Thailand's central bank raised its benchmark interest rate for the fourth time in six months to combat rising inflation amid a strong economic recovery.

The rate, which influences how much interest commercial lenders charge, was Wednesday hiked by a quarter percentage point to 2.25 percent.

A slew of Asian nations have raised interest rates or tightened monetary policy using other measures in recent months as policymakers juggle rapid economic growth and rising inflation.

The Thai central bank said it hiked the rate "in light of rising inflation pressure and the return of economic growth" to more normal levels.

It last raised the rate in December, by a quarter point to 2 percent. That followed quarter point hikes in July and August.