Thailand's economic recovery will be delayed and positive growth might not be seen until the final quarter of this year, later than forecast, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Friday.
After talks with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown focusing on the global economy, Mr Abhisit admitted that expectations for the Thai economy -- hit by last year's mass protests and the global slowdown -- had been lowered.
Mr Abhisit is visiting Britain from March 13-15 at the invitation of the British government.
"I think we are now looking at a delay in recovery. The projections for the global economy have been lowered,'' Mr Abhisit told journalists in England.
"We do hope though that the stimulus package that we've now pushed through will help to strengthen domestic purchasing power through the second and third quarters and we hope to see a turnaround in the final quarter.''
Mr Abhisit said he hoped parliament would give the go-ahead in a March 24 vote to begin the process of negotiations with international lenders to borrow up to US$2 billion (71 billion baht).
"If parliament approves it we can begin the process of negotiations with the lenders. We hope to have the money by the third quarter,'' Mr Abhisit said.
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- Writer: Bangkokpost.com
