SE Asia Stocks-Firmer; Thai shares rise to 3-month high ahead of rate decision

March 11 (Reuters) - Thai stocks rose on Tuesday to a

three-month high ahead of a monetary policy decision by

Thailand's central bank while other Southeast Asian markets

recovered after most of them eased in the previous session due

to weak Chinese export data.

The day's trading was strong in volume, but gains were

capped by concerns about sluggish economic growth in China and

continued tensions over Ukraine.

Thailand's main index ended 1.1 percent firmer at

its highest close since Dec. 11 on hopes the central bank would

cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points on Wednesday

to help the economy cope with damage from months of political

unrest.

The stock market, which saw a foreign funds inflow of $7.77

million on Tuesday, may gain further as Thailand is expected to

lift a state of emergency in capital Bangkok due to pressure

from businesses and in the light of improving security.

Morgan Stanley, after the market closed on Tuesday,

downgraded Thailand to "underweight" from "equalweight," citing

sluggish economic growth and prolonged political instability.

Philippine shares closed 0.7 percent higher, with

foreign investors buying a net $30.7 million worth, while

Malaysia gained 0.4 percent, with $22.1 million foreign

inflows.

Singapore's benchmark Straits Times index ended 0.1

percent up after touching a near two-month high in early trade.

The Jakarta Composite Index ended 0.6 firmer at a near

eight-month closing high, despite foreign investors selling a

net $9.27 million in shares.

Vietnam's benchmark VN Index ended up 0.8 percent,

its fifth consecutive gain.

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SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS

Change on day

Market Current Prev Close Pct Move

TR SE Asia Index* 404.62 402.38 +0.56

Singapore 3129.40 3126.63 +0.09

Kuala Lumpur 1828.55 1822.06 +0.36

Bangkok 1364.28 1349.05 +1.13

Jakarta 4704.21 4677.25 +0.58

Manila 6529.58 6487.23 +0.65

Ho Chi Minh 588.50 583.69 +0.82

Change on year

Market Current End 2013 Pct Move

TR SE Asia Index* 404.62 388.37 +4.18

Singapore 3129.40 3167.43 -1.20

Kuala Lumpur 1828.55 1866.96 -2.06

Bangkok 1364.28 1298.71 +5.05

Jakarta 4704.21 4274.18 +10.06

Manila 6529.58 5889.83 +10.86

Ho Chi Minh 588.50 504.63 +16.99

* The Thomson Reuters South East Asia Index is a

highly representative indicator of stocks listed in Indonesia,

Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Stock Market Volume (shares)

Market Current Volume Average Volume 30 days

Singapore 246,111,100 230,498,767

Kuala Lumpur 145,394,900 132,589,220

Bangkok 7,154,220 5,517,639

Jakarta 5,057,192,000 3,451,209,780

Manila 88,015 84,145

Ho Chi Minh 162,493 134,841