Economics
Thai GDP growth exceeds expectation in Q2/2017
EIC revised Thailand’s GDP growth forecast upward to 3.6% from 3.4% as the global economic outlook improved, supporting exports to continue recovering in the remaining time of this year.
According to the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), Thailand’s GDP in Q2/2017 rose 3.7%YOY (compared to the same quarter last year), or 1.3% when seasonally adjusted and compared to the previous quarter.
In the first half of 2017, GDP registered a total growth of 3.5%YOY.
The export sector and the tourism sector supported the Thai economy
Exports grew 5.2%YOY, the highest growth in the past 4 years, on most product categories and major markets, except for export of vehicle to the Middle East. Export recovery was supported by both price and quantity factors.
Global crude oil price continued to increase in the second quarter, pushing oil-related export products to surge 27%YOY. Moreover, recovery of global manufacturing sector prompted demand for Thai manufacturing exports to expand, namely electronics and electrical appliances.
At the same time, tourism sector continuously recovered from the government’s crackdown on illegal tours and also benefited from the rebound in Russian tourists. Export of services, therefore rose over 8.8%YOY, up from 3.2%YOY in the previous quarter.
Indeed, the number of foreign tourist arrivals in the second quarter increased by 7.6%YOY. Chinese and Russian tourists rose 0.1%YOY and 19.2%YOY, respectively
Private consumption was concentrated, reflecting overall weak purchasing power
Private consumption grew 3.0%YOY, slightly down from the previous quarter. Contribution to growth was still from spending on durable goods, especially vehicles which largely grew at 13.6%YOY. This high growth was partly due to constant releases of new promotional campaigns.
On the other hand, spending on non-durable goods, such as food, beverages and apparels, stayed flat. This suggests that purchasing power of the low income did not fully recover yet.
Private investment rebounded more than expected, while public investment fell
Private investment grew 3.2%YOY driven by growth in most components. Construction investment expanded for both dwelling construction such as condominiums and non-dwelling construction such as hotels and hospitals. Investment in machinery and equipment also turned positive.
However, construction investment on manufacturing factories continued to fall, down by 9.1%YOY, as manufacturing production did not yet fully recover.
Public investment, on the other hand, contracted for the first time in the past 9 quarters after disbursement was much accelerated earlier. There was no additional economic stimulus package during the second quarter after measures to boost small-scale investment had ended.
EIC revised Thailand’s GDP growth forecast upward to 3.6% from 3.4% as the global economic outlook improved, supporting exports to continue recovering in the remaining time of this year.
Thailand’s trading partners’ economies like the US, Eurozone, Japan and China are expected to perform better than expected in 2017. Concerns on political situation in Europe have eased which will boost confidence for trade and investment.
As a result, demand for Thai manufacturing exports should continue to recover in the remaining period of the year. However, the fallen oil and commodity prices may restrain growth of related products to be lower than that in the first half of the year.
The stronger baht, which also appreciated against the US dollar by more than regional currencies did, may undermine Thai exporters’ price competitiveness, especially for commodity products. Moreover, anti-trade policy of the US remains a key risk to global trade that must be under a close watch.
Purchasing power of the low income remains weak, expecting support from government measures.
Households’ purchasing power is quite weak as the employment figure fell 0.2%YOY in the first half of this year, particularly for manufacturing employment that declined 3%YOY. The figures reflect that export recovery might not have spilled over to employment in many industries. Indeed, the export recovery has been observed mostly in industries with a small share of labor….
Author: Yuwanee Ouinong and Pimnipa Booasang
Economics
Thai fruit exports to FTA markets up 107 percent
China, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Australia and Chile are top importers of Thai fruits, especially fresh durian, mangosteen, longan and mango. Thai exporters are able to benefit from FTA privileges.
BANGKOK (NNT) – Thailand’s fruit exports continue to increase, despite the sluggish global economy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, with key trade partners being countries that have free trade agreements (FTAs) with the kingdom.
Economics
The Future of Asia: greener but with a public and private debt hangover
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a perfect storm, destroying jobs, worsening poverty and inequality, and creating a public and private debt problem—especially for countries and firms already in fragile financial health beforehand
The Sydney Opera resumed live performances and the city of Melbourne recently hosted the Australian Open tennis tournament with fans (mostly) in attendance.
BANGKOK (NNT) – The government’s 50:50 co-pay campaign expiring on 31st March may not be getting an immediate campaign extension. The Minister of Finance says campaign evaluation is needed to improve future campaigns.
The Minister of Finance Arkhom Termpittayapaisith today announced the government may not be able to reach a conclusion on the extension of the 50:50 co-pay campaign in time for the current 31st March campaign end date, as evaluations are needed to better improve the campaign.
Originally introduced last year, the 50:50 campaign is a financial aid campaign for people impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, in which the government subsidizes up to half the price of purchases at participating stores, with a daily cap on the subsidy amount of 150 baht, and a 3,500 baht per person subsidy limit over the entire campaign.
The campaign has already been extended once, with the current end date set for 31st March.
The Finance Minister said that payout campaigns for the general public are still valid in this period, allowing time for the 50:50 campaign to be assessed, and to address reports of fraud at some participating stores.
The Fiscal Police Office Director General and the Ministry of Finance Spokesperson Kulaya Tantitemit, said today that a bigger quota could be offered in Phase 3 of the 50:50 campaign beyond the 15 million people enrolled in the first two phases, while existing participants will need to confirm their identity if they want to participate in Phase 3, without the need to fill out the registration form.
Mrs Kulaya said the campaign will still be funded by emergency loan credit allocated for pandemic compensation, which still has about 200 billion baht available as of today.
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