July economic growth driven by farm products

July economic growth driven by farm products

Farmers harvest durian fruits in Trat province. The Fiscal Policy Office reports on Wednesday that the growing farm income partly supported the economic expansion in July. (Photo by Jakkrit Waewkraihong)
Farmers harvest durian fruits in Trat province. The Fiscal Policy Office reports on Wednesday that the growing farm income partly supported the economic expansion in July. (Photo by Jakkrit Waewkraihong)

The economy gradually expanded in July on the back of growing farm incomes but private investment and budget disbursements fell, the Fiscal Policy Office reported on Wednesday.

Krisada Chinavicharana, director-general of the office, said farmers' income rose by 17.7%. Their seasonally adjusted produce increased 3.7% and the prices grew 16.2% year-on-year.

The higher farm incomes led to increases in new-vehicle registrations -- 7.4% for motorcycles and 9.6% for passenger cars.

Tourist arrivals grew 6.2% after seasonal factors were taken into account, driven by those from Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, South Korea, the United States and Vietnam.

Private investment, however, was sluggish, with the construction sector recording a 20.8% contraction in property transactions and a 4% drop in cement sales.

Imports of capital goods, excluding aircraft, boats and trains, were 5% lower year-on-year.

State revenue in July after allocations to local administrative organisations rose 22.2% to 174 billion baht partly due to growing petroleum royalty incomes and telecom and broadcasting fees.

Budget disbursements fell 17% year-on-year to 184.2 billion baht.

Exports decreased by 4.4%, due to rice, rubber, cassava, automotive products, plastic pellets, chemical products and electrical appliances. Shipments of electronic products increased.

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