Thailand says growth may not reach 3% in 2024, but in 2025

The economy grew 1.9% last year, lagging its peers

    • “Thailand is about to invest more, so it is not at risk of having its credit ratings downgraded,” says Pichai Chunhavajira, Thailand’s finance minister.
    • “Thailand is about to invest more, so it is not at risk of having its credit ratings downgraded,” says Pichai Chunhavajira, Thailand’s finance minister. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
    Published Tue, Oct 22, 2024 · 05:13 PM

    THAILAND’S economic growth may not reach 3 per cent this year but should come in above that level next year as the government will accelerate investment, the finance minister said on Tuesday (Oct 22).

    South-east Asia’s second-largest economy is strong, with the public debt to GDP ratio expected to remain under its mandated ceiling of 70 per cent, Pichai Chunhavajira told reporters.

    “The Thai economy is in a growth phase,” he said.

    “Thailand is about to invest more, so it is not at risk of having its credit ratings downgraded,” he added.

    The economy grew 1.9 per cent last year, lagging peers.

    Last week’s central bank rate cut would also help boost investment and slow the baht’s appreciation, Pichai said.

    The baht has appreciated by 2 per cent against the dollar so far this year, making it the region’s second-best performing currency after Malaysia’s ringgit. The baht reached its highest level against the dollar in 31 months in September. REUTERS

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