Gold sold in Thailand is a deep yellow gold known as 24 carat or almost pure gold and as such is bought and sold not only for it's beauty ass a jewelry or decorative piece but also as an investment.
Talking to gold shop owners in Chonburi this week they said that trade was very quiet. Normally at holiday times like the Chinese New Year there is an upsurge in trade with folks buying gold jewelry as gifts. However this year there seems to be great uncertainty in the Thai economy with the political unrest in the Nation and people are choosing to keep money in cash in their pockets and bank accounts rather than wearing it around their necks.
Customers who are buying are tending to purchase smaller less expensive items like rings at around 5,000 Baht than the usual 1 Baht gold chains at 19,500 Baht for a one Baht chain.
For those with money gold is cheap well cheaper than a year ago. Time to invest in gold. Up to you but please don't wear it in public especially whilst walking down Pattaya Beach Road in the early hours of the morning.
