Thai economy to continue growing despite weaker-than-expected Q2: Central bank

BANGKOK: Despite a weaker-than-expected second quarter, Thailand’s economy is anticipated to continue growing in the second half of the entire year as tourism accumulates, the central bank said on Tuesday (Aug 16), recommending gradual policy tensing may continue.

Second-quarter growth missed the central bank’s forecast due to lower-than-expected private expenditure and inventories, yet other elements overall were better than anticipated, including exports and tourism, Assistant Governor Piti Disyatat informed TNN News.

“The picture reinforces that the economic recovery has begun, ” this individual said.

In April-June, the economic climate grew 2 . 5 per cent from a yr earlier and 0. 7 per cent from the previous three months.

In June, the financial institution of Thailand (BOT) forecast economic development of 3. 3 per cent this year, with foreign tourists noticed at 6 million. But it recently stated growth could defeat its forecast as there was some upside to its foreign tourist projection.

The government’s preparing agency forecast 9. 5 million international tourist arrivals this season. There were nearly 40 million foreign people to Thailand in 2019 before the pandemic hit.

A global economic slowdown should have a limited impact on the Thai economy as the recuperation of tourism has not historically been really sensitive to the global economy, Piti said.

Inflation will probably be higher in August before gradually falling but should be close to forecasts, he or she said.

The BOT has forecast headline inflation of 6. 2 percent this year and second . 5 per cent the coming year, compared with its focus on range of 1 % to 3 percent.

Headline pumpiing was 7. 61 per cent in Come july 1st, around a 14-year high.

Last week, the BOT raised the key interest rate the first time in nearly 4 years, by twenty five basis points to 0. 75 %, to curb pumpiing and signalled more gradual hikes.

“Gradual policy tightening will allow for a continuous rate transmission, assisting the economic recuperation and reducing the particular impact on vulnerable groups, ” Piti stated.