January data indicates improvement
The Thai economy shows a sign of continued recovery from the floods, as private consumption and investment in January returend to the positive territory.
According to Boonchai Charassaengsomboon, deputy spokesman of Fiscal Policy Office, value-added tax collection increased by 6 per cent on year. Preliminarily, exports in dollar term expanded 1.2 per cent on year against the 2 per cent contraction in December and the 9 per cent contraction in the fourth quarter. The manufacturing index in the month contracted only 15.1 per cent, from 25.2 per cent in December. Enjoying the recovery was also the tourism sector, as the number of foreign visitor arrivals increased.
"Latest data shows improvement from December, in terms of production and consumption. This should support a recovery in the first quarter," he said.
While citing the eurozone crisis as well as higher oil prices as acute risk factors, he said the government's stimulus measures should boost investor confidence.
