Public investments saw growth of 9.7% year-on-year and this was partly due to a rise in investments by state-owned enterprises. Rubbing salt into the wound was the fact that the manufacturing sector saw a deceleration due to a contraction in vehicle production. Private investment is one important pillar of economic growth. Normally, the private investment performance reflects investors' confidence in the future prospects of the country, or lack thereof. The deceleration of the manufacturing sector and the decline in private investment remain as challenges to the government and economic planners.

Source: Bangkok Post May 17, 2017 21:56 UTC