Thai share prices closed 0.12 percent lower on Tuesday on profit taking in blue chip shares after a week of gains, dealers said. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index lost 0.79 points to 673.63 while the blue chip SET 50 index dropped 1.04 points to 470.05.
Losers led gainers 178 to 152 with 110 stocks unchanged on turnover of 2.3 billion shares worth 10.8 billion baht (303 million dollars). The Thai baht closed almost unchanged at 35.80-82 from Monday's 35.82-84. Against the euro, the Thai unit finished at 46.30-40 from 46.20-46.
"Investors sold big-cap shares in energy sectors for profit-taking," said Veerachai Krongsamsri, an analyst at Far East Securities. Thai share prices rebounded last week as investor confidence strengthened after months of uncertainty over the post-coup government's economic policies, which were seen as hostile to foreign investors.
Veerachai said the market did not react to the news Tuesday that the new government would reopen the shuttered Don Muang International airport, which critics fear could create confusion for millions of tourists. Thailand's cabinet Tuesday approved the decision to re-open the decades-old hub because of mounting problems at the new Suvarnabhumi Airport.
"This news has not affected the market at all," Veerachai said. Airports of Thailand (AOT) was up 1.50 baht to 54.00 while national flag carrier Thai Airways International edged up 0.25 baht to 44.50. The country's largest energy firm PTT closed unchanged at 200.00 baht, but its subsidiary PTT Exploration and Production lost 0.50 baht to 96.50. Bangkok Bank closed 1.00 baht lower to 109.00 while Kasikorn Bank was unchanged at 63.00.