Unfazed by the sharp drop: From Singapore to Sydney, retail investors line up in droves to buy gold.

According to reports, despite the sharp drop in gold prices, there were still people queuing up to buy gold in Singapore on Monday, demonstrating an unusually strong demand for precious metals. At the headquarters of United Overseas Bank (UOB), the only bank in Singapore that offers physical gold products to retail customers, the gold exclusive trading area was crowded with customers and non-appointment buyers. Outside an ABC Bullion store near Martin Place in Sydney's city center, there was also a long queue of people. In Thailand, where gold bars and jewelry are popular, Thanapisal Koohapremkit, CEO of Globlex Securities Co., said that people tend to hold on to gold rather than sell it. Many customers who did not make advance bookings at UOB were unable to purchase gold as desired. As one of the world's most renowned gold bar brands, all products of MKS PAMP SA have been sold out, leaving latecomers empty-handed. Notices posted around the UOB headquarters read, "Due to overwhelming response, all queue numbers for same-day purchases have been fully distributed. Thank you for your patience."