Core Viewpoint - The Bank of Thailand expresses deep concern over the significant appreciation of the Thai baht and its negative impact on the export sector, indicating that the currency's strength may further drag down overall economic growth [1][2]. Group 1: Monetary Policy Decisions - In the first monetary policy meeting chaired by the new governor, the Bank of Thailand unexpectedly decided to maintain the benchmark interest rate at 1.50%, reflecting a cautious balance between economic fragility and currency fluctuations [2]. - The monetary policy committee voted 5 to 2 in favor of keeping the rate unchanged, contrasting with the expectations of most economists who anticipated a rate cut [2]. - The central bank aims to retain policy space and has indicated that monetary policy should remain accommodative until 2026 to support economic growth and address potential shocks [2][3]. Group 2: Economic Outlook - The central bank forecasts a slowdown in the Thai economy from the second half of 2025 to 2026, with a decrease in the pace of tourism expansion due to the strong baht affecting international price competitiveness [1]. - Overall inflation is expected to decline and remain below the target range for a certain period, with projections of 0.0% for 2025 and 0.5% for 2026, significantly lower than the target of 1%–3% [2][3]. Group 3: Currency Monitoring and External Factors - The Bank of Thailand emphasizes the need to closely monitor the baht's movements and take action against excessive volatility, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining price stability and supporting economic growth [3]. - The central bank attributes the strength of the baht primarily to external factors, including significant gold trading, and is encouraging transactions in USD to mitigate excessive demand for the baht [3].
泰铢升值冲击出口 泰国央行坚持宽松货币政策以稳增长
Xin Hua Cai Jing·2025-10-22 02:38