BANGKOK, 15 June 2016 (NNT) - Financial analysts have predicted that the Thai economy in the rest of this year will grow less than 3% and warned that the baht currency will likely depreciate to 37 baht against the U.S. dollar at the end of the year.

Executive of Kasikorn Bank Kobsit Silpachai on Tuesday said that the Thai economy in the third and fourth quarters this year would still expand less than 3% due to effects from the Chinese economic slowdown and sluggish global trade. Mr. Kobsit also predicted that this year’s Thai export sector would not grow at all.

The U.K.’s EU referendum would pose a short-term risk to the Thai economy and the Fed’s likeliness to raise the benchmark rate would increase capital outflows from Thailand, the bank executive added.

Vice President of Kasikorn Securities Kawee Chukitkasem said he believed the U.K.’s EU referendum would have a short-term impact on Thai stock markets. The country’s stock index is expected to move between 1,300 - 1,400 points before rebounding to 1,500 points after the Thai economy shows signs of recovery.

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