The Thai stock market has finished higher now in six straight sessions, gathering more than 50 points or 7.4 percent in the process. The Stock Exchange of Thailand ended just above the 765-point plateau, and now analysts are predicting another strong open when the market kicks off trade on Thursday.
The global forecast for the Asian markets is firm, riding continued support from commodity prices - particularly gold and oil. Financial and property stocks also may provide support, while weakness among the airlines may weigh on investors. The European and U.S. markets finished modestly higher, and now the Asian markets are expected to follow suit.
The SET finished sharply higher again on Wednesday, thanks to solid gains among the energy producers and the financial shares.
For the day, the index climbed 13.34 points or 1.77 percent to finish at 765.54 after trading between 757.15 and 767.81. Volume was 6.023 billion shares worth 33.676 billion baht. There were 308 gainers and 71 decliners, with 94 stocks finishing unchanged.
Among the gainers, energy giant PTT was up 1.63 percent, while PTT Exploration and Production climbed 3.86 percent, PTT Aromatic jumped 1.90 percent, coal producer Banpu added 0.99 percent, Siam City Bank gained 2.56 percent and Kasikornbank was up 2.23 percent.
The lead from Wall Street remains positive as stocks saw moderate strength on Wednesday amid reassurances from the day's producer price data and Tuesday's interest rate announcement that inflation remains subdued. The major averages ended the day firmly in positive territory, reaching their best closing levels in over a year.
Before the start of trading, the markets were presented with data from the Labor Department showing that the producer price index fell by 0.6 percent in February, following an unrevised 1.4 percent increase in January. Economists had been expecting a more modest decrease in prices of about 0.2 percent.
With the notable decrease, producer prices fell for the first time since a 0.5 percent decrease in September of 2009 and showed the steepest drop since a 1.2 percent decrease in July of 2009.
Excluding a steep drop in energy prices as well as a modest increase in food prices, the core producer price index edged up by 0.1 percent in February after rising by 0.3 percent in January. The modest increase in core prices came in line with economist estimates.
Traders also looked to Capitol Hill, where Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and former Fed chief Paul Volcker discussed the Fed's role in financial regulation before the House Financial Services Committee.
Bernanke stated that there is no other agency that could replicate the "breadth and depth of relevant expertise" that the central bank has in its regulation of the nation's banks and its analysis of systemic risks.
The Fed chief also said that the Fed is uniquely suited to supervise large financial organizations and added that its involvement in regulation of banks enhances its ability to carry out its duties.
In other news from the Hill today, the Senate approved a $17.6 billion job creation bill, sending it to President Barack Obama, who is expected to sign it into law.
Under the bill, employers will be exempt from Social Security payroll taxes for every worker hired after February 3, 2010 and before January 1, 2011 if they had previously been unemployed for at least 60 days. Businesses that spend money on capital investments will also see an extension of a tax break.
On the corporate front, video-rental chain Blockbuster Inc. (BBI) revealed that it is in talks with Hollywood studios to reduce DVD costs and may need to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
The major averages ended the day well off their best levels, but they still posted notable gains. The Dow advanced by 47.69 points or 0.5 percent to 10,733.67, the NASDAQ closed up 11.08 points or 0.5 percent at 2,389.09 and the S&P 500 rose by 6.75 points or 0.6 percent to 1,166.21.
On the political front, Thai anti-government activists, who have been demanding Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's resignation, have turned their protest toward the U.S. Embassy in the capital after reports that "foreign intelligence" had warned the government the 'Red-Shirts' could turn violent.
Thousands of Thai anti-government protesters picketed the U.S. Embassy in central Bangkok accusing American intelligence officials of wiretapping exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's telephone conversations.
The rumor, which first appeared in Thai media on Tuesday, started spreading after Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban told reporters that foreign intelligence had warned of violence during the protests.
Suthep has denied naming any country, including the U.S., but the Thai Press and Red-Shirt leaders pointed their fingers toward Washington.
Addressing Shinawatra's loyalists outside the Embassy, Red- Shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan demanded clarification by the U.S. government on Suthep's statement that foreign governments, including the U.S., bugged Thaksin's phone, and warned of a coup attempt by Thaksin.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.