Thai central bank holds key interest rate, as expected

Thai central bank holds key interest rate, as expected BANGKOK, June 24 : Thailand's central bank kept its key interest rate unchanged for a second straight meeting on Wednesday, as expected. The Bank of Thailand's monetary policy committee voted unanimously to maintain the one-day repurchase rate at 1.00 per cent. All 28 economists in a Reuters poll had expected the central bank to hold policy steady. Of those surveyed, 23 of 27 predicted the rate would remain unchanged throughout 2026, while three forecast at least one 25-basis-point hike by the year-end, and one expected a rate cut. Six cuts between October 2024 and February had reduced the key rate by a total of 150 basis points as policymakers sought to spark Southeast Asia's second-largest economy, which has been grappling with sluggish domestic demand and high household debt. [Image text:] BANKOE THAILAND