Economic prospects
The economy is expected to benefit this year from a relatively calm political environment, the restoration of government investment, better prospects for exports to the major industrial economies, and lower fuel costs for businesses and consumers. These factors are forecast to lift GDP growth to 3.6% in 2015 and 4.1% next year.
In particular, public fixed investment will rise in 2015 after last year’s decline and is expected to accelerate in 2016. The interim government has approved an infrastructure program that includes $95 billion in investments over 8 years in railways, roads, ports, airports, and special economic zones. This year, public investment will be confined to relatively small projects, with larger-scale construction to start from next year. The government plans to offer contracts for mass rapid transit rail lines in Bangkok and for double-tracking rail lines across the country.