Thai Q4 GDP grows 0.4% q-o-q, slower than forecast

[BANGKOK] Thailand's economy expanded less than expected in October-December from the previous three months as domestic demand slowed and tourist arrivals slumped.

The economy grew at 0.4 per cent from the previous quarter, on a seasonally adjusted basis, while economists in a Reuters poll had expected 0.6 per cent.

The on-quarter growth figure for July-September was revised down to 0.4 per cent from 0.6 per cent.

On an annual basis, the economy expanded 3 per cent in October-December, the national planning agency said on Monday, the same as in the poll and compared with 3.2 per cent in July-September.

Thailand's full-year growth was 3.2 per cent, up from a revised 2.9 per cent in 2015, the National Economic and Social Development Board said.

Growth in South-east Asia's second-largest economy has lagged regional peers. The military junta has ramped up spending and taken measures in a bid to boost growth.

REUTERS