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Thai Economic Recovery Shaken as Protests Pose New Risks

Political unrest amid pandemic is making consumers cautious
Thailand is on course for its worst GDP contraction on record

Pro-democracy protesters hold up the three-finger salute during an anti-government rally in Bangkok on Oct. 26. — Pro-democracy protesters hold up the three-finger salute during an anti-government rally in Bangkok on Oct. 26.Photographer: Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP via Getty Images

By

Randy Thanthong-Knight and

October 27, 2020, 12:15 AM UTCUpdated onOctober 27, 2020, 5:41 AM UTC

Protests sweeping across Thailand threaten to snuff out chances of a consumption-led recovery from the nation’s worst-ever economic slump.

Nattananporn Hamali, a 29-year-old saleswoman at a car showroom in Bangkok, is already feeling the pinch from consumers’ thrifty behavior. With the bulk of her earnings coming from sales commissions, she’s struggling to pay her mortgage and utility bills.