Economics

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.Photographer: Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP via Getty Images

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By Randy Thanthong-Knight and Anuchit Nguyen

October 27, 2020 at 12:15 AM UTC

Updated on

October 27, 2020 at 5:41 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

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.