Thai share prices closed 0.57 percent higher on Thursday in line with regional markets, dealers said. But they said concerns over political instability in Thailand dampened sentiment as thousands of anti-government protesters massed in Bangkok. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index rose 2.48 points to close at 439.40 while the blue chip SET-50 index advanced 2.03 points to 306.84.
Gainers led losers 156 to 131, with 127 stocks unchanged, on turnover of 2.08 billion shares worth 10.70 billion baht (302.8 million dollars). The Thai baht edged up against the dollar to 35.31-34 baht from Wednesdays 35.50-53. But it tumbled against the euro to close at 47.92-98 from 47.77-85.
"The market rose in line with other regional markets but slipped in the afternoon session because many red shirts started gathering again," said Ronnakrit Sarinwong, executive vice president at Adkinson Securities. Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters gathered on Bangkoks streets on Thursday before surrounding government offices, in the latest upsurge of political turmoil affecting the kingdom.
Top energy firm PTT Plc rose 1.00 baht to close at 161.00 while its subsidiary PTT Exploration and Production edged up 0.50 baht to 99.50. Top coal producer Banpu also gained 2.00 to 222.00 and Siam Cement added 2.00 to 100.00. The countrys biggest lender Bangkok Bank was unchanged at 76.00. Kasikorn Bank rose 1.00 to 46.00 while Siam Commercial Bank edged up 0.50 to 55.00. Top mobile phone operator Advanced Info Service rose 1.50 to 83.00.