Thailand holds key rate in rebuff to IMF call for easing

Bangkok

THAILAND'S central bank held its key interest rate near a record low and predicted faster economic growth this year and next.

The one-day bond repurchase rate was left at 1.5 per cent, with monetary policy committee members unanimously in favour, the Bank of Thailand (BOT) said in Bangkok on Wednesday. All 24 economists surveyed by Bloomberg predicted the decision.

Thailand's economic growth is lagging peers in South-east Asia and the International Monetary Fund recommended this month that officials ease monetary policy and inject…