Thai share prices closed 1.02 percent lower on Monday amid ongoing political turmoil in the run-up to elections planned for October, dealers said.
They said confusion prompted by an alleged assassination attempt on Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra last week along with uncertainty over international oil prices and the Iranian nuclear program left investors reluctant to commit.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index lost 7.06 points to 682.07 and the blue chip SET-50 index fell 6.15 points to 476.03.
Losers overwhelmed gainers 261 to 72 with 89 stocks unchanged on turnover of 1.25 billion shares worth 6.3 billion baht (170.5 million dollars). Against the dollar, the Thai baht closed at 37.65-71, after Friday's 37.64-66, and at 48.25-30 from 48.06-11 against the euro.
"Foreign investors sold big-cap shares because of negative international and domestic factors," said Arunrat Jiwangura, a stock analyst at TSEC, adding that the disputed Iranian nuclear program together with high oil prices remain cause for concern. "Also Thai politics are uncertain, with much news on the planned elections and assassination plots," she said.
Thai police last Thursday found explosives in a car parked near Thaksin's house while a fake bomb was found Monday, again near the premier's Bangkok home. A senator also warned Monday that selection of a new Election Commission may be delayed, casting doubt on whether polls can go ahead on October 15.
Thailand's top energy firm PTT lost 4.00 baht to 236.00 and its subsidiary PTT Exploration and Production fell 3.00 to 107.00. Bangkok Bank dropped 1.00 to 104.00 and Kasikorn Bank was down 0.50 to 62.50. Thai Airways International lost 0.50 to 41.00, while Thailand's largest mobile operator, Advance Info Service dropped 0.50 to 86.00.