Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
The Thailand economy is fighting its way out of poor growth and crippling economic structure. Barring fiscal spending and support from the tourism industry, there remains absolutely nothing that can provide a silver lining to the Thai economy.
While the Bank of Thailand (BOT) has already lowered its 2016 GDP growth forecast to 3.1% from 3.5% previously, further lowering cannot be completely ruled out. In addition, private investment remained subdued despite the BOT adopting an accommodative policy stance. Private investment growth has averaged -1.5% in the past three years.
While the Central Bank is unlikely to act in the wake of a weak baht, it is most likely to step up efforts to favour export competitiveness; much remains to be seen in today’s policy statement. However, the pressure on the BoT seems to have decreased to ease its monetary policy. Meanwhile, the current 1.5- pct policy rate is already near its all-time low.
