Thai Turmoil Bruising Growth Spurs Pressure for Key Rate Cut

Thailand probably will cut its benchmark interest rate for a second straight meeting next week as protests to oust Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s government crimp economic growth.

The Bank of Thailand will cut its one-day bond repurchase rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 2 percent in a decision due Jan. 22, according to seven of eight economists in a Bloomberg News survey. The finance ministry yesterday lowered its 2014 growth forecast for the second time in a month, to 3.1 percent from 4 percent.