Thailand’s rising cost of living is becoming increasingly hard for households to bear, with a new survey showing that most people are already feeling the strain as Songkran approaches.
An opinion poll by Suan Dusit University, or Suan Dusit Poll, found that many Thais are struggling with higher prices for essential goods in the wake of the oil crisis. The survey was conducted among 1,272 respondents nationwide, both online and in the field, from March 31 to April 3. The findings were released on Sunday (April 5).
Rising prices weigh heavily on households
Asked how they felt about the current surge in prices, 61.32% of respondents said their expenses had risen sharply and that essential goods were becoming too expensive to bear.
Another 43.87% said they were beginning to worry that goods might run short or that deliveries could be delayed, while 41.27% said they could still cope, but were having to compare prices more carefully and be more selective in their purchases. Multiple answers were allowed.
The poll also found that the oil price crisis is adding to pressure on household budgets. Some 46.70% said they were suffering greatly from the impact on daily expenses, while 37.74% said they were fairly affected.
Another 11.08% said they were only slightly affected, and 4.48% said they were not affected.
High fuel costs may dampen Songkran activity
Fuel prices were the biggest factor affecting whether people would take part in Songkran activities, cited by 55.66% of respondents.
Higher overall holiday spending came next at 49.53%, followed by weather concerns such as extreme heat, storms and PM2.5 pollution at 42.22%.
