Thai share prices closed 0.93 percent higher on Thursday on speculative interest in energy stocks ahead of a key report on US crude stockpiles expected to show a sharp drop, dealers said. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite rose 6.58 points to 715.08 and the blue chip SET 50 index was up 5.10 points to 507.79.
Gainers led losers 212 to 110 with 101 stocks unchanged. Turnover was 3.9 billion shares worth 23.6 billion baht (578 million dollars).
The baht weakened to 41.00-03 against the dollar from 40.95-98 on Wedneday while it firmed against the euro to 50.65-51.12 against 51.08-14.
Sirinatta Techasiriwan from Syrus Securities said investors speculated in energy shares in afternoon trade ahead of a key report on US crude stockpiles.
"The announcement is expected to show a sharp drop in stockpiles, which will send oil prices higher," she said.
She said the Bank of Thailand's decision to raise interest rates by a half point Wednesday had benefited only the banking sector.
The Bank of Thailand raised rates citing fears of rising prices, fed by the nation's soaring fuel bill, as inflation jumped to a seven-year high of 5.6 percent in August compared with a year earlier.
Major indices closed mixed. Banking rose 1.55 percent, communications added 1.53 percent and energy gained 1.30 percent but finance and securities shed 0.01 percent.
Bangkok Bank added 2.00 baht to 108.00, Siam Commercial Bank gained 0.50 baht to 52.00 while Kasikornbank was unchanged at 64.00.
PTT rose 2.00 baht on 244.00 and its subsidiary PTT Exploration and Production jumped 16.00 baht at 476.00.
Siam Cement and Siam City Cement both gained 2.00 baht to 234.00 and 288.00 respectively.
Advanced Info Service was up 2.00 baht to 105.00 and United Communication edged up 0.50 baht to 50.50 while Thai Airways International was unchanged at 39.00.
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