March 24, 2008
BANGKOK - Thai share prices closed 0.49 percent higher on Monday as small investors chased gains after losses last week, tracking other markets in the region, dealers said.
They said major investors were absent because of the Easter holiday in many big markets.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index rose 3.96 points to 807.28 and the blue-chip SET-50 gained 3.73 points to 580.63.
Gainers outnumbered losers 162 to 133 with 139 stocks unchanged on turnover of 1.80 billion shares worth 8.70 billion baht (275.87 million dollars).
The baht closed at a 10-year-high of 31.53-54 against the dollar, down from Friday's 31.28-29. Against the euro, the Thai unit was quoted at 48.50-55 from 48.27-32.
"Trading in the market was quite thin today because major investors stayed away on the Easter holiday," said Chai Chirasevenupraphand, market strategist at Capital Nomura Securities.
Chai said the Thai market rose in line with other markets in the region, led by banking and energy shares.
Thailand's biggest energy firm PTT was unchanged at 312.00 baht while its subsidiary PTT Exploration and Production gained 1.00 to 151.00. Major energy firm Banpu rose 2.00 to 392.00.
The kingdom's largest lender Bangkok Bank rose 3.00 to 133.00, according to AFP.
Thai Airways International was flat at 28.50, while Thailand's biggest mobile phone operator, Advanced Info Service, rose 2.00 to 99.50.
