 points ( +0.38%), trading value 47,793.66 million baht ($US 1401 million)

The support and resistance for the SET index is 1380-1426 as we enter the New Year.

With the RSI at 58, signifying strength, the USD/THB faces support at 34.00 and resistance at 34.80 amid the dollar’s weakening trend.

Local institutions supported the market in the last week of the year from buying of the new tax saving TESG funds.

Related Posts