Thai economy can still grow 3% this year: finance minister

[BANGKOK] Thailand's economy can still expand 3 per cent this year as prospects for this month have improved, Finance Minister Apisak Tantivorawong said on Wednesday.

The minister, talking to reporters on the sidelines of a conference, did not specify what is improving. He said a 3 per cent growth rate was considered too low for a developing country such as Thailand.

The latest ministry forecast for 2015 growth is 2.8 per cent. Growth last year was 0.9 per cent.

Southeast Asia's second-largest economy has yet to regain traction 18 months after the army seized power to end months of political unrest. Exports and domestic demand remain weak.

REUTERS