Thailand sees economy slow in third quarter

ECONOMIC growth in the third quarter decelerated to 3.3 per cent, the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) announced on Monday. Gross domestic product grew 3.3 per cent in the third quarter this year, compared to 4.6 per cent in the previous quarter. NESDB secretary general Thosaporn Sirisumphand on Monday said growth was driven mainly by domestic demand while external demand slowed. Exports of goods and services declined by 0.1 per cent in contrast to a rise of 6.8 per cent in the second quarter. The state think-tank forecast full year growth at 4.2 per cent and 2019 growth at between 3.5-4.5 per cent.