Thailand sees less need for ultra-accommodative policy - central bank chief

BANGKOK : Thailand's central bank governor said on Monday that delaying an interest rate hike too long would not be good as inflation continues to rise in the Southeast Asian country.

Inflation is expected to rise beyond the central bank's target range this year and is seen peaking at 7.5 per cent in the third quarter, Bank of Thailand Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput told a business seminar.

But any hikes in interest rates will be gradual, he added.

Last week, the central bank left its key rate unchanged at a record low of 0.5 per cent in a 4-3 split vote that suggested tightening.