BANGKOK, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's central bank held its key interest rate unchanged on Wednesday in a move to preserve limited policy flexibility amid high uncertainties arising from global trade and local political tensions.
The Bank of Thailand's monetary policy committee voted 6-1 to keep the one-day repurchase rate steady at 1.75 percent, the lowest rate since April 2023, after slashing the benchmark rate by 25 basis points for two consecutive meetings.
"The committee deems that monetary policy should be accommodative to support the economy looking forward, and the previous policy rate cuts have already provided some cushion against the prevailing risks," the central bank said in a statement.
The Thai economy expanded more than anticipated in the first half of 2025, driven by a surge in manufacturing and front-loaded exports ahead of the impending U.S. tariffs, the central bank said.
However, the momentum is projected to slow in the second half of the year as headwinds, including changes in U.S. trade policy and softer domestic consumption, take hold, it said. ■