Consumer confidence in Thailand fell for the first time in five months in Thailand. That could weaken the government and hurt economic growth. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce in Bangkok calculates, that index measuring consumer confidence fell to 82 from 83.6 in December. Thaksin is counting on increasing exports, state spending and consumption to fuel as much as 6% growth this year from an estimated 4.7% in 2005. Increasing demand for automobile and electronic parts could fuel 17% export growth this year from 15% in 2005. ‘The political tension was very high, with many academics, activists and politicians’, said an economist of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce. Sondhi Limthongkul, the media investor, led a rally in Bangkok on Saturday calling for Thaksin's resignation. It happens after the sale of a controlling part in Shin Corp. to Temasek Holdings of Singapore that earned the prime minister's family a tax-free $1.9 billion. The rally counts 25,000 to 50,000 people.

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