Surprise Thai rate cut as junta trims growth forecast

Thailand's central bank cut its benchmark interest rate Wednesday in a surprise move highlighting the junta's struggle to revive the faltering economy. The Bank of Thailand said in a statement policy board members voted by 5-2 to cut the rate to 1.50 percent from 1.75 percent, its lowest since July 2010. The interest rate cut surprised most analysts. Economic growth slowed sharply in 2014 to its weakest pace in three years, as political instability compounded a fall in agricultural pri