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Economic indicators in April worsened from March, FOREX but strong export performance the only redeeming feature
Business, Bangkok bank, Published on 07/06/2021
» Private consumption dropped in April 2021 MoM because of the third wave of Covid-19 outbreak. The private consumption index (PCI) surged 8.7% YoY in April, following a 3.7% YoY gain in March. But this was large due to the low base from the 2020 lockdown. Meanwhile, it declined by 4.3% MoM in April as the impacts from the third wave weighed on economic activity. Furthermore, the consumer confidence index fell to 43 in May 2021 from 46 a month earlier, the lowest level since February 1999. This is consistent with the rapid increase of daily infection cases since the beginning of April.
As global demand recovers, exports set to accelerate
Business, Bangkok bank, Published on 31/05/2021
» In April 2021, Thailand’s export value surpassed $20 billion for the third month in a row, with a growth rate of 13.09% YoY, the largest gain in 36 months. Excluding gold, oil-related products, and weaponry, April exports skyrocketed 25.7% YoY. Rising export trend is consistent with Global Manufacturing PMI level of 55.8, the highest in 11 years. Nevertheless, imports climbed 29.8% YoY to $21.25 billion, resulting in a comparatively small trade surplus of $182.48 million — a collapse from April 2020 surplus of over $ 2.5 billion. Perhaps, it’s worth noting that last year’s export performance was distorted, and therefore severely understated, by the global lockdown.