Thai share prices closed little changed on Thursday in subdued trade as an ongoing row between the government and its critics slowed action on the trading floor, dealers said.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index rose 0.58 points to 669.79 points but the blue chip SET-50 index lost 0.17 points at 468.85. Gainers led losers 157 to 120 with 100 stocks unchanged in trade of 1.4 billion shares worth 8.5 billion baht (206.3 million dollars).
The Thai baht closed Thursday at 41.18-21 to the dollars compared to previous day's of 41.17-20 and was at 48.51-56 to the euro.
"The market managed to rebound in late trade partly on technical factors following losses in recent days," said Pichai Lertsupongkit, chief dealer at Prudent Siam Securities.
He said that tensions between media chief Sondhi Limthongkul and Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra have made investors skittish.
Bangkok Bank added 0.50 baht to close at 99.50 and Siam Commercial Bank lost 0.25 to 48.50. Siam Cement was unchanged at 232.00.
Thailand's top energy firm PTT rose 2.00 baht to 222.00 and its subsidiary PTT Exploration and Production gained 4.00 at 424.00.
Thai Airways International edged up 0.25 to 38.75 and Thai Oil lost 0.50 to 66.50.