MPC lifts repurchase rate by quarter point.

Byline: Parista Yuthamanop

Mar. 9--The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) yesterday raised its 14-day repurchase rate by a quarter point to 4.5 percent.

Atchana Waiquamdee, assistant governor for the Bank of Thailand's monetary policy group, said inflationary pressure remained high, as Dubai oil prices stood at $59 per barrel at the end of last month against $57.50 per barrel six weeks ago.

She said the rate hike would also help push interest rates, adjusted for inflation, into positive territory by the second quarter. Real interest rates now stand at -0.85 percent based on 12-month deposit rates.

"With price pressure remaining and real …