
Thailand's stock investor confidence turns bearish in June
The investor confidence index, which predicts market conditions over the next three months, stood at 58.45 last month, plunging from 110.36 in May to the "bearish" zone, according to the Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations (FETCO).
Investor morale declined among all categories, with proprietary investors down 61.9 percent, foreign investors down 55.6 percent, institutional investors down 42.1 percent, and retail investors down 14.2 percent, the FETCO said in a statement.
The Thai capital market experienced high volatility in June as the local political situation fueled investor anxiety over the government's stability, along with border tensions with neighboring Cambodia and the Iran-Israel conflict, said FETCO Chairman Kobsak Pootrakool.
Kobsak told a news conference that the outcome of trade negotiations between the United States and its trading partners, coupled with geopolitical issues in the Middle East affecting oil prices and potentially impacting the global economy, are external factors to monitor.
Locally, a constitutional court order suspending Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra pending an ethics investigation could adversely affect the implementation of key economic policies and harm the private sector's long-term investment strategies, he said.
He noted that the Thai economic slowdown expected in the latter half of the year, driven by weakened exports and a decline in inbound tourists, was also a concern.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
11 minutes ago
- The Star
Uncertainties over US interest rates will likely see the ringgit trade around RM4.20-4.22 this week
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The ringgit is expected to hover between RM4.20 and RM4.22 this week as traders and investors remain cautious over the trajectory of US interest rates. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the release of the US Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting minutes next Thursday, Aug 20 (Wednesday, Aug 19, in the US) could offer more clarity on the state of the US economy, particularly after two FOMC members dissented from the recent decision and favoured a 25-basis-point rate cut. Meanwhile, Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd said that markets continued to swing between two and three US Federal Reserve (Fed) cuts over the past few weeks. "We maintain our base case for two, underpinned by evidence that firms are absorbing tariff costs, a trend that is unsustainable and likely to squeeze margins,' it said in a research note. Moreover, the investment bank said further easing would require either a major deterioration in the next jobs report or a significantly dovish tone from Fed chair Jerome Powell. "Hence, we expect the ringgit to range around RM4.22 to RM4.23 against the greenback in the near term,' it added. On Thursday, the ringgit appreciated to the 4.18 level against the US dollar, its strongest level in more than six weeks. The last time it reached a similar high was on July 1, when it hit 4.1805. Meanwhile, on a Friday-to-Friday basis, the ringgit ended the week higher against the greenback, closing at 4.2085/2155 versus 4.2420/2480 previously. The local note traded mostly higher against a basket of major currencies. The ringgit appreciated vis-à-vis the Japanese yen to 2.8653/8702 from 2.8720/8763 the previous week and rose versus the euro to 4.9185/9267 from 4.9381/9451, but declined against the British pound to 5.7050/7145 from 5.7034/7114 The ringgit also trended firmer against Asean currencies. The local note improved against the Singapore dollar to 3.2820/2877 from 3.3014/3064 at the end of last week, inched up versus the Thai baht to 12.9760/13.0032 from 13.1173/1419, gained versus the Indonesian rupiah to 260.2/260.8 from 260.3/260.8 and strengthened against the Philippine peso to 7.37/7.39 from 7.43/7.44 in the preceding week. - Bernama


The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
GOF urges faster concertina wire installation at Malaysia-Thailand border
TUMPAT: The General Operations Force (GOF) has requested urgent installation of concertina wire along a 1.8-kilometre stretch from Pos Ibrahim Pencen to Muhibbah bridge in Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas. Commander of the Southeast Brigade Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid stated the area is a hotspot for illegal crossings and smuggling. He revealed smugglers had previously damaged concertina wire installed near Bukit Lata bordering Thailand. 'We fear smuggling of drugs, firearms, and illegal immigrants will worsen without immediate security measures,' he said. The Kelantan government has approved the proposal, which was also submitted to Thai authorities. Nik Ros Azhan made the remarks during a working visit with Deputy Secretary-General (Sectoral) of the Ministry of Economy Datuk Luqman Ahmad. He also urged the Home Ministry to upgrade border facilities and control posts. 'CCTV cameras and surveillance drones are critically needed for enhanced monitoring,' he added. Two completed posts are awaiting handover to GOF for operational use. The force has requested eight more control posts in high-risk areas like Pulau Tengkorak and Sungai Mentua. A new post is also proposed near the illegal Syed Agil base in Rantau Panjang to deter crime. Nik Ros Azhan stressed the need for locals to stop relying on smuggled goods for income. Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat earlier announced plans to demolish 128 illegal jetties along Sungai Golok. The state government has granted permission for the demolition. - Bernama


Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Protests held across Israel calling for end to Gaza war, hostage deal
TEL AVIV, Aug 17 — Demonstrators took to the streets across Israel today calling for an end to the war in Gaza and a deal to release hostages still held by militants, as the military prepares a new offensive. The protests come more than a week after Israel's security cabinet approved plans to capture Gaza City, following 22 months of war that have created dire humanitarian conditions in the Palestinian territory. The war was triggered by Palestinian group Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel, during which 251 were taken hostage. Forty-nine captives remain in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead. A huge Israeli flag covered with portraits of the remaining captives was unfurled in Tel Aviv's so-called Hostage Square—which has long been a focal point for protests throughout the war. Demonstrators also blocked several roads in the city, including the highway connecting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, where demonstrators set tires on fire and caused traffic jams, according to local media footage. Protest organisers and the main campaign group representing the families of hostages also called for a general strike today. 'I think it's time to end the war. It's time to release all of the hostages. And it's time to help Israel recover and move towards a more stable Middle East,' said Doron Wilfand, a 54-year-old tour guide, at a rally in Jerusalem. However, some government members who oppose any deal with Hamas slammed the demonstrations. Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich decried 'a perverse and harmful campaign that plays into the hands of Hamas'. He argued that public pressure to secure a deal effectively 'buries the hostages in tunnels and seeks to push the State of Israel to surrender to its enemies and jeopardise its security and future'. APTFV footage showed protesters at a rally in Beeri, a kibbutz near the Gaza border that was one of the hardest-hit communities in the Hamas attack, and Israeli media reported protests in numerous locations across the country. Israeli plans to expand the war into Gaza City and nearby refugee camps have sparked an international outcry as well as domestic opposition. UN-backed experts have warned of widespread famine unfolding in the territory, where Israel has drastically curtailed the amount of humanitarian aid it allows in. According to Gaza's civil defence agency, Israeli troops shot dead at least 13 Palestinians on Saturday as they were waiting to collect food aid near distribution sites. Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Israel's offensive has killed more than 61,897 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza which the United Nations considers reliable. — AFP