The performance of Thai share prices next week hinges on the outcome of weekend polls called by Premier Thaksin Shinawatra in a bid to end the country's political crisis, analysts said Friday.
"Investors will closely monitor the elections. It's really up to the outcome of the elections," said Sukit Udomsirikul, a senior market analyst at Siam City Securities.
Thailand on Sunday goes to the polls, seen as a referendum on the leadership of Thaksin, who is under intense pressure to quit over alleged abuse of power and corruption.
Thaksin has said he will not take office if he wins less than 50 percent of the vote.
Simmering criticism of Thaksin's autocratic style exploded in late January following his family's 1.9 billion dollar tax-free sale of its stake in telecoms firm Shin Corp which Thaksin founded before entering public office.
Since then the prime minister has faced near daily street demonstrations demanding his resignation.
Even after Sunday's vote, protesters have vowed to continue anti-Thaksin rallies, with a mass protest already scheduled for April 7.
"We may see selling toward the end of next week because of another protest against Thaksin. We just don't know how and when this political crisis ends," Sukit said.