Thailand's Construction Material Prices Jump 6.8% Year-on-Year
Thailand's construction material prices rose 6.8% year‑on‑year in September 2026, driven by higher oil and energy costs linked to the prolonged Middle East conflict and stalled US‑Iran talks. Concrete prices jumped 9.2%, while electrical and plumbing supplies surged 13.3% on record copper prices, and other materials climbed nearly 20%. Steel was the only category to fall, slipping 0.8% amid strong competition.
The director explained that the September 2026 index of 113.7 reflects a 6.8% year‑on‑year increase, driven by higher fuel and energy costs linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict and stalled US‑Iran talks, compounded by Saudi Arabia’s repair shutdown of the East–West Pipeline after it was hit by an attack. He broke down the gains: wood and wood products up 4.3% due to pricier raw materials and transport; cement up 0.3% from higher coal‑based energy costs; concrete products up 9.2% because of pricier cement, stone, sand and diesel transport; tiles up 4.0% from higher natural‑gas‑linked production costs; surfacing materials up 2.2% from higher pigment and resin prices; sanitary ware up 4.8% from higher raw material and energy costs; electrical and plumbing equipment up 13.3% as world copper prices hit multi‑year highs amid supply constraints from major mine closures, while demand for copper wire rises for power infrastructure and data centres; other construction materials up 19.8% due to higher asphalt prices tied to petroleum products and increased fuel costs for machinery. The only decline was in steel and steel products, down 0.8% amid intense price competition. He added that the index is expected to keep rising in the fourth quarter of 2026 as high oil and energy prices persist amid continued geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Russia‑Ukraine, and demand for construction materials remains strong for public‑utility projects and data‑centre construction.
