Thai growth beats expectations in Q3

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BANGKOK, Dec 3 (AFP): Thailand's economy grew by 4.9 per cent in the quarter to September, beating expectations and improving the kingdom's outlook for next year, the government's economic think-tank said today.
The National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) said the kingdom's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 4.9 per cent in the third quarter, compared to analyst's estimates of around 4.5 per cent.
The NESDB also projected that the economy would grow by 4.0 to 5.0 per cent in 2008, given low inflation and expectations for higher government spending after general elections on December 23.
"The economy expanded faster in the third quarter than in the first and second quarters as private consumption and investment rebounded," NESDB secretary general Ampon Kittiampon told reporters.