Thai share prices closed 1.63 percent higher on Tuesday, led by bargain hunting and gains across Asia, dealers said. They said investors chased gains in energy-linked, hi-tech and banking stocks. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index rose 13.18 points to 819.83 and the blue chip SET-50 added 11.79 points to 593.02.
Gainers outnumbered losers 230 to 103, with 115 stocks unchanged on turnover of 2.37 billion shares worth 20.84 billion baht (660.57 million dollars). The Thai baht closed at 31.55-56 against the dollar, little changed from Monday's 31.52-53. Against the euro, the Thai unit was quoted at 48.60-65 from 48.47-53.
"The market rebounded after recent falls. Investors chased gains on bargain hunting," said Thanomsak Saharatchai, senior strategist at Capital Nomura Securities.
The Thai bourse also rose in line with regional gains in Asia and investors bought energy, banking and technology stocks, Thanomsak said. Thailand's biggest energy firm PTT surged 10.00 baht to 330.00 while its subsidiary PTT Exploration and Production rose 7.00 to 158.00.
Major energy firm Banpu rose 8.00 to 444.00. The kingdom's largest lender Bangkok Bank gained 3.00 to 128.00, while the mobile phone operator, Advanced Info Service, was up 1.50 at 99.00. But shares in Thai Airways International slipped 0.25 to 28.25.