BANGKOK, Nov 16 — Thailand’s economy shrank more slowly in the third quarter, with the contraction limited to 6.4 per cent thanks to a recovery in domestic activity after coronavirus restrictions were eased but an ongoing travel ban has kept most foreign tourists away.
The data released today by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDB) showed a marked improvement from the June quarter, when the economy suffered a 12.1 per cent decline, the sharpest fall in over two decades.
On a quarterly basis, the economy expanded a seasonally adjusted 6.5 per cent in the September quarter, the fastest pace in more than eight years, after a record contraction of 9.9 per cent in the prior quarter.
Economists in a Reuters poll had forecast the economy would shrink 8.6 per cent year-on-year and grow 3.8 per cent quarter-on-quarter.
As a result, the government raised its 2020 outlook for a contraction of 6.0 per cent from a previous forecast 7.3 per cent-7.8 per cent decline. It now expects exports to fall 7.5 per cent this year, rather than drop 10 per cent.
The upgrade came in amid a slump in tourism, tepid global demand, a strong baht and months of domestic political protests.
“The Q3 data was quite a surprise but the economic picture has not changed and we expect a decline until the first quarter,” said Thammarat Kittisiripat, economist of Tisco group.
While Thailand has removed most restrictions as local infections slow, its economy continues to suffer from soft global demand and the absence of foreign tourists. It started last month to let some foreign visitors return.
“A rising trend in the number of Covid-19 cases globally during the Northern Hemisphere winter will subdue the economy for the next two quarters,” said Kobsidthi Silpachai, head of capital markets research of Kasikornbank.
Today, the NESDC said it expected 6.7 million foreign tourists to come to Thailand this year — between April and early October there were none — after last year’s record 39.8 million with their spending accounting for 11.4 per cent of GDP.
It predicts only five million foreign visitors in 2021.
The government has supported the economy with a 1.9 trillion baht (RM264 billion) stimulus package, while the central bank has slashed interest rates by 75 basis points this year to a record low of 0.50 per cent.
The main stock index rose 1.37 per cent at 0340 GMT while the baht was little changed at 30.14 per dollar. — Reuters
