Thailand holds key rate, sees gradual gains for economy

Bangkok

THAILAND'S central bank on Wednesday left its benchmark interest rate steady after two surprise cuts, saying that the economy is "projected to improve gradually".

In the first case of unanimity since September, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted 7-0 to leave the one-day repurchase rate at 1.50 per cent. Nineteen of 22 economists in a Reuters poll had predicted no change while the other three saw a 25 basis point cut.