Thailand’s headline inflation rose to 2.82 percent in September, driven largely by higher fuel prices amid growing tensions in the Middle East and an increase in food costs, according to official data released on Tuesday. This rate marks an acceleration from the 2.53 percent increase recorded in August and represents the highest inflation reading since April.

The country’s Ministry of Commerce reported that the consumer price index (CPI) climbed 2.82 percent year-on-year last month, bringing inflation closer to the upper limit of the Bank of Thailand’s target range of 1 to 3 percent. Core CPI, which excludes more volatile components such as fresh food and energy prices, also rose, increasing 1.50 percent compared to the same period a year earlier, up from 1.44 percent in August.

For the first nine months of 2026, Thailand’s headline inflation averaged 1.54 percent over the corresponding period last year, reflecting moderate upward pressure on prices amid ongoing global economic uncertainties. The recent rise in fuel costs, partly attributed to geopolitical developments in the Middle East, combined with elevated food prices, has contributed significantly to the upward trend in consumer prices.

The Bank of Thailand’s inflation target aims to maintain price stability and support sustainable economic growth. Observers noted that while the recent uptick remains within the central bank’s target range, the trajectory of inflation could influence monetary policy decisions in the coming months, particularly if energy and food prices continue to increase.