Monetary policy to remain accommodative: BoT chief. Thailand’s monetary policy will remain accommodative in the medium term and any rate increases will not be continuous, the central bank said on Monday. There are more financial stability risks than inflationary pressure at the moment, Bank of Thailand (BoT) Governor Veerathai Santiprabhob told reporters. (Reuters, 24/09/18)

BoT to check property market. The Bank of Thailand will hold a consultation to discuss the “search-foryield” behaviour prevalent in the property sector with relevant parties because it could lead to higher risk of default in mortgage loans. The central bank found this behaviour is widespread, especially in high-rise condominium projects, said governor Veerathai Santiprabhob. (Bangkok Post, 25/09/18)

Energy reform plan ready for action. Thailand’s energy reform plan is ready for implementation, with an emphasis on deregulating the electricity sector and enhancing competitiveness among private operators. The new version aims for open and free private participation in the energy sector and deregulation of all aspects over the next two decades, as the country’s policymakers tackle the unavoidable impact of disruptive technology. (Bangkok Post, 22/09/18)

ADB hikes Thai GDP outlook on strong H1. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has raised Thailand’s economic growth forecast to 4.5% this year and 4.3% in 2019 after robust growth of 4.8% in the first half amid improving economic prospects. (Bangkok Post, 27/09/18)

Eased conditions for mobile transfers. The Bank of Thailand and the Thai Bankers’ Association have resolved that commercial banks should raise the ceiling for money transfers via Internet and mobile banking channels using bank account numbers to Bt700,000 per transfer from the current limit of no more than Bt50,000 per transfer. (The Nation, 27/09/18)

Curb on lenders using car papers as collateral. The Bank of Thailand (BOT) will introduce regulations on financial institutions lending to car owners using the car registration book as collateral. Under the planned regulation, to be implemented in November, these financial institutions must charge a fixed rate on the loan plus fee of no more than 28 per cent per annum. The minimum registered capital of these lenders must be no less than Bt50mn. (The Nation, 28/9/18)

EXAT is preparing to announce the bid TORs for the expressway linking Rama III Road-Dao Khanong and the Western Outer Ring Road worth Bt31bn. It expects to open bidding in October. (Thun Hoon, 28/9/18)

Argentina woes snowball, central bank chief resigns. The president of Argentina’s central bank, Luis Caputo, abruptly resigned on Tuesday after just three months in the position, amid a volatile economic crisis. The resignation, which the bank said was for “personal reasons,” came as President Mauricio Macri was trying to negotiate accelerated IMF funding from a US$50bn loan agreed in June to help stabilize Argentina’s economy. (AFP, 25/09/18)

Fed raises U.S. interest rates, sees at least three more years of growth. The U.S. Federal Reserve raised interest rates on Wednesday and left intact its plans to steadily tighten monetary policy, as it forecast that the U.S. economy would enjoy at least three more years of growth. (Reuters, 26/09/18)

Indonesia raises key interest rate to 5.75%. Indonesia’s central bank raised its benchmark interest rate for the fifth time since mid-May on Thursday and unveiled plans for an instrument aimed at helping the rupiah by encouraging foreign investors to do their currency hedging onshore. (Reuters, 27/09/18)