South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
RBA Raises Interest Rates by 25 Basis Points as Inflation Pressures Persist 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Lower as Tech and AI Stocks Drag Wall Street Ahead of Key Earnings 
Stephen Miran Resigns as White House Economic Adviser Amid Federal Reserve Tenure 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
US-India Trade Bombshell: Tariffs Slashed to 18% — Rupee Soars, Sensex Explodes 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Stabilizes, Yen Weakens Ahead of Japan Election 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
China Services PMI Hits Three-Month High as New Orders and Hiring Improve 
Paul Atkins Emphasizes Global Regulatory Cooperation at Fintech Conference 
Oil Prices Climb as Middle East Tensions and U.S. Inventory Data Boost Market Sentiment 
Asian Markets Wobble as AI Fears Rattle Stocks, Oil and Gold Rebound 
Dollar Steady as Fed Nomination and Japanese Election Shape Currency Markets 
India Services Sector Rebounds in January as New Business Gains Momentum: HSBC PMI Shows Growth 
Thailand’s annual headline inflation rate stayed in negative territory for the tenth consecutive month in January, underscoring continued price pressures driven largely by lower energy costs and government measures aimed at easing the cost of living. According to the Ministry of Commerce, the headline consumer price index (CPI) declined by 0.66% year-on-year in January, deepening from a 0.28% annual fall recorded in December.
The January inflation figure came in weaker than market expectations, as a Reuters poll had forecast a smaller decline of 0.40%. The outcome also remained well below the Bank of Thailand’s official inflation target range of 1% to 3%, highlighting the ongoing challenge of reviving price growth in Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy.
Officials attributed the prolonged period of negative inflation primarily to falling energy prices, particularly fuel and electricity, as well as state-led initiatives designed to reduce household expenses. These measures include subsidies and price controls that have helped shield consumers from higher living costs but have also contributed to suppressed headline inflation readings.
The Commerce Ministry said headline inflation is expected to remain negative in February and March before returning to positive territory in April, assuming energy prices stabilize and base effects begin to fade. This outlook suggests that deflationary pressures may be nearing an end, though risks remain tied to global energy markets and domestic demand conditions.
In contrast to the headline figure, Thailand’s core inflation rate, which excludes volatile items such as energy and fresh food, showed modest growth. Core CPI rose 0.60% in January compared with a year earlier, indicating underlying price pressures remain positive, albeit subdued.
The divergence between headline and core inflation reflects the significant impact of energy prices on overall inflation trends. Policymakers and investors will continue to closely monitor inflation data in the coming months, as it plays a key role in shaping monetary policy expectations and broader economic outlook for Thailand in 2024.
