The Finance Ministry on Friday maintained its economic growth forecast for this year at 4.2% and raised its export estimate, an official said.
Exports, a key growth driver, are expected to rise 8% this year, an upgrade from the increase 6.6% seen three months ago, Pornchai Thiraveja, spokesman of the ministry's fiscal policy office, told a news conference.
The economy will be driven by exports, tourism and government spending, he said. Last year's growth was 3.9%, the fastest pace in five years.
The finance ministry also predicted the central bank's benchmark interest rate will stay unchanged at 1.5%, near record lows, for the rest of 2018.