BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's headline consumer price index (CPI) rose 5.98% in October from a year earlier, commerce ministry data showed on Monday, slightly lower than forecast.

The rise follows September's 6.41% increase and was just shy of the 6.0% forecast in a Reuters poll.

The core CPI index, which strips out energy and fresh food prices, was up 3.17% in October from a year ago, versus a forecast rise of 3.20%.

The inflation situation is slowing, senior commerce official Poonpong Naiyanapakorn told a briefing.

It is expected to slow in the remaining two months.

(Reporting by Kitphong Thaichareon and Satawasin Staporncharnchai, writing by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Martin Petty)