Stocks in Thailand and Malaysia retreated in light trade on Thursday amid profit-taking in big caps like as banks, but bargain hunting in beaten-down growth stocks lifted Indonesia. Thailand's benchmark SET index ended down 1.3 percent at 1,182.41, falling at one point to 1,177.83, the lowest since March 16. The Thai market is shut on Friday and Monday for a holiday and trading will resume on Tuesday.
Singapore's main share index was nearly flat while Malaysia's main index edged down 0.36 percent ahead of three day weekend, both reopening on Monday.