Thai central bank cuts policy rate for third time this year

Bank of Thailand hints at possible quantitative easing while watching baht moves

A salesperson wearing a protective face mask is seen at the Central World department store in Bangkok on May 17. Thailand's central bank decided to ease monetary policy on Wednesday for the third time this year as it tries to halt the country's economic slide.( Photo by Akira Kodaka)

MASAYUKI YUDA, Nikkei staff writer

May 20, 2020 16:13 JST

Updated on May 20, 2020 19:22 JST

BANGKOK -- Thailand's central bank decided on Wednesday to ease monetary policy for the third time this year as it tries to halt the country's economic slide.

The Bank of Thailand cut its one-day repurchase rate 0.25 percentage point to a historical low of 0.5% at a monetary policy committee meeting the same day. 4 out of seven committee members voted for the cut, while three insisted to keep the rate unchanged.