Gold rose sharply after weak US jobs data (released 7 Aug). The Gold Traders Association chairman expects world prices to reach about US$5,500 this year and Thai gold to pass 70,000 baht, with a possible 75,000 baht by year-end per a technical analyst. Short-term pullbacks are likely. A stronger baht cuts local prices: each 10 satang of baht strength takes about 200 baht off the gold price, and the recent 40-satang gain cost about 800 baht. Leveraged, margin and paper-gold trading carries high risk. If you have spare cash, the association suggests a small allocation to gold as a store of value, not a short-term bet. Price-watch if you buy gold for jewellery stock or hedging.