<div>
	The Bank of Thailand said in a statement policy board members voted by 5-2 to cut the rate to 1.50 per cent from 1.75 per cent, its lowest since July 2010.</div>
<div>
	The decision came just hours after the finance ministry downgraded its growth forecast for 2015 from 3.9 to 3.7 per cent.</div>
<div>
	The interest rate cut surprised most analysts. A survey by Bloomberg of 20 regional economists found 18 had expected the bank to keep the rate steady since it had already slashed the rate by 0.25 per centage points in March.</div>
<div>
	Economic growth slowed sharply in 2014 to its weakest pace in three years, as political instability compounded a fall in agricultural prices, waning exports and low consumer confidence.</div>
<div>
	&nbsp;</div>

Surprise Thai rate cut as junta trims growth forecast

Thailand's central bank cut its benchmark interest rate Wednesday in a surprise move highlighting the junta's struggle to revive the faltering economy.