BoT sees need to keep policy space for future risks

BoT sees need to keep policy space for future risks

The Bank of Thailand is fixed on preserving monetary policy space to address possible future risks, according to the Sept 25 meeting minutes. (Bangkok Post photo)
The Bank of Thailand is fixed on preserving monetary policy space to address possible future risks, according to the Sept 25 meeting minutes. (Bangkok Post photo)

The Bank of Thailand saw a need to preserve monetary policy space to address possible future risks when it kept its benchmark rate on hold last month, meeting minutes showed on Wednesday.

The BoT remained worried about the impact of the strength of the baht on Southeast Asia's second-largest economy and would consider implementing additional measures as needed, according to minutes of the Sept 25 meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee.

The baht is Asia's best performing currency so far this year, up 7.3% against the US dollar, driven by the hefty current account surplus and fund inflows. It traded at 30.32 dollars at 11.05am on Wednesday, the highest in more than six years.

"The Committee remained concerned about baht appreciation against trading partner currencies given the economic slowdown prospects, as the economy could be more sensitive to greater currency appreciation," the minutes said.

"This would be an additional pressure on the softening domestic demand, particularly export-related manufacturing and services sectors."

BoT governor Veerathai Santiprabhob told Reuters on Friday the central bank planned to further relax rules on fund outflows by the end of the year to help balance flows.

At the Sept 25 meeting, the committee left the policy rate unchanged at 1.50% after August's surprise cut -- its first since April 2015.

The central bank also downgraded its 2019 economic growth outlook to 2.8% from 3.3%. Last year's growth was 4.1%.

The next monetary policy review is on Nov 6.

"The committee saw the need to preserve policy space in order to cushion against possible risks in the future and deemed it necessary to monitor the impact of the policy rate cut and fiscal stimulus measures on the economy," the minutes said.

Some committee members felt that "given the already accommodative monetary policy stance, the policy rate cut might not lend significant additional support to economic growth", compared with potentially increased financial stability risks.

While some financial system risks had been partly addressed by macroprudential measures, other risks to financial stability had not improved and warranted monitoring, the minutes said. (continues)

High and rising household leverage could lead to an accumulation of risks in the household sector, the minutes said.

Thailand's household debt accounted for 78.7% of gross domestic product at the end of June, among the highest in Asia.


Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT

Foreign tourists seen at more than 5m this year

Foreign tourist arrivals could number more than 5 million this year, a private tourism group said on Wednesday, following a resumption of the country's quarantine waiver.

15:20

House speaker: Parliament still safe from Covid-19

House Speaker Chuan Leekpai reaffirmed on Wednesday that parliament was still safe from Covid-19, with strict health measures in place, and would meet as normal.

14:53

Rice export target set at 7m tonnes

Thailand has set a rice export target at 7 million tonnes this year, 14.6% higher than in 2021, the leading rice exporters body said on Wednesday.

14:52