Thai Economy Expands More Than Estimated on Public Investment
Suttinee Yuvejwattana

BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s economy grew more than analysts estimated in the third quarter as government stimulus spending and a rise in tourist arrivals offset weak local demand and exports.

Gross domestic product gained 2.9 percent in the three months through September from a year earlier, the National Economic and Social Development Board said in Bangkok Monday. That compares with the median estimate of 2.5 percent in a Bloomberg survey of 26 analysts. GDP grew 1 percent from the previous quarter, compared with a prediction for a 0.6 percent gain.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha is seeking to accelerate spending on railways, roads and checkpoints to boost border trade with neighboring countries as overseas demand for Thailand’s disc drives and automobiles remains subdued. The central bank this month kept its key interest rate unchanged for the fourth straight meeting as it waits to assess whether the stimulus will succeed in boosting weak local demand.

Full story: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-11-16/thai-economy-expands-more-than-estimated-on-public-investment

-- Bloomberg Business 2015-11-16

In Shangri-la everyday is good news day.

And then the reality...

If you open this link and choose to look the 5 year statistics, 2012 there was a peak but before that - and after - the economy looks rather flatlined.

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/thailand/gdp-growth

Talking up the economy, a point .4 percent increase on GDP from predicted figures , hardly worthwhile getting out of bed for, when you get to 3.8% give us a call........

This important (but minor) increase in the GDP growth rate was then greeted by a 0.6% drop in the benchmark SET Index of stocks. Thailand is still experiencing about half the growth rate of the ASEAN community and predicted to continue so in 2016. Both Thai and foreign investors will look for the greatest growth potential and Thailand is not now very attactive.

And then the reality...

If you open this link and choose to look the 5 year statistics, 2012 there was a peak but before that - and after - the economy looks rather flatlined.

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/thailand/gdp-growth

The 5 year view has nothing to do with the subject of the article in the OP.

Thai Government public investment stratagies certainly appear to be working.

On a recent visit to the Local Shopping Mall, I could not help but notice the large increase in Thais looking at smart phones, I pads, and other expensive electronic devices.

No doubt these Thai,s are looking to inject cap-ex, and infrastructure into their SME business,s useing the cheap Government money loans from the Government.