Slowing growth sends index to lowest point in three years.

Byline: Phusadee Arunmas

Aug. 12--Consumer confidence in July reached its lowest point in three years as rising fuel prices and concern over the economic slowdown weighed further on public sentiment.

The Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) in July was 84.7, down from 85.7 in June and the lowest reading since June 2002, according to the monthly survey of 2,237 respondents by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

The survey also found that consumers were less confident in the economic situation and future income, leading to mounting reluctance to spend on durable goods such as vehicles and houses and a tendency to travel less, according to …