Thailand's external stability is sound with low foreign debt, while the economy is recovering steadily on increased tourism and domestic spending, the central bank said.

The central bank's gradual and measured policy normalisation remained an appropriate approach, with inflation expected to return within the bank's target range of 1% to 3% in the second half of the year, Deputy Governor Mathee Supapongse said in a statement on Friday.

(Reporting by Orathai Sriring and Kitiphong; Editing by Martin Petty)