Asia Economics Update Thai rates will still probably move up by mid-year The Bank of Thailand (BoT) left its policy rate unchanged at 1.25% today, as was universally expected. The economy warrants higher rates but the political situation needs to calm first. We are not as... 21st April 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Weekly Thailand will probably reach a compromise soon The Bank of Thailand (BoT) is virtually certain to leave the repo rate unchanged at 1.25% at its monetary policy meeting on Thursday. Economic conditions probably warrant a move up in the policy rate... 19th April 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand political risks increase again The shocking weekend events in Bangkok could make it more difficult to reach a compromise on the date of new elections, or may bring new urgency to the negotiations. We suspect that new elections will... 12th April 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand political risks should stay contained Yesterday’s declaration of a state of emergency in Thailand could mark the start of a dangerous escalation in the confrontation between street protestors and the government. But while the stand-off... 8th April 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand political risks contained, but for how long? The government will probably continue to hold the upper hand in Thailand’s street protests and a compromise is increasingly likely which will involve early elections. But a new vote may not end the... 22nd March 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Thailand moves closer to the exit The Thai policy rate was left unchanged at 1.25% today, as expected. The Bank of Thailand (BoT) acknowledged that the economic momentum built up at the end of last year has carried forward into 2010... 10th March 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand off to a good start in 2010 The momentum built-up by the Thailand economy at the end of 2009 has carried forward into January. Consumption will be strong for a while but it is investment that will lead GDP growth this year... 1st March 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand’s recovery will be impressive in coming quarters Today’s Thai Q4 GDP data were stronger than our above-consensus forecast, with growth being led by government spending and household consumption. We expect that GDP growth will stay high for a few... 22nd February 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economic Outlook Upswings to stay impressive for a while (Q1 10) The trade-dependent economies will eventually see slower GDP growth later this year and in 2011 as the global upswing loses momentum. But Asia’s rebound will not come to a complete halt and growth, by... 19th February 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand finally catches up with the rest of Asia Thailand has lagged the regional recovery but data from the end of last year, including December foreign trade released today, have been strong. We have therefore lifted our 2010 GDP forecast... 19th January 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand shifts a little towards the exit The Bank of Thailand (BoT) kept its policy rate unchanged at 1.25% today, as expected. The upswing will probably be sluggish, but the BoT did start to prime the markets to expect rates to move up in... 13th January 2010 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Thailand in no rush to hike The Bank of Thailand (BoT) left its policy interest rate unchanged at 1.25% today, as expected. The economy is recovering but at a far slower pace than the rest of Asia. Thailand is also more reliant... 2nd December 2009 · 1 min read
Asia Economic Outlook Decoupling is back (Q4 09) We expect the upswing in emerging Asia to stay relatively strong in coming quarters. The more trade-dependent economies will be held back by the long drawn-out recoveries that are likely in the US and... 24th November 2009 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update September data confirm acceleration in Thai GDP The recovery in the Thai economy gathered momentum in the third quarter, boosted by investment and household consumption. While growth is likely to stay strong in the final quarter and over 2010 we... 30th October 2009 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Bank of Thailand to stay in the slow lane The Bank of Thailand left policy interest rates on hold at 1.25% today, as was widely expected. Although the economic recovery is gaining some traction, there is little risk that inflation will... 21st October 2009 · 1 min read
Asia Economics Update Thailand’s recovery still up and running, but pauses for breath Thailand’s recovery faltered in August but GDP still looks on track to climb in Q3. Investment and household spending will continue to lead the way and will offset yet another drag from net exports. 30th September 2009 · 1 min read