FILE PHOTO: Thailand's central bank is seen at the Bank of Thailand in Bangkok, Thailand April 26, 2016. REUTERS/Jorge Silva/File Photo

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's central bank is expected to keep its key interest rate at a record low 0.50% on Wednesday, as the Southeast Asian country struggles with its biggest COVID-19 outbreak to date, a Reuters poll showed on Monday.

 

The Bank of Thailand (BOT) said last month the key rate was likely to stay low for a while amid a slow economic recovery.

 

With the BOT's limited policy ammunition, all 18 economists surveyed expect the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to hold its one-day repurchase rate at 0.50% this week, with several seeing no policy change throughout 2022.

 

The BOT has kept the policy rate unchanged after three cuts in the first half of 2020, easing the effects of the pandemic.

 

It has since focused on targeted financial measures along with fiscal policy it has said must play a key role in supporting growth.

 

"The MPC would keep a hold on its policy rate but will have to resort to other measures to facilitate the transmission of their accommodative monetary policy," said Kobsidthi Silpachai, head of capital markets research of Kasikornbank.

 

In June, the BOT cut its 2021 economic growth forecast to 1.8% from 3.0% due to the outbreak, and last week it said stricter containment measures imposed last month were expected to cut gross domestic product by as much as 2%.

 

The curbs will be extended for at least two weeks from Tuesday, with lockdown areas expanded.

 

While predicting no policy change, Tim Leelahaphan, an economist at Standard Chartered, said "we expect one or more dissenting votes for a cut, sending a dovish signal to markets".

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-08-02

 

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Shocking!

How can the general afford to borrow more if the rates go up....