NESDC says the poverty rate fell to 3.27% in 2025 (2.3 million people), helped by higher farm wages (up 4.88% vs 1.35% for non-farm) and about 346 baht more a month in state aid per poor person. Another 3.6 million are "near poor" and could slip under the line after a modest income shock. For a small business, expect pressure on spending in the South, Northeast and rural areas, where poverty is higher and household debt is mostly for consumption and farm inputs.