"The new policies need to wait for the consideration of the next government," he said.

The planned policies the ministry will go ahead with concern monetary, fiscal, budget and investment matters, including the mega-projects.

Suparat believes the economy and its elements, including investment, consumption and exports, will pick up in line with the ministry's outlook.

"The economy wants a distinct picture of the political situation. The more politics is clear, the easier the decision-making for investing. Now society is heading to that point," he said.

Some analysts have expressed concern that Thailand's political tensions could threaten its economic growth prospects.

Supavudh Saicheua, managing director of Phatra Securities, believes the mega-investment projects will be delayed to the middle of next year when the post-political reform government is formed, assuming that political reform will take about 12-15 months.

"The delay is favourable as it will reduce the trade deficit and current-account deficit, given that the projects will import 50 per cent of their raw materials," he said.

Thaksin Shinawatra announced on Tuesday that he would step down as prime minister, despite claiming victory in Sunday's national election, to end a political stalemate that has lasted for two months.

His opponents have been angered by his family's apparent use of a legal loophole to avoid paying taxes in the sale of a controlling stake in telecoms giant Shin Corp in January for Bt73 billion.

Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya said the economy would likely expand 5 per cent on year in the second half despite political concerns, led by strengths in the manufacturing and export sectors.

"In the first half of the year, we attained 5 per cent. In the second half, I would still say that probably, on the average, we can attain 5-per-cent growth," Thanong told Dow Jones Newswires on the sidelines of a meeting of finance ministers from Asean.