Thailand
Thai central bank sets out timeline for forex reforms
Some regulations are “obsolete”, Thai governor says
Financial integration will strengthen region – Thai governor
Santiprabhob says policies need to “converge” in order to create an integrated market; payment systems would be a good place to start with harmonised standards a proven solution, he says
Forex volatility can boost liquidity – BIS paper
Price volatility might not always be a bad thing for market liquidity, authors find
Former Bank of Thailand governor cleared of Asian financial crisis charges
Governor cleared of wrongdoing related to central bank’s defence of baht in 1997, as Supreme Court brings 15-year court case to a close
Payments revamp should cut costs in Thailand, governor says
In an interview with Central Banking journal, Veerathai Santiprabhob lifts the lid on payment system reforms aimed at strengthening infrastructure and promoting debit card usage
Bank of Thailand frets over zero lower bound
Minutes show latest policy decision influenced by worries over financial imbalances and perceived need to maintain “policy space” in event of economic hit
Government approves final stage of Thai development plan
Bank of Thailand will promote electronic payments in latest phase of financial sector master plan; all phases to be completed by 2020
Information content of capital flows affects exchange rate impact, SNB paper finds
Private information conveyed by different kinds of capital flows affects the impact on the exchange rate, a working paper published by the Swiss National Bank finds
MAS takes step to facilitate capital sourcing across Asean jurisdictions
Singapore central bank issues implementation handbook with Thai and Malaysian regulators for firms looking to raise capital in other Asean countries
Thai Government Pension Fund eyes deeper bond futures market
Thailand's $23 billion Government Pension Fund is one of the institutions that wants to see the country's bond futures market build on the progress already made in equity and forex derivatives
Bank of Thailand cuts forecasts for growth and inflation
Monetary policy report says risks are ‘skewed to the downside’ as central bank lowers its forecasts; MPC was divided over further easing at April meeting
Thailand relaxes capital controls
Bank of Thailand announces measures to make it easier for residents to invest abroad and for foreigners to trade bahts
Prasarn highlights ‘untapped opportunities’ between Thailand and China
Bank of Thailand governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul insists China is still an ‘important engine in support of the growth of the Thai export sector’
Prasarn pledges loose monetary policy until structural shift bears fruit
Governor urges infrastructure push to catapult Thailand out of middle-income trap; monetary policy to 'remain accommodative' until changes become effective
Prasarn dismisses threat of deflation as headline rate goes negative
Thai governor pens letter to finance minister after headline inflation falls to -0.4% in January; IMF sees ‘scope for further easing' as two MPC members dissent on rate hold
Prasarn sees central bank role at heart of Thailand economy's defence
Thai economy can return to growth now the government is back on the pitch as play-maker, but governor warns US rate hikes and domestic household debt pose risks
Hong Kong and Thailand link settlement systems
New link will ensure the simultaneous delivery of US Dollars in Hong Kong and Thai Baht in Thailand; HKMA’s Peter Pang says it creates a ‘safer’ environment for settling forex transactions
Thai governor stresses value of independence
Prasarn Trairatvorakul calls on the new Thai government to ‘protect’ the central bank’s independence, which he describes as ‘the very source’ of its credibility
Bank of Thailand promotes five assistant governors
Thai central bank names five assistant governors in anticipation of a host of retirements in September; follows appointment of new deputy governor last month
Bank of Thailand appoints new deputy; ex governor hired by military regime
Central bank board appoints one new deputy and changes the portfolio of another; ex governor Pridiyathorn Devakula named economic adviser to military junta, again
Thailand governor insists economy is nearing turnaround
Bank of Thailand’s Prasarn Trairatvorakul admits he can do nothing to resolve political uncertainty in the country, and focuses on how to support eventual economic rebound
Thailand MPC split over rate cut
Minutes from the policy-makers' January meeting show that a motion to cut rates in the face of growing political unrest was defeated by four votes to three
Bank of Thailand MPC insists rising inflation is ‘not immediate threat’
Minutes from November meeting show the committee voted to cut rates for the second time in six months despite one member’s concerns that inflation could continue to pick up in 2014
Bank of Thailand lowers growth and inflation forecasts
Central bank says Thailand’s rising debt burden and falling consumer confidence are holding back domestic demand, which in turn is slowing the pace of growth and inflation