Baht expected to skim 34.50 per dollar

The baht is expected to test a low of around 34.50 per US dollar over the near term amid heightened risk aversion following US announce-ment of reciprocal tariffs of 37% on Thai imports.

- SOMRUEDI BANCHONGDUANG

The baht hit its weakest level in 2.5 months yesterday, reaching 34.38 per dollar in trade mainly attributed to the impact of tariffs.

During yesterday's trade, the baht tested 34.44 per dollar, the same level recorded when US president Donald Trump was sworn into office, said Kanjana Chockpisansin, head of banking and financial sector research at Kasikorn Research Center.

With the US imposing a 37% recip-rocal tariff on Thai imports -- sig-nificantly higher than the expected range of 10-25% -- the baht is likely to depreciate against the greenback, she said, weakening investor senti-ment and contributing to a risk-off investment environment.