Thai economy can withstand global volatility: central bank chief

[BANGKOK] Thailand's central bank chief said on Thursday the economy was strong enough to withstand global economic volatility and he saw no change in the export outlook despite a slump in April shipments.

The weakness seen in exports in April should be temporary, Bank of Thailand governor Veerathai Santiprabhob told reporters on the sidelines of an investment forum.

Exports, worth about two-thirds of Thailand's economic output, in April shrank 8 per cent from a year earlier in dollar terms. But the fall was just 1.55 per cent in baht terms.

The central bank has forecast exports will contract for the fourth year running this year, by 2 per cent.

REUTERS