The Ministry of Commerce organises "Thong Fa" (Blue Flag) stores offering affordable, quality goods to the public at Kheha Market in Bang Kapi's district, Bangkok, from May 10 to 12, 2026. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)
Thailand's economy requires a coordinated policy mix and structural changes to handle heightened risks from the Middle East war as the outlook dims, minutes of the Bank of Thailand's (BoT) April 29 policy meeting showed on Wednesday.At the meeting, the central bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) unanimously voted to keep the one-day repurchase rate unchanged at 1.00% as it assessed the impact of higher oil prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East.
Consumption-based stimulus offered only transient economic support, the minutes said, adding that policy should prioritise structural transformation and the preservation of fiscal space.
Overall credit growth was expected to remain subdued this year, the minutes showed.
Last week, Governor Vitai Ratanakorn revised growth forecasts to 2.1% this year and 1.6% for next, from 1.5% and 2.0% previously at the policy review.
