Thai consumer index drops 1% in September


BANGKOK, Oct 1 (TNA) - Thailand’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) in September fell by 1 per cent year-on-year, said Deputy Permanent Secretary for Commerce Pimpapaan Chansilpa.

The CPI in September fell for the ninth consecutive month, resulting from a drop in oil prices, which contributed to lower prices for transportation and communication.

However, food and beverage prices particularly pork, fish, eggs, dairy products, vegetables and instant foods increased.

Inflation in the first nine months of this year dropped 1.7 per cent, compared to the same period last year because of a drop in oil prices and extension of the government’s measures to reduce utility and public transportation prices for low income earners.

Inflation is likely to turn positive in October after the nine-month drop, she said.

The commerce ministry projected that the inflation rate for the whole year will contract 1-0 per cent on an assumption that the Dubai crude oil price will hover around US$ 50-60 per barrel on average and the Thai baht was around 35-36 baht per US dollar.

The core consumer price index in September edged up slightly 0.1 per cent on a monthly basis and fell 0.1 per cent year-on-year.

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