With high external uncertainty, businesses should focus on managing currency risks and enhance productivity, Assistant Governor Chantavarn Sucharitakul said in a statement.

The baht , Asia's best performing currency, has appreciated about 2.6 percent against the dollar this year, hovering around its highest in more than eight months hit last week.

Earlier on Wednesday, Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said the central bank should not raise its policy rate further this year, as it would increase cost for businesses and make the baht even stronger, hitting already slower exports.

Last month, the central bank hiked its benchmark rate for the first time in more than seven years, by 25 basis points to 1.75 percent.

It will next review monetary policy on Feb. 6.

(Reporting by Kitiphong Thaichareon and Orathai Sriring; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)