Thai Q3 household debt to GDP slows but remains a risk

BANGKOK  – Thailand’s household debt to gross domestic product ratio dropped to 86.8 percent in the third quarter from 88.1 percent in the previous quarter, central bank data showed on Friday, as the economy continued to recover.

The ratio was still among Asia’s highest, however, and the amount of debt increased to 14.9 trillion baht ($431.51 billion) at the end of September from 14.76 trillion baht at the end of June.

The high level of household debt could disrupt the economic recovery and needed to be brought down to sustainable levels, Bank of Thailand (BOT) Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput said earlier this month.

The high debt was one reason why the BOT has not increased interest rates aggressively while the economic recovery was slow and had yet to return to the pre-COVID 19 period, Sethaput told the BOT’s magazine.

The BOT has raised its key rate by a total 75 basis points since August to 1.25 percent to curb inflation and ensure the recovery continues. It will next review policy on Jan. 25, when most economists expect a further gradual rate hike.

Growth in Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy has lagged behind peers as its vital tourism sector has just started to rebound this year.

The BOT forecast growth of 3.2 percent this year and 3.7 percent in 2023. Last year’s growth of 1.5 percent was among the slowest in the region.