Thai reluctance to invest abroad likely to thwart bid to weaken strong baht

Bangkok

IF recent history is anything to go by, letting Thais invest more money abroad is unlikely to spur major outflows, and that will mean continued firmness for the baht - and continuing frustration for Thai exporters.

Authorities in Thailand, which has large current-account surpluses, are trying to get citizens to invest elsewhere, to help contain an uncomfortably strong baht.

On Monday, the central bank relaxed foreign exchange rules, letting more Thais buy securities …