Thailand’s economic growth this year would fall short of its projection to below 3 percent, according to forecast by the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

The reason attributed the lower growth to the domestic political unrest coupled with sluggishness of the global economy.

FTI Vice Chairman Tanit Sorat said economic growth could fall below 3 percent to just 2.8 percent.

He added that as the country awaits national elections set on February 2, Thai economy will be barred from expanding until the second quarter of 2014.

He said GDP growth next year will fail to reach 4-5 percent as predicted by Office of the National Economics and Social Development Board.

The Thai economy in 2013 is projected to grow by 3 percent, compared with 6.5 percent in 2012. The growth rate is likely to be around 4-5 percent in 2014.-VNA