Thailand's consumer price inflation weakened more than economists expected in March, latest data showed Monday.
Inflation as per the consumer price index slowed to 2.69 percent in March from 3.23 percent in February. Economists had forecast inflation to ease to 3 percent.
Prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages advanced 3.66 percent annually, while costs of textiles and house furnishing rose 2.59 percent. Transportation and communication expenses were higher by 1.38 percent compared to last year. There was a 6.22 percent annual growth in energy prices in March.
On a monthly basis, the consumer price index edged up 0.07 percent in March, after gaining 0.21 percent in the previous month, data showed.
Core inflation, excluding raw food and energy, was 1.23 percent during the month, lower than 1.47 percent economists had forecast.
In February, Thailand's central bank kept the interest rate unchanged at 2.75 percent, citing an increase in inflationary pressures as a result of higher oil prices and faster-than-expected economic growth.
The bank said that the Thai economy may grow faster than previously projected in the periods ahead, with domestic demand being a key growth driver together with a gradual recovery of exports.
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