Director-general Somchai Sujjapongse recently said GDP growth this year will be unlikely to reach 3.7% as projected due to a slowdown in exports and the ongoing political upheaval but should exceed 3%. The FPO is set to revise its 2013 growth forecast next month. Despite registering a monthly growth rate above 20% this year, tourism could be hampered if political protests turn violent, said Mr Ekniti, citing the sector's 10% growth last month. Kobsak Pootrakul, an executive vice-president of Bangkok Bank, said Thai economic growth may dip below 3% this year if the political turmoil is prolonged.