Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand's headline inflationfell for the fourth consecutive month to 106.98 points in January, the lowestsince February 2021, said Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, Director-General ofthe Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO).

The consumer price index (CPI), a key indicator of inflation, declined 1.11%from a year earlier in January, largely due to a drop in the price of energy.

The main factors contributing to the continuous drop in theconsumer price index are the government’s measures to cut energy prices and thefalling prices of fresh food, such as vegetables and meat, due to increasedsupply.

For the whole year, the country’s headline inflation ispredicted to range between minus 0.3% and 1.7%, or 0.7% on the average, based on the assumption that growth will be between2.7% and 3.7%, Dubai crude oil prices will range from 80-90 USD per barrel andthe exchange rate will be 34-36 THB per USD.

TPSO forecast that prices of electrical appliancescontinue to fall, as many shops hold sale promotions. Prices of food andnon-alcoholic drinks dropped 1.06%. The escalating conflict in the Middle Eastcould, however, put upward pressure on prices as it has sent freight chargeshigher, while the baht has a tendency to weaken, which will result in priceincreases on imported products./.