BANGKOK, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's industrial confidence declined in December 2025, mainly due to concerns over the border conflict with Cambodia and policy uncertainties following the dissolution of parliament, data showed on Wednesday.
The Thai industries sentiment index fell to 88.2 last month, down from 89.1 in November, as all key components of the index weakened, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
The reading was based on a survey of 1,330 entrepreneurs across 47 industry groups under the FTI.
The slowdown was also attributed to lower manufacturing output as a result of earlier front-loading and fewer working days during the year-end holidays, a weakening export outlook owing to slower economic growth in key trading partners, and a strong baht currency, said FTI Chairman Kriengkrai Thiennukul.
Despite that, the index forecast for the next three months continued to improve, advancing to 95.7 in the December survey from 94.9 a month earlier, supported by the introduction of import duties on low-value goods and optimism about the formation of a new government, Kriengkrai told a news conference.
The group called on the government to work with relevant agencies to manage the exchange rate by tightening oversight of foreign exchange transactions, capital flows, the gold market, and digital asset trading to limit baht appreciation, he noted. ■