Baht Set for Strong Week with Thai GDP in Focus
The Thai baht is expected to remain strong this week, according to forecasts from Kasikornbank. The bank predicts that the currency will trade between 32.90 and 33.40 baht per US dollar from August 17-21.
Investors will be closely monitoring several key economic indicators, including Thailand's second-quarter 2026 GDP figures and foreign fund flows. Additionally, they will be watching for developments in the Middle East, the minutes of the Federal Reserve's July 28-29 meeting, and China's loan prime rate decision.
The baht did experience a brief weakening during August 10-14 after initially strengthening past the 33.00 level to reach 32.88 baht per dollar. However, this was part of broader weakness among US assets due to slower labor-market and inflation data reducing expectations of a Federal Reserve rate hike at its September meeting.
Foreign investors were net buyers of Thai equities worth 2.42 billion baht during August 10-14, but were net sellers of Thai bonds worth 13.83 billion baht.