Thai share prices are expected to inch up this week on hopes that current political tensions between Premier Thaksin Shinawatra and a local media critic will ease off, dealers said.
"Overall I expect the market will remain sluggish early this week but it should rise later. The political tensions with the media must be resolved, because the week after that is the King's birthday," Pongrat Rattanawanaont, chief analyst at Bualuang Securities said.
Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej turns 78 on December 5.
She said investors will also be watching for a Central Bankcruptcy Court ruling on whether the former owner of Thai Petrochemical Industry (TPI) can buy back his shares, due on Tuesday.
At the same time, there is the regular monthly economic data issued by the Bank of Thailand on Wednesday, although most do not expect any surprises.
Viriya Larppromratana, chief analyst at Kiatnakin Securities, said she expected the market to trade largely sideways, similar to the past week.