AKIPRESS.COM - The short-term outlook for Thailand's construction sector has significantly deteriorated, as the ongoing political crisis in Thailand has heightened the previous concerns towards the sector, according to a Companies and Markets' report.

The concerns include delays in implementing several initiatives intended to spur infrastructure development, and the limited potential for growth in the residential and non-residential building sector. Thus, construction real growth has reached 3.7% in 2013 and will make 3.5% (previously 4.5%) in 2014.

In October 2013, the Thai Ministry of Energy announced that it would be amending the country's power development plan by the end of 2013. According to the Ministry's Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO), key amendments would include prioritizing coal as the preferred fuel for power generation and recommending stepping up imports of hydropower from neighboring countries. Further details have not yet been provided.