BANGKOK, Feb 7 Reuters Thailand39;s central bank will support vulnerable debtors from the impacts of rising interest rates, a deputy governor said on Tuesday.

There will be assistance in line with debtors39; debt servicing ability, Deputy Central Bank Governor Ronadol Numnonda told a news conference.

Later this month, the central bank will also issue guidelines to tackle household debt, including handling existing debt and offering new responsible lending, he said.

Some borrowers with combined debt of 12 billion baht 357.46 million had received support under a scheme introduced earlier, Ronadol said.

The central bank has raised its policy rate four times since August and suggested further increases.

Thailand39;s household debt is among Asia39;s highest, equivalent to 86.8 of gross domestic product GDP in the third quarter of 2022.

The high level of household debt could disrupt economic recovery and needs to be brought down to sustainable levels, according to Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput.

1 33.5700 baht

Reporting by Kitiphong Thaichareon Writing by Orathai Sriring Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor

Source Reuters