THAILAND'S economy grew 9.1 percent in the second quarter as a recovery in global demand boosted exports, outweighing the blow from the political violence that hit the Thai capital in April and May.

Exports from Southeast Asia's second-largest economy grew nearly 42 percent in the three months through June, fueled by shipments of auto parts and electrical appliances, the National Economic and Social Development Board said yesterday.

The agency said that growth of 10.6 percent in the first half of the year was the highest since 1997, which reflected a comparison effect because the economy shrank a year earlier amid the global recession.

Household spending rose in the second quarter as Thais bought more vehicles and consumer appliances.