BOT says Thailand's international reserves were $284.7 bln on Aug 21, up from $280.9 bln on Aug 14.

ECB minutes show officials debated whether a 'mildly restrictive' stance is needed to secure disinflation to the 2% target. The minutes say some members would have supported a rate hike last month, but high uncertainty over the persistence of inflation led all to back holding policy rates unchanged. Euro-area inflation is around 3%, above the ECB's 2% target, while growth has been stronger than expected.

A set of 3,000-year-old gold artifacts was stolen in minutes from a museum in the medieval town of Villena, Alicante province, in the early hours of Thursday. The haul — bracelets, bowls, bottles and other mainly-gold items discovered in 1963 and dated to c.1000 BC (Bronze Age) — is estimated at up to €1.7m (about $2.0m) in gold value; historical value is incalculable. Spain's Guardia Civil is investigating; authorities say professional thieves are suspected.