Inflation statistics and household reality

Marketbuzzz survey shows rising prices worry 42% of Thais despite low official CPI data

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Thais are experiencing increasing financial stress from the rising cost of living, even as official inflation data suggests a period of deflation, according to a new nationwide survey by Marketbuzzz.

Forty-two percent of Thai citizens identified rising prices as a top concern in their province. This contrasts with government figures showing the Consumer Price Index fell 0.7% year-on-year in July — the fifth straight month of below-zero readings.

However, the reality on the ground paints a different picture. The cost of essentials — including housing, food, transport and utilities — has increased by 15.3% year-on-year, continuing to strain household budgets across the country.

The Marketbuzzz study, conducted with 865 Thais nationwide, reveals how many families are struggling under the weight of everyday expenses, even as wages stagnate. This growing disconnect between official economic indicators and daily realities is especially pronounced among specific groups.