Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij on Monday expressed concerns that extended anti-government protests in Bangkok may hurt the Thai economic recovery.

Finance Minister Korn had earlier projected the Thai economic growth for the 1st quarter of this year to be at least 5 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Thai baht on Monday weakened by 0.3 pct, the most in the past five weeks on concern that the anti-government protests in Bangkok could escalate, forcing investors to sell local stocks. The baht could fall to near Bt 33 per US dollar within the next 2-3 days, according to currency traders.

Declines of the Thai stocks index may continue this week as the anti-govt rallies escalates, Thai Stock Exchange President Patareeya Benjapolchai said today.

The Thai consumer confidence index fell for the first time in four months last month on concerns over the rising political tensions.