SE Asia Stocks -Lower amid weak oil prices; Malaysia at 15-month low

BANGKOK, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Southeast Asian stock markets

fell on Monday led by oil and gas stocks and palm plantation

shares amid lower crude prices, sending the Malaysian index to

its lowest in 15 months while Thailand's top energy firms saw

more sell-offs.

Crude oil prices fell more than a dollar and approached a

five-year low hit early this month after Morgan Stanley cut its

price forecast for Brent crude.

Malaysia's key share index traded down 0.72 percent

at 1,736.81, the lowest since September 2013. Shares of Petronas

Chemicals Group and IOI Corporation were

among the biggest losers.

The ringgit hit a five-year low as lower crude

prices raised concerns over Malaysia's current account and

fiscal deficit.

The Thai SET index was a tad lower as losses in

energy shares overshadowed gains in airline stocks such as Thai

Airways International, which jumped almost 3 percent.

Shares of energy explorer PTT Exploration and Production

extended losses for a third session, down 2.7 percent

at 128.5 baht, the lowest since December 2009.

Brokers expect Thai market sentiment to remain weak, mainly

due to external factors.

"Globally, investors are now concerned with the growth

stories of major economies, and Japan's weaker-than-expected

growth will hurt regional equities today," the broker said.

Asian shares were mostly lower on Monday after sobering data

highlighted the sluggishness of the region's key economies and

tempered the lift from much stronger-than-expected U.S.

employment numbers.

Japanese stocks were steady as a downward revision in third

quarter GDP figures balanced hopes for exporters due to a weaker

yen and optimism over the U.S. economy.

In Jakarta, shares of palm plantation firm Astra Agro

Lestari were down 1.7 percent, bringing Jakarta's

composite index 1 percent lower to a one-week low.

The Philippine stock market is closed on Monday due to heavy

rains and strong winds caused by Typhoon Hagupit.

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SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS

Change at 0655 GMT

Market Current Prev Close Pct Move

Singapore 3319.50 3324.39 -0.15

Kuala Lumpur 1736.81 1749.37 -0.72

Bangkok 1597.53 1597.76 -0.01

Jakarta 5137.77 5187.99 -0.97

Ho Chi Minh 574.84 578.76 -0.68

(Reporting by Viparat Jantraprap; Editing by Sunil Nair)