Commerce Ministry Reports Higher Inflation Rate In September

[Jai Dee]

Commerce Ministry reports higher inflation rate in September

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Siripol Yidmuangcharoen (ศิริพล ยอดเมืองเจริญ), says the inflation rate of September was higher than the previous month due to a 0.5% increase in consumer index, especially in the categories of food and beverages.

In addition, the permanent secretary says there was a 0.6% increase in other categories as well due to the Excise Department’s decision to raise taxes of alcohol and cigarettes.

In comparison to the same period of last year, the average inflation rate of the first nine months of this year is higher by 2.1%.

As for the inflation rate of the rest three months, the permanent secretary expects that it will be less than 2.5%. However, he says oil prices in the global market might affect this rate.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 October 2007