Thailand's consumer prices fall for fifth consecutive month

BANGKOK -- Consumer prices in Thailand fell again in February, marking a fifth straight month of negative inflation as the government ramps up pressure on the central bank to lower interest rates.

The headline consumer price index in February decreased by 0.77% from a year earlier, data from the Ministry of Commerce released on Tuesday shows, slightly up from minus 1.11% in January. The ministry's Trade Policy and Strategy Office said an increased supply of meat and fresh vegetables drove prices down, as well as continuing government subsidies on diesel fuel and electricity.