bangkok july 19 reuters  thailands economic recovery is intact with growth of 29 likely in the first half of this year and 42 in the second half the central bank chief said on wednesday the central bank would continue to gradually normalise interest rates to help the economy grow at its potential and keep inflation in check bank of thailand governor sethaput suthiwartnarueput told a media briefing thailand was expected to receive 29 million foreign tourists this year he added but exports a key driver of growth would be flat for the year despite growing in the second half despite falling inflation the central bank is expected to raise rates further at its next meeting on aug 2 as the economy continues to recover thailands annual headline inflation rate dropped to its slowest pace in 22 months of 023 well below the central banks target range of 1 to 3 the core rate stood at 132 in june the bot has raised its key rate thcbireci by a total of 150 basis points since august to 2 to curb inflation it earlier said core inflation remained elevated in may the central bank maintained its forecasts for economic growth at 36 this year and 38 next year the economy expanded 26 in 2022 southeast asias secondlargest economy expanded by a morethanexpected 27 in the first quarter from a year earlier as the vital tourism sector gathered strength