Mastercard’s Online Shopping Index 2015 has identified that 75.8 per cent of those surveyed said they often shop compulsively as they are attracted to low prices or substantial discounts offered via online channels, second only to shoppers in the Philippines, who came in first at 76.4 per cent.

This price competitiveness factor is considered to be the number one driver in shoppers’ online decision making in Thailand and other Asia Pacific countries. Other factors which trigger impulse shopping online include advertisements and promotions (56.2 per cent) and unique products available only online (48.7 per cent).

Tax exemption schemes during the festive seasons and long additional holidays and breaks have encouraged Thais to spend their earnings on dining, shopping and travelling, according to the survey.

The index also reports that clothing and accessories are the items that most often trigger impulse shopping (44.7 per cent), followed by beauty and personal care products (34.6 per cent) and toys & gifts (31.9 per cent).

The websites visited most often by Thai consumers include Facebook, leading at 72 per cent, followed by Youtube (54.4 per cent) and Google (33 per cent) respectively.