Thai central bank chief fights to balance growth, consumer debt

BANGKOK -- The head of Thailand's central bank said it will take time to bring the country's persistent household debt down to a sustainable level as structural reforms are put in place to boost economic growth, an effort that will extend beyond the end of his tenure in a year's time. 

Gov. Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput said cutting household debt, which amounted to 90% of gross domestic product in the first quarter, while ensuring that banks are able to continue extending sufficient credit to borrowers was a "trickier" balancing act for the Bank of Thailand than maintaining economic growth or curbing inflation.