June Inflation Hits 2.4% As Curry Rice Prices Climb
Thailand's inflation hit 2.42% in June as fuel costs and prepared food prices climbed, with curry rice and other single-dish meals expected to keep rising through year-end despite falling oil prices.
Commerce Ministry Deputy Director Nattiya Sujinda announced that June 2025's Consumer Price Index reached 102.85, up 2.42 percent from June 2024, driven by higher domestic fuel prices that increased public transportation costs. Prepared foods like curry rice and stir-fried noodles have seen widespread price hikes with no downward trend expected. Non-food and beverage categories rose 3.31 percent from fuel and transport costs, while food and non-alcoholic beverages climbed 1.03 percent due to prepared foods and rice price increases. Core inflation excluding fresh food and energy jumped to 1.23 percent from May's 0.92 percent, bringing second-quarter inflation to 2.70 percent and six-month average inflation to 1.08 percent.
Sujinda forecast third-quarter inflation will accelerate to 2.79 percent and fourth-quarter to 3.02 percent, citing persistent single-dish meal price increases despite falling oil prices, as vendors face accumulated costs. Small vendors particularly need to raise prices 5-10 baht per meal or 10-20 percent, she explained. Full-year inflation is projected between 1.5-2.5 percent with a midpoint of 2 percent, assuming GDP growth of 1.5-2.5 percent, Dubai crude at $80-90 per barrel, and the baht at 32-33 per dollar.
The Commerce Ministry Secretary-General has instructed provincial commerce offices to monitor single-dish meal prices in their areas and address any unjustified price gouging.
