Bangkok: Kasikorn Bank has reported a strengthening of the Thai baht, with the currency moving past the 33 baht per US dollar mark as the bank keeps a vigilant eye on the country's August inflation forecast and foreign fund flows. This development comes amidst a backdrop of fluctuating financial markets and geopolitical tensions. According to Thai News Agency, the Kasikorn Research Center highlighted that the baht closed last week at 32.91 per dollar, buoyed by the Japanese yen's performance and diminishing expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate hike. This marks a recovery from earlier in the week when the baht dipped to its lowest in nearly a month at 33.38 per dollar. Factors such as falling gold prices, a stronger US dollar, and heightened Middle Eastern tensions had initially exerted pressure on the baht, causing a safe-haven shift towards the dollar. However, the baht rebounded, mirroring the rise in other Asian currencies and gold prices. In the coming week, Kasikorn Bank projects the baht t o navigate within a band of 32.50 to 33.20 per US dollar. The Kasikorn Research Center emphasizes monitoring key variables such as Thailand's August inflation data, trends in foreign capital flows, and ongoing Middle East tensions. Additionally, significant US economic indicators, including consumer inflation expectations and various price indices, will be pivotal for market participants. The Thai stock market also experienced a week of volatility, initially driven by buying in banking and technology sectors but later impacted by global concerns over US interest rates and geopolitical tensions. This caused a sell-off, particularly in finance, electronics, and transportation sectors, before a late-week recovery spurred by Federal Reserve officials' comments on interest rates. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index concluded the week at 1,595.58 points, a 0.46% increase from the prior week, alongside a notable rise in trading volume. Looking ahead to September 7-11, 2026, Kasikorn Securities Co., Ltd. ant icipates the SET index to find support at 1,570 and 1,550 points, with resistance at 1,605 and 1,630 points. The Kasikorn Research Center continues to highlight the importance of Thailand's August Consumer Price Index, foreign capital flows, and Middle East developments. On the international front, attention will focus on the ECB meeting, economic data from China, and GDP figures from the Eurozone and Japan.