Thai share prices closed 0.78 percent higher on Tuesday as investors sought bargains after a landslide election victory by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's party, dealers said. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index rose 5.66 points to close at 731.42, while the blue chip SET 50 index was up 0.49 points to finish at 51.49. Rising stocks led fallers 218 to 85 with 104 unchanged, in trading of 3.0 billion shares worth 18.9 billion baht (493.2 million dollars).
The banking sector index advanced 0.66 percent to 259.68 points, but the finance and securities index shed 0.17 percent to 1,499.26.
Communications shares gained 1.26 percent to 119.59 points, while transportation stocks rose 0.59 percent to 146.99.
Apex Securities analyst Sukij Udomsirikul said the market was slightly higher on Tuesday as investors sought bargains after the widely expected election result.
"Investors sought bargains in small-cap shares which helped the market to edge higher after the election result came in as expected," he said.
Bangkok Bank rose 1.00 baht to close at 113.00 baht, Kasikornbank was up 0.50 baht at 58.00 and Siam Commercial Bank closed unchanged at 52.00 baht. Kiatnakin Securities gained 0.25 baht to 37.75, while Finansa Securities fell 0.25 baht to 29.50.
PTT Plc. rose 1.00 baht to 191.00, Siam City Cement advanced 14.00 baht to 270.00 while PTT Exploration and Production closed unchanged at 294.00 baht.
Thai Airways International added 0.50 baht to finish at 49.00, Advance Info Service rose 2.00 baht to 117.00 and Shin Corp gained 0.25 baht to close at 47.00.