Economy
GH Bank Dismisses 'Debt Dodging' Concerns, Targets Freelance Lending
Government Housing Bank (GH Bank) reports that social media trends encouraging intentional debt default have not impacted its mortgage portfolio, while announcing a 10 billion baht lending initiative for freelancers.
According to Khaosod Online Thailand, the Government Housing Bank (GH Bank) has addressed recent social media trends promoting 'debt dodging'—the intentional refusal to repay loans. Managing Director Mahatthana Ampornphisit stated that the bank remains unconcerned, noting that their mortgage products differ significantly from personal loans. He emphasized that GH Bank conducts rigorous repayment capacity assessments before approval to ensure borrowers have a genuine need for housing.
For residents and potential property buyers, this indicates that the bank’s lending standards remain stable despite broader economic discussions regarding debt. The bank is actively monitoring loan quality through digital dashboards and data analytics to mitigate non-performing loans (NPLs). Furthermore, GH Bank is moving forward with its annual lending target of 246.79 billion baht, having already achieved 123.15 billion baht in the first half of 2026, representing a 14.85% growth year-on-year.
Notably, the bank is launching a specific 10 billion baht lending program aimed at freelancers to improve their access to credit. While the bank has expressed confidence in its current portfolio, it remains committed to offering debt restructuring and payment adjustments for customers facing genuine economic hardship. It remains to be seen how the broader economic climate will influence the long-term repayment behavior of the freelance sector as these new credit initiatives are implemented.