Daily Fluctuations in Weather and Economic Growth at the Subnational Level: Evidence from Thailand

Sarun Kamolthip

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Abstract: This paper examines the effects of daily temperature fluctuations on subnational economic growth in Thailand. Using annual gross provincial product (GPP) per capita data from 1982 to 2022 and high-resolution reanalysis weather data, I estimate fixed-effects panel regressions that isolate plausibly exogenous within-province year-to-year variation in temperature. The results indicate a statistically significant inverted-U relationship between temperature and annual growth in GPP per capita, with adverse effects concentrated in the agricultural sector. Industrial and service outputs appear insensitive to short-term weather variation. Distributed lag models suggest that temperature shocks have persistent effects on growth trajectories, particularly in lower-income provinces with higher average temperatures. I combine these estimates with climate projections under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 emission scenarios to evaluate province-level economic impacts through 2090. Without adjustments for biases in climate projections or lagged temperature effects, climate change is projected to reduce per capita output for 63-86% of Thai population, with median GDP per capita impacts ranging from -4% to +56% for RCP4.5 and from -52% to -15% for RCP8.5. When correcting for projected warming biases - but omitting lagged dynamics - median losses increase to 57-63% (RCP4.5) and 80-86% (RCP8.5). Accounting for delayed temperature effects further raises the upper-bound estimates to near-total loss. These results highlight the importance of accounting for model uncertainty and temperature dynamics in subnational climate impact assessments. All projections should be interpreted with appropriate caution.

Date: 2025-06, Revised 2025-06
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:arx:papers:2506.20105

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