BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thailand's economy unexpectedly contracted in the fourth quarter of 2023 and policymakers downgraded the outlook for this year, adding to pressure on the central bank to give in to the prime minister's demands for a rate cut. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who is also the finance minister, has been at loggerheads with the central bank over the direction of monetary policy, repeatedly saying rate cuts will help the economy he describes as being in crisis as it confronts high household debt and China's slowdown. Gross domestic product (GDP) fell 0.6% in the October to December quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, data from the National Economic and Social Development Council showed on Monday, down from a revised 0.6% rise in the third quarter.