Institution: Inflationary pressures in Thailand may further intensify.

Barnabas Gan of RHB Bank stated in a report that inflationary pressures in Thailand may further intensify. The overall inflation rate in April increased by 2.89% year-on-year, compared to a decrease of 0.08% in March. The rise in global crude oil prices has pushed up domestic retail fuel prices. As producers pass on higher operating and input costs to consumers, prices of processed foods have also increased. RHB maintains its forecast for Thailand's overall inflation rate to be 1.0% in 2026. However, RHB points out that if the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, their forecast could be revised upwards to close to 2.5%.