Thailand’s economy grew at its slowest quarterly rate in a year in the third quarter, leading the government to cut this year’s growth estimate once again.
The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) cut its 2019 GDP forecast to 2.6% – from an earlier view of 2.7%-3.2% – and said growth should accelerate to 2.7%-3.7% next year.
Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy expanded 0.1% on a seasonally adjusted basis, the NESDC said.
Thailand’s export-reliant economy has been hit by slumping exports and a surging currency, leading the central bank earlier this month to cut its benchmark interest rate to a record low.
On an annual basis, gross domestic product (GDP) rose 2.4% in the third quarter, less than the forecast 2.6%. In April-June, growth was just 2.3%, the weakest pace in nearly five years.
