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Thailand: Consumer prices rise 0.76% in March
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 headline CPI index rose for a 12th straight month in March, up 0.76% from a year earlier, its slowest pace in four months, compared with the 1.30% increase forecast in a Reuters poll. In February, the index rose 1.44% year-on-year.
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. March inflation was kept down by lower global oil prices. It has also been contained by state price controls, subsidies and sluggish domestic consumption.
Last week, the central bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 1.50%, where it has been since April 2015. It next reviews monetary policy on May 24. Most economists expect no policy change through 2017.
Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/1226199/consumer-prices-rise-0-76-in-march