(Adds detail, context)
BANGKOK, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Thai consumer confidence rose
for an eighth straight month in January, bolstered by a rebound
in tourism and government stimulus measures, but the high cost
of living remained a worry, a survey showed on Thursday.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of
Commerce hit a 26-month high of 51.7 in January from 49.7 in the
previous month.
Consumers felt the economy had improved following a clear
recovery in the vital tourism sector, particularly with the
return of Chinese tourists, the university said in a statement.
"All indices were higher, suggesting consumers were
confident that the economy was recovering and they would start
spending more in the first quarter," the university said.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha was cited
as saying
more than 30 million
foreign tourist arrivals were expected this year as the
sector gathers steam. The government is forecasting at least 7-8
million Chinese visitors this year as China reopens.
In 2022, Thailand
beat its tourism target
with 11.15 million foreign visitors, a surge from about
428,000 the previous year when broad pandemic-related travel
curbs were in place.
Pre-pandemic 2019 saw a record of nearly 40 million
foreign tourists, who spent 1.91 trillion baht ($56.98 billion).
$1 = 33.5200 baht)
(Reporting by Orathai Sriring, Kitiphong Thaichareon and
Satawasin Staporncharnchai
Editing by Ed Davies)
