Thailand September CPI Rises 2.82% Year-on-Year, Below Forecast

Thailand's headline consumer price index rose 2.82% in September 2026 from a year earlier, up from 2.53% in the prior month, driven by higher fuel and food prices, the commerce ministry said on October 6. The reading fell short of a Reuters poll forecast of 3.06% but remained within the Bank of Thailand's 1% to 3% target range. Core CPI, excluding volatile energy and fresh food prices, rose 1.50% year-on-year, in line with the 1.54% forecast. The ministry expects headline CPI to accelerate further in the fourth quarter and adjusted its 2026 inflation forecast to 1.8%–2.2% from a previous 1.5%–2.5%, citing flood impacts. January-September headline inflation averaged 1.54%. The central bank held its key interest rate at 1.00% in August and meets next on October 28.