IMF Urges Thailand to Aid Debt-Laden Households Instead of Fuel Caps Amid Slowing Growth
Nation Thailand - Economy
Key summary
The International Monetary Fund has advised Thailand to prioritize targeted assistance for vulnerable, indebted households over broad energy subsidies as fiscal buffers shrink. While ASEAN peers benefit from a technology boom with growth rates significantly higher than Thailand's projected 2.1% for 2026 and 2027, the IMF warns that current measures like fuel price caps are costly and weaken demand incentives. Director Krishna Srinivasan emphasized the need to protect people rather than prices, urging governments to use social registries for precise support within a clear fiscal framework.
ASEAN Growth Forecasts (2026)
| Vietnam | 8.4 % |
|---|---|
| Malaysia | 5.2 % |
| Indonesia | 5.1 % |
| Thailand | 2.1 % |
| Philippines | 3.4 % |
| Cambodia | 3 % |
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Source report
Nation Thailand - Economy
Read original ↗https://www.nationthailand.com/business/economy/40072306