Consumer mood dips for 2nd month over virus outbreak, Ukraine

The consumer confidence index falls to a five-month low in February 2022. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)

Thai consumer confidence dropped for a second straight month in February, hitting a five-month low, due to concerns over the Covid-19 outbreak, the Ukraine crisis and a slow economic recovery, a survey conducted by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) showed on Wednesday.

The UTCC consumer index fell to 43.3 in February from 44.8 in the previous month.

• Factors triggering Thailand's high inflation rate

On Tuesday, Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the country's economy may grow less than a forecast of 3.5% to 4.5% this year due to the impact of the Ukraine crisis on tourism, trade and consumption.

The number of foreign tourist arrivals in Thailand could also miss the ministry's forecast of 7 million this year, Mr Arkhom told a news conference.

Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith (File photo: Bangkok Post)