The annual headline inflation rate in May hit its highest level in 16 months and beat forecasts, driven by higher fuel prices, the Commerce Ministry said on Friday. The headline consumer price index (CPI) rose 1.49% in May from a year earlier, after rising 1.07% in April. In the January-May period, the index rose 0.89% from a year earlier. The central bank has left its policy interest rate unchanged at 1.5%, near record lows, since April 2015. Most analysts expect no policy change throughout 2018, though some see increases in the second half of this year.

Source: Bangkok Post June 01, 2018 04:41 UTC