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Thai-bound flights continue unimpeded

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is monitoring the US government shutdown, which has severely disrupted domestic American travel, although international flights including to Thailand have not been affected yet.

The US government shutdown has lasted for more than a month, causing delays and cancellations of domestic flights due to a shortage of air traffic control and transportation security administration workers.

“While international flights to Thailand haven’t been directly affected, we need to keep an eye on this situation as there is a tendency for delays of transiting international passengers,” said Chiravadee Khunsub, deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas at the TAT.

Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) instructed airlines to cut flights by 10% as of this Friday at 40 major airports across the US.

Mrs Chiravadee said the situation has left passengers frustrated about their trips. Airlines are offering refunds for impacted travellers.

Sentiment remains a concern, though demand for travel remains high, particularly overseas trips.

Passengers in the US were advised to prepare extra travel time for connecting flights to international destinations.

She said United’s direct flight from Los Angeles to Bangkok via Hong Kong is still operating as normal.

Travel confidence in the US market for international destinations remains at a moderate to high level, particularly for Asia and Thailand, which are perceived as being more valuable than domestic trips, as the US is facing high inflation.

If the government shutdown persists until the middle of November, the number of flights may be slashed by up to 20%, based on the FAA’s forecast.

In this scenario, international flights may be affected, said Mrs Chiravadee.

As of Nov 9, Thailand welcomed 870,469 US tourists, a 5.5% increase year-on-year.

She said the TAT is still confident the number from this market would exceed 1 million this year.

Based on the current inbound trend, it could reach 1.09 million, a 6% increase year-on-year.

Earlier this month, the TAT also boosted the long-haul market from Europe, supporting Thai tourism operators in joining the World Travel Mart trade show in London.

At the “Destinations with Heart” session at the trade event, Mrs Chiravadee shared Thailand’s commitment to sustainable tourism, as well as its “Go Thai Be Free” initiative, ensuring the nation’s inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for all travellers.

Traders bullish on continued momentum

YLG Bullion & Futures expects gold to preserve its upward trajectory into the fourth quarter, supported by continued central bank purchases, the global shift towards de-dollarisation, and the Federal Reserve’s moves on interest rate cuts.

The gold trader maintains its year-end target of US$4,380-4,400 per ounce, said chief executive Tipa Nawawattanasub.

China’s central bank increased its gold reserves again in October, marking 12 consecutive months of accumulation. This steady buying pattern reinforces the broader trend of sustained central bank demand worldwide — a trend closely tied to efforts to reduce reliance on the dollar, she said.

From 2022 to 2024, central banks worldwide purchased more than 1,000 tonnes of gold annually, more than double the average of 478 tonnes recorded between 2010 and 2021.

YLG also observed a shift in investor behaviour, with more savers moving out of deposits and into gold across multiple channels, including physical bars, online platforms and futures markets.

The ongoing cycle of rate cutting by the Fed also enhances gold’s appeal as a beneficiary of lower interest rates. The US central bank’s decision to end quantitative tightening (QT) on Dec 1 reinforces the broadly accommodative monetary environment, Ms Tipa noted.

“Gold remains strongly underpinned by China’s latest reserve increase, which lifted holdings to 74.09 million troy ounces in October from 74.06 million the previous month,” she said. “Short-term profit-taking may emerge following October’s steep price rally, but the broader trend remains intact.”

YLG identifies key support at $3,991 -4,015 per ounce. A sustained hold above this zone would confirm a constructive outlook. As for the domestic price, the firm sees potential for prices to climb to 67,000-67,500 baht per baht-weight, with major support at around 61,200-61,600 baht.

For investors seeking exposure during this elevated price phase, gold futures are recommended as an alternative, as futures require only 10% of the underlying value and allow profit opportunities in both rising and falling price trends, said Ms Tipa.

Hua Seng Heng noted global gold prices recently tested a key resistance level of $4,144 an ounce before retreating slightly in the short term.

Prices may pull back to test the support level of $4,100, with a possibility of rebounding afterwards. However, if gold falls below the next support at $4,075, it could signal a deeper correction, the gold trader said.

The market has begun to anticipate the Fed may shift towards a more accommodative monetary policy after ending its QT on Dec 1, leading to a weaker dollar and supporting a surge in gold prices, noted Hua Seng Heng.

The Thai Restaurant Association is worried about the new alcohol law, especially the regulation that bans customers from consuming alcoholic beverages in restaurants during prohibited hours.

Thaniwan Kulmongkol, president of the association, said members have expressed concern over new amendments to the Alcoholic Beverage Act as they are uncertain whether they could face fines under the new rules. So far no members have reported fines.

She said the controversial Section 32 of the law is not suited to the country’s position as a tourism destination.

Section 32 of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act of 2025 prohibits the consumption of alcoholic beverages during banned periods in any venue where alcohol is sold, or any place or area where commercial services for alcoholic beverage consumption are allowed. The new law went into effect on Nov 8.

Under another law, the sale of alcoholic beverages is restricted to specific periods: from 11am to 2pm and from 5pm to midnight. This means even if consumers bought alcoholic beverages in a restaurant before 2pm, they would need to consume them outside the establishment from 2pm to 5pm.

Section 37/1 states violations of Section 32 can be fined up to 10,000 baht. The rule does not apply to international airports, registered entertainment venues and registered hotels.

Sathien Sathientham, chief executive of Carabao Group, said the law banning drinking in establishments during certain hours is outdated.

“It would be weird if a restaurant is open, a customer orders and enjoys drinks, then is told to stop drinking,” he said.

A group of associations submitted letters Tuesday to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul about concerns with the drinking ban during non-sales hours in the recently amended law. The new regulations add more obstacles for already struggling restaurants and hotels, noted the letters.

The private sector urged the government to promptly issue national guidelines to lift the current sales and consumption ban during restricted times.

They also called for comprehensive deregulation instead of targeting specific zones, and requested the government reconsider alcohol sales zoning.

The associations suggested lifting the online sales ban because it will support small businesses as well as craft and Otop products.

The Thai Restaurant Association is worried about the new alcohol law, especially the regulation that bans customers from consuming alcoholic beverages in restaurants during prohibited hours.

Thaniwan Kulmongkol, president of the association, said members have expressed concern over new amendments to the Alcoholic Beverage Act as they are uncertain whether they could face fines under the new rules. So far no members have reported fines.

She said the controversial Section 32 of the law is not suited to the country’s position as a tourism destination.

Section 32 of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act of 2025 prohibits the consumption of alcoholic beverages during banned periods in any venue where alcohol is sold, or any place or area where commercial services for alcoholic beverage consumption are allowed. The new law went into effect on Nov 8.

Under another law, the sale of alcoholic beverages is restricted to specific periods: from 11am to 2pm and from 5pm to midnight. This means even if consumers bought alcoholic beverages in a restaurant before 2pm, they would need to consume them outside the establishment from 2pm to 5pm.

Section 37/1 states violators of Section 32 — including individuals — can be fined up to 10,000 baht. The rule does not apply to international airports, registered entertainment venues and registered hotels.

Sathien Sathientham, chief executive of Carabao Group, said the law banning drinking in establishments during certain hours is outdated.

“It would be weird if a restaurant is open, a customer orders and enjoys drinks, then is told to stop drinking,” he said.

A group of associations submitted letters Tuesday to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul about concerns with the drinking ban during non-sales hours in the recently amended law. The new regulations add more obstacles for already struggling restaurants and hotels, noted the letters.

The private sector urged the government to promptly issue national guidelines to lift the current sales and consumption ban during restricted times.

They also called for comprehensive deregulation instead of targeting specific zones, and requested the government reconsider alcohol sales zoning.

The associations suggested lifting the online sales ban because it will support small businesses as well as craft and Otop products.