UOB Kay Hian analyst Thanawat Thangchadakorn said Thai banks' Q3 loan growth may be flat QoQ as lenders remain cautious and focus on corporate lending. Covered banks' credit costs may fall YoY and QoQ; many banks booked special provisions in Q1 to buffer risks from the Middle East conflict, and those pressures have not shown up in H1 earnings. Expectations of Fed rate hikes could be positive for major Thai banks. UOB Kay Hian retains an overweight on the Thai banking sector.

Iranian President Pezeshkian said Iran is willing to engage in diplomacy.

India's Ministry of External Affairs said a merchant vessel carrying 20 Indian seafarers was attacked off Oman's east coast on the 23rd (local time). Nineteen crew were rescued and one was killed. India's embassy in Oman is coordinating with Omani authorities to assist the rescued seafarers' return. The ministry said recent attacks on commercial vessels in the area are of serious concern, called for de-escalation through dialogue and diplomatic channels, and said attacks on ships, seafarers and civilian infrastructure must stop.