Thai central bank cuts key rate again, lowers growth forecasts as tariffs loom
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Thai central bank cuts key rate again, lowers growth forecasts as tariffs loom
13 Sept 16:02Key points summarised by AI
The Bank of Thailand's Monetary Policy Committee cut its key policy rate by 25 basis points to 1.75% to address a deteriorating economic outlook.
The rate reduction aims to cope with increased downside risks, primarily stemming from global trade policies and the looming impact of US tariffs.
The central bank significantly lowered its GDP growth forecast for 2025 to 2.0% and warned that growth could drop to 1.3% this year if trade tensions escalate.
Further economic headwinds include subdued headline inflation, which is expected to fall below the target range, and a reduction in projected foreign tourist arrivals.
Thailand's Education Ministry is implementing a four-pronged strategy to address its students' below-average performance in PISA 2025 and tackle significant educational inequality.
The plan prioritizes closing performance gaps by increasing funding for small and low-income schools, overhauling the curriculum to foster critical thinking, and adopting a data-driven management system to reduce teacher workload.
Key initiatives include enhancing school safety, combating cyberbullying, and expanding mental health support through peer-to-peer networks, recognizing the severe impact of distress on academic performance.
An education expert advises verifying if PISA improvements stem from structural changes, advocating for a revived STEM curriculum with practical 'learn by doing' methods, and urging bureaucratic reform to link teacher evaluations to student development.