Thailand ready to adjust current policy rate due to concerns over Middle East conflict
Thailand's current policy rate is appropriate for the economy, but the country is ready to make "adjustments" if needed in the context of increasing risks across the world and concerns over the Middle East conflict, said Governor of the Bank of Thailand (BoT) Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput.
Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand's current policyrate is appropriate for the economy🔴, but the country is ready to make"adjustments" if needed in the context of increasing♔ risks across theworld and concerns over the Middle East conflict, said Governor of the Bank of Thailand (BoT) Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput.
The governor said that Southeast Asia's secondlargest economy is still expected to grow close to the forecast of 2.8% thisyear although third-quarter growth might be softer than expected. The central bank's growth forecast of 4.4% for 2024 willbe revised if there is any change in the government's stimulus plan, he added.Last year, the Thai economy grew 2.6%. Sethapiut said that the BoT isconcerned about the fallout from the conflict in the Middle East, according toReuters. Last month, the BoT's monetary policy committeeunexpectedly raised the key interest rate by a quarter point to2.50%, the highest in a decade, saying growth and inflation are likely to pickup next year. The rate has been raised by a total of 200 basis pointssince August last year to rein in elevated inflation. The governor said that thebaht currency has been more volatile than its peers due to external factors andcapital outflows from the country. The baht has fallen about 4.4% against the US dollar sofar this year, with capital outflows at 308 billion baht (8.53 billion USD)since the beginning of this year./.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra, was elected new leader of the Pheu Thai party on October 27, the Thai PBS reported.
Thailand's Finance Ministry on October 27 cut its 2023 economic growth forecast to 2.7% from 3.5%, due to weaker exports and lower government consumption.
Thai Airways marked the resumption of its flights to/from Vietnam with a flight landing at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and other from Hanoi to Bangkok on October 29.
The Department of Provincial Administration (DPA) under the Thai Ministry of Interior has formed a central task force to step up the enforcement of laws against criminal offenders, ranging from drug traffickers to nightclub operators.
Thailand is developing its northeastern dry port of Nong Khai into a regional connectivity hub and pilot border checkpoint, according to Thai government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke.
Two naval gunboats intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 1.5 tonnes of methamphetamine hydrochloride off the coast of the main island of Luzon just before dawn, in a joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
In the today context of socio-economic development and growth, the professionalism of Vietnam’s revolutionary journalists continues to rise, guided by exemplary mastery of new information technologies and the modernisation of their founding principles to preserve the enduring values of revolutionary journalism.
Thai Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Vuttikrai Leewiraphan Thailand's formal proposal will be substantial enough for the US to consider further detailed negotiations. He hoped for a tariff rate not exceeding 10% and suggested that the US might extend the negotiation period if an agreement is not reached by the July 8 deadline.
Organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Association of Thai Silk & Culture Promotions, the event honors Her Majesty the Queen on her 47th birthday anniversary and promotes Thai craftsmanship on an international stage.
Prensa Latina's recent article on Vietnam’s assurance of smooth and effective transition to a leaner structure highlighted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s latest directions on implementing 28 resolutions regarding the decentralisation and delegation of authority.
The lab focuses on four key thematic areas: energy transition and green innovation, sustainable agriculture, circular economy and sustainable cities, and nature-based solutions and biodiversity.
The key content of the document titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges" will be refined further in a seminar preceding the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.
This follows Telegram’s serious failure to address the content that has been repeatedly reported to them, despite various efforts of negotiation and cooperation made by MCMC, it said.
Efforts to empower women must transcend dialogue and translate into concrete commitments, including corporate pledges and government partnerships, according to the spouse of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The forum featured two in-depth discussion sessions, engaging representatives from governments, think tanks, and businesses from both ASEAN and China, on how to forge closer ties for a common future.
The new FIFA Hub in Jakarta will not only support football development in Indonesia but also serve as a coordination centre for 21 football associations across Southeast and East Asia.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen reaffirmed Vietnam’s principled and consistent stance on the Palestine issue, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire across the entire Gaza Strip.
PM Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the determination of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, to utilise all viable regional mechanisms of the bloc and work with partners to de-escalate violence and restore a peace process led by Myanmar.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
Illustrative photo (Photo: Reuters) 
