Economy slows in Jan after virus outbreak but vaccines a boost

Thailand’s economy slowed in January from the previous month as the recent coronavirus outbreak hit domestic activity but the start of the country’s vaccination drive should spur confidence and tourism, the finance ministry said on Wednesday.

The country has received its first vaccines against Covid-19, with inoculations set to begin in a few days.

“The vaccines should help tourism and may draw more foreign tourists in the second half of the year,” Wuttipong Jittungsakul, the ministry’s deputy spokesman, told a briefing.

The ministry, however, is sticking to its forecast of five million foreign visitors this year, he said, adding it will review…