Thailand keeps rate at record low, cuts GDP outlook

BANGKOK: The Bank of Thailand kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at an all-time low and cut its growth forecast as it lets fiscal measures take the lead in reviving the economy from its sharpest fall in more than two decades.

The central bank held the policy rate at 0.5% in a unanimous decision, after cutting by a total of 75 basis points last year. All 25 economists in a Bloomberg survey predicted the hold.

Monetary policy must stay accommodative while “fiscal measures must continue to sustain the economy, ” the central bank said in a statement. It added that it would “monitor the adequacy of the government measures and various risks, ” and is “ready to use additional appropriate monetary policy tools if necessary.”

Many economists expect the Bank of Thailand to stand pat…