The Prayut Chan-o-cha government has been leading the country for more than two years now.
The government has managed to lift the country out of the economic stagnation that existed before the 2014 coup, but it has failed to accelerate growth.
SLOW ECONOMIC GROWTH
Many people blame the weak global economy for sluggish Thai economic growth.
In 2014, economic expansion stood at only 0.8%.
One year after the Prayut government took control, growth remained low at 2.8%.
This year it is predicted to be around 3%.
Thailand's export sector, the key driver of the economy, has suffered in the recent global economic downturn and is predicted to contract 1.9% this year.
IMPACT OF SLOW ECONOMY ON HOUSEHOLDS
The positive effects of the economic rebound have not been felt by most people.
For now, people with low and medium incomes continue to bear the brunt of the sluggish economy.
They have less money to spend and household debts have grown larger.
Several key industries such as automobiles, advertising, print and broadcast media have continued to shut parts of their operations and lay off employees, mainly through early retirement programmes.
Unemployment has been the outcome for many.
The average Thai today still suffers economically.
Even though the inflation rate stands at a fairly low rate, the cost of living remains high, as do bank loan
inflation
Meaning: an amount of money that a person, business, or country borrows, especially from a bank
Thai Translation: เงินกู้
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interest rates.