Thai share prices closed 1.12 percent lower on Tuesday in line with other regional markets, dealers said. They said trading in the energy sector fell sharply due to the lower price of oil and coal. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index lost 7.55 points to 667.12, while the blue chip SET-50 index lost 5.99 points to 466.43.
Losers overwhelmed gainers 204 to 128 with 99 stocks closed unchanged, on trading volume of 2 billion shares worth 14.13 billion baht (420.53 million dollars). The baht weakened against the dollar, closing at 33.60-64 on Tuesday from Monday's 33.53-56 baht. The Thai unit strengthened against the euro, finishing at 52.05-52 from 52.16-36.
Mayuree Chowvikron, senior vice president at Kim Eng Securities, said the market was sluggish for the second day running and had closed down in line with other regional markets. "The main reasons are the global oil and coal prices," Mayuree said.
She said the energy sector, making up 40 percent of the market, had led the way in bringing the market down. Thailand's biggest lender Bangkok Bank rose 1.00 baht to close at 112.00 baht. Kasikornbank closed 0.50 up at 68.50 while Siam Commercial Bank was unchanged at 75.50.
The kingdom's biggest energy firm PTT edged down 10.00 to 236.00 while its subsidiary PTT Exploration and Production lost 8.00 to 142.00. Banpu, the country's largest coal miner, plunged 38 baht to 378.00. Thai Airways rose 0.50 baht to 15.60. Thailand's biggest telephone operator Advance Info Service closed unchanged at 86.00.