The Thai stock market rose 0.44 percent on Friday amid lacklustre trading due to seasonal holidays as overseas investors deserted the market, an analyst said. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index rose 3.20 points to close at 730.41 and the blue chip SET-50 index added 2.75 points to 517.01.
Gainers outnumbered losers 181 to 113 and 161 stocks were unchanged while turnover was 954.6 million shares worth 5.4 billion baht (161.9 million dollars). The Thai baht was relatively stable against the dollar to close Friday at 33.33-35 baht to one dollar compared to Thursday's close at 33.34-35. But it slightly weakened against the euro to finish at 48.00-05 baht to one euro compared to the previous day's close of 47.93-48.00.
Among market blue chips coal producer Banpu rose 4.00 baht to close at 576.00 baht, Bangkok Bank was up 0.50 baht to 116.50 baht and Kasikornbank edged up 0.25 baht to 85.00 baht. PTT Plc gained 3.00 baht to close 241.00 baht, and its subsidiary PTT Exploration and Production rose 1.50 baht to 145.00 baht and Siam Cement rose 2.00 baht to 236.00.