Soon after Yingluck took office in the summer of 2011, the Thai economy came to a virtual standstill as flooding swept much of the central part of the country. But growth rebounded last year to a robust 6.4%, due in large part to voracious domestic spending and a healthy manufacturing sector. Prime Ministeer Yingluck stated that the economy is expected to maintain growth at around 4.5-5.5% in 2013. To ensure longer-term growth, her government will devote itself to strengthening the Kingdom's economic foundations. Thailand will spend 2.2 trillion baht (US$75.1 billion) -- roughly equivalent to its annual budget -- on infrastructure over the next seven years.