The Bank of Thailand reduced its benchmark one-day repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 1.50% at its policy meeting on 13 August, the first reduction since April and the third this year. The decision, taken in the last meeting chaired by Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput before the end of his five-year term, was in line with the expectations of most economists surveyed by Reuters. Policymakers said the easing is intended to shore up Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, which is contending with protracted weakness in tourism, sluggish exports and the anticipated drag from the United States’ 145% tariff on Chinese goods. The central bank signalled that monetary policy would remain accommodative to support growth, with the next rate review scheduled for 8 October.