EM ASIA FX-Most Asian units advance ahead of Fed meeting

(Corrects 7th paragraph to say the Taiwan dollar rose as much

as 0.2 percent, not fell)

* Fed's two-day policy meeting starts later on Tuesday

* Thai c. bank seen keeping rates on hold on Wed

* Philippine peso weakens again

By Shriya Ramakrishnan

March 19 (Reuters) - Most emerging Asian currencies

strengthened against a weaker dollar on Tuesday, on expectations

that the U.S. Federal Reserve will confirm a dovish stance, amid

slowing global growth, at a policy meeting beginning later in

the day.

The Fed, which raised rates four times last year, is widely

expected to keep its benchmark overnight interest rate unchanged

and stick to a pledge of a "patient" approach to any further

hikes.

The dollar index, which measures the greenback

against a basket of six major currencies, hovered close to a

two-week low at 96.495.

The Korean won appreciated 0.1 percent to

1,1321.1 against the dollar.

The Philippine peso, which weakened last week after

the 2019 growth forecast was reduced and the new central bank

governor flagged the possibility of cuts in the amount of cash

banks must hold as reserves, slipped 0.2 percent against the

dollar.

"With monetary easing expected to accelerate (to boost

growth) and thus interest rate support to be weaker, markets now

see greater downside risks to the PHP," DBS said on Tuesday.

The Taiwan dollar rose 0.2 percent before paring

gains.

The island's export orders, considered a leading indicator

of demand for Asia's exports and hi-tech gadgets, are expected

to have contracted for a fourth straight month in February, a

Reuters poll showed. Data is due at 0800 GMT.

The Indian rupee, which has strengthened the past

six sessions, firmed as much as 0.3 percent against the dollar,

touching its highest point since Aug. 2, before the day's gains

were erased.

The rupee has generally appreciated the past few weeks, in

line with foreign inflows into Indian equities and debt markets

amid expectations that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the

ruling Bharatiya Janata Party will be re-elected in coming

elections.

THAI BAHT

The Thai baht gained 0.1 percent to 31.68 against

the dollar, ahead of a central bank policy meeting on Wednesday.

The Bank of Thailand is expected to keep its benchmark

policy rate steady for a second straight review after a hike in

December, in a bid to support a slowing economy.

In a note, Mizuho Bank said March 24 general elections

"could bring the country's extant polarization of political

views into relief again. The baht has now priced in a political

risk premium amidst renewed tensions."

The election will be the first since a military coup in

2014.

The following table shows rates for Asian currencies against

the dollar at 0521 GMT.

CURRENCIES VS U.S. DOLLAR

Currency Latest bid Previous day Pct Move

Japan yen 111.260 111.42 +0.14

Sing dlr 1.350 1.3509 +0.04

Taiwan dlr 30.800 30.832 +0.10

Korean won 1130.500 1132.1 +0.14

Baht 31.640 31.68 +0.13

Peso 52.770 52.69 -0.15

Rupiah 14223.000 14235 +0.08

Rupee 68.560 68.53 -0.05

Ringgit 4.074 4.076 +0.05

Yuan 6.716 6.7135 -0.04

Change so far in 2019

Currency Latest bid End 2018 Pct Move

Japan yen 111.260 109.56 -1.53

Sing dlr 1.350 1.3627 +0.91

Taiwan dlr 30.800 30.733 -0.22

Korean won 1130.500 1115.70 -1.31

Baht 31.640 32.55 +2.88

Peso 52.770 52.47 -0.57

Rupiah 14223.000 14375 +1.07

Rupee 68.560 69.77 +1.76

Ringgit 4.074 4.1300 +1.37

Yuan 6.716 6.8730 +2.34

(Reporting by Shriya Ramakrishnan in Bengaluru; Editing by

Richard Borsuk)