IMF warns Asian governments, including Thailand, to accelerate fiscal consolidation and suggests using AI to increase tax collection efficiency

Published 2026-10-17

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released a report on the economic situation in the Asian region, stating that the interest burden for governments in many countries is trending toward 2.5% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This situation could lead to a reduction in government fiscal space and increase risks in budget management.

For Thailand, the IMF has provided policy recommendations to help the government navigate these economic challenges, emphasizing the importance of gradual fiscal consolidation to prevent negative impacts on long-term economic growth and to ensure the government has sufficient budget for essential projects.

One of the notable proposals is the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in government administration, particularly to increase the efficiency of tax collection. This would enable the government to reduce revenue leakage and expand the tax base more accurately without imposing a broader burden on the public.

Furthermore, the IMF emphasized that tax structure reform and the use of modern technology will be key factors in helping countries in the Asian region, including Thailand, achieve fiscal sustainability amidst the current highly volatile global economic conditions.

In summary, the IMF's recommendations serve as a warning signal for the Thai government to accelerate adaptation and adopt innovation to maintain the country's economic stability and prepare for the potential rise in interest burdens in the future.

Sources: thestandard.co

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