[1]In Laos, the government has reportedly already healed the economy [2] from the economic flu. But in Thailand, there seems to be more uncertainty about the health of the economy, and some commentators [3] are not ready to call the recession over. The Thai economy contracted [4] by 4.9 percent from the previous year in the second quarter of 2009, better than the 7.1 contraction posted in the first quarter. What can we expect for the rest of 2009 and 2010?
 
This is very timely question for all World Bank economists in East Asia, who are currently finalizing their forecasts for the upcoming East Asia and Pacific Update [5] economic report, to be launched in November. On my end, I am writing this post from Cambodia, where I am meeting with palm readers, fortune tellers and other economic healers to ensure highly accurate forecasts. Let me offer a preview of what the soothsayers are saying.