31.03.202608:47:45UTC+00Thailand Private Investment Growth at 4-Month Low

Private investment in Thailand rose 1.9% month-on-month in February 2026, slowing from a 2.7% increase in January. This was the weakest monthly expansion since the contraction in October 2025, largely due to a decline in vehicle investment (index at 87.4 vs 91.8). The vehicle downturn was driven by lower registrations, particularly for electric vehicles, following the expiration of the EV 3.0 incentive scheme, as well as a decrease in the value of aircraft imports.

By contrast, investment in machinery and equipment (137.9 vs 131.8) continued to expand and remained the main driver of overall growth. This was supported by higher net imports of capital goods, especially computers, even as domestic machinery sales softened. Construction investment also increased, led by growth in non-residential projects. This reflected a rise in permitted construction area, particularly for business and commercial buildings.