BANGKOK, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's central bank held its key policy rate unchanged on Wednesday, ending its tightening cycle after eight straight hikes as the country's economy slows amid sluggish exports.

The Bank of Thailand (BOT) monetary policy committee voted unanimously to maintain the policy rate steady at 2.50 percent, the highest level since October 2013.

The current policy interest rate was appropriate to keep inflation sustainably within the target range, foster long-term macro-financial stability, and ensure sufficient policy flexibility considering an uncertain outlook, the BOT said in a statement.

"The committee will take into account the growth and inflation outlook as well as associated risks in deliberating monetary policy looking ahead," the statement said.

The central bank projects headline inflation this year at 1.3 percent, down from the 1.6 percent expected earlier, due to energy price subsidies and lower-than-expected raw food prices.

The Southeast Asian country's headline inflation declined 0.31 percent year-on-year in October, dropping below the BOT target range of 1 to 3 percent for the sixth straight month. Enditem

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