Recent positive headline inflation rate was driven by transitory factors and did not signal a clear recovery
in domestic demand. The headline inflation rate in July fell to 0.10%YOY from 0.38%YOY the previous month
(Figure 27). The positive headline inflation rate was due to higher crude oil prices and fresh food prices that
rose following a drought. In particular, the price of vegetables and fruits rose by more than 10%YOY during MayJune.
However, the increase slowed down in July as the impact from the drought subsided. Meanwhile, prices of
other goods remained flat. However, headline inflation is likely to pick up in the remaining months of the year
in accordance with higher oil prices. Therefore, EIC expects the headline inflation rate in 2016 to be 0.4%YOY.
Core inflation declined, reflecting weak domestic consumption. Prices of consumer products have not
increased much. The core inflation rate in July fell to 0.76%YOY from 0.80%YOY the previous month. Non-food
prices remained unchanged, while prices of some products fell, especially those of housing and furnishings,
which account for 24% of the core inflation basket. Moreover, the 7%YOY reduction in the electricity surcharge
continued to be one of the factors pressuring core inflation to stay low. In the second half of 2016 private
consumption may not recover quickly due to concerns about purchasing power. Therefore, businesses cannot
adjust prices upwards. This will result in a core inflation rate of 0.8%YOY in 2016.
EIC expects inflation to accelerate in 2017. Going forward, higher oil prices at around 52 USD/barrel (Brent),
stronger domestic consumption, and a weaker baht should allow both headline inflation and core inflation to
accelerate next year. EIC expects headline inflation in 2017 to be 2.6%YOY and core inflation at 1.2%YOY.
Inflation
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