Thai inflation jumps to 5.4 pc

Thailand's inflation rate jumped to a 19-month high of 5.4 percent in February due to surging prices for energy and food, the Commerce Ministry said Monday.
The figure was higher than the market's forecast of 3.5 percent and marked a sharp rise from January's inflation rate of 4.3 percent.
"Inflation in February increased due mainly to rising oil prices. High oil prices continue to affect prices of other consumer goods, including meat and vegetables," said Kanang Duangmanee, researcher at Kasikorn Research center.
Overall food and beverage prices rose 7.9 percent year-on-year, but meat prices soared 25.0 percent while fruit and vegetable prices rose 15.1 percent. Prices of eggs and dairy products increased 10.7 percent.