Thai Chamber Projects Record Mother's Day Spending at 11.1 Billion Baht

The Thai Chamber of Commerce forecasts Mother's Day spending of 11,139 million baht in 2025, marking the highest level in seven years. According to Thanavorn Ponwichit, rector and advisory chair of the Chamber's Economic and Business Forecasting Center, spending will grow only 0.7% year-on-year, representing activity comparable to the previous year. The modest growth reflects ongoing consumer caution and the fact that Mother's Day falls on a Wednesday, not continuous with the weekend.

Director Umakamol Sunthasurat of the Chamber's Economic and Business Forecasting Center revealed that 40.9% of respondents said they would not buy Mother's Day gifts, 20.7% planned to shop online, 20% would shop both online and offline, and 18.4% would use physical stores. Promotions ranked first as a purchasing factor, followed by product quality, affordability, and trustworthiness. The most popular gifts are flowers and garlands, followed by body care products, vitamins and medicines, soft furnishings and shoes, lottery tickets, cash, and gold.

Regarding Mother's Day activities, 52.1% plan to take their mothers out to eat, spending an average of 2,374 baht (up 0.5%), while 36.6% plan temple visits averaging 1,315 baht (up 1.9%), and 33.1% plan outdoor activities spending 1,669 baht (up 1.6%). Only 17.5% plan to stay home, budgeting 294 baht (down 1.3%).

On overall spending budgets, 54.3% said spending would remain unchanged, 23% expect to spend more, and 22.7% plan to spend less, citing high living costs, weak economic conditions, and reduced income as reasons for cutbacks. When asked about their current financial status compared to last year, 53.3% said it remained the same, 16.8% reported improvement, 13.6% said much better, 13.4% said worsened, and 2.9% said much worse. Most respondents reported having just enough for Mother's Day expenses with nothing left to save.