Economic growth slips to 5-year low, virus to hit tourismForeign tourists wear face masks to protect themselves from coronavirus or Covid-19 as they take a walk around Bangkok’s Chatuchak weekend market last Saturday. Thailand's economy grew at its weakest pace in five years in 2019, and the epidemic is hurting tourism this year. In 2019, the economy grew 2.4%, the slowest rate since 2014, but was smack in line with analysts' forecast. Annual exports in the December quarter declined 4.9% and public investment fell 5.1% while tourism growth slowed to 6.4% NESDC data showed. It forecasts 2 million fewer tourists from China alone, which accounted for 28% of Thailand's tourists and tourism revenue last year.

Source: Bangkok Post February 17, 2020 05:26 UTC