Lively Phatthalung defies slowdown

Phatthalung, one of Thailand’s so-called “secondary cities”, is defying the economic slowdown, with local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in services, tourism and car sales reporting steady growth.

- ASSAWIN PAKKAWAN

Kittiphit Klapkhun, president of the Phatthalung Chamber of Commerce, said SMEs in this southern province remain resilient.

While the consumer goods, private construction and service sectors are performing reasonably well, state-funded projects, however, are lagging due to slow budget disbursement, he said.

The property market also remains sluggish as banks tighten lending to curb nonperforming loans, he added.

Agricultural products such as durian and mangosteen have weakened, though rubber and palm oil prices are holding up, he said.