GDP

2009 GDP may fall below 2%
Fri, November 28, 2008 : Last updated 15:55 hours

Thailand's 2009 economic growth could fall below 2 per cent, as it should take at least a year in restoring investor confidence following the political unrests, said Finance Minister Suchart Thadathamrongvech.

National Economic and Social Development Board estimated that if political unrests, which led to the shutdown of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, are prolonged by another 3 months, Thailand could lose hundreds of billion of revenue.

"This tarnishes confidence and it should take over 1 year to restore it. It's thus possible that the economic growth could be 2 per cent or lower," he said.

He also showed concerns that the Bt100 billion economic stimulus fund may be delayed or could not be distributed due to the political conflicts as well as the pending legal proceedings on People Power Party.

nationmultimedia.com