![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1-1788923149-9466-1788923169.jpg\")
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\nInflation rose 2.53% year-on-year last month, while in the first eight months it went up 1.37% compared to the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Commerce, as reported by The Nation Thailand.<\/p>\n
Nantapong Chiralerspong, director-general of the ministry\u2019s Trade Policy and Strategy Office, said that much of the increase in August was due to domestic fuel prices remaining higher than a year earlier amid the prolonged Middle East conflict and additional economic sanctions.<\/p>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\nA shopper scans a QR code for a purchase using the government\u2019s co-payment scheme in Samut Prakan province of Thailand on Oct 29, 2025. Photo by Bangkok Post via AFP<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Prices in the food and non-alcoholic beverages category increased 2.99% year on year. Prepared meals saw broad and relatively sharp price increases, with prices showing signs of remaining elevated.<\/p>\n
Items that became more expensive included ready-cooked side dishes, noodles, rice with curry, rice with stir-fried basil, and fried rice.<\/p>\n
Prices of white rice, eggs, fresh vegetables, and fresh fruit also increased, along with seasonings and non-alcoholic beverages such as drinking water, instant coffee, and hot and iced coffee.<\/p>\n
Fresh chicken prices also rose. The trade office attributed part of the increase in fresh-food prices to stronger purchasing power under the “Thai Chuey Thai Plus” scheme.<\/p>\n
However, prices declined for some food items, including sticky rice, dried or grated coconut, tamarind paste, and meals ordered for delivery.<\/p>\n
Prices for goods and services other than food and beverages rose 2.23% from a year earlier, mainly driven by higher fuel and public transport costs.<\/p>\n
In July, Thailand\u2019s inflation was the third lowest among ASEAN countries, while Laos led the bloc, followed by the Philippines and Vietnam.<\/p>\n
Bank of Thailand governor Vitai Ratanakorn said last week that monetary policy was fully accommodative and appropriate \u2060for the economy, Reuters reported.<\/p>\n
The central bank last month left its key interest rate unchanged at 1%, saying economic growth was low and uneven. The next \u200crate meeting \u2060is on Oct. 28.<\/p>\n
The Trade Policy and Strategy Office expects headline inflation to increase in September, with fuel, prepared meals, transport and fresh food expected to put upward pressure on prices.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Commerce has maintained its forecast for average headline inflation in 2026 at 1.5\u20132.5%, with a midpoint of 2.0%.<\/p>\n