Recap: Emerging stock markets, especially those in Asia, experienced heavy fund outflows as concerns mounted over the health of emerging economies in general, and contagion impact from the likes of Argentina and Turkey. The Indonesian rupiah hit a two-decade low and the Indian rupee also lost more ground. US-China trade tensions continue to cast a pall over markets as well.
The SET index moved in a range of 1,676.67 and 1,726.30 points before closing at 1,689.49, down 1.9% from the previous week, in moderate turnover averaging 46.53 billion baht a day.
Foreign investors were net sellers of 7.59 billion baht and local institutions sold 4.95 billion worth of shares. Retail investors were net buyers of 10.88 billion baht and brokers purchased 1.65 billion.
Newsmakers: Concern about US political risk have risen after the New York Times published an article by an anonymous Trump administration official, who claimed the president's "erratic" and "amoral" behaviour had led some to actively work to prevent him from doing more harm.
China does not invest in "vanity projects" in Africa and is helping the continent build its infrastructure, President Xi Jinping declared after announcing another $60 billion in funds at an African summit.
The Argentine peso has lost roughly half its value this year, despite the central bank's effort to stabilise it by raising a key interest rate to 60%.
Japanese oil wholesalers plan to suspend crude imports from Iran in October, as Washington prepares to impose sanctions from, Nov 4.
Malaysia and Singapore have agreed to defer construction of a $17-billion high-speed rail link to 2020, as Kuala Lumpur pares debts.
Bitcoin and its peers are tanking again, amid concerns that Wall Street institutions have soured on cryptocurrencies. Goldman Sachs reportedly is shelving plans for a crypto trading desk. Mainstream lenders are also steering clear.
Facebook plans to invest $1 billion to build its first Asian data centre in Singapore, powered entirely by renewable energy.
Headline inflation was 1.6% year-on-year in August, the highest since October 2014, driven by rising prices for energy and fresh food.
Consumer confidence rose to a 64-month high in August, driven by the growing economy and higher prices for farm products. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce said the index in August rose to 83.2 from 82.2 in July.
Hire-purchase businesses are expected to face pressure from a rising interest rate outlook and clampdowns on non-banks offering unregulated services, analysts say. Interest rates on hire-purchase loans will be capped and fees will also be limited.
Despite risks from the US-China trade war, the Commerce Ministry remains positive that exports to China will grow at least 10% this year, lifting overall shipments by 9%.
The cabinet approved a 16-billion-baht capital increase for the state-owned Islamic Bank of Thailand to strengthen its financial status and attract potential partners.
The Energy Policy Administration Committee capped the retail diesel price at 29.99 baht per litre starting from Thursday amid concerns over rising global oil prices.
The SEC has ordered the dismissal of the chief executive of Inter Far East Energy (IFEC) on grounds of insider trading and refusal to acknowledge civil sanctions.
Total Access Communication (DTAC) has asked the Central Administrative Court for a temporary protection order so its customers can continue using mobile service on the 850MHz spectrum after its Sept 15 concession expiry.
Charoen Pokphand Group is looking at global railway firms as potential partners in the 200-billion-baht high-speed train project linking three airports, as it prepares to bid for the contract in November.
Coming up: China will release August inflation and new loan data on Monday, with the UK releasing July trade figures the same day.
Australia will release August business confidence on Tuesday, and Germany and the euro zone will release their ZEW expectations surveys for September.
The Bank of England and the European Central Bank will hold policy meetings on Thursday, and Australia will release August employment figures. The US will release August inflation data on Thursday and August retail sales on Friday.
Stocks to watch: Tisco Securities recommends accumulating large-cap stocks with potential for H2 profit growth: KBANK, BBL, CPALL, BJC, CK, IVL, SCC, LH, PSH, QH, TRUE and INTUCH. Top mid- and small-cap picks are BTS, COM7, NYT, PLANB, ROJNA, STEC, SEAFCO and SPA.
DBS Vickers Securities Thailand recommends good fundamental stocks including AOT, BBL, CPALL, HANA, PTTGC and SEAFCO. High dividend yielders are KKP, PSH, LALIN, SENA, TMT, MODERN, BCP, MC, SNC, DIF, JASIF and CPNREIT.
Technical view: DBS Vickers sees support at 1,660 points and resistance at 1,720. RHB Securities Thailand sees support at 1,682 and resistance at 1,740.