Thai share prices closed 0.76 percent higher on Thursday with gains in energy, banking and property shares helping to end three days of losses sparked by bloody anti-government protests, dealers said. They said market sentiment improved after the cabinet proposed holding a referendum to resolve the political turmoil that has seen protesters camping on the lawn of the prime minister's offices for 10 days.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index rose 4.92 points to close at 654.85 points, while the blue chip SET-50 index gained 4.15 points to 461.17. Gainers outnumbered losers 174 to 122 with 116 stocks unchanged on turnover of 2.06 billion shares worth 12.12 billion baht (352.16 million dollars). The Thai baht gained against the greenback, finishing at 34.41-42 baht from Wednesday's 34.47-48 baht.
But the Thai unit fell against the euro, closing at 49.95-50.01 baht from 49.56-61 baht the previous day. Protesters stormed into Thailand's main government complex 10 days ago, demanding Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's resignation. One of Samak's supporters was killed when clashes broke out early Tuesday between rival protest groups, prompting the premier to declare a state of emergency in Bangkok. So far, no action has been taken to evict the protesters.
Thailand's top energy firm PTT plc rose 6.00 baht to 246.00 baht, while its subsidiary PTT Exploration and Production gained 1.00 to 135.00. Banpu, a top coal miner, advanced 2.00 to 352.00. The country's biggest lender Bangkok Bank was unchanged at 111.00, and Kasikornbank rose 2.00 to 69.50. Thai Airways edged up 0.20 to 14.50, while Siam Cement was unchanged at 158.00.