With Indonesia and Vietnam cutting interest rates in the past two months and Thailand fending off pressure to do the same, the Philippines is emerging as the region’s lone candidate for a rate increase this year.While all economists surveyed by Bloomberg predict Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (the Central Bank of the Philippines) will hold its benchmark rate at a record-low of three percent on Thursday, a separate poll showed almost half forecast an increase by the fourth quarter.

A public rift between Thailand’s central bank and government on interest rates shows just how much of a dilemma the baht has become for the economy.The Finance Ministry is pushing the Bank of Thailand to cut interest rates to stimulate growth, in light of the strength of the currency and low inflation.