Thailand’s inflation rates fell to lower-than-expect 6.0 per cent in September on lower oil prices and reduced utility charges, Reuters reported.

The news agency said—referring economists’ quotes—that interest rate is seen lower in the next move.

In the meantime, Permanent Secretary for Commerce Siripol Yodmuangcharoen reported on Wednesday that an average inflation for nine months of 2008 has soared to 6.5 per cent from the previous corresponding period.

September inflation is also up 0.2 per cent from the previous month.

Mr. Siripol predicted that the inflation for the last quarter of 2008 would stand steady at 6.0 per cent with an average annual inflation of around 6.5-6.9 per cent.