EMERGING MARKETS-Most Asian currencies gain on dollar weakness; ringgit slumps

* U.S. dollar weakens after overnight gains of 0.5% * Malaysia's ringgit snaps three-day winning streak * Thai c.bank to hike interest rate by 25 bps - Reuters poll By Roushni Nair Nov 29 (Reuters) - Most Asian emerging markets rose on Tuesday, with the South Korean won and the Singapore dollar surfacing as top gainers, as the U.S. dollar slipped on the prospect of potential easing in China's strict pandemic curbs following unprecedented protests. The U.S. dollar weakened after a rally in the previous session on mounting worries over China's COVID-19 situation, although the greenback remained marginally supported by hawkish comments from Federal Reserve officials. Markets globally are pricing in comments from Fed officials who flagged a need for continued policy tightening to gain control of inflation, with no clarity on how far the central bank will need to boost short-term borrowing costs. "The Fed speakers are very clear that in the next FOMC meeting in December, we will see a deceleration in the pace of rate hikes to 50 basis points," said Alvin Tan, head of FX strategy at RBC Capital Markets. Tan added that markets were anticipating slight cuts in interest rates in the second half of 2023. In Asia, the South Korean won firmed 1% with the Singapore dollar and Thailand's baht appreciating 0.4% each. China's yuan strengthened 0.6% with stocks advancing 2.1% as unrest over stringent COVID-19 policies placed by authorities appear to have come under control. "Tighter security in China yesterday has aided to refrain large-scale protests from materialising (some spill-over to Hong Kong), but nevertheless, the absence of any clear escalation in protests could aid to bring some calm to markets," analysts at IG said in a note. Malaysia's ringgit depreciated 0.6% for its biggest percentage loss since April 25 as uncertainties around the country's political footing dampened investor sentiment. Since mid-last week, when Malaysia got a new leader, the ringgit has appreciated 1.5%, but the unit lost more than 7% so far this year. Shares in Singapore advanced 0.9%, gaining for the first time in five days after last week's data signalled the island nation's economic growth came in slower than anticipated. "Growth in the fourth quarter could potentially fall below 2% YoY with risk of another sequential decline due to further drag from the manufacturing sector," analysts at DBS Group Research concluded in a note. The note added that economic growth momentum will slow further going into fiscal 2023. Across the region, some stock indexes have gained strength. Shares in Singapore, South Korea and Thailand advanced between 0.5% and 1%. Still, markets in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines lost between 0.1% and 1%. Separately, S&P Global Ratings lowered its economic growth forecast for emerging markets for the coming year, citing persistent pressures from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the lingering COVID-19 pandemic. Investors will be closely monitoring China's factory activity data due Wednesday, where the world's second-largest economy and Southeast Asia's largest trading partner is expected to counter a deepened contraction in November as COVID-19 woes bite. HIGHLIGHTS: ** Indonesian 10-year benchmark yields rise 1.5 basis points to 6.982% ** Singapore's stock index snaps four-day losing streak ** China's factory activity contraction likely deepened in Nov on COVID woes Asia stock indexes and currencies at 0640 GMT COUNTRY FX RIC FX FX YTD INDEX STOCKS STOCKS DAILY % % DAILY YTD % % Japan +0.33 -16.90 -0.5 -2.18 China +0.57 -11.31 2.18 -13.58 India -0.04 -9.03 0.40 7.40 Indonesia -0.11 -9.45 -0.12 6.49 Malaysia -0.64 -7.55 -1.03 -4.32 Philippines +0.07 -9.82 0.17 -6.03 S.Korea +1.03 -10.40 1.04 -18.28 Singapore +0.39 -1.81 0.95 4.71 Taiwan +0.16 -10.61 1.05 -19.26 Thailand +0.31 -6.31 0.49 -1.98 (Reporting by Roushni Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)