Thai PM urged to seek extradition of Tak Bai Massacre suspect from Japan at ASEAN Summits

[webfact]

Thai export growth cools in July

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand's export growth slowed sharply in July, causing the trade balance to swing into the red, official data showed Thursday.

Strong overseas demand has helped the Thai economy to weather the negative impact of anti-government protests in Bangkok earlier this year that inflicted a heavy blow on the vital tourism sector.

In July exports increased 20.6 percent from a year earlier to 15.56 billion dollars, while imports surged 36.1 percent to 16.50 billion dollars, a 23-month high, the Commerce Ministry said.

As a result, the country posted a trade deficit of 939.8 million dollars for the month.

Last month Thailand reported June exports soared 46.3 percent from a year earlier to a record high 18.04 billion dollars.

The cooling of export growth came despite the strongest demand for Thai-made cars in 22 years, with auto shipments surging almost 140 percent in July from a year earlier to 87,605 vehicles.

The central bank last month raised interest rates for the first time since 2008, saying that the economic impact of the protests had been relatively limited, with the tourism sector showing signs of a quick rebound.

The mass rally, which brought parts of the capital to a standstill and forced some hotels and shopping centres to close temporarily, sparked violence that left 91 people dead, ending in a bloody army crackdown in May.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Thursday that the Thai economy was likely to grow by at least seven percent in 2010, although he also voiced concern about the impact of a stronger baht on exports.

Thailand will release its second-quarter growth figures on Monday.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-08-19

[liveinlos]

<EM>Thailand posts trade deficit of USD 939 million<BR><BR></EM>

<P><EM>Thailand last month incurred the first trade deficit since the beginning of the year at USD 939 million, according to Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai.</EM></P>

<P><EM>Thai exports in July amounted to USD 15.56 billion, up 20.6 per cent year-on-year, while imports hit a 23-month high at USD 16.5 billion, an increase of 36.5 per cent<BR><BR></EM>I find it extremely impossible to believe Thailand had 7 months of export gains, then all of a sudden overnight loses $1,000,000,000?<BR><BR>If anything in June and July the during the protests the exports would have been at their very lowest, yet August is first month to show a loss?<BR><BR>Now you tell me how exactly is the baht getting stronger against the dollar?<BR><BR>This is utter BS manipulation caused by the govt for the coming election<BR><BR>No amount of export increase in the world will offset negative import increases<BR><BR>So we so a lost of at least $1,000,000,000 to date<BR><BR>Thailand is trying to borrow US $1,000,000,000 from the IMF<BR><BR>I say it again, this all points to the dollar should be climbing 35 to 37 against the dollar not going the other way<BR><BR>This is pure BS and very short of facts<BR></P>

[inthepink]

Perhaps you should take a closer look at recent figures coming out of the US and give the Thai government conspiracy theories a rest.

...and what are you talking about August for? The figures for August have not come out yet, being as it is only 19th August today!

Thailand is trying to borrow $1 billion US.....where did you read that??

Edited August 19, 2010 by inthepink