BANGKOK, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's consumer price rose in July as elevated domestic fuel costs linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict led to higher transportation fares and food prices, official data showed on Wednesday.
The Southeast Asian country's consumer price index (CPI) increased 1.95 percent last month compared to a year earlier, decelerating from a 2.42 percent gain in June, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
The slowdown was attributed to a monthly decline in domestic fuel prices in July, with pump prices stabilizing by the month-end due to government policy support, said Nantapong Chiralerspong, director-general of the ministry's trade policy and strategy office.
Core CPI, which excludes volatile fresh food and energy prices, climbed 1.34 percent year on year in July, quickening from a 1.23 percent rise in the previous month.
Despite a growing core CPI, the risk of stagflation remains low and is declining, thanks to easing headline inflation, recovering private consumption, and steadily strengthening consumer confidence, Nantapong told a news conference.
For the first seven months of 2026, the headline CPI expanded 1.21 percent compared to the same period last year.
Looking ahead, the ministry expects headline inflation to remain firmly positive in August as retail fuel prices have sustained at levels higher than a year earlier amid prolonged political tensions.
Rising prices for prepared food, cooking ingredients, travel expenses, and key fresh vegetables, combined with emerging risks from the El Nino weather conditions, also contributed to the uptrend, the official noted.
The ministry maintained its headline CPI projection to rise between 1.5 percent and 2.5 percent this year. ■
