Thai GDP growth of 5% is likely this year if the global economy's performance and state spending outpace expectations, the Finance Ministry says. The government has set a 42.7-billion-baht budget for the living allowance to low-income earners in fiscal 2019, starting from October 2018. Those who participate in the government-sponsored job training programme receive an additional living allowance of 100-200 baht a month. Its latest forecast is a bit higher than the Bank of Thailand's 4.4% growth forecast and in between the National Economic and Social Development's forecast of 4.2-4.7%. The Finance Ministry's think tank also raised the country's 2018 export growth forecast to 9.7% from 8% predicted three months ago.

Source: Bangkok Post July 26, 2018 21:45 UTC