Thai share prices closed 0.59 percent lower on Monday in line with the other regional markets, dealers said. They said trading was lacklustre as investors remained cautious about the domestic political situation. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index lost 3.99 points to 674.67, while the blue chip SET-50 index lost 3.15 points to 472.42.
Losers led gainers 180 to 114 and 115 stocks closed unchanged with 1.2 billion shares traded worth 5.78 billion baht (172.65 million dollars). The Thai baht weakened slightly against the dollar, closing at 33.53-56 baht on Monday from Friday's 33.52-55. The Thai unit strengthened against the euro, finishing at 52.16-36 from 52.17-25.
Bua Luang Securities vice president Pongrat Ratanatavanananda said the market was sluggish and closed down in line with other regional markets as there were few outside factors influencing the Thai bourse. "There are no factors to drive the market today, both domestic or international, so the traders decided to wait," she said.
Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej unveiled his reshuffled cabinet on Saturday, but it remains to be seen whether the move will curb anti-government protests, which have blighted his administration for months. Ongoing street protests and a border dispute with Cambodia have hurt investor confidence in the kingdom.
Shares in Thailand's biggest lender Bangkok Bank dropped 2.00 baht to close at 111.00 baht. Siam Commercial Bank lost 1.00 to 75.50, while Kasikornbank closed unchanged at 68.00. The kingdom's biggest energy firm PTT remained unchanged at 246.00 but its subsidiary PTT Exploration and Production rose 1.00 to 150.00. Banpu, the country's largest coal miner, was unchanged at 416.00. Thai Airways edged down 0.10 to 15.10. Thailand's biggest telephone operator Advance Info Service fell 2.00 to 86.00.