Thai economy nears bottom; buoyed by stimulus measures

Economist, Centennial Asia Advisors

Jason Tan

Economist

Centennial Asia Advisors

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<p><strong>Thailand: Economy is looking up; now to get the politics right</strong></p><ul><li>The economy remains tepid but the deceleration should have bottomed out. Even as inflation, exports and industrial production remained negative, private consumption and investment, tourism and commercial car sales provided some positives.</li><li>With the Bank of Thailand opting to stand pat on its policy rate, which is near the record low, the government has stepped up stimulus measures to reignite economic momentum. Accelerated fiscal disbursements, initiating public infrastructure projects and fast-tracking investments will shore up sentiment and crowd in private investment.</li><li>Most crucially, even as the military government seems to be getting its policy direction on the right track, Thailand needs a clear political roadmap to democracy such that the spectre of political tensions and upheaval is completely eradicated.</li></ul>

Thailand: Economy is looking up; now to get the politics rightThe economy remains tepid but the deceleration should have bottomed out. Even as inflation, exports and industrial production remained negative, private consumption and investment, tourism and commercial car sales provided some positives.With the Bank of Thailand opting to stand pat on its policy rate, which is near the record low, the government has stepped up stimulus measures to reignite economic momentum. Accelerated fiscal disbursements, initiating public infrastructure projects and fast-tracking investments will shore up sentiment and crowd in private investment.Most crucially, even as the military government seems to be getting its policy direction on the right track, Thailand needs a clear political roadmap to democracy such that the spectre of political tensions and upheaval is completely eradicated.

North Bangkok Power Plant Block 1 Infrastructure Fund (EGATIF TB)

North Bangkok Power Plant Block 1 Infrastructure Fund

Thailand: Economy turning around but political imbroglio unresolved