Baht At A 9-year High

[george]

Baht at a 9-year high

BANGKOK: -- The baht currency rose to a 9-year high Thursday even as other Asian currencies generally weakened against the US dollar, heightening worries among exporters.

The baht currency was trading at 36.03-06 to the US dollar at midday, up from Wednesday's close of 36.11-13, traders said.

"The Bank of Thailand has already intervened to prevent the baht from strengthening. Otherwise, the baht's value would be even higher than it is now," central bank governor Tarisa Watanagase said.

The central bank intervened to curb the baht's movement, citing that exporters of agricultural and labour-intensive products have been affected by the strong baht.

--TNA 2006-11-30