The Thai Chamber of Commerce University's consumer confidence index fell to 52.1 in September 2026 from 53.2 in August, the first drop in four months. Flooding and diesel above 40 baht/litre are the main causes. The Chamber expects spending to pick up from mid-November, helped by the "Thai Help Thai Plus" scheme extended for two months, the high tourism season and higher crop prices. The outlook depends on whether flooding recurs in October and whether oil prices ease. The Chamber keeps its 2026 GDP forecast at 2.2-2.5%. For planning, expect cautious customer spending through October and budget for higher living costs.