Bank of Thailand Raises Repo Rate 25bps to 3.50%

The Bank of Thailand raised its benchmark 1-day bond repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 3.50% from 3.25%.  Bank of Thailand Assistant Governor, Mr. Paiboon Kittisrikangwan, said: "The MPC agreed that the slowdown in advanced economies would partially weigh on Thai exports.  However, expanding  intra-regional trade  in tandem with the continued growth of domestic demand  in Asian economies as well as export diversification to new markets will help mitigate the impact.  Domestic consumption and investment are expected to expand due to favorable employment conditions, improved confidence, robust growth in credit demand, and fiscal stimulus going forward."

The Bank of Thailand last increased the interest rate in July this year by 25 basis points to 3.25%, continuing a string of monetary policy tightening measures, with the repo rate now 150 basis points higher than the start of the year.  Thailand reported core inflation of 2.6% in June, up slightly from 2.48% in May, and 2.07% in April, according to the Commerce Ministry.  Headline inflation was 4.1% in June, compared to 4.19% in May, and 4.04% in April.  The Bank of Thailand has an inflation target range of 0.5% to 3.0%.  The Thai baht (THB) has gained about 5% against the US dollar this year, the USDTHB exchange rate last traded around 29.9

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