In 2026, Thailand's overriding economic challenge will not be growth but debt repayment. In 2026, the Thai economy may edge close to crisis, not because of contraction per se, but because of an inability to service debt. This persistent shortfall has contributed to Thailand's high household debt, which stands at 87.7% of GDP -- the ninth highest globally. Household debt figures exclude informal borrowing and credit not supervised by the BoT, such as micro- and pico-loans. When informal debt is included, household debt likely exceeds 100% of GDP.

Source: Bangkok Post January 08, 2026 06:21 UTC