Thailand’s economy expanded 2.8% in the April-to-June quarter from a year earlier, outpacing the 2.5% median forecast in a Reuters survey, the National Economic and Social Development Council said. The second-quarter performance was buoyed by exporters rushing shipments to the United States ahead of a 19% tariff that took effect on 7 August, partially offsetting weaker tourist arrivals. With the front-loading expected to unwind, the planning agency trimmed its full-year 2025 growth projection to a range of 1.8%–2.3% and warned that momentum will cool in the second half. Exports, which jumped 15% in the first six months, are now seen rising 5.5% for the full year. The council also cut its forecast for foreign visitors by 10% to 33 million. Policymakers have begun shoring up support. Parliament last week passed a 3.78 trillion-baht ($116.6 billion) budget for the 2026 fiscal year, while the Bank of Thailand lowered its benchmark rate to 1.50%, a near three-year low, and signalled room for further easing. Analysts say the tariff shock will ripple across Southeast Asia. Nikkei Asia notes that other export-oriented ASEAN members, which saw robust second-quarter expansion from similar shipment front-loading, now face a slowdown. IMF projections put Philippine growth at 5.5%, Vietnam 5.2% and Indonesia 4.7% in 2025, while Thailand is expected to trail the pack at 1.8%.