Thai share prices closed 0.29 percent higher on Monday as investors downplayed rising tensions between anti-coup protesters and the military-backed government, dealers said. They said foreign investors were waiting for more US economic data set to be released this week amid worries over higher US interest rates.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index rose 2.15 points to 754.15, while the blue chip SET 50 index gained 2.78 points to 534.95. Losers outnumbered gainers 240 to 115, with 105 stocks unchanged on turnover of 2.3 billion shares worth 15 billion baht (432 million dollars).
More than 10,000 Thais demonstrated in Bangkok on Saturday to demand an end to the country's army-backed government with many calling for a return of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra. Thailand's top energy firm PTT lost 2.00 baht to 262.00 while its unit PTT Exploration and Production added 1.00 to 106.00.
The kingdom's top lender Bangkok Bank was flat at 115.00 and the third largest lender Kasikorn Bank edged up 0.50 to 70.00. Thai Airways International closed unchanged at 44.25. Thailand's largest mobile phone operator, Advanced Info Service, gained 2.50 to 89.50.