Thailand's CCI is on downward trend

BANGKOK, June 5 (TNA) - Thailand's consumer confidence index (CCI) now appears to be on its downward trend, as it dropped for the first time in six months in May 2012 affected by both internal and external risk factors. Thanawat Polvichai, Director of Bangkok-based University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce's Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting, said Tuesday a recent survey found that the country's CCI stood at 77.1 last month, from 77.6 in April representing its first fall in six months. Thanawat pointed out that Thailand's CCI has been below its 100-point benchmark for several months, reflecting that local consumers have been concerned over both internal and external risk factors, including renewed political protests in the country, higher costs of living and an uncertain direction of the global economic recovery. According to the Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting, a slowdown in domestic consumption is expected to continue until the end of the second quarter of this year, with the Thai government suggested to speed up its implementation of both fiscal and financial measures to stimulate the national economy. (TNA)