Why gold beat the Dow in a raceTrays of 100 gramme gold bars at the Polish mint, also known as Mennica Polska SA, in Warsaw, Poland, on Feb 12. On Jan 26, gold hit $5,000 (157,342 baht) an ounce for the first time, and eleven days later, the Dow Jones Industrial Average cracked 50,000. At that point, the Dow was already 61% of the way towards its big round number, while gold was just 37% of the way there. Extrapolating data trends from 1985 through 2020, you would have expected the Dow to reach 50,000 by 2027 and gold not to hit the $5,000 target until 2035. The World Gold Council reported a 28% year-over-year increase in the population's purchases of gold bars and coins in 2025.

Can Russia 'rise' again in Asean? Senior Asean officials are considering Russia's request to hold a second special summit in Moscow to commemorate the 30th anniversary of its dialogue partnership with Asean. Coming during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the proposal signals Moscow's effort to rejuvenate its overall ties with Asean. Under Asean practice, commemorative summits are normally held every decade, either ahead of or back-to-back with the Asean Summit at the end of the year. Without meaningful progress in the peace process, however, Asean could opt to host the summit in the Philippines, possibly immediately after the 49th Asean Summit scheduled for early November.

The next step to equalityA heated exchange on a pageant stage has ignited a debate that extends far beyond television. Earlier this year, Thailand took a historic step by becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to legalise marriage equality. The move was widely celebrated as evidence that Thai society had matured beyond symbolic tolerance towards substantive equality. Or it can approach the issue as the next logical step in its equality journey, one that requires legislative clarity, not viral soundbites. Allowing the debate over honorifics to devolve into anatomical litmus tests risks undercutting the international standing Thailand gained through marriage equality.

Two key renewable projects face delayWater pumps in an irrigation canal provide water for farmland in Suphan Buri's Muang district. Bangkok Post file photoTwo key renewable energy projects pushed by the caretaker government of Anutin Charnvirakul need to be delayed until a new government is formed, says energy permanent secretary Veerapat Kiatfuengfoo. The solar-powered water pump project is among the projects under Mr Anutin's 'Quick Big Win' policy, which emphasises immediate, impactful and inclusive projects. Another project which will face a further delay is the direct PPA scheme, aimed at facilitating clean power trade by enabling businesses to buy renewable power directly from power companies. The government previously invited foreign companies specialising in data centre development to invest in Thailand, but they sought clarity regarding the direct PPA policy.

The commercial real estate market is set to stay resilient in 2026, with demand focused on hotels, data centres, industrial and logistics assets, and top-tier office and retail space. The commercial real estate market is expected to remain resilient in 2026, with demand concentrated in hotels, data centres, industrial and logistics assets, and high-quality office and retail space, according to property consultancy JLL Thailand. From 2021 to the first half of 2025, industrial estate net absorption surpassed 24,000 rai, reducing the nationwide vacancy rate to 14.6%. Wealthy individuals are becoming more active in acquiring land and real estate, placing a stronger emphasis on value and deal discipline, he said. "The Thai commercial real estate market has entered a phase where future-proofing quality and adaptability are becoming decisive competitive advantages," said Anawin Chiamprasert, head of research and consultancy.

Processing key to tackling fruit glutDurians on display at a trade fair. Durian output is set to surge by 21% year-on-year to 1.89 million tonnes this year. Caretaker commerce minister Suphajee Suthumpun has identified processing as the linchpin in addressing Thailand's recurring fruit glut, warning that without stronger midstream capacity farmers will continue to suffer from falling prices and the forced dumping of produce. Thailand's fruit output in 2026 is projected at 6.91 million tonnes, up 5.8% year-on-year. Durian production is likely to surge by 21% year-on-year to 1.89 million tonnes.

He added that the restructuring of fees related to SME loans includes charges, such as front-end-fees, project proposal preparation fees and prepayment fees. "The initial 10-15 fee items under the fee standardisation are expected to substantially relieve the financial costs of households and SMEs," he said. As part of the fee standardisation, the Bank of Thailand expects to stipulate a ceiling rate for certain fees. Only Siam Commercial Bank lowered its MOR by 0.15 percentage points, its MRR by 0.1 percentage points and MLR by 0.05 percentage points. The five other financial institutions are Bangkok Bank, Krungthai Bank, Kasikornbank, Krungsri (Bank of Ayudhya) and TMBThanachart Bank.

Thai bourse faces crash of up to 75 pointsThe Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) could plunge by 50-75 points or 3-5% in the short term amid the spread of risk-off sentiment across Asia, but declines in most global markets have so far remained contained, suggesting caution rather than systemic panic, analysts say. Based on historical data, during prolonged but non-escalated situations such as the Israel-Hamas war in 1966, a decline of 50-75 points (3-5%) is expected, said InnovestX Securities. If tensions ease, it sees scope for a broader rebound led by energy and petrochemical shares, Mr Piriyapon added. In contrast, Yuanta Securities' research has warned that unresolved hostilities, particularly if Iran disrupted shipping routes or the conflict expanded regionally, could trigger renewed capital outflows from Thai equities. The firm cautioned that while oil prices in the US$90–100 per barrel range may initially boost energy earnings, levels beyond that threshold could erode aggregate corporate profits as rising production costs offset sector gains.

The gold price rose for a fourth day on Monday, surpassing $5,390, as the conflict in the Middle East rattled markets and drove investors to safer assets. Locally, gold bars were trading at 80,500 baht per baht-weight as the baht weakened to near 31.50 baht to the dollar amid capital outflows from the Stock Exchange of Thailand. "The ongoing fighting in the Middle East is unlikely to end shortly. Siriluck Pakotiprapha, vice-president of research at Hua Seng Heng Futures Co, said the local gold trader anticipates gold prices possibly hitting $5,450 an ounce in the near term. "The gold price could be driven by investors' demand for a safer asset to reach $5,600 in the short term," he said.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul leaves the Office of the National Security Council after chairing a high-level meeting to assess the economic and security implications of the conflict in the Middle East on Monday. "The impact of the conflict in the Middle East has been felt to a degree, but it remains manageable and can be addressed. Mr Anutin said global oil prices had risen briefly following the outbreak of hostilities but subsequently eased, citing a significant global supply surplus. Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said world oil prices had initially surged by about 10% before moderating to a 5% increase. In the first, if the conflict concludes within one month but the Strait of Hormuz is closed, oil prices could rise to between US$95 and US$105 per barrel.

Bombing Iran, Trump has 'epic fury' but endgame undefinedUS President Donald TrumpWASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) - US President Donald Trump says he attacked Iran to eliminate a threat. But Trump soon said his war launched alongside Israel was not about regime change after all. Before Trump, the United States has traditionally insisted on loftier principles, saying it was seeking to install democracy in its wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Trump's goal in Iran is "not regime change, it's regime implosion," said Trita Parsi, the executive vice president of the Quincy Institute and longtime supporter of engagement with Tehran. The United States and Israel intervened weeks after authorities crushed massive protests, killing thousands of people.

Mr Mauerberger, a South African businessman with extensive connections in Thailand and Cambodia, left his Bangkok base last September and is now in Dubai, according to multiple reports. Police have charged Mr Mauerberger, 47, and his Thai wife Cattaliya Beevor, 40, on two serious counts, fraud and money laundering causing about 1 billion baht in damages. The alleged crimes were committed in 2016, when Mr Mauerberger allegedly lured victims to invest in several projects. They included:700 million baht in now-delisted Pace Development real estate stocks,255 million baht in buying a private jet for leasing,126 million baht in a power plant investment. Pol Lt Col Arthirat said the latest police charges and evidence seizures on Monday relate to another case against Mr Mauerberger and his wife.

Myanmar grants amnesty to over 7,000 convicted of 'terrorist group' supportMyanmar's military junta granted amnesty on Monday to more than 7,000 prisoners convicted of financing or sheltering a "terrorist group"YANGON (MYANMAR) - Myanmar's military junta granted amnesty on Monday to more than 7,000 prisoners convicted of financing or sheltering a "terrorist group", a designation it has used to outlaw pro-democracy factions opposing its rule. Thousands of dissenting civilians have been swept into jails since Myanmar's military snatched power in a 2021 coup, ending a decade-long experiment with democracy and detaining elected figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi. A government notice said junta chief Min Aung Hlaing ordered releases of more than 7,300 prisoners convicted under legislation forbidding "financing of terrorism" and harbouring or arranging transport for "any terrorist group". It was not immediately clear which groups the prisoners had been convicted of association with. Nearly 12,500 people facing trial on the same "terrorism" charges will have their cases dropped, according to a separate statement.

Most Thais in Iran opting to stay putInterceptor missiles leave their launchpads in Jerusalem on Sunday night as Iran launches retaliatory missiles after Israel and US attacks began on Saurday. (Photo: Reuters)Most Thais in Iran are currenty opting to stay there, despite the war, with only about 10% of them indicating they want to be evacuated, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said on Monday. Mr Sihasak said around 200 Thais were registered as living in Iran. There are about 77,000 Thai workers employed in the Middle East, 65,000 of them in Israel. Mrs Weerakan hoped her husband would leave Israel if the Thai government declares the country unsafe.

BENGALURU - Apple on Monday launched iPhone ​17e, its ‌more affordable smartphone model that starts at a price of US$599 with 256 gigabytes of storage, as ​it ⁠looks to defend its share in a fiercely competitive global handset market. The ‌move comes as memory chip prices climb amid a global shortage, suggesting Apple ⁠is willing to absorb some component cost pressure to make its lowest-priced model more compelling. By offering higher storage at ​the same price point, Apple is positioning the 17e as ​a ‌stronger value option as it looks to attract new users ​and ⁠defend market share against rivals facing tighter supply ⁠constraints. Some analysts view the higher storage at the same starting price as effectively a ⁠price cut, since customers ​previously had to pay an upcharge to access the higher capacity.