Thai Economic Outlook
The Thai economy is projected to recover more slowly than the previous projection mainly as a result of weaker-than-expected export growth while inflation is projected to decrease on the back of lower cost and demand pressure. Major developments contributing to the MPC’s forecast revision include (1) slower-than-expected global economic recovery due to a slowdown in China and other Asian economies, (2) a shift in global trade structure that has reduced benefit of global economic recovery on global trade growth, (3) higher public spending than previous assessment, especially public investment, and (4) increased global oil prices in the second quarter of 2015.
The slow global economic recovery, the shift in global trade structure, structural problems in Thai merchandise exports, and the appreciation of nominal effective exchange rate together contributed to the decline in Thailand’s exports of goods. This further deteriorated income outlook and private-sector confidence. Together with cautiousness of financial institutions in loan extension, private spending would recover more slowly than previously assessed. On the other hand, public spending is projected to be higher in both budgetary investment expenditure and the stimulus package II while export of services is expected to expand more than the previous forecast from increasing number of tourists. Higher-than-expected public spending and exports of services however could not compensate for the weaker-than-expected merchandise export performance and private spending. Overall, economic growth in 2015 is projected to be less than formerly forecasted. In the period ahead, the economy is expected to gather pace in tandem with the trading partners' economies, which would shore up Thai merchandise exports. The better export performance together with continued public spending particularly in investment projects would be a boon to household incomes and confidence that lead to higher private spending. Overall, the Thai economy in 2016 is expected to register a better growth rate than this year.
Inflation outlook is less than previously assessed. Despite the increase in global oil prices in the second quarter of 2015, domestic retail oil prices fell as the government reduced oil fund levy. In addition, lower fresh food prices and the slower-than-expected economic recovery put further downward pressure on inflation. Nevertheless, the Committee assessed that the probability of deflation is still low as consumption still expands, prices of most of goods and services continue to be flat or increase, and inflation expectations remain near the policy target.
Projection for Growth and Inflation
In light of the aforementioned economic assessment, the MPC lowered the growth projection for 2015, and judged that the risks around the central projection are skewed to the downside. This is because the possibility of weaker-than-expected growth due to the impact of more severe slowdown of China and Asian economies is higher than the possibility of higher-than-expected growth from faster-than-expected disbursement of the stimulus package II. Therefore, the growth fan chart is skewed downward. The Committee also revised down the projection of headline and core inflation in 2015 and 2016, and assessed that the risks to the inflation forecasts are skewed to the downside. The downside risks come from the possibilities of slower-than-expected economic recovery and lower-than-expected global oil prices if Iran starts to export oil again or if shale oil producers find way to reduce production costs faster than the market anticipates. Therefore, the inflation fan charts are skewed downward.
Forecast Summary
Percentage Per Year 2014* 2015 2016
GDP Growth ** 0.9 3.0 4.1
(0.7) (3.9) (3.9)
Headline Inflation 1.9 -0.5 1.6
(0.2) (2.2)
Core Inflation 1.6 1.0 1.0
(1.2) (1.2)
Notes: * Actual Data
** Projection by employing new GDP data of Chain Volume Measure
() MPR March 2015
Source: Bank of Thailand Monetary Policy Report, 19 June 2015
Monthly Economic Report (June 2015 and Q2/2015)
Economic indicators in Q2/2015 showed stable signs from previous quarter. Tourism sector was the main supporting factor for Thai economy; meanwhile, manufacturing and agricultural sectors continued to contract. For demand side, private expenditures and exports showed slowing signs, while accelerating government expenditures supported Thai economy.
Source: Fiscal Policy Office, 28 July 2015
Economic Projection, 2014-2015
The Thai economy in 2014 is projected to grow within a range of 1.2 – 1.7 percent. The latter half year of 2014 is expected to grow at 2.9 percent due to the greater political clarity and planned government’s economic recovery measures during that period which are expected to support domestic absorption, especially the private consumption and the private investment to be expanded in the last quarter of 2014. Furthermore, public consumption will be the main driving factor, and continuously support Thai economic recovery this year, especially budget disbursement that could be accelerated and implemented timely.
With regard to internal stability, headline inflation in 2014 is anticipated to be 2.1 percent (or within a range of 1.9 – 2.4 percent), lower than that of the previous year, due to the decreasing prices of energy and consumer products in the world market, as a result of a slowdown in global demand for energy while there is an increase in global supply of oil, and government control on oil prices.
The Fiscal Policy Office expects the Thai economy in 2015 to grow at an increasing rate at 4.1 percent (or, within a range of 3.6 – 4.6 percent) due mainly to anticipated increase in public expenditure, especially from investment projects on infrastructure in transport sector and the state enterprises’ investment, of which will be continuously disbursed. Also, the external demand is expected to grow further, following anticipated rise in number of international tourists after political clarity. Moreover, private consumption and investment are expected to increase from the overall economic recovery and clear government policies, which will raise the confidence of consumers and investors. For internal stability, it is anticipated that the headline inflation in 2015 will be at 2.2 percent (or, within a range of 1.7-2.7) rather similar to the previous year, according to the stable global crude oil prices.
Source: Fiscal Policy Office, 30 October 2014.
Last Updated: July 2015
By BOI