BANGKOK, Thailand — Kasikorn Securities expects Thailand’s stock market to remain volatile this week, with the SET Index projected to move between support levels of 1,585 and 1,560 points and resistance at 1,620 and 1,630 points. For the week of August 17-21, investors will closely watch Thailand’s second-quarter 2026 GDP figures, developments in the Middle East and foreign capital flows, according to Kasikorn Research Center.
Key US economic data will also influence market sentiment, including July housing starts, industrial production, preliminary August manufacturing and services PMI figures, the Federal Reserve meeting minutes and weekly jobless claims. The SET Index fluctuated during August 10-14 before retreating toward the end of the week. Thai shares initially gained alongside regional markets amid expectations that the Federal Reserve would not rush to raise interest rates after weaker-than-expected US non-farm payroll data for July.
Electronic component stocks led the early gains, helped by a recovery in global technology shares.
However, concerns over the Middle East later weighed on the market, particularly expectations that negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could take longer than anticipated. The SET then moved within a narrow range before slipping toward the end of the week, despite softer-than-expected US inflation in July, which strengthened expectations that the Fed could keep interest rates unchanged at its September meeting.
Investors are also awaiting Thailand’s second-quarter GDP figures, due for release this week.
On Friday, August 14, the SET Index closed at 1,609.06 points, down 0.18% from the previous week. Average daily trading value fell 6.67% to 72.83 billion baht, while the mai Index rose 0.19% to 227.76 points.
