"[Economic growth in the second half] is expected to be driven by domestic demand factors, particularly public expenditure, tourism and private consumption." Nominal farm income turned around to a 3.7% year-on-year increase in the second quarter, up from the preceding quarter's 10.8% contraction, according to central bank data. Economic growth in the second quarter is expected to surpass the preceding quarter's 3.2% growth, thanks to factors related to fiscal spending and domestic demand, says a senior Bank of Thailand official. "Overall economic growth could expand at a higher pace in the second quarter than in the first, with domestic demand being the main driver despite uncertainty about exports," said Pornpen Sodsrichai, director of macroeconomic and monetary policy at the central bank. The National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) is due to announce Thailand's April-June economic reading on Aug 15.

Source: Bangkok Post July 30, 2016 00:22 UTC