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SINGAPORE, Aug 3 (Reuters) Gold hovered within sight of its highest level in two weeks on Thursday as the dollar stayed weak ahead of this week's U.S. economic data which may determine its direction.

-- Spot gold hit a high of $652.75 an ounce before dipping to $649.90/651.40 an ounce, down from $650.70/651.45 late in New York.

-- Gold rose to a two-week high of $655.45 on Wednesday on safe-haven buying ignited by war in the Middle East, rising oil prices and a weaker dollar.

-- Chartists said the next resistance might lurk at $665 and $680 an ounce, and then at $700 and the 26-year peak hit in mid-May of $730.

-- Benchmark gold futures on the Tokyo Commodity Exchange rose 13 yen gram to 2,427 yen, tracking gains in New York's COMEX market.

-- Dealers awaited U.S. non-farm payrolls data due on Friday for clues on whether the Federal Reserve would continue raising rates or pause at its Aug. 8 meeting.

-- The dollar was quoted at 114.58 yen , a tad below 114.67 yen in late U.S. trade, but above a three-week low of around 114.20 yen hit on Monday.

-- The euro was little changed at around $1.2790.

-- Platinum fell to $1,242/1,247 an ounce from late New York levels of $1,249/1,253 an ounce.

-- Sister metal palladium dropped to $322/327 from $325/330.

-- Silver inched down to 12.06/12.13 an ounce from $12.17/12.27 late in New York. The metal had risen to its highest in two months at $12.20 an ounce on Wednesday.

Precious Metals Prices by 0104 GMT* Metal Last Net change Pct Move Gold 649.90 -0.40 -0.06 Platinum 1243.00 -6.00 -0.48 Palladium 322.00 -3.00 -0.92 Silver 12.06 -0.11 -0.90 Change so far in 2006 Metal Latest bid End prev year Pct Move Gold 649.90 517.20 +25.66 Platinum 1243.00 968.00 +28.41 Palladium 322.00 254.00 +26.77 Silver 12.06 8.81 +36.89 * The closing prices used to calculate the net change may differ from New York's last quoted prices.

REUTERS VJ RN0813