BANGKOK (Reuters): Thailand's annual headline inflation rate rose in July, less than expectations, commerce ministry data showed on Monday (Aug 7), helped by lower energy prices from a high base a year earlier.
The headline consumer price index (CPI) increased 0.38% in July from a year earlier, compared with a forecast rise of 0.64% in a Reuters poll, and against June's 0.23% year-on-year rise.
It was the third successive month that headline CPI was below the central bank's target range of 1% to 3%.
On Monday, the commerce ministry maintained its prediction of average annual headline inflation at 1% to 2%.
In July, the core CPI was up 0.86% from a year earlier, compared with a forecast for a 0.90% rise in the poll, and against June's 1.32% increase.
The headline CPI in August is likely to rise slightly as some food prices rise due to drought, while energy prices are likely to increase, ministry official Poonpong Naiyanapakorn told a press conference.
Last week, the central bank raised its key interest rate for a seventh straight meeting to 2.25% as inflation risks lingered. It will next review monetary policy on Sept. 27.
Headline CPI rose 2.19% year-on-year in the January-July period, with the core CPI up 1.73%, the commerce ministry said on Monday.
