Prasarn honoured as "Central Bank Governor of theYear for Asia 2011"

"The Bank of Thailand under Governor Prasarn's stewardship has been consistently proactive in tightening policy to combat rising inflation over the past year and has communicated its policy intentions well to both domestic and foreign businesses and investors," said Taimur Ahmad, editor of Emerging Markets.

"His strong and decisive policy stance has enabled Thailand to maintain investor confidence and economic stability despite political uncertainty in the run-up to and aftermath of this year's general election."

The annual Emerging Markets Central Bank Governor and Finance Minister of the Year Awards recognise the leading policymakers in each region. The awards are chosen by Emerging Markets' editorial team, taking into account the views of leading regional experts. The winners are announced in our daily newspapers published at the IMF and World Bank annual meetings each year, with the award winning policy makers honoured at an annual awards ceremony during the IMF and World Bank annual meetings.

The publication, publishing daily newspapers at IMF, World Bank and regional development bank meetings for the past 24 years, is part of Euromoney Institutional Investor plc, one of the largest and most respected providers of financial information worldwide.

On this award, Prasarn said it reflects the recognition of the dedication of the staff of the Bank of Thailand, who have worked hard to ensure Thailand's sustainable economic and financial stability over the years.

"As the Bank of Thailand enters its seventieth anniversary next year, our institution is faced with a great challenge to maintain price stability while sustaining growth in the midst of heightened global economic and financial risks. We have no luxury of taking a wait-and-see approach but to continue our best efforts to better manage

the external spillovers on our economy and financial system. With continued volatile global capital movements, central banks in emerging markets need to ensure that our financial institutions and markets remain robust; that they can safely and efficiently manage foreign capital inflows as well as outflows, without

disrupting the real economy," he said in his speech.

"Thus, emerging market central banks must be prepared for policy contingencies ahead. At the core, monetary policy must continue to safeguard price stability, while taking into account concerns about economic growth and financial stability. The Bank of Thailand, on our part, will do our best to steer the Thai economy and

financial system through the global turbulences, to ensure the continued well-being of the Thai people in years ahead," he concluded.