Thai share prices closed 0.44 percent higher on Friday, led by gains in energy stocks as oil prices climbed while the banks also attracted attention in an otherwise subdued market, dealers said. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index gained 2.95 points to 677.79 while the blue chip SET 50 index rose 2.37 points to 474.79.
Gainers led losers 167 to 149, with 126 stocks unchanged on turnover of 1.7 billion shares worth 9.5 billion baht (270 million dollars). The Thai baht closed at 35.03-05 to the dollar, down sharply from Thursday's finish of 34.63-67, a new nine-year high. Dealers suspected the central bank might have intervened in the market to weaken the local unit in the interests of protecting exports.
Against the euro, the Thai currency finished at 46.60-70 from 46.20-40. Thailand's top energy firm PTT was unchanged at 206.00 but its subsidiary PTT Exploration and Production rose 0.50 baht to 88.50. The nation's biggest lender Bangkok Bank was flat at 108.00 while Kasikorn Bank added 1.00 to 65.00. Thai Airways International edged up 0.50 to 45.50 and mobile phone operator Advanced Info Service was unchanged at 72.50.