NEW YORK, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Thailand will likely resume normal economic growth in 2010, but possibly not until later in the year, Abhisit Vejjajiva, Prime Minister of Thailand said on Tuesday.
'Expect growth to resume at normal rates next year, toward the end of next year,' Abhisit said in a speech at Columbia University's World Leaders Forum in New York.
Abhisit also said it was also too early to talk of reducing government stimulus to the Thai economy.
It is 'premature to talk about exit strategies from stimulus packages that will support growth,' he said.
Stimulus packages were designed not only to create jobs but also for energy security, to compete in the global economy and support innovation, Abhisit said.
Abhisit became Thailand's third prime minister in as many months last December after street protests that climaxed with the seizure of Bangkok's airports, undermining investor confidence in the country and hitting an economy already on the way down.
The Thai government designed its stimulus to assist those that were most vulnerable to the decline in tourism and exports from the global economic downturn.
Those measures included income support for the elderly and comprehensive training programs for the unemployed, Abhisit said.
(Reporting by Nick Olivari) Keywords: THAILAND/PRIMEMINISTER (nick.olivari@thomsonreuters.com; +1-646-223-6151; Reuters Messaging: nick.olivari.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
'Expect growth to resume at normal rates next year, toward the end of next year,' Abhisit said in a speech at Columbia University's World Leaders Forum in New York.
Abhisit also said it was also too early to talk of reducing government stimulus to the Thai economy.
It is 'premature to talk about exit strategies from stimulus packages that will support growth,' he said.
Stimulus packages were designed not only to create jobs but also for energy security, to compete in the global economy and support innovation, Abhisit said.
Abhisit became Thailand's third prime minister in as many months last December after street protests that climaxed with the seizure of Bangkok's airports, undermining investor confidence in the country and hitting an economy already on the way down.
The Thai government designed its stimulus to assist those that were most vulnerable to the decline in tourism and exports from the global economic downturn.
Those measures included income support for the elderly and comprehensive training programs for the unemployed, Abhisit said.
(Reporting by Nick Olivari) Keywords: THAILAND/PRIMEMINISTER (nick.olivari@thomsonreuters.com; +1-646-223-6151; Reuters Messaging: nick.olivari.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.