Higher non-farm income and a lower contraction of farm income improved household purchasing power, although it remains tepid. Higher agricultural goods, particularly rice and palm oil, also supported domestic consumption and farm income. "Despite a contraction in farm income, it is improving and diversifying with the growing economy," said Chitkasem Pornprapunt, the central bank's director for economics and policy. Forty five state enterprises which use both the calendar and fiscal year have a combined investment budget of 484 billion baht for 2018. State enterprises which managed to hit their budget disbursement targets, included the State Railway of Thailand, he said, adding it took out 20.3 billion baht.

Source: Bangkok Post May 31, 2018 23:15 UTC