Thailand consumer confidence hits new high

 Thailand's consumer confidence index in September stood at 45.8, the highest level in 115 months, or more than nine year, said a Ministry of Commerce survey released on Tuesday.
The index rose for the fourth consecutive month, according to the survey that collected the opinions of 3,167 consumers nationwide regarding their economic conditions, incomes and employment opportunities.
Despite the continuous increase, the index remained below 50, indicating an overall lack of confidence in the national economy, advisor to the ministry Ampawan Pichalai said.
The respondents were concerned about a wide range of issues from the high cost of living to domestic economic downturn, rising unemployment, sluggish recovery of tourism, and a slowing global economy, according to Ampawan.
The new government is expected to quickly disburse the 2015 budget to spur the economy and take measures to address economic woes of farmers and Thais in general, the survey showed.