Bank of Thailand keeps interest rate at record low

Bloomberg

Thailand’s central bank held its benchmark interest rate near a record low, spurning the government’s call for policy easing as it painted a brighter outlook for the economy.
Thailand’s Finance Ministry has been stepping up pressure on the central bank to cut interest rates as the currency surges and as inflation remains subdued.
Economic growth is lagging peers in Southeast Asia and the export-reliant nation is at risk from the baht which has gained more than 7 percent against the dollar this year — the strongest performance in Asia.
The Bank of Thailand is holding its ground and has argued that a rate cut may increase financial stability risks. The central bank has instead intervened in the currency market and curbed the supply of short-term bonds to restrain the baht. Inflation was 0.3 percent in August, below the central bank’s target band of 1 percent to 4 percent. While household debt has fallen this year, it is still close to 80 percent of gross domestic product.
Economist Takeaway
“The Bank of Thailand today resisted pressure from the government to loosen monetary policy,” said Gareth Leather, senior Asia economist at Capital Economics Ltd. in London. He predicted that rates may remain on hold until 2018, citing risks to the economy.
“High levels of household debt are likely to drag on consumer spending, while investment will be held back by the worsening business environment and continued political uncertainty,” he said.