Thailand’s economic outlook and regional consumption rate are on the decline, says a survey conducted by the Thai Chamber of Commerce’s Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting.

According to Saowanee Thairungroj, Rector of the Thai Chamber of Commerce University, there are only five positive economic factors in the fourth quarter of this year, including the number of tourists, border trade figures, provincial investment promotion policies, speedy budget approval, and the Government’s economic stimulus packages.

As for the negative factors, she said they included political & economic instability, labour shortage, falling prices of agricultural and commodity products, rising fuel prices, southern violence, and the decline in consumer’s confidence.

In the wake of the ailing economic performance and the decline in consumption rate, tourism is the only major factor that supports the economy, adding that public utility system plays an important role in provincial development.

Saowanee also said the Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting is set to revise the nation’s 2013 and 2014 economic growth figures on December 12.-VNA