Baht likely to surpass 33 to dollar in Q2

Currency rallies to a 6-month high

- NAREERAT WIRIYAPONG

The baht could appreciate past the key psychological level of 33 to the dollar in the second quarter after the currency strengthened to a six-month high yesterday, amid the intensifying US-China trade war, says Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research).

The Thai currency traded at 33.08-33.20 to the greenback yesterday morning, easing from an overnight rate of 33.08 to the dollar, said Kanjana Chockpisansin, head of research, banking and finance at the Kasikorn Research think tank.

The baht has strengthened recently in line with other Asian currencies as the dollar depreciated on a weakening US economy, said Ms Kanjana. President Donald Trump announced reciprocal tariffs earlier this month.