Consumer confidence has started to trend down again after peaking in 2022-23, prompting many consumers to delay purchases of big-ticket items such as homes and cars, according to property consultancy Terra Media and Consulting.
Sumitra Wongpakdee, managing director of Terra, said an online survey conducted between May 1-15 found the consumer confidence index had fallen to 56, down from 66 in the second half of 2025.
"Although sentiment remains positive, as a reading above 50 indicates confidence in the economic outlook, the index is clearly trending downwards again, reflecting weak consumer confidence," she said.
The index in the second half of 2025 rose to 66, from 45 in the first half of the year. The reading previously declined from 72 in 2024, 75 in 2023, and 79 in 2022 -- the highest level recorded during the survey period.
The lowest reading was 44 in 2021 amid the Covid-19 lockdowns, compared with 71 in 2020.
Ms Sumitra said this year's decline was mainly driven by two factors: weak confidence in purchasing big-ticket items such as homes and cars, which registered an index reading of 42, and pessimism about Thailand's economic outlook over the next 12 months, with a reading of 38.
"The level of concern about the economy is now comparable to what we saw during the lockdown period in 2021," she said.
For the survey's other indicators, respondents remained relatively optimistic about their personal finances. The highest index reading of 80 was for their expected financial situation over the next 12 months.
Their assessment of their current financial status compared with a year earlier tallied 67, and their outlook for the Thai economy over the next five years registered 56.
Terra conducted its annual survey of prospective homebuyers across different generations online from 2020-24 and semi-annually from 2025 onwards.
The latest survey had 400 respondents, with 52% based in Bangkok and 48% in other provinces.
The largest group of respondents, accounting for 44%, were middle-income earners with monthly incomes of 15,000-50,000 baht. Another 25% earned more than 50,000 baht per month, while 31% had incomes of less than 15,000 baht.
Generation Y, age 31-44, made up the largest share of respondents at 44%, followed by Generation X, age 45-59, at 32%. Generation Z, age 15-30, accounted for 16%, while Baby Boomers 60 and older represented 8%.
WELL-BEING TREND
Terra also surveyed attitudes towards well-being and found 93% of respondents considered health a priority.
Baby Boomers placed the greatest emphasis on health, with 60% describing it as very important, the highest proportion among all generations.
Regarding monthly spending on health and wellness including fitness activities, healthy food, vitamins, health check-ups and other healthcare services, 43% said they allocated between 1,000 and 3,000 baht per month. Another 18% reported spending 3,000-6,000 baht, while 18% registered spending of less than 1,000 baht, and 13% had no fixed health budget, followed by 5% spending 6,000-10,000 baht a month and 2% more than 10,000 baht.
The survey identified several growing wellness trends over the past three years. The strongest increases were in prioritising quality sleep and cardiovascular exercise, both at 50%, followed by weight training at 41%.
In terms of preventive healthcare, healthy eating ranked highest at 64%, followed by supplements and vitamins at 48%, and health tracking through digital devices and applications at 46%.
Meanwhile, several lifestyle activities have become less popular. Socialising outside the home recorded the largest decline at 49%, followed by spa and recovery treatments at 33% and alcohol consumption at 26%.
"Prospective homebuyers this year tend to have a high well-being index," said Ms Sumitra.
"Developers should incorporate wellness, well-being and longevity concepts into their products to better match consumer preferences in this market environment."
She said future homebuyers were no longer focused solely on larger living spaces.
"People are looking for homes that support better health and long-term quality of life," said Ms Sumitra.
"They want access to green spaces, fresh air and environments that contribute to physical and mental well-being."
