Gdp

The National Economic and Social Development Council  upgrades its export growth forecast to 5.8 percent from 4.2 percent. (Photo: VNA) Bangkok (VNA) – The Thai government has pledged to revitalise tourism, stimulate domestic spending , and spur exports and investment to help economic growth reach its 4-percent target this year, local media reported. Deputy Prime Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow said the government still maintains an economic growth target of 4 percent this year although various economic forecasting agencies have downgraded their outlook to only 2.7-3 percent growth. The Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) recently slashed Thailand's economic growth forecast to 2.8 percent this year, down from 4.5 percent in October 2020, while the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking maintained its economic outlook at 1.5-3.5 percent, despite the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. Supattanapong noted three factors, namely exports, domestic … [Read more...] about Thailand persists with 4-percent GDP growth target this year

Tourists wear face masks at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok in August 2020 (Photo: AFP/VNA) Bangkok (VNA) – The Thai government on March 4 unveiled its “ area quarantine ” plan to open Thailand to foreign tourists from next month. Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn revealed details of the plan after meeting with the Ministry of Public Health and 216 tourism operators. Area quarantine will be piloted in five provinces popular with foreign tourists – Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani (Koh Samui, Koh Pha-ngan) and Chon Buri (Pattaya). The plan will be operated via 29 travel agencies supervised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Under the plan’s timeline, tourists will quarantine in their rooms for the first three days and then be swab-tested for COVID-19 at their hotels. If they test negative, they will be granted access to the whole hotel or resort until their 14-day quarantine ends. After 14 days they will be tested again. If … [Read more...] about Thailand to run quarantine areas for foreign tourists next month