BANGKOK, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Thailand's economic growth is projected at 2.5% in 2023 and 4.4% this year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said.

The forecast for 2023 was lower than its November projection of 2.7% growth. Its 2024 projection was above the 3.6% forecast seen in November, on account of improvements in external demand and robust growth in private consumption, bolstered by the government’s fiscal stimulus, it said in a statement dated Jan. 22. (Reporting by Orathai Sriring and Satawasin Staporncharnchai; Editing by Martin Petty)