First double-dip recession since 1998 loomsA man walks at the empty Karon beach on Phuket Island on April 1 this year. The Finance Ministry on Thursday cut its 2021 gross domestic product forecast to 1.3% growth, from the 2.3% it expected in April. The ministry forecast the baht’s average level for the year at 31.48 per dollar. Total cases rose to 561,030, of which 95% have come since the latest wave began in April, official data show. The Public Health Ministry expects the current wave to begin easing by October.

Source: Bangkok Post July 29, 2021 07:52 UTC