Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited

Kasikorn Securities revealed that Trip.com Group indicated Chinese tourists during Golden Week 2026 are tending to travel earlier and stay longer, with flight bookings to Phuket rising 78% year on year, while Chiang Mai is gaining popularity among Gen Z, in line with the recovery of travel in Asia. In addition, bookings for accommodation of seven nights or more rose 123% year on year, reflecting both an increase in the number of trips and in their duration. The research team views this as positive momentum for the tourism sector, namely AOT, AAV, BA, CENTEL and ERW, given the recovery opportunity for Chinese tourists and tourism activity during Golden Week. However, the flood situation still needs to be monitored closely.

Maybank Securities (Thailand) Public Company Limited has raised its 2026 SET Index target to 1,590 points from 1,550 points, but maintained a Neutral view because the overall market upside is not particularly high. Speaking at an online seminar titled "Decoding Thai Stocks, Fourth Quarter: Finding the Next Winners," the firm said earnings support from listed companies is not yet broad-based, with upward earnings revisions concentrated mainly in the electronics and energy sectors, while bond yields in several countries remain elevated, pressuring valuations of risk assets. On the Thai economy, Maybank expects GDP growth of 2.4% in 2026 and 2.7% in 2027, supported by exports, private investment, and a recovery in tourism, though the government's fiscal capacity has diminished amid a higher public debt level. For its fourth-quarter strategy, Maybank recommends focusing on adjusting weights between industry groups and selecting individual stocks rather than investing based on index direction. It highlights three standout groups: consumer finance, where valuations are starting to look attractive again, with TIDLOR, KTC, and MTC as top picks; tourism and transport, where earnings momentum continues, with AWC, AOT, BA, and MINT; and hospital businesses, which have stable revenue and specific supporting factors, with BH and CHG. At the same time, it advises increased caution in three groups: utilities and energy, which has been downgraded from Positive to Neutral; petrochemicals; and retail.

Pi Securities noted that US economic data came in below expectations, combined with crude oil prices beginning to pull back, pressuring US government bond yields to ease slightly, which in the short term is seen as a supportive factor for the stock market. Meanwhile, the latest CME FedWatch sees only a 50% chance of a rate hike in October, easing from earlier, and tonight the market awaits US PCE inflation for August, with the consensus expecting 0.3% MoM. On the Thai market, the SET faced pressure from foreign capital flows amid the strengthening dollar, but this morning the baht strengthened slightly, which could support flows. The research team expects the SET INDEX to trade in a 1585-1605 range and has selected 17 large-cap stocks across 7 groups: banking, comprising BBL, KBANK, KTB and SCB; telecommunications, comprising ADVANC; electronics, comprising HANA, KCE and DELTA; industrial estates, comprising AMATA and WHA; airlines, comprising BA; hotels, comprising MINT, CENTEL, ERW and AWC; and power plants, comprising BGRIM and GPSC. It recommends buying AWC with a target price of 3.30 baht, expecting normal profit in the second half of 2026 to grow strongly year on year, supported by room bookings growing 20% to 30% year on year, and awaiting clarity on a plan to establish a REIT within 2026. It also recommends buying BA with a target price of 22.40 baht, as the third quarter of 2026 is the high season for tourism on Koh Samui.

U-Tapao International Aviation Company Limited, or UTA, officially received its Notice to Proceed, or NTP, on April 3, 2026, clearing the way to move ahead with the development of the U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City project in the portions that are ready, after the project was delayed for more than six years, partly due to conditions tied to the high-speed rail project linking three airports. Earlier, the Eastern Economic Corridor Office and UTA signed a joint contract management agreement on January 29, 2026, to allow parts of the project to proceed even though the high-speed rail has yet to reach a clear conclusion. Weerawat Panthawangkul, Chief Executive Officer of UTA, disclosed that the company is preparing investment and reviewing the project's development approach, especially the size of the passenger terminal in the first phase, which under the original plan was set to handle about 12 million passengers a year, compared with the current roughly 300,000 to 400,000 passengers a year and about 2 million a year before the COVID-19 pandemic. The long-term target remains a maximum capacity of about 60 million passengers a year. UTA has already spent more than 6 billion baht on the project for preparation and development before construction began, and it expects infrastructure investment to begin within the next 12 months. If work can start under that framework, the project will take about five more years to develop before opening for service. UTA is a joint venture between Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited, or BA, and BTS Group Holdings Public Company Limited, or BTS, which each hold 40%, while Stecon Group Public Company Limited, or STECON, holds 20%. BTS's investment in UTA falls under its MOVE business. Surapong Laoha-Unya, an executive director and chief of BTS's MOVE business group and a UTA director, said the company is designing, laying out and studying ways to use the area while seeking approval from relevant agencies, preparing an environmental impact assessment, or EIA, and arranging funding sources. The project covers a total area of about 6,500 rai. Most recently, the Cabinet acknowledged the necessary and urgent support measures under a resolution of the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee and assigned the Eastern Economic Corridor Office and related agencies to expedite legal and other measures so they take practical effect by September 30, 2026. The Eastern Economic Corridor Office estimates that if the measures take effect, they will help stimulate about 1.3 trillion baht in private investment within the project over its lifetime, create a total of more than 63,701 jobs, add about 400,000 foreign tourists a year, spur about 20 billion baht in spending in the area once service begins, and add more than 37 billion baht to gross domestic product in the first year of service.

Pie Securities stated that crude oil prices falling below the three-digit level for both Brent and WTI is a factor easing pressure on global bond yields and supporting Anti Oil and Non Bank stocks, after investors began to expect that the situation between the United States and Iran will move toward greater easing. Last night, Brent crude closed down 1.2% after reports that Saudi Arabia will reopen its oil pipeline. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 185 points, or 0.4%, on concerns that high oil prices could prompt the Fed to raise interest rates, and the latest CME Fed reading gives about 54% weight to the Fed raising rates at its October meeting. This morning, the KOSPI rose 1.6%, supporting Thai SEMI stocks such as DELTA, HANA, and KCE. Pie Securities estimates today's SET range at 1590 to 1620 points and recommends buying BA with a target price of 22.4 baht, citing the rise in passengers passing through Samui Airport in July and August both year on year and quarter on quarter. It also recommends buying TIDLOR with a target price of 24 baht, citing second-half 2026 profit trends expected to grow as much as 25% year on year.

Krungsri Securities said tourist arrivals in the third week of September 2026 came to 0.46 million, down 7% year-on-year but recovering 5% from the previous week. The year-on-year contraction was driven by a 32% drop in Malaysian tourists, 35% from South Korea and 23% from India, while Chinese tourists numbered 0.07 million, down 6% year-on-year for a second consecutive week. Cumulative arrivals from January 1 to September 19 stood at 22.2 million, down 4% year-on-year. Total passenger volume nationwide in the third week of September 2026 fell 9% year-on-year, a deeper contraction than the previous week's 7% decline, though passenger volume at Samui airport still grew a strong 14% year-on-year. The research team maintained a Neutral view on the aviation sector, assessing that the US-Iran war remains a key risk given elevated oil prices, with the average jet fuel price from January 1 to September 21 at 144 US dollars per barrel, up 66% year-on-year and above the research team's full-year 2026 average jet fuel assumption of 130 US dollars per barrel, leaving airline stocks' 2026 earnings exposed to downside. The research team also picked AOT as its Top Pick in the sector with a Buy rating and a target price of 70 baht, citing less direct exposure to oil price risk and a positive catalyst from an increase of more than 50% in the international route passenger service charge. In the near term, BA stands out on continued strong passenger growth at Samui airport, with a Buy rating and a target price of 25 baht.

Brokers assess that the Thai Teaw Thai Plus scheme is likely to postpone its registration start date from October 1, 2026 to April 2027, creating negative sentiment for the tourism sector in the short term, as travelers may push back their trips. The scheme retains a budget framework of 4 billion baht, with 1 million entitlements, government support of 1,500 baht per night for accommodation up to 5 nights, and digital co-payment coupons on a 50:50 basis, split into 1,500 baht per day for major cities and 2,000 baht per day for secondary cities. Dao Securities assesses that the delay to April 2027 will benefit hotel groups better because it coincides with the start of the low season. The stocks expected to face negative sentiment, ranked from most to least by their share of domestic hotel revenue, are ERW, CENTEL, MINT and SHR. The broker gives an overweight weighting to the tourism sector relative to the market, favoring CENTEL with a target of 48.00 baht on July-August 2026 RevPAR excluding Dubai rising 8% year on year, and favoring ERW with a target of 4.20 baht on its on-the-book volume in the third quarter of 2026, with RevPAR expected to grow about 5% year on year. Meanwhile, Finansia Syrus Securities takes a neutral view, assessing that ERW and CENTEL are likely to benefit the most, but that upside to earnings is expected to be limited to just 1-2%. Krungsri Securities sees it as negative in the short term, but says the new timeframe supports the low season period in 2027, and recommends gradually accumulating tourism stocks with strong operating track records such as AWC and ERW, as well as stocks with clear momentum, namely AOT, THAI and BA.

The Federal Reserve's monetary policy committee voted unanimously to raise the policy interest rate by 0.25% to a range of 3.75–4.00%, as the market expected, while its Dot Plot signaled one more 25 basis point hike to 4.00–4.25% by the end of this year, even as the overall picture reflects a High for Longer stance. Efinancethai gathered the views of analysts from four houses. Krungsri Securities expects the SET to rebound today, with resistance at 1,575 and 1,583 points and support at 1,550 and 1,545 points. Finansia Syrus Securities expects the SET Index to move Sideways to Sideways Up in a range of 1,555–1,572 points. Pi Securities assesses a range of 1,550–1,580 points, and Aira Securities says the market has already priced in the concerns. Sectors seen benefiting include commercial banks, with standout picks KBANK, BBL, KTB, SCB and KKP; exporters and electronic components, DELTA, HANA, TU and ITC; Value Play and medical stocks, BDMS, BCH and BH; groups that get a psychological boost from softer crude oil prices, such as airlines AOT, THAI and BA, construction materials and contractors TASCO, STECON and PYLON, power and utilities GULF, GPSC and BGRIM, and hotels AWC and ERW. Stocks seen under pressure include groups carrying high financial costs, such as utilities and power, and industries tied to falling oil prices, such as oil and refineries, amid psychological pressure after Brent crude fell sharply to US$105 a barrel.

KGI Securities (Thailand) has upgraded its investment weighting for the transport sector to "overweight" from "neutral," selecting Airports of Thailand, or AOT, as its top pick with a 2027 forecast DCF-based target price of 71.00 baht. The move follows discussions on economic stimulus measures between Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Dr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas and Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phanchareonworakul, with the proposals expected to go before the Cabinet for consideration within one to two weeks. The program will offer 1 million entitlements, comprising a fixed accommodation subsidy of up to 1,500 baht per night per entitlement, capped at no more than 5 entitlements per person, and co-payment travel coupons worth 1,500 baht per entitlement in major cities and 2,000 baht in secondary cities. Registration opens from October 1 to 25, 2026, with usage permitted in two periods: November 1 to December 15, 2026, and January 15 to February 28, 2027. The scheme should boost domestic travel demand and benefit domestic airlines such as Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, and Thai Airways. For AOT, the company is expected to enjoy a full quarter of benefit from the new increase in the international passenger service charge to 1,120 baht per person from the previous 730 baht per person, starting in the third quarter of 2026. Thai Airways is meanwhile expected to remain profitable in the third quarter of 2026 on high yields and an optimal cabin factor, with fourth-quarter 2026 profit forecast to grow strongly quarter-on-quarter in line with the tourism season.

The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Tourism have finalized the tourism stimulus measure "Thai Teaw Thai Plus," offering 1 million rights with a total budget of 3.5 billion baht. Registration will open from October 1-25, and rights can be used via the "Pao Tang" app starting November 1. The measure covers both primary and secondary cities, with usage allowed from November 1 to December 15, 2026, and suspended during the New Year holiday, resuming from January 15, 2027. It provides fixed-rate accommodation support, reimbursed at actual cost up to 1,500 baht per night, along with tourism coupons for restaurants, spas, massages, taxis, and other activities on a co-payment basis of 50%, capped at 1,500 baht per right for primary cities and 2,000 baht per right for secondary cities. Analysts from TTB Wealth Securities view this measure as positive for the tourism sector, with ERW benefiting the most, followed by CENTEL, MINT, AOT, BA, and SPA.

Asia Plus Securities assesses that the Thai stock market in September still faces pressure from geopolitical risks, rising oil prices, and foreign capital outflows, but there are still opportunities for selective stock picking, especially stocks that benefit from the weakening baht and rising commodity prices. The firm highlights top picks BBL, PTT, and BCH. Brent crude oil prices surged to $90.49 per barrel, while WTI stood at $86.27 per barrel. This raises the probability of a U.S. Federal Reserve rate hike at its September meeting to 65.4%, and the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose to 4.75%, the highest in a year. Foreign investors were net sellers in the Thai stock market in August, with net selling of 24.565 billion baht, and accumulated net short positions in the futures market of over 51,000 contracts. This pushed the baht to weaken to 33.16 baht per U.S. dollar, opening opportunities for three stock groups: export groups led by HANA, SVI, DELTA, and KCE; tourism groups led by AOT, AAV, BA, MINT, CENTEL, and ERW; and hospital groups led by BH, BDMS, PR9, and BCH. The Thai stock market structure has a 26% share of commodity stocks, helping to keep the index less volatile than the region. Meanwhile, Bitcoin risks a consolidation in September, with a recommendation to take short-term profits in DR: COIN01 and DR: HOOD80, and to watch for speculative opportunities in Tesla stock via DR: TSLA80 ahead of the Cybercab launch event.

The board of directors of Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited (BA) has resolved to approve the payment of an interim cash dividend at a rate of 0.55 baht per share, to be paid from the operating results of the first half of the fiscal year 2026, covering the period from January 1 to June 30, 2026. The shares have a par value of 1 baht each. The company has set the ex-dividend (XD) date as September 9, 2026, and the record date for shareholders entitled to receive the dividend as September 10, 2026. The dividend will be paid to shareholders on September 24, 2026.

The government is preparing to launch the Thai Teaw Thai Plus scheme on 1 October to stimulate tourism during the high season, aiming to generate total tourism revenue of 3 trillion baht within four years. Analysts at TTB Wealth Securities said the scheme is positive for the tourism sector, especially AOT, BA, ERW, CENTEL and MINT. Details and conditions are expected to be finalised this week, with the proposal set to go to the cabinet in September.

Three brokers maintained buy recommendations on Bangkok Airways after an analyst meeting, expecting third-quarter 2026 profit to recover from the previous quarter, supported by the Samui high season, higher passenger numbers, and lower jet fuel prices. Pi Securities set a new fair value of 22.40 baht per share and trimmed its 2026 net profit forecast slightly to 3.14 billion baht, down 12 percent from the previous year. Yuanta Securities kept its end-2027 target price at 22.50 baht per share and expects 2026 normalised profit of 3.69 billion baht, down about 3 percent from the previous year. Krungsri Securities expects Bangkok Airways' third-quarter 2026 normalised profit at about 1 billion baht, up 5 percent from the same period last year, with long-term positives from a possible increase in Samui airport passenger service charges and the U-Tapao airport development project.

Krungsri Securities says BA is keeping its 2026 forecast targets: 4.3 million passengers, up 2 percent from the previous year; average ticket price of 4,200 baht, up 1 percent; load factor of 80 percent, up 4 percent; and capacity of 3.3 billion seat-kilometres, down 5 percent. Despite the impact of the war, the Samui route is growing strongly, and the strategy of raising ticket prices and hedging fuel has limited the damage. The company's targets are close to the broker's assumptions, which still project 2026 normalised profit of 3.9 billion baht, up 4 percent. Forward bookings for the rest of 2026 as of 14 August were down 1 percent from the previous year, with the Samui route also down 1 percent. However, part of this is expected to reflect shorter booking behaviour, because Samui passenger numbers in August 2026 continue to show good momentum, growing 10 percent year on year. The broker still expects third-quarter 2026 normalised profit, the high season for the Samui route, to reach 1 billion baht, up 5 percent. BA plans to raise passenger service charges at Samui airport from the current 300 baht for domestic and 700 baht for international flights, and is preparing information to submit to government agencies for approval, with investment of about 1.5 billion baht. The broker estimates that every 100 baht increase would lift BA's revenue by 300 million baht per year and profit after depreciation and tax by 200 million baht per year, or about 5 percent upside to profit, based on Samui airport passenger volume of 3 million in 2025 and 30-year depreciation, before any additional costs such as a higher share that may need to be paid to BAREIT. The U-Tapao airport development project is waiting for the EEC office to discuss with relevant government agencies about changing conditions to match the current situation. BA expects a conclusion and the start of investment from late 2026 to early 2027. The broker maintains a buy rating on BA with a target price of 25 baht, viewing BA as the most outstanding airline in the sector because it is less affected by the US-Iran war and high oil prices than competitors. In the short term, third-quarter 2026 normalised profit, the high season for the Samui route, is expected to grow strongly to more than 1 billion baht, up 5 percent from the previous year. In the long term, there is further upside from the opportunity to raise Samui airport passenger service charges and from the U-Tapao airport development project, which is expected to become clearer from late this year to early next year. BA holds a 40 percent stake in the company that won the bid.

Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited, or BA, is maintaining its 2026 target of 48,000 flights and a passenger load factor of 80%, while expanding its fleet to 24 aircraft by year-end from 22 in the first half, and expects 26 to 29 aircraft in the first half of 2027. In the first half, it completed 23,983 flights and produced 1.602 billion seat-kilometres, against a full-year target of 3.3 billion seat-kilometres. The average fare for the full year is expected at 4,200 baht per trip, while the first half stood at 4,292 baht. The company plans to apply for an increase in the passenger service charge, or PSC, to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and the Civil Aviation Board, citing the Samui Airport improvement project as the main reason. Currently, the PSC ceiling is 700 baht for international routes and 400 baht for domestic routes, but the actual domestic collection is only 300 baht. On fuel risk management, the company has hedged 30% of its consumption through year-end at an average price of 80 US dollars per barrel.

Bangkok Airways, or BA, reported second-quarter 2026 core profit of 349 million baht, down 29% from the same period last year and down 82% from the previous quarter, but 46% above market expectations. The result was supported by still-strong travel demand on Samui routes and high dividend income growth, which helped offset the impact of geopolitical tensions. Net profit attributable to shareholders stood at 330.92 million baht, down 17.63% from a year earlier, while total revenue rose 5.5% to 6.0525 billion baht. However, total expenses increased 11.7% due to a 49% rise in fuel costs and higher aircraft maintenance expenses. Analysts at Krungsri Securities noted that average ticket prices rose about 5% and the passenger load factor improved to 75.2%. Meanwhile, Kasikorn Securities maintained a buy recommendation with a target price of 22 baht and sees potential to raise its 2026 profit forecast from the current 2.3 billion baht.

Krungsri Securities forecasts Thai stock market profits for the second quarter of 2026 at 250 to 280 billion baht, down 15 to 24 percent from a year earlier and down 19 to 26 percent from the previous quarter. The refinery group saw volatile earnings on the downside, while the industrial goods, ICT, and power sectors are expected to post profit growth. The research team recommends a speculative strategy on stocks whose results will stand out or have passed their trough. Stocks expected to show Q2 profit growth both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter include PTTEP, SCC, SCGP, ADVANC, TRUE, BH, IVL, THANI, TNP, MOSHI, BA, AP, INSET, and ADVICE. Stocks for which Q2 is likely the year's low point and earnings will accelerate in the second half of 2026 include KTB, KBANK, AOT, BDMS, EGCO, ICHI, THAI, and TFG. The top picks are ADVANC, SCC, IVL, BH, KBANK, AOT, and ICHI.

The Ministry of Tourism is preparing to propose to the Cabinet by the end of August 2026 for approval of the Thai Tour Thai Plus project, requesting a budget of 2.45 billion baht from the emergency loan decree. It aims to stimulate the economy during the low season and generate over 56 billion baht in circulation. If approved, the public can start using the benefits from late 2026, including accommodation discounts of up to 3,000 baht, digital coupons, and airfare discounts, alongside measures to attract foreign tourists. Analysts assess that this project will be positive for tourism, hotel, and domestic airline stocks, namely CENTEL, ERW, MINT, AWC, AOT, BA, and AAV.

The Minister of Tourism and Sports has assigned policies to the Tourism Authority of Thailand board to drive the tourism industry under the concept of Tourism for All, Tourism for the Future, preparing to move forward with three key projects during the high season. These are the Thai Travels Thailand Plus, or Co-pay, project to stimulate domestic travel; the Fly Thai All the Feelings project, partnering with six domestic airlines to offer ticket discounts to Thai citizens for 400,000 seats; and the Thailand Air Connect project, collaborating with airlines and partners to increase frequency and seat capacity on both charter and commercial flights. In addition, the government aims to elevate Thailand into a valuable and sustainable destination, promoting travel to secondary cities and 55 target communities, and pushing for the country to become a global event hub by hosting the Tomorrowland Thailand music festival from 11 to 13 December 2026 in Chonburi province, which is expected to attract no fewer than 150,000 attendees and generate total economic value of up to 6.132 billion baht. Kasikorn Securities, or KS, assesses that these measures are a positive factor for tourism-related stocks, including AOT, AAV, BA, CENTEL, ERW, MINT, and AWC, as well as retail operators in tourist cities, viewing that travel and spending have an opportunity to recover in the second half of the year.

Asia Plus Securities says Middle East risks are easing after the US halted strikes, Iran scaled back retaliation, and diplomatic talks resumed. This has pulled Brent crude down from above 100 dollars a barrel to 88 dollars a barrel. However, factors to watch remain, including US-Iran negotiations, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and tensions in the Red Sea. Polymarket indicates the chance of the Strait of Hormuz returning to normal operations is just 16 percent in August, 30 percent in September, and 60 percent in December. The research team therefore recommends a short-term strategy tilting more towards de-escalation trades, reducing some exposure to oil-play stocks and rotating into beneficiaries of lower oil prices, while maintaining tactical hedges. It flags nine stocks: Centel, Minor International, Erawan, Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, B.Grimm, GPSC, Gulf, and Dohome.

Finansia Syrus Securities has raised its target for the SET Index to 1,710 points by mid-2027, based on an estimated average earnings per share of 100.5 baht and a target PER of 17 times. The research team lifted its 2026 earnings per share estimate by 3 percent to 99 baht, and its 2027 estimate to 102 baht, reflecting growth of 13 percent and 4 percent from the prior year, respectively. It also sees the Thai economy recovering steadily and foreign capital flows having a chance to return to the Thai stock market, as foreign investors' holdings of Thai equities remain below past peaks. Recommended top picks include BA, BBL, BDMS, CPALL, CPF, CPN, ERW, GULF, SAPPE, STA, and TIDLOR.

Prime Minister Anutin's visit to China is bolstering investment and tourism confidence. The Tourism Authority of Thailand is partnering with Sichuan Airlines, Meituan, and several Chinese allies to increase flights, enhance safety, and market to quality tourists. The target for Chinese tourists in 2026 has been adjusted to 5.13 million, generating revenue of approximately 288 billion baht. Research views this as positive for tourism and aviation stocks such as AOT, AAV, BA, CENTEL, ERW, MINT, and AWC, given the continued recovery in flights and Chinese tourist arrivals.

Kasikorn Securities notes that the Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported that from January 1 to July 18, 2026, Thailand welcomed a cumulative 17.36 million foreign tourists, generating revenue of 839 billion baht. Although this is still down 3.05 percent compared to the same period last year, the top five source markets were China, Malaysia, India, Russia, and South Korea. Meanwhile, in the latest week, tourist numbers rose 4.04 percent from the previous week, supported by school holidays, increased flights, and a recovery in the Taiwan market. The research team views this as positive for tourism and airport stocks such as Airports of Thailand, Asia Aviation, Bangkok Airways, Central Plaza Hotel, Erawan Group, Minor International, and Asset World Corporation, given the gradual recovery in tourist numbers expected in the second half of the year, even though cumulative arrivals remain slightly below last year's level.

Bangkok Airways says advance ticket reservations on the Samui route from January to September 2026 grew 6% compared with the previous year, after Samui was named the world's best island for 2026 by Travel + Leisure magazine. President Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth said demand remains strong even though flights are nearly full. The company has increased flight frequency on the Phuket–Samui route from three to four flights a day to eight flights a day to accommodate passenger distribution from Phuket, which is becoming a key tourism gateway. In addition, the number of high-end travellers arriving on Samui by private jet has risen from one to two aircraft a day to six on some days, to the point where parking space is becoming insufficient. The company is therefore preparing to develop dedicated areas and facilities for this passenger segment, along with a plan to expand the Samui airport passenger terminal from 2,000 square metres to 4,000 square metres and to seek approval to increase flight handling capacity from 50 flights a day to 73 flights a day. On the fleet side, the company plans to gradually take delivery of 12 new ATR 72-600 aircraft by 2028 and currently operates 22 aircraft.

Yuanta Securities Thailand says crude oil prices have started to soften after Iran signalled that diplomatic channels with the United States through intermediaries remain open, easing concerns over the Middle East conflict and providing a short-term positive sentiment boost for anti-commodity stocks. Stocks expected to benefit from this trend include TASCO, AOT, MINT, BA, MTC, BH, and BDMS.