The state planning agency, reporting January-March data on Tuesday, cut its forecast for 2019 growth to 3.3-3.8% from the 3.5%-4.5% range seen in February. And it lowered its estimate for this year's exports, the main growth driver. For now, Nomura is keeping its full-year growth forecast of 3.4%, though "the balance of risks remains tilted to the downside", he said. Thailand, the region's second-largest economy, reported first quarter growth of 2.8% from a year earlier - the smallest since 2014's final period. Also impacting the growth pace is that slowed gains for tourism and high household debt has curbed consumer spending.

Source: Bangkok Post May 21, 2019 03:00 UTC