Political gridlock and street protests that culminated in a military takeover of the government in Thailand in May damaged business and consumer confidence in the first half of 2014, such that gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 0.1%. Fixed investment dropped, and private consumption fell slightly. Tourist arrivals fell by 10.4% in the first half. Net external demand rose as imports of goods and services fell more than exports, which statistically moderated the decline in GDP caused by weak domestic demand.