Bangkok

• Thai shares trended sideways down this week, characterized by mild selling pressure and frequent sector rotation. • Investors engaged in periodic buy-backs, notably with TTB shares following a big-lot sale by ING Bank that caused a slight price dip. • The current market environment emphasizes that careful sector and stock selection are now the primary drivers for achieving investment success.

• Prolight + Sound is launching its first Bangkok edition, Prolight + Sound Bangkok (PLSB), as announced on August 21, 2026. • The event serves as a new regional trade fair and meeting point focusing on professional AV, lighting, music, and entertainment technology. • This debut aims to energize the Southeast Asian market by connecting international brands with regional industry professionals.

• The Thai government pledged on Wednesday to tighten gun controls and crack down on illegal firearms following two deadly shootings near Bangkok that occurred within a single week. • These incidents have renewed urgent pressure on authorities to curb gun violence in a country that maintains one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Asia. • The move signals a shift toward stricter enforcement despite Thailand's existing restrictive laws, aiming to reduce the prevalence of unauthorized weapons.

• Thai Prime Minister Anutin has suspended the issuance of firearm purchase licenses following a school shooting involving a 14-year-old gunman. • The attack was carried out using a legally registered CZ75 9mm semi-automatic pistol belonging to the shooter's grandfather, a model commonly distributed through government welfare programs. • In response to the tragedy, the government has halted the "welfare gun" scheme and ordered the development of tougher gun-control legislation.

• Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) Governor Dr. Gongsak Yodmani expressed confidence that Thailand's U23 football team and women's volleyball players will perform strongly at the 20th Asian Games. • Dr. Gongsak predicts the women's volleyball team will secure a medal, while the U23 football team is expected to advance to the later stages of the tournament. • The men's football team is grouped with Kyrgyzstan, Hong Kong, and hosts Japan, providing a key opportunity to compete against a world-class opponent.

• A new three-part documentary series focusing on Singapore’s vibrant hawker culture is being released for streaming between August 5-11. • The series highlights the personal stories, professional struggles, and creative reinventions of 26 different local hawkers. • This production provides a deep dive into the culinary heritage and social fabric of Singapore's street food scene.

• London indie-pop quartet PREP has announced a series of headline tour dates across Asia for October, including stops in Singapore, Manila, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur. • The tour follows the band's successful 2024 run and supports their latest release, leveraging a massive digital presence of over 650 million streams. • This tour targets Southeast Asia, which remains one of the group's strongest global markets, specifically in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Taiwan.