BANGKOK, Dec 18 (TNA) – The Bank of Thailand (BOT)
maintains its policy rate at 1.25 percent while revising 2019 GDP forecast to
2.5 percent.
Titanun Mallikamas, Secretary of the BOT’s Monetary Policy
Committee (MPC), announced the decision of the Wednesday’s meeting that keeps
the policy interest rate unchanged.
In the meeting, the MPC assessed that the Thai economy
expanded at a lower rate than the previous forecast due to declining exports
which affected employment and domestic demand, he said.
The Committee members voted unanimously to maintain the
policy rate, Titanun said.
The MPC projected private consumption to decline due to
lower household income and employment, particularly in export-related
manufacturing sectors, he added.
Considering the exchange rates, the MPC expressed concerns
over baht appreciation against trading partner currencies and vowed to monitor
exchange rates and capital flows amid elevated external uncertainties, Titanun
told the press briefing.
The Committee also revised its GDP forecast this year down
from 2.8 to 2.5 percent, given the shrinking exports.
For next year, the MPC predicted a 2.8 percent GDP growth, down
from the previous 3.3 percent forecast. (TNA)
