Thai Airways International vs US Dollar/Thai Baht FX Spot Rate: why the prices moved differently

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  Flooding forces flight cancellations and baggage chaos Bangkok flooding left ground staff unable to reach work, so Thai Airways cancelled dozens of flights, stranded over 5,600 bags, and cut Bangkok capacity by about 30%. This directly hits peak-season revenue and adds compensation costs, weighing on the shares.

  This is the core new event that explains the sharp drop in THAI shares this period.

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  Cargo operations suspended, 12,000 tons backlogged Thai Airways halted inbound and outbound cargo at Suvarnabhumi from October 1–6 after flooding caused a staffing shortage, leaving about 12,000 tons of goods stuck. The government pressured the airline to fix it fast, adding to reputational and financial damage.

  Cargo is a meaningful profit source and the suspension is a new operational blow not previously reported.

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  CEO suspended, board launches investigation The board suspended CEO Chai Eamsiri and appointed an acting chief pending a fact-finding probe into crisis management. Leadership uncertainty and possible governance issues are a short-term overhang, though brokers see limited profit impact if operations normalise quickly.

  This is a major new governance event that adds uncertainty and affects investor confidence.

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  Recovery underway, brokers see cheap valuation and Q4 rebound Thai Airways restored most flights by October 1–3 and cleared the baggage backlog. Brokers recommend gradual accumulation, citing a 7.56 baht consensus target, a cheap 2027 P/E of 6.9x, lower fuel costs, and a high-season earnings recovery.

  This provides the counterweight: the operational crisis is easing and analysts still see value and a Q4 rebound.

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  FTSE Small Cap inclusion draws index-tracking buyers Thai Airways joined the FTSE Small Cap index effective September 18-21, 2026. Funds that track the index must buy the stock, creating steady demand. This is a one-time technical event that can lift the share price as new buyers step in.

  This is a new, concrete event that directly increases demand for THAI shares.

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  Winter schedule adds flights and routes, boosting revenue outlook Thai Airways launched its winter 2026/2027 schedule with 998 weekly flights across 66 routes, including a new Bangkok-Da Nang service and more flights to Europe. More flights mean more revenue, supporting the company's 200 billion baht full-year target.

  This is a new operational expansion that directly supports future revenue and earnings.

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  Strong bookings and 85% cabin factor signal resilient demand KGI Securities said 3Q69 bookings grew year on year, helped by a European route recovery and an 85% cabin factor. The fourth quarter is expected to grow with the tourism season. This shows demand is holding up despite high fuel costs, supporting earnings.

  This is new analyst evidence that passenger demand remains strong, a key driver of profit.

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  CEO search adds uncertainty but also a chance for fresh strategy Thai Airways opened applications for a new CEO to succeed Chai Eamsiri, whose term ends in January 2027. The new leader must handle 80 billion baht in debenture debt and a 55-aircraft order plan. Uncertainty over leadership can weigh on the stock, but a strong new CEO could improve execution.

  This is a new governance event that could affect investor confidence and future strategy.

Based on 6 stories →

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  Q2 profit plunges 87% on fuel spike Thai Airways' second-quarter profit fell 87% to 1.528 billion baht as jet fuel prices more than doubled due to Middle East unrest. Fewer passengers and a lower load factor added pressure, showing how fuel and travel demand directly hit earnings.

  This is the period's biggest negative event and explains why the stock faced pressure.

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  Brokers: core profit beat despite fuel Analysts said core profit was stronger than expected, helped by higher fares and cargo revenue. Most kept buy or hold ratings and expect a clear recovery in the fourth quarter as peak travel season begins and fuel hedging rises to 40%.

  It shows the market looked past the headline profit drop and focused on underlying strength.

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  Fleet and route expansion targets 2028 growth Thai Airways reaffirmed its Jump+ plan, targeting 14-15% revenue growth in 2028 and expanding its fleet from 84 to 128 aircraft. New routes to Xiamen and Da Nang and more European flights signal confidence in future demand.

  It gives a concrete long-term growth path that supports the investment case.

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  KKPS upgrades to Buy, target 9.20 baht KKPS upgraded Thai Airways to Buy and raised its target price to 9.20 baht, citing higher fares, market share gains from low-cost and Middle Eastern carriers, and rising profit through 2028. Middle East conflict pushing oil higher remains the key risk.

  A fresh analyst upgrade with a much higher target directly boosts investor sentiment.

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  Q2 profit set to be year's lowest Brokers expect THAI's Q2 2026 profit to plunge 88-91% from a year earlier to 850m-2.27bn baht, hit by high fuel costs and Middle East conflict. This weak earnings picture weighs on the shares.

  Directly explains the weak earnings backdrop driving the stock.

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  19.8bn share lock-up expiry creates selling pressure On 4 August, 19.8bn shares (70% of total) from debt-to-equity conversion became tradable. Creditors who got shares at ~2.5 baht can sell at a profit, adding a large supply overhang that pushes the price down.

  This is the main new supply event pressuring the stock.

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  U-Tapao MRO lease signed, long-term revenue stream THAI signed a 50-year lease for a 210-rai maintenance site at U-Tapao, investing ~13bn baht. Operations start 2030, adding a new long-term revenue source and government partnership, which supports the stock's long-term value.

  New capital project that adds long-term value and is a positive driver.

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  Lower oil prices and Q3 recovery hopes Brent crude fell below $80 on hopes of a Strait of Hormuz deal, cutting jet fuel costs. Brokers see Q2 as the trough and expect Q3 improvement, with some upgrading THAI to buy, which supports the share price.

  Shows the positive counterweight that could lift the stock after the lock-up.

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  US-Iran talks stall, oil and US yields surge Negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz ended without a deal, keeping Brent above $106 and pushing US 2-year and 10-year yields to 4.93% and 5.24%. High oil worsens Thailand's trade balance and safe-haven demand lifts the dollar, so USDTHB rises.

  This is the main new force pushing USDTHB higher this period.

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  TISCO sees baht weakening to 34.50 on current account deficit TISCO raised its 2026 GDP forecast to 2.1% but still expects a current account deficit of about 3% of GDP and the policy rate held at 1% until mid-2027. A weak external balance and low Thai rates keep the baht soft, pushing USDTHB up.

  New forecast highlights structural pressure on the baht.

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  Foreign investors dump Thai bonds, but rate-hike bets build Foreigners sold $635 million of Thai bonds in September, the most in six months, as US yields soared. However, the baht swap market now prices about 42 basis points of Thai rate hikes over 12 months, up from 25, as inflation pressure raises the chance the Bank of Thailand hikes for the first time in three years. That supports the baht and limits USDTHB's rise.

  This is a key new counterweight that could strengthen the baht.

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  JPMorgan sees three Bank of Thailand rate hikes in 2027 JPMorgan expects the Bank of Thailand to raise rates three times in 2027, starting in the first quarter, pushing the policy rate from 1% to 1.75%. Higher Thai rates would attract foreign money and strengthen the baht, working against USDTHB rising.

  A new contrarian view that could support the baht.

Based on 7 stories →

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  Fed hikes to 4.00%, signals more; baht slides toward 34 The Fed raised rates 0.25% to 4.00%, its first hike in three years, and signaled more may come. Higher US rates pull money into the dollar, weakening the baht and pushing USDTHB up. CIMB Thai sees the baht at risk of 34 per dollar.

  This is the biggest new force: a US rate hike directly strengthens the dollar and lifts USDTHB.

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  Oil above $100 on Middle East supply fears lifts dollar demand Crude oil surged near $109 after Houthi forces advanced near the Bab-el-Mandeb strait and Saudi output fell to a 1990 low. Expensive oil worsens Thailand's trade balance and boosts safe-haven dollar demand, pushing USDTHB higher.

  Oil is a key new driver: it hurts Thailand's trade balance and supports the dollar, both lifting USDTHB.

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  BOT holds rate at 1.00%, warns strong baht hurts exports The Bank of Thailand kept its policy rate at 1.00% and said it won't cut further, while warning the strong baht erodes export competitiveness. Holding rates supports the baht and limits USDTHB's rise, a counterweight to dollar strength.

  This is the main counterweight: BOT's steady rate and concern over baht strength work against USDTHB rising.

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  Thai economy slow, current account deficit pressures baht Kasikorn Research kept 2026 GDP growth at 2% and expects the current account deficit to hit a record as imports outpace exports. A weak economy and external deficit weigh on the baht, keeping USDTHB biased higher.

  Thailand's weak growth and deficit are a persistent drag on the baht, supporting USDTHB.

Based on 8 stories →

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  Fed rate-hike bets strengthen the dollar US inflation (PCE) came in hotter than expected and Fed Chair Warsh said policy may need to tighten further, so markets now see a good chance of another US rate hike. Higher US rates pull money into the dollar, pushing USDTHB up.

  This is the main new force lifting the dollar against the baht this period.

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  Middle East escalation and surging US bond yields Trump threatened heavier strikes on Iran, and the 10-year US Treasury yield jumped above 4.80%. Investors moved money into safer dollar assets and away from emerging markets like Thailand, weakening the baht and pushing USDTHB higher.

  Geopolitical risk and rising US yields are a fresh, powerful driver of dollar strength.

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  Bank of Thailand refuses further rate cuts The BOT held its policy rate at 1% and said it will not cut further, keeping some room for emergencies. Not cutting supports the baht because Thai assets keep a bit more yield, which works against USDTHB rising.

  This is the main counterweight that stops the baht from falling further.

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  Gold-trading curbs reduce baht volatility The BOT's limits on gold trading have cut the link between gold and the baht, and it may tighten rules further. Less gold-driven speculation means fewer sharp baht swings, which slightly supports the baht and works against USDTHB rising.

  A new policy that reduces a source of baht weakness, a fair counterweight to the dollar-positive drivers.

Based on 9 stories →

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  Oil slump and Hormuz reopening hopes lift the baht Brent crude fell below $80 for the first time in three weeks as the US and Iran moved toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Cheaper oil improves Thailand's trade balance and cuts safe-haven demand for the dollar, so the baht strengthens and USDTHB falls.

  This is the main new force pushing the baht stronger this period.

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  US dollar weakens as Treasury yields fall and buybacks grow The dollar index dropped to 98.76 after the US Treasury said it would more than double its bond buybacks, pulling 10-year yields below 4.70%. Lower US yields make dollar assets less attractive, so capital flows toward the baht and USDTHB falls.

  Shows the US side of the pair weakening, a key new driver.

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  Thailand's current account swings to deficit on import surge Q2 GDP grew only 1.9% while imports jumped 24%, turning Thailand's current account from surplus to deficit. Overspending and weak growth weigh on the baht and may stop the central bank from cutting rates, keeping USDTHB biased higher over time.

  A structural counterweight that keeps medium-term pressure on the baht.

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  Asian central banks shift to attracting capital, not burning reserves Thailand's reserves have fallen 4-9% since the Iran conflict, and Asian central banks now prefer attracting foreign capital over selling reserves. If Thailand draws inflows or hikes rates, the baht could strengthen; without inflows, the baht stays vulnerable, so the effect on USDTHB is two-sided.

  Explains a new policy backdrop that could cut either way for the baht.

Based on 6 stories →

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  US halts Iran strikes, oil falls, baht strengthens The US temporarily stopped attacking Iran, easing war fears. Oil dropped 4.7% to $92, and the dollar weakened. The baht strengthened to 33.57 per dollar. Less war risk means less safe-haven demand for the dollar, pushing USDTHB down.

  This is a new geopolitical development that directly weakened the dollar and strengthened the baht.

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  Fed holds rates but long-term US yields stay high The Fed kept rates at 3.50-3.75% but gave no clear signal on future hikes. Long-term US bond yields remain high (10-year at 4.68%), attracting capital to the dollar. This supports USDTHB by pulling money out of Thailand.

  The Fed decision and high US yields are a key monetary force keeping the dollar strong against the baht.

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  New US strikes on Iran revive safe-haven dollar demand After the brief pause, the US launched new strikes on Iran, bringing back war fears. The dollar strengthened as investors sought safety, and the baht weakened to 33.62 per dollar. This pushes USDTHB up.

  This new escalation reverses the earlier calm and is a direct driver of dollar strength and baht weakness.

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  Thai economy slows, current account deficit widens The Bank of Thailand said the economy slowed in Q2 due to the war, with fewer tourists and a current account deficit of $17.7 billion. A weaker economy and deficit weigh on the baht, supporting USDTHB.

  This new data shows fundamental weakness in Thailand that pressures the baht and supports a higher USDTHB rate.

Based on 13 stories →

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  Middle East oil shock pressures baht Houthi attacks and Trump's threat of a major strike on Iran pushed Brent crude above $100. Higher oil prices worsen Thailand's trade balance and lift safe-haven demand for the US dollar, weakening the baht and pushing USDTHB higher.

  This is the main new geopolitical force driving the baht to a one-year low.

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  New US tariffs on 60 trading partners The US plans 10–12.5% import tariffs on 60 major partners, raising trade-war fears. This supports the dollar as a safe haven and threatens Thai exports, both of which weaken the baht and push USDTHB up.

  A new policy threat that adds to dollar strength and baht weakness.

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  Fed rate hike expectations and higher US yields War-driven inflation worries and rising US 10-year yields (4.70%) keep the Fed expected to hold or hike rates. Higher US yields attract capital to the dollar, pulling money out of Thailand and weakening the baht.

  This monetary force is a key reason the dollar stays strong against the baht.

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  Thai bond inflows and low-rate BOT cap baht weakness Foreign buying of Thai bonds (auctions oversubscribed) and expectations the Bank of Thailand will keep rates low and cut later support the baht by attracting capital. This is a real counterweight that could slow USDTHB's rise.

  It is the main opposing force that could limit further baht depreciation.

Based on 10 stories →