KRC:Domestic political situation should affect Thai economy

BANGKOK, January 21 (TNA) - The Kasikorn Research Center (KRC) has predicted that prolonged political protests should limit Thailand's economic growth rate at 3 per cent this year. According to the KRC, the prolonged and tense political demonstrations in Bangkok and other provinces have begun affecting the national economy and it will take some times for the government to be able to stimulate the national economy and restore confidence among private business operators. The leading Thai private think tank estimated that Thailand's economic growth rate should, thus, range from 2.2 per cent to 3.7 per cent in 2014, while private consumption may grow by only 1.4 per cent and overall investment by 2.2 per cent, as the government's some investment projects have been delayed. The Bangkok-based research firm assessed that the recovering world economy and the weakening Thai baht should enable Thai exports to expand by about 5 per cent year-on-year in 2014.(TNA)