Economy
Thai Household Debt Hits 17-Year High
A new survey from the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce reveals that average household debt in Thailand has risen to nearly 800,000 baht, marking a 17-year record.
According to a report by Khaosod Online, Thanavath Phonvichai, President and Chief Advisor to the Center for Economic and Business Forecasting at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, has released findings on the state of Thai household debt for 2026. The survey, conducted between September 7 and 13, 2026, with 1,720 respondents nationwide, indicates that the average debt per household has climbed to 794,945.49 baht, a 7.3% increase from the 740,596.94 baht recorded in 2025.
The data shows that 91.8% of households are currently in debt, down slightly from 95.1% in the previous year. Of this debt, 77.2% is held within the formal financial system, while 22.8% remains in the informal sector. Experts highlight that while the debt-to-GDP ratio has shown a decline, the ability of households—particularly those with low incomes or high living expenses—to repay their obligations remains fragile.
For residents and long-term visitors, this structural economic issue underscores a period of financial strain for many local families, which may influence local consumer spending and business activity. While the survey provides a clear snapshot of current debt levels, the long-term impact on the broader economy and the effectiveness of potential future government interventions to alleviate this burden remain to be confirmed.
