Category: The Bangkok Post

The Bank of Thailand is expected to continue its easing cycle for the rest of 2025 amid a slowing economy. It has maintained its growth forecasts at 2.3% for 2025 and 1.7% for 2026. Our 2025 forecast is in line with the central bank’s. However, recent political instability adds downside risks to growth.

We therefore expect the central bank to lower its benchmark policy rate by a further 50 basis points, bringing it to a terminal rate of 1.00% by the end of 2026. We see this delivered in two rounds — one by the end of 2025, most likely in December, and another in the second half of 2026.

Deflationary pressures are mounting. Headline inflation has undershot even our modest expectations so far in 2025, with consumer prices falling by 0.7% year-on-year in July and rising just 0.2% on average in the first seven months of the year. As a result, we now expect no change in consumer prices on average for 2025 — down from our previous forecast of an increase of 0.6% — and see headline inflation ending the year close to zero.

Moreover, the baht has strengthened by around 7% to trade at 32.20 to the US dollar, its strongest since February 2022. In its latest monetary policy statement, the central bank highlighted concerns about the baht’s impact on export competitiveness. These concerns have likely grown since the US imposed 19% tariffs on imports of Thai goods.

That said, monetary easing alone will not be enough to stem appreciation pressure on the baht, especially if investor confidence in the dollar erodes further. The US Federal Reserve is facing increasing political pressure from President Donald Trump, who has publicly and repeatedly advocated for looser monetary policy.

Any US rate cuts could be perceived by markets as politically motivated, potentially undermining confidence in the Fed’s independence, especially if rate cuts occur alongside fiscal slippage or policy uncertainty.

Accordingly, we maintain our forecast for the baht to trade in the range between 32.00 and 33.50 range for the rest of the year.

The Department of Airports has announced an increase in the passenger service charge – commonly known as ‘airport tax’ – for outbound passengers at six regional airports in Thailand.

Both domestic and international travellers will now pay an additional 25 baht per person.

The airports are Krabi, Surat Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phitsanulok.

The fee for international passengers has risen from 400 baht to 425 baht per person, while domestic passengers will now pay 75 baht per person, up from 50 baht. The fee is included in the ticket price.

Local media reported that passengers travelling between domestic airports have already seen the airport tax listed at 75 baht per person under the ‘fees and taxes’ section, in line with the department’s announcement, which took effect on Wednesday.

The increase applies only to airports that have introduced three new passenger processing technologies: automated boarding pass checks, self-service check-in kiosks, and self-service baggage drop systems.

The idea of braiding sailing cables, fixed at both ends with rivets, and shaping a gold clasp like a marine carabiner led to the creation of the Force 10 bracelet in 1966.

Maison Fred has enriched the interchangeable buckle of its iconic jewellery with a 0.5 carat diamond in the exclusive Hero Cut with a diamond pavé amplifying the radiance of the central stone.

Launched in 2022, the Fred Hero Cut is inspired by the contours of both a sailboat and a shield. Recognised and certified by the Gemological Institute of America, its brilliance is fully revealed in each of its 36 facets.

Thanks to the meticulous faceting, the Fred Hero Cut ensures the diamond is of absolutely flawless clarity without any shadows.

The number of facets is a nod to 1936, when founder Fred Samuel — the Contemporary Creative Jeweller — opened his first boutique in Paris.

As his French parents emigrated to Argentina, he was born in Buenos Aires on Aug 3, 1908. During his childhood, he enjoyed holidaying in the seaside town of Mar del Plata, and after returning to France he fell in love with the Côte d’Azur.

His passion for the sea is reflected in the jewellery designs, such as the Force 10, which indicates a storm when referencing the Beaufort Wind Scale.

Synonymous with endurance, strength and will power, the new Force 10 bracelet in a large model comes in two versions with a steel cable and white gold buckle or both elements in pink gold.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Thursday assured the House of Representatives that the probe into a collapsed road near Vajira Hospital in Bangkok’s Dusit district would be conducted both independently and transparently.

He said he has no business ties to Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction (STECON), founded by his father, which is part of the joint venture contracted to build the Purple Line near the treacherous sinkhole.

People’s Party (PP) MP for Bangkok, Paramet Worawitthayaraksan, pressed Mr Anutin to speak clearly about how the government would take action against the contractors over the incident and whether it would seek compensation for work delays.

“Will they be prosecuted, told to pay compensation or blacklisted? Will they be fined for delays in the project delivery?” Mr Paramet asked.

Mr Anutin said he sold his shares in the company through the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2019 in full compliance with all legal requirements for political office holders when he became aware the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) could secure a significant share of House seats.

The prime minister said he has no involvement with the company and has never used his influence for its benefit.

It was Mr Anutin’s first response to a fresh interpellation since he assumed office.

Founded by Chavarat Charnvirakul, Mr Anutin’s father, STECON was listed on the stock market in 1993 with a registered capital of 300 million baht.

On the probe into the collapsed road, he said the Ministry of Transport will be looking into the incident with the help of a committee comprising specialists and representatives from the Public Works Department and City Hall.

The investigation would be based on engineering evidence, he said, noting that if negligence or recklessness are proven, contractors would be held accountable.

He said the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) is working on repairs, and traffic is expected to resume on Oct 9, 2025.

ALMAD Group (the group) officially launched September 21, in Hong Kong, is dedicated to harnessing tomorrow’s opportunities across nine transformative paradigms. Founded by renowned entrepreneur Adrian Cheng, the group’s forward-looking portfolio strategically focuses on the digital space and emerging markets, including Mainland China, ASEAN countries, the Middle East and beyond, along the following three directions:

Investing in transformative industries – including culture, entertainment, sports, media, healthcare, commercial management and cultural tourism in emerging markets.

Breaking boundaries in digital and virtual assets.

Globalising the K11 by AC cultural ecosystem.

Adrian Cheng, Founder and Executive Chairman of ALMAD Group, said:’We are living in an era of profound change in the global economy, where new frontiers are emerging at an unprecedented pace. From ideation two years ago, we have been determined to build ALMAD Group as a movement propelling this shift, investing in transformative industries in emerging markets such as ASEAN and the Middle East, while advancing globally in digital assets and cultural industries.’

He added: ‘Our mission is clear: to build what the next generation needs and to shape a future economy filled with possibilities.’

Investing in Transformative Industries in Emerging Markets

Headquartered in Hong Kong, ALMAD Group strives to become the international hub’s iconic global platform and deliver long-term growth with a worldwide footprint. Its industry priorities span culture, entertainment, sports, media, healthcare, commercial management and cultural tourism. These targeted industries not only demonstrate strong commercial viability today but also have the potential to shape the global economy and society over the next twenty years, serving the needs of Gen Z and Gen Alpha in advance.

‘We firmly believe that Hong Kong is a resilient community with a global outlook, widely recognised as a bridge to the world,’ Adrian Cheng stated. ‘As ALMAD Group’s movement evolves, I look forward to unveiling more projects in the near future, showcasing the group’s commitment to transforming vision into action.’

Breaking Boundaries in Digital and Virtual Assets

ALMAD Group aspires to stand at the forefront of Web3 financial innovation, with a forward-looking strategy to explore investments in digital assets, real-world asset (RWA) tokenisation and other emerging opportunities, while remaining attentive to the evolving market and regulatory landscape. Applications leveraging blockchain technology and immersive digital experiences will also be explored across industries, as this wave of creativity unlocks new possibilities.

As a dedicated supporter of new frontiers, Adrian Cheng has long provided early-stage funding to empower technology start-ups. Previous successes include Xiaohongshu, XPeng Motors, Micro Connect and others, enabling these companies to develop groundbreaking solutions and achieve commercial success. He will continue to guide the group’s financial and technology investment strategies, driving dynamic growth to shape the economy of tomorrow.

Globalising K11 by AC Cultural Ecosystem

K11 by AC is a cultural brand and a member of ALMAD Group, driven by Adrian Cheng’s extensive professional experience and his visionary management team. The brand is redefining the cultural landscape by managing retail assets and art and cultural districts for a diverse range of landlords. Its core differentiation lies in cultural content, co-creation of brand experience, commercial management and strong CRM capabilities targeting younger and more affluent demographics.

In addition, K11 by AC’s Anime IP business, Experience 11, is rapidly expanding in Mainland China and the Middle East. It curates experiences with leading Anime IPs from around the world, leveraging its global art network and expertise. This segment strengthens the cultural ecosystem by capturing the fast-growing ACGN (Animation, Comic, Game and Novel) and ‘two-dimensions’ industries, highly popular among Gen Z, Gen Alpha and others.

K11 by AC is also scaling its Gentry Club business – a high-privacy luxury city club for cultural lovers themed around artisanal lifestyle.

A Continued Journey of Business Innovation

ALMAD Group embodies Adrian Cheng’s latest endeavour in pioneering models and ecosystem innovation. He launched K11 in 2008, the world’s first cultural-commerce model seamlessly integrating art, design and retail. His leadership has driven transformative projects, including Victoria Dockside, Hong Kong’s US$2.6 billion global art and cultural district featuring K11 MUSEA.

As ALMAD Group expands Adrian Cheng’s business ecosystem into new and exciting segments, it continues to attract mission-aligned entrepreneurs and strategic investors, advancing a collective journey to realise tangible opportunities.

Former deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, also known as “Big Joke”, has filed a criminal defamation lawsuit against national police chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch over allegations of links to a Chulalongkorn University law exam scandal.

The lawsuit, submitted on Wednesday at the Songkhla Administrative Court, cites the publication of misleading information implying Pol Gen Surachate’s involvement in the theft of exam papers, which he claims has harmed his reputation and honour.

The controversy dates back to March this year, when cyber police arrested figures connected to the Betflik online gambling network, ultimately uncovering communications among officers about removing exam papers from Chulalongkorn’s evening law programme.

Kanittha Lertbanjerdwong, also known as Dr Nid, was identified as a key intermediary who claimed to act as Pol Gen Surachate’s personal secretary. According to the investigation team, evidence indicates she delivered stolen exam papers to Pol Gen Surachate’s legal team for completion before returning them to examination authorities. Pol Gen Surachate maintains he never personally handled the papers.

Investigators from the Technology Crime Suppression Division 1 subsequently gathered sufficient evidence to issue warrants for three suspects, including Ms Kanittha, who was arrested in April. The police also revealed that a mobile phone of Pol Lt Col Karit Pariyaket, a close aide of Pol Gen Surachate, contained Line chats detailing the division of roles in the exam fraud. Some messages mentioned Pol Gen Surachate, while three other officers were involved in preparing and returning exams. Financial transactions tied to Pol Lt Col Karit and others were also identified.

Pol Gen Surachate stated that he has never been involved in any way and has never been formally charged in the case, yet his name has continued to be repeatedly implicated.

“I have filed criminal defamation charges against the national police chief because false information has been published linking me to the exam scandal,” he said. “Although my name was not mentioned directly, the reports clearly implied my involvement, damaging my reputation and honour. I must use the law to protect myself.”

A police disciplinary committee fired Pol Gen Surachate in March over his alleged involvement in an online gambling network.

Harit ‘Keng’ Buayoi is a model and rising actor who stars in the hit Boys’ Love supernatural thriller Khemjira The Series (2025) alongside Napatsakorn ‘Namping’ Pingmuang. He first gained attention for his supporting roles in The Paradise of Thorns (2024) and from a viral clip of him as a ‘handsome Thai teacher’.

Teacher goes viral

Keng grew up in rural Phayao and graduated with a degree in Thai from the University of Phayao.

In his freshman year, he started dreaming about joining the entertainment industry and sought out opportunities, from modelling to competitions. He even put his studies on hold and moved to Bangkok, but the Covid-19 situation eventually forced him back home. Thinking his path was to become a teacher, he trained at a community school.

But then in 2021, an unassuming TikTok video changed everything. The internet discovered the ‘handsome teacher’ and he went viral overnight.

‘Jingna’ role changes outlookThat attention opened doors. DomundiTV noticed him, and GDH later cast him as Jingna in The Paradise of Thorns (2024) starring alongside Jeff Satur and Engfa Waraha.

Playing a durian farmer searching for stability, Keng connected deeply with the role.

Like Jingna, he came from an ethnic minority and once believed life was bound by fate. ‘But after playing him,’ Keng reflected in The Momentum, ‘I’ve learned to push beyond my limits. If I succeed, my family will live comfortably.’

Shining as a shaman

His biggest breakthrough came in 2025 with Khemjira The Series, where he starred as Master Paran, a gifted young shaman protecting Khemjira from a deadly family curse.

The series became iQIYI’s most-watched Thai drama worldwide, and the ‘handsome shaman’ hashtag racked up over 2.4 million mentions on social media.

Bridging gaps as an actor

Keng’s choice of roles often explores identity, from portraying ethnic minorities to LGBTQ+ characters.

As a Tai Lue actor, he hopes to raise awareness of his heritage. ‘Being a minority and reaching this point makes me proud,’ he said.

He also admitted initial hesitation in taking LGBTQ+ roles, as his hometown remains conservative. But after his family accepted it, others began to understand too. ‘At least my work helps bridge the gap between old beliefs and new ones,’ he shared with The Cloud.

From a rural village in Phayao to starring in Thailand’s most-watched series, Keng Harit’s journey is proof that perseverance and openness can turn limitations into new possibilities.

The rivalry between the United States and China has become the defining contest of the 21st century. Barely two decades ago, Washington and Beijing were partners in prosperity. America’s support for China’s entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001 epitomised the high-water mark of engagement, reflecting the belief that economic integration would lead to greater political cooperation. Today, that partnership has morphed into suspicion and confrontation. Relations between the United States and China have deteriorated so swiftly that many observers now describe them as locked in a “new Cold War”. The more pressing question, however, is not whether this analogy holds, but whether confrontation can be managed short of outright conflict.

China’s economic ascent was initially encouraged, even celebrated, by the US and its allies. In the 1990s and early 2000s, Beijing was seen as a responsible stakeholder, integrating into global supply chains, attracting foreign investment, and lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty. For a time, it seemed the promise of globalisation was being realised. But confidence gave way to concern as China began to flex its newfound power more openly.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics symbolised China’s national revival and confidence both at home and abroad. Four years later, Beijing’s construction of artificial islands and militarisation of the South China Sea unsettled the Southeast Asia region and signalled a bolder strategic posture. President Xi Jinping’s rise to power appears to be the decisive turning point. Within his first year, he launched the Belt and Road Initiative, a sprawling infrastructure and investment drive that revived both overland and maritime Silk Roads as platforms of influence.

The US was initially slow to react. President Barack Obama’s “pivot to Asia” promised to rebalance American strategy, but implementation lagged. Even when the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled overwhelmingly in 2016 against China’s maritime claims, Beijing ignored the verdict without meaningful consequence. It was Donald Trump’s first presidency that marked the sharp break.

In his first term, Mr Trump’s imposition of tariffs and restrictions on advanced technology started a trade and tech war. His moves reflected a deeper political transformation in the US, as decades of scepticism toward globalisation and free trade moved from the margins to the mainstream. “America First” nationalism, once a fringe doctrine, became the organising principle of US foreign and economic policy. By his second term, Mr Trump could declare sweeping tariffs not as a sudden departure but as the logical culmination of a longstanding geostrategic campaign.

At home, the Trumpian movement emphasises nativism and tighter immigration controls. Abroad, it questions the value of the post-war order that Washington itself built. That order had allowed US allies in Europe and Asia to prosper under American security guarantees and open markets. But it also produced China’s meteoric rise, enabling Beijing to become a peer competitor. Washington’s resentment is now driving a more unilateral, protectionist, and confrontational strategy.

Yet the Cold War analogy only partly fits. The struggle between the US and the Soviet Union was waged between two systems that were fundamentally separate, with little economic interdependence. The Soviet bloc’s command economy could not keep pace with the dynamism of capitalism and collapsed under its own inefficiencies. China is a different kind of challenger.

Since Deng Xiaoping’s reforms, Beijing has combined one-party authoritarian rule with state-directed capitalism. The results were staggering: three decades of near double-digit growth, a manufacturing revolution, and the emergence of global Chinese firms in sectors from telecommunications to electric vehicles. Unlike the Soviet Union, China has embedded itself deeply in the global economy, making complete decoupling with the US impractical.

Instead, US companies and others in Europe now pursue “de-risking” — a selective disentangling of supply chains in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence, while leaving other forms of economic integration intact. For many countries, this balancing act reflects necessity. China is both a formidable rival and an indispensable trading partner. The world is therefore entering neither a full globalisation nor a full decoupling, but something in between.

At the heart of the contest is not just power but narrative. The US sees itself as the rightful guarantor of global order, the natural product of its “manifest destiny” — a belief in primacy that stretches back to the early 19th century. China, meanwhile, sees itself as reclaiming the greatness of its own through a “manifest resurgence”, Mr Xi’s vision of “national rejuvenation” after two centuries of humiliation and subjugation.

Both narratives carry entitlement and inevitability. The US will not cede its top position without a fight, whereas China this time will not be denied its rightful place. Each side views the other with suspicion. Washington believes Beijing has gained unfair advantages by copying technology and bending rules, while Beijing believes the US will seek to block its rise no matter what.

Such mistrust extends to public opinion. Polls show large majorities in both societies view the other unfavourably, even without direct personal contact. Even if leaders reached a pragmatic bargain, nationalist sentiment on both sides would undercut it.

Yet a full-blown military conflict and a nuclear Armageddon remain unlikely between the two sides, as deterrence is still working. But the spectre of a limited conventional war is not implausible. Taiwan remains the most combustible flashpoint, not only for its symbolism in Chinese nationalism but also for its central role in the global semiconductor industry. The South China Sea is another arena of danger, where US treaty obligations to the Philippines could transform a skirmish into a full-blooded crisis. In such volatile settings, accidents or miscalculations could escalate quickly.

For Southeast Asia, the stakes could not be higher. A US-China “grand bargain” that carves up spheres of influence would reduce regional autonomy. An outright conflict would devastate trade-dependent economies and destabilise security. The most realistic hope is a managed rivalry that is tense, competitive, and sometimes confrontational, but short of open war.

History’s warnings are sobering. Great-power clashes have repeatedly drawn smaller states into unavoidable choice and conflict. Yet history also points to alternatives. Europe, once the world’s most war-prone continent, has transformed itself into a zone of economic integration and relative peace, despite facing Russian aggression on its doorstep. As the European Union remains cohesive, its success shows that conflict is not inevitable and that cooperative frameworks can endure. The EU’s example demonstrates that cycles of conflict can be broken if states commit to cooperation, restraint, and shared rules and institutions.

The US-China contest is fundamentally about whose vision of global order will prevail. Will it be the US’s commitment to preserving its primacy or China’s determination to restore its centrality. Both sides feel entitled, both are unwilling to yield, and both are shaping the choices of other nations for decades to come. For Southeast Asia and much of the wider world, the challenge is to avoid being trampled as these giants collide. For Washington and Beijing, the task is to find a way to compete without catastrophe.

TikTok Shop has been recently added to the list of high impact online marketplace platforms required to comply with the Digital Platform Services law, according to the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA).

Chaichana Mitrpant, ETDA executive director, said that the move follows previous ETDA announcement of names of 19 online marketplaces required to comply with Section 20 of the law.

Those 19 platforms are Shopee, Lazada, One2car.com, Grab, Kaidee.com, SIA E-Auction System, LINE Shopping, Alibaba, NocNoc and AliExpress.

The others are Thisshop, Rakmao, Taobao, SCGHome, ONESIAM Application, ReadyPlastic Auction, ROOTS Platform, Temu and eBay. The announcement of the names of these 19 firms came into effect as of July 10.

The announcement of TikTok Shop will take effect one day after the announcement is published in the Royal Gazette.

ETDA is also preparing to include LINE MAN (Mart) under the same list.

Section 20 of the law obliges these platforms to conduct a business risk assessment and risk management.

Mr Chaichana emphasized that ETDA ensures a fair and thorough review process, allowing platform operators to submit information or objections. Adequate time is given for data collection and verification.

Platforms listed in the announcement must fulfill additional obligations beyond general requirements, including verifying and registering merchants.

According to Creden.co data, TIKTOK Shop (Thailand) revenue in 2024 was 12 billion baht with loss of 3.6 billion baht.

Your spot-on horoscope for work, money and relationship from Guru by the Bangkok Post’s famously accurate fortune teller. Let’s see how you will fare this week and beyond.

Aries

Mar 21 – Apr 19

Working solo is where you shine the brightest and deliver your best results. Working with others will wear you down emotionally. Be prepared for meetings that could have been emails and mixed signals. Use the chaos as fuel and you’ll discover unexpected growth opportunities.

A friend or cousin may point you to a low-key gig or hidden side income opportunity. You may stumble on forgotten cash or receive an unexpected windfall. If you’re juggling multiple debts, you’ll knock at least one out. Be careful with lending or investing, as someone may try to take advantage of you. Always double-check the fine print.

You and your partner share more peaceful moments together and quickly find happy mediums when disagreements pop up. You two might kickstart a healthier lifestyle together and keep each other motivated. Sexy time becomes more careful and meaningful.

A new hangout spot or a dating app swipe might light up chemistry that hits fast and hard. Enjoy the moment but stay realistic. The magic might fade once you’re home or when the night ends. At least you’ll walk away with a little story.

Taurus

Apr 20 – May 20

The project you’ve been pouring your energy into will soon complete. You’re getting noticed, maybe even rewarded. Both your main job and side gig will demand your full focus and what you gain in return will be worthwhile. Your network’s growing and more opportunities are coming. A job interview coming up? Expect a quick yes or no.

A windfall awaits you. A friend will drop a solid financial trick or smart investment tip. Income opportunities will keep you busier than planned, but in a way that makes you happy. Don’t forget to spend a little for pure enjoyment. Lost valuables will find their way back to you.

Next week brings smoother conversations, deeper connection and real quality time with your partner. Things are settling into a routine that could lead to the next level or bigger commitments. A new shared goal may emerge and having family in your corner makes it all feel more achievable.

Expect romantic spark with someone from work or a work-related social event but you two decide to get to know each other in secret to avoid gossips. Also, you may instantly click with a new face through social media or a friend’s introduction. Your heart’s about to get busy. Don’t let the excitement blind you to red flags.

Gemini

May 21 – Jun 20

Better communication and team support help you breeze through tasks. Your plans turn into progress with less pushback and more forward moves. Expect to land a key role in a future-focused project or major transformation initiative. It’s all about innovation, and you’ll adapt quickly with more say and influence than before. Job hunting? Keep an eye out for international opportunities.

You’ll handle your earnings and outgoings more smoothly. A friendly auntie or big sis in your circle might hook you up with a money-making opportunity, unlock an extra income stream or help you seal a sweet deal. Be careful with lending and investing – not everyone’s playing fair or has good intent.

Romance is ramping up with more playful, passionate and perfectly-timed moments between you two. Shared dreams are set to spark some wins worth celebrating. Family time is also in the cards. Unmarried couples may bring up wedding or engagenment before their parents.

If you’ve been chatting with several matches, one will sweep you off your feet and this could go IG official. Not seeing anyone? Someone off your radar might steal your heart faster than your usual type ever could.

Cancer

Jun 21 – Jul 22

Some colleagues might dismiss your ideas, but tension turns into clarity. It’ll show you exactly who’s in your corner. Manage your energy wisely as sudden urgent tasks may catch you off guard. Cyber threats or tech glitches could hit, so keep your key data safe.

Your network of friends and associates brings opportunities to earn extra cash through behind-the-scenes or less formal work. The repairs for your car, phone or daily gadget might be bigger than expected. Keep your spending minimum and stash a little cash more for safety. Stay sharp against pickpockets and travel scams while travelling abroad (even if it’s Japan).

Tension with your partner? It’s finally fading away. But don’t get too comfy – family drama or fresh trouble might follow. Still, you two will handle it together with calm confidence. This might just bring your hearts closer and make your minds wiser. Someone nosy might watch your love life for possible gossips ’cause they’re envious.

That special someone you’ve been seeing might be ready to go public with you. A married-with-kids someone from your work or social circle might sneak into your DMs with big flirty energy. If you can’t see yourself with them, don’t waste their time.

Leo

Jul 23 – Aug 22

There may be more meetings than usual but you’ll be given more decision-making power. A coveted project or unexpected opportunity lands in your lap. A few colleagues might stir up drama out of insecurity. You’re turning pressure and deadlines into fuels to push forward. If you run your own business, a big-name collab is on the cards.

Debt negotiations will work out in your favour. You might stumble on extra cash or a low-key income stream. An insurance payout, refund or overdue payment will soon arrive. Beware of fortune that comes with hidden cost. However, it will yield benefits and returns to you in the long run.

You’re each other’s anchor, muse and sage. Expect fun hangouts, romantic magic and pure couple glow. Sweet surprises may find you two as fortune smiles. Your shared vision starts turning into wins worth celebrating. You’re both stepping into deeper commitment territory, feeling completely sure about your journey together. Oh, we’re so jelly!

You may be tempted to ghost someone who doesn’t seems to be a good fit to you after getting to know them. Let them down gently. Your friends will play matchmaker and social scenes will spark fresh flirty vibes both IRL and online. You enjoy the attention and the flirtation without getting serious with anyone right now.

Virgo

Aug 23 – Sept 22

Bigwigs and clients are raising the bar and your plate’s about to get real full. Your boss might breathe down your neck more than usual. You might have to search for past assignments, fine-tune them and give them another polish. They seemed flawless to you at the time but time away from them help you realise their rooms for improvement. Sudden travel or surprise meetings could pop up.

More money comes in but more money also goes out. Beware of early signs of missing your savings goal. Joy trumps regret for now. However, don’t lose sight of your financial freedom. If recent past years have taught you anything, the lesson is that life is full of uncertainties.

Faithful couples may have a few playful disagreements and friendly competitions. If you’ve been two-timing, you may get exposed and shamed for it. Your official love and side love pressures you to choose and you may end up with none if you’re hesitant.

You may unexpectedly click with someone who’s nothing like your usual type. The chemistry is real, but so are the fears and doubts creeping into your mind. Old wounds and your differences might make you second-guess. It’s okay to take your time and feel things out.

Libra

Sept 23 – Oct 22

If you’re stuck on something, things finaly fall into place. Your energy, creativity and team synergy are at their peaks. You’ll breeze through deadlines while surprise setbacks will fuel your growth. Your professional circle is about to expand in ways that unlock hidden opportunities you never saw coming.

You’ll spend more on socialising, but you’ll also gain connections and intel that could unlock income boosts or supercharge your portfolio. Travel might bring a small windfall. You can afford little luxuries while staying on track with your savings goal.

Love feels lighter, with real talks replacing routine replies. You’ll actually hear each other, bringing you two closer. Shared goals and everyday challenges start turning into wins. Cross-cultural couples discuss their plan to wed or which country to settle down.

Fighting for someone’s heart? You’ll charm your way to victory. If you’re seeing no one, a fascinating foreigner or someone from a different culture might steal your heart. Despite some differences, shared passions and similar life goals will spark a deep, instant connection.

Scorpio

Oct 23 – Nov 21

You pick up new tech and tools fast while your creativity is at the maximum. What once felt tricky now feels easy. With the blend of knowledge, people skills and data-driven intuition, you’re becoming the office’s go-to guru and peacemaker. You’ll crush your to-do list and land a secret mission from bigwigs.

Your negotiation skills will deliver rewarding results. An unexpected inheritance or family heirloom could come your way. Valuable insider info might boost your investment game or help you spend smarter. Juggling multiple debts? One’s about to be history.

Heart-to-heart talks bring you two closer. You and your partner are more in sync. You two laugh more while building deeper trust. A shared dream or goal brings a spark of excitement between you two.

A family member or a close family friend might play matchmaker, nudging you toward someone with similar vibes and social standing. A fresh face or a blast from the past might slip into your DMs for a casual hook-up.

Sagittarius

Nov 22 – Dec 21

Curveballs and shake-ups will push you out of your comfort zone. You’ll meet unfamiliar faces, test new methods and work with tools you’ve never used before. Pressure might hit hard at first, but it’ll gradually give way to hope and excitement. Entrepreneurs, new markets await across borders or city lines.

Your pay/rate negotiations are likely to succeed, so trust your value and own your earning power. If you’re selling your property or brokering deals, expect signed and sealed papers. You’ll add more to your savings and still afford smalls splurges that make you smile.

Someone, through social media or your friend group, could sweep you off your feet in a heartbeat. Things might get steamy and spicy behind the scenes, but your heart’s still with your main squeeze. Your bond’s unshakable and you manage to keep them in the dark for now.

You radiate rizz. Expect several admirers, taken and available. Some just want to bed you and nothing more. Set boundaries that protect both your peace and your heart. Remember that with great charm comes great responsibility.

Capricorn

Dec 22 – Jan 19

Brace yourself for extra tension at meetings and more office drama. Soften your words to avoid burning bridges. On the bright side, your fierce determination and energy will power you through tough tasks and help you slay every deadline. You’ll do well in any upcoming test or competition.

Expect delayed or only partial payments. You may also get hit with major spending urges for entertainment and luxuries. A promising financial opportunity or unexpected cash boost may come into you late next week.

Brace yourself for a relationship rollercoaster. A hidden secret or money issue could come to light. Pain from the past might resurface too. Give each other more patience and kindness. Take a deep breath and ride out this turbulence together.

Fresh romance is heading your way. Some people aren’t looking for lasting love. Watch out for scammers and fling-seekers. If things are heating up with someone, you may be blindsided as they’re about to ghost you for someone else.

Aquarius

Jan 20 – Feb 18

Something feels off at your workplace. Expect tense talks and tangled communication. A higher-up might call you out for not delivering your best. Next week is a prime time to face and fix lingering issues bubbling beneath the surface. Fresh opportunities await if you’re bold enough to shake up your routine.

Your income stream may feel shaky. Expect surprises and shortfalls instead of steady streams. Ditch the dice and skip impulse buys on fun stuff. Don’t play guarantor for anyone’s debts. Time to tighten up or reboot your money plan.

Your relationship’s running on autopilot, stuck in repeat mode. You’re hungry for spark and fresh excitement. You might drop tiny white lies just to spice things up. Someone unaware that you’re taken might casually flirt with you.

You meet potential admirers IRL and online but none seems to live up to your standard. You think you deserve someone who deserve you and aren’t going to settle for less anytime soon. However, one of your admirers may call you snobbish.

Pisces

Feb 19 – Mar 20

You’re firing on all cylinders. Your energy, intuition and creativity will unite to take on projects, surprise deadlines and backlogs head-on. You can read the room in seconds, smoothly navigating conflicts and managing expectations with effortless finesse. Your standout results could land you a moment worth celebrating.

Fresh connections could reveal a secret source of income. You might be busier making money but it’s the good kind of busy. Make hay while the sun shines. You’re in your best earning years so don’t slow down just yet. Seeing those digits climb will definitely put a smile on your face.

Couples know when to spend time together and when to spend time on their own. Personal space and time are necessary for any healthy relationships. Quick make-ups will follow any mix-ups. Unmarried couples bring up their wedding or engagement plan to see their parents’s approval.

You’re laser-focused on building wealth and becoming your best self. As you glow up, someone older might start eyeing you with more than friendly interest. Your go-getting vibe is very appealing to them. An old flame or someone from your dating past might slide into your DMs for a casual hookup but it isn’t necessarily a good news.