Govt insists inflation rate 'acceptable'

Kittiratt says fears based on perceptions, not facts

Inflation remains within acceptable levels, with prices for many goods showing declines from the same period last year, government policymakers insisted yesterday.

"Inflationary pressures have shown signs of easing, and prices for many goods have decreased compared with last year. It shows government policies have had a positive impact," Kittiratt Na-Ranong, a deputy prime minister and finance minister, said yesterday.

Policymakers pointed to the latest inflation figures as evidence. The Commerce Ministry yesterday announced that inflation, as measured by the consumer price index, rose 2.47% in April from the year before, a sharp decrease from the 3.45% year-on-year rise recorded the previous month.

Mr Kittiratt said the government wanted to maintain inflation within a range of 2% to 3.5%.