Bangkok, The Research Center estimates that if the minimum wage is raised to 400 baht nationwide in October 2024, it is expected to increase pressure on Thailand's general inflation at around 0.1% this year after the April inflation rate. 2024 turns positive and the positive trend will continue for the rest of this year. As a result, there will be less opportunity for policy interest rate reductions. Kasikorn Research Center stated Thailand's general inflation in April 2024 turned positive for the first time in 7 months at 0.19% YoY and increased at 0.85% MoM, mainly due to the increase in energy prices from world crude oil prices and agricultural product prices. Meanwhile, inflationary pressure from domestic demand remains limited. positive inflation and is likely to return to the Monetary Policy Committee or MPC's target of 1-3% in the remaining quarters of this year, and the MPC is likely to give weight to risks to financial stability. and more fluctuations in the value of the baht Amid pressure from ti ght monetary policy around the world for longer than expected, the MPC is likely to maintain the policy interest rate at 2.50% throughout this year. Kasikorn Research Center still views that general inflation in Thailand will likely continue to be positive after this. It still estimates general inflation in 2024 at 0.8% following the price of crude oil in the world market which tends to remain stable at a high level. As a result, the government sector may gradually reduce subsidies for domestic energy prices. And the prices of fresh vegetables and fresh fruits are likely to remain high due to the drought situation due to the extremely hot weather and the lack of rain. If the minimum wage is raised to 400 baht nationwide in October 2024 As the government has proposed, it is expected that this will increase pressure on Thailand's general inflation at around 0.1% this year. Source: Thai News Agency