Thai Individuals allowed to hold dollar up to US$100,000
Bank of Thailand governor Tarisa Watanagase said on Thursday after a meeting with Kosit Panpiemras, deputy prime minister, at Industry Ministry, that the authorities would allow individuals to hold dollar currency longer.
For example, the BOT would allow individuals to hold dollar up to US$100,000. This is part of the central bank's package submitted to Finance Ministry in a bid to curb the baht appreciation.
Tarisa said the central bank expects to finalise the measure tomorrow before making announcement.
Thai baht was opened at Bt33.48 to Bt33.50 per dollar on Thursday and still hovered at this range as the market is waiting for the package announcement.
Kosit also said that most of the measures proposed by the joint private committee to stem the baht can be done, although some of them may not be able to implement completely.
He said he would report about the package to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont before reporting in the meeting with the National Economic Driven Committee on Monday. Any measure requires Cabinet approval will be proposed in the Cabinet on Tuesday, he said.
According to a source, the central bank has submitted eight measures as a package to curb the baht appreciation to Finance Minister.
Some of the measures from the central bank's package include:
1. Allowing Thai companies or Thai individuals to open foreign currency accounts in the local commercial banks. Without foreign currency income, individual can't deposit more than US$100,000 in the account. In the case of companies, the limit is US$300,000 per account.
2. Individuals can invest or buy a piece of real estate in the overseas at not more than US$1 million. Individuals can also transfer money more freely to their relatives living in the overseas.
3. Listed companies in the Stock Exchange of Thailand will be allowed to buy unlimited forex to invest or do trading in the overseas.
4. Exporters or those who have foreign currency incomes do not need to convert their foreign currencies into Thai baht within 15 days as is now the case. They will have more flexibility to hold the foreign currencies longer.
However, the eight measures have not been approved by the ministry. It could be revised by the ministry before proposing to the prime minister, the source said.
The Nation
Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul