Thailand not included on US watch list for currency manipulation

BANGKOK, May 29 (TNA) - The Bank of Thailand (BOT) reports that the Thai Kingdom has not been included in the United States' watch list for trading partners with the alleged currency manipulation. BOT Governor Veerathai Santiprabhob told journalists of the update in Bangkok on Wednesday, acknowledging that the latest outcome shows Washington's proper understanding on the Thai central bank's policy against the manipulation of the Thai baht for the purpose of taking trade advantages over the United States, thanks to open talks between the US and the Thai authorities over the past 2-3 years. BOT Governor said his central bank will, however, keep monitoring updates on the issue closely, both those in the United States and in other trading partners. BOT governor explained that there are now reports on Washington's revised criteria on its next moves to work out and announce countries on such the watch list, while the greater trade competition on the world market currently may raise risk factors for Thailand's external trade, caused by decisions by other trading partners. The US Department of Treasury has, meanwhile, released its mid-2019 report, in which nine trading partners, not just six in its earlier report,have been included on its watch list for the manipulation of their currencies to take advantages over American traders. The nine countries include China, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Vietnam. (TNA)