Leading Thai businessmen see purchasing power improving by 5-6% on average as the economy recovers.
Executives in energy, cement, building materials and property met at Thursday's Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Engineering dinner, where they agreed that continued political stability would lead to an economic rebound in 2015.
Pailin: Consumers gain from cheaper oil
Siam Cement Group, Thailand's biggest industrial conglomerate, estimates 6% growth in domestic demand for cement and building materials in the new year, driven by state megaprojects and greater private investment.
President and chief executive Kan Trakulhoon pointed to the government's efforts to efficiently inject cash into the economy by speeding disbursement for turnkey projects.
Large construction firms have begun booking the backlog of state projects that are scheduled to begin construction in the year ahead.
On the same panel, the boss of state oil and gas giant PTT Plc said 2015 would be better for oil users, with global crude prices expected to stay low through the second quarter.
"The lower oil price means the return of purchasing power," said president and chief executive Pailin Chuchottaworn.
Mr Pailin said the tourism, transport and automotive sectors would be the first to benefit from the lower crude price.
He expects the price to bottom at no less than US$40 a barrel.
"But it is hard to predict when the downward trend will end," he said.
For the oil refining industry, the new year will be tougher as companies are compelled to carefully manage oil inventory amid risk of further losses from the fluctuating crude price.
If the situation mirrors that of 2008, the crude price should remain low through February — though Mr Pailin reckoned that the global economy is in better shape today than during the previous financial crisis.
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) also agreed that 6% growth in power demand is likely after a 2% rise in 2014.
Governor Soonchai Kamnoonsate said electric bills would start to see the effect of lower fuel prices in the next quarter, but he cautioned that the impact could be sparing because 68% of Thailand's power comes from natural gas.