Nation Thailand
Higher oil prices set to lift Thai living-cost index in fourth quarter
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Assoc Prof Aat Pisanwanich of Rangsit University’s Faculty of Economics said on Tuesday (September 22, 2026) that the university had prepared an economic and international trade policy analysis of the Thai Household Cost of Living Index (CLI) for the third quarter of 2026 and the fourth-quarter outlook, titled “The impact of oil prices on Thai living costs”.
Key facts
- Calculations based on 2023 showed that the nationwide household cost-of-living index had risen significantly since the second quarter.
- Food and housing had previously been the main expense categories, but travel and transport accounted for the largest share of the additional burden in the second quarter of 2026, at 49.3%, equivalent to THB1,373 a month.
- Food and beverages accounted for 23.7%, or THB660 a month, while housing represented 16.8%, or THB468 a month.
- It then fell to 110.9 in the third quarter, down 3.5% from the second, a decline attributed to government subsidies provided through the Thais Help Thais Plus programme from Monday (June 1, 2026) to Wednesday (September 30, 2026).
- The index stood at 114.4 in the second quarter, up 14.5% from the first quarter and its highest level in three years.
- However, the analysis forecast that the index would edge up to 111.8 in the fourth quarter, 0.9% higher than in the third, as renewed conflict in the Middle East drove up global crude oil prices and domestic retail oil prices.
Summary
Calculations based on 2023 showed that the nationwide household cost-of-living index had risen significantly since the second quarter.
The index stood at 114.4 in the second quarter, up 14.5% from the first quarter and its highest level in three years.