(Photo by Nittaya Nattayai)Annual headline consumer prices rose less than expected in March, government data showed on Monday, giving the central bank leeway to keep interest rates low to assist economic recovery. The Commerce Ministry predicted headline inflation in the second quarter will be about 1%, annually. The Bank of Thailand has forecast headline inflation of 1.2% this year, within its target range of 1-4%. The core inflation rate, which excludes raw food and energy prices, was 0.62% in March, compared with 0.61% forecast in the poll, and against 0.59% in February. The ministry predicts headline inflation at 1.5-2.2% this year.

Source: Bangkok Post April 03, 2017 04:52 UTC