Thai economy contracts 6.4 per cent in third quarter

The gross domestic product in the third quarter however was an improvement from the 12.1 per cent contraction in the second quarter, as a result of improvements in total exports of goods and services, private investment, and private final consumption expenditure. Meanwhile, the government's final consumption expenditure, and public investment both expanded continually, the NESDC, the state-owned think-tank, said.

Agricultural production fell by 0.9 per cent, due mainly to the decline in main crops including paddy, rubber and oil palm. The non-agricultural sector declined by 6.8 per cent, improving from a fall of 12.9 per cent in the second quarter, as the government has eased measures to prevent and control the spread of Covid-19. Furthermore, economic stimulus measures also supported the recovery of manufacturing and service sectors, which fell by 5.3 per cent and 7.3 per cent, respectively, improving from falls of 14.6 per cent and 12.2 per cent in the second quarter, the NESDC said. The recovered service sector included wholesale and retail trade, accommodation and food service activities, and transportation and storage. Moreover, construction, and information and communication expanded continually.

In terms of expenditure, private final consumption expenditure fell by 0.6 per cent. Gross fixed capital formation, and exports and imports of goods and services contracted by 2.4 per cent, 23.5 per cent, and 20.3 per cent, respectively. However, government final consumption expenditure expanded by 3.4 per cent. After seasonal adjustment, the Thai economy in the third quarter expanded by 6.5 per cent quarter on quarter.

Private final consumption expenditure fell by 0.6 per cent, recovering from a fall of 6.8 per cent in the second quarter. Non-durable and service items expanded by 2.7 per cent, and 3.8 per cent, respectively. However, durable and semi-durable items decreased by 19.3 per cent, and 14.0 per cent, respectively.

General government final consumption expenditure increasing by 3.4 per cent, continued to expand from a rise of 1.3 per cent in the second quarter. The expansion was mainly attributed to compensation of employees, with a 1.6 per cent rise. Moreover, purchases of goods and services grew by 7.8 per cent. In addition, social transfer in kind also expanded by 8.0 per cent.

Gross fixed capital formation fell by 2.4 per cent, compared to a fall of 8.0 per cent in the second quarter. Private investment decreased by 10.7 per cent, compared to a 15.0 per cent reduction in the second quarter. Machinery items were a major contributing factor, with a reduction of 14.0 per cent. 

Meanwhile, construction expanded slightly by 0.3 per cent. Public investment significantly expanded by 18.5 per cent, increasing from a rise of 12.5 per cent in the second quarter. The expansion resulted from an 18.4 per cent expansion in public machinery items as well as an 18.6 per cent increase in public construction, driven mainly by government construction.

Changes in inventories at current market prices in the third quarter decreased to the value of Bt120.6 billion. Reduction in stocks came mainly from rice, sugar, motor vehicles, preparation and spinning of textile fibres, and gold. Accumulation in stocks, meanwhile, included rubber, paddy, jewellery and related articles, computers and peripheral equipment, and refined petroleum products.

Goods and services balance at current market prices recorded a surplus of Bt257.2 billion, after a surplus of Bt397.5 billion in trade balance and a deficit of Bt140.3 billion in service balance.