FILE PHOTO: Thailand's central bank is seen at the Bank of Thailand in Bangkok. REUTERS/Jorge Silva
BANGKOK: Thailand's central bank raised its key interest rate by 25 basis points for a sixth consecutive meeting on Wednesday, to curb inflation risks as its economic recovery gathers strength against rising global uncertainties.
The Bank of Thailand's (BOT) monetary policy committee voted unanimously to raise the one-day repurchase rate to 2.00%.
Of the 22 economists polled by Reuters, 17 had expected the BOT to raise the benchmark rate a quarter point while the remaining five had forecast no change.
With Wednesday's move, the BOT has raised its key rate by a total of 150 basis points since August.
A gradual, measured policy normalisation toward a level consistent with long-term sustainable growth was still appropriate, the central bank said in a statement, adding that it was ready to adjust its stance as necessary.
It also predicted headline inflation at 2.5% this year, compared to 2.9% seen in March, while maintaining its earlier forecast of 2.4% for 2024.
Headline inflation dropped to a 16-month low of 2.67% in April, inside the BOT's target range of 1% to 3%.
Southeast Asia's second-largest economy expanded faster than expected in the first quarter this year as the tourism sector gathers momentum, with the return of Chinese tourists. - Reuters
