Thailand plans 2017 budget deficit of 390 billion baht

[BANGKOK] Thailand's government plans a budget deficit of 390 billion baht (S$15.57 billion) for the 2017 fiscal year starting on Oct 1, the same as the current year, the transport minister said on Tuesday.

Government spending was projected at 2.73 trillion baht, about the same as this year's 2.72 trillion baht, Arkhom Termpittayapaisith told Reuters.

The cabinet approved the budget plan on Tuesday.

The military government has stepped up big investment projects in a bid to boost the economy, which is still struggling since the army seized power in May 2014 to end months of street protests, with exports and domestic demand sluggish.

REUTERS