BANGKOK, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Thailand's economy is expected to grow 2.5% to 3.0% this year, unchanged from a previous forecast, helped by government support measures and tourism, a leading joint business group said on Wednesday.
Exports, a key driver of the Thai economy, are expected to fall between 1% to 2% this year, versus a previous projection of a 0.5% to 2.0% drop, said the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking, which includes representatives from those sectors.
"The Israel-Hamas war is a new risk to the global economy," the group said.
The tourism sector might see foreign tourist arrivals of 28-29 million this year, down from 29-30 million seen earlier, the group said.
Southeast Asia's second-largest economy grew just 1.8% year-on-year in the second quarter, sharply slowing from the previous quarter, as weak exports and investment undercut strength in tourism. The economy expanded 2.6% last year.
($1 = 36.28 baht) (Reporting by Kitiphong Thaichareon and Satawasin Staporncharnchai; Writing by Orathai Sriring; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor)
