I just noticed a very interesting trend regarding gold prices at this moment. Gold prices are continuously rising, and it seems like it’s not over yet because various factors are still pushing the price higher.

What I observe is that gold isn’t surging for simple reasons. The bigger issue is related to a structural change in the global financial system. Central banks around the world, especially those in growing economies like China, India, and Brazil, are rushing to buy more gold. I read that these central banks have been net buyers of gold for 15 consecutive years, and in 2026, they are expected to purchase around 755 tons.

Why are they doing this? The answer is they want to reduce dependence on the US dollar. The risk of asset freezes, like what happened with Russia, has prompted central banks to find new ways to protect themselves. Gold has become the best option because it carries no counterparty risk.

And what about Thailand? Our gold bars have surged to 70,000 baht per baht-weight, a historic high. The Thai baht has also appreciated to 30.88 per dollar, the strongest in nearly five years. An interesting phenomenon is that online gold trading in Thailand accounts for as much as 35% of all foreign exchange transactions. This means Thai investors are selling gold to realize profits and converting dollars into baht in huge volumes. That’s a key factor in strengthening the baht.

The Bank of Thailand recognizes this issue. I see they introduced new measures in 2026 to control online gold trading. They set a daily trading cap of about 50-100 million baht per person per day and encourage trading gold in US dollars more to reduce pressure on the baht.

Currently, I notice more traders are using new tools for gold trading. Some use CFDs through various platforms because it allows trading with less capital and making profits from both rising and falling prices. This differs from holding physical gold, which requires a large amount of money and only profits when prices go up.

Regarding target prices, major global financial institutions are turning bullish. Goldman Sachs sets a target of $5,400 per ounce. JP Morgan expects an average of $5,055, potentially reaching $5,400 in 2027. Bank of America even aims for $6,000. Although some institutions like HSBC are more cautious, with an average target of $3,950, the overall sentiment among bullish groups seems stronger.

Another key factor I observe is the geopolitical crisis. The Greenland incident in January 2026 caused gold prices to spike past $5,600. Although a subsequent agreement eased tensions, the event heightened market awareness that “uncertainty” is now normal. As a result, gold has gained a higher risk premium.

From a technical perspective, the $5,000 level is a critical psychological barrier. If prices can stay above it, the next targets are $5,600 and $6,000. If prices pull back, the range between $4,680 and $4,750 is a strong support zone. This presents a golden opportunity for investment.

As for the question, “Is it still timely to buy now?” I think the answer is “Yes, but don’t chase the price.” The overall trend for gold remains bullish, but since prices are at historic highs, volatility is also higher. The best strategy is to wait for a slight pullback before entering, rather than buying at new highs.

The ongoing US public debt issues and inflation still above the Fed’s 2% target keep real interest rates low, which is positive for gold. Investors are increasingly seeing higher risks in stock markets and are shifting funds into gold.

From what I observe, the gold price trend in 2026 is not coincidental. It reflects a structural change in the global financial system. Gold has proven itself as the most valuable asset during uncertain times and has the potential to reach $6,000 in the long term. I believe continuously monitoring gold prices is crucial for investors today.