Un secretary predicts strong growth for thailand

The Thai economy is expected to grow at least three per cent year-on-year in 2011, based on positive signs from foreign investors, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) secretary-general Supachai Panitchpakdi said on Friday.

"The country's economic foundation is very strong while the government's economic policy will help stimulate domestic demand," Mr Supachai said.

The government should prevent political problems from slowing down the country's economic growth, he said.

The Unctad chief said one of the worrying factors for this year's economy was the volatile baht, which resulted from the economic problems in Europe.