A view of Bangkok's port along Chao Phraya River. Illustration (Photo: Reuters) A weak baht is helping exports, he said, but supply chainsproblems, such as in the automobile and electronics sectors, are preventingexports from growing at its full potential.
Southeast Asia's second-largest economy is still inrecovery, helped by increased exports and a pickup in the crucial tourismsector from the pandemic. Last year's growth of 1.5% was among the lowest inthe region.
The minister's growth projection was matched by that by the JointStanding Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) while a 3.3% expansion was predicted by the Bank of Thailand (BoT).
Thailand's headlineinflation rate was less than expected in September, decelerating from theprevious month, Thai Commerce Ministry data showed the same day, butabove-target consumer prices reinforced expectations of a further interest ratehike in November.
The headline CPI rose6.41% last month from a year earlier, helped by easing energy prices and lastyear's low base, and down from August's 7.86% increase, which was a 14-yearhigh, according to the data.
Inflation may fallfurther in the fourth quarter of this year mainly due to government supportmeasures for energy and food prices, the ministry said. It forecast headlineinflation to average between 5.5% and 6.5% this year./.
VNA
