-- Thailand's economy is facing a sharper-than-expected slowdown this year due to the Iran conflict, with "almost no limits" to worst-case scenarios if the war drags on, Thai Assistant Governor Chayawadee Chai-anant told Reuters on Thursday.
She said growth in the export- and tourism-dependent economy is weakening due to higher energy costs and declining visitor arrivals. Tourism from Gulf countries has yet to recover after disruptions earlier in the year, while rising fuel costs have also dampened arrivals from Malaysia, according to the report.
The central bank lowered its GDP growth projection for 2026 to 1.3%, assuming the war ends in the second half of the year, down from its December 2025 projection of 1.9%. In the same scenario, inflation is expected to reach 3.5%, the news agency reported.
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