UPDATE 2-Thai c.bank keeps policy rate at record low, warns of COVID-19 risks * Central bank holds key rate at record low 0.50%, as expected * Says economy to expand sharply less than forecast this year * Says monetary policy to remain accommodative * Says fiscal policy, exports to support economy (Adds GDP scenarios, analyst…
Thailand to likely slash GDP forecasts after new COVID-19 wave Thailand’s central bank will likely slash its economic growth outlook for both this and next year as the country struggles with a rapidly spreading third wave of COVID-19 infections. The new outbreak, driven in part by the highly transmissible B.1.1.7 variant, has caused over 26,000 cases and…
Bank of Thailand to introduce assistance measures amid COVID-19 surge BANGKOK (NNT) – The Bank of Thailand (BoT) is ready to introduce necessary assistance measures in addition to recent support schemes, which the government approved financial measures worth 350 billion baht to help business cope with the outbreak impact. BoT Deputy Governor Ronadol Numnonda said…
Thailand denies manipulating exchange rate to gain unfair trade advantage The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has asserted that it has stepped into the market only to curb volatility in the baht, and Thailand has never used the exchange rate as a tool to gain an unfair trade advantage. BoT assistant governor Chantavarn Sucharitakul said the…
Thailand central bank unfazed by US currency watchlist inclusion Bank of Thailand headquarters buildings in Bangkok. Thailand’s central bank has responded to the US decision to keep the nation on watch for currency manipulation by asserting it has stepped into the market only to curb volatility in the baht. Bloomberg/Bangkok The Bank of Thailand has…
Thailand Has Never Used Exchange Rate to Gain Unfair Trade Advantage BANGKOK (NNT) – The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has asserted that it has stepped into the market only to curb volatility in the baht, and Thailand has never used the exchange rate as a tool to gain an unfair trade advantage. BoT assistant governor Chantavarn…
Thai economy will see worst-case scenario from delay of reopening to foreign tourism The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has advised the government to prepare additional financial and fiscal aid packages to protect against uncertainties under the worst-case scenario. The bank projected the Thai economy would recover slowly and unequally in the short term. Reopening the…
BoT urged to keep credit card measure The credit card club of the Thai Bankers’ Association has proposed the central bank maintain a minimum debt payment measure for credit cards to help alleviate the financial burden on consumers during the country’s uneven economic recovery. Atis Ruchirawat, managing director of General Card Services Ltd, which runs…
Higher Spending Supports Economic Recovery in February BANGKOK (NNT) – The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has reported that the economy gradually recovered in February, mainly supported by higher private consumption and a slower spread of Covid-19. BoT’s senior director of the economic and policy department Chayawadee Chai-Anant said higher private consumption is largely due to improvement…
Thai central bank leaves rate at record low, warns of economic risks Thailand’s central bank left its key interest rate unchanged at a record low on Wednesday, February 3, preserving its limited policy ammunition, but warned of risks as the country deals with a fresh wave of coronavirus infections. Southeast Asia’s second largest economy continues to recover…