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Equities rally

at intraday

high in Bangkok

BANGKOK: Thai stocks staged a late rally to close at an intraday high after drifting aimlessly for most of the day, brokers said.

The SET index finished 5.39 points higher at 1,342.83 on small 2.53 billion baht turnover. Winners led losers 115 to 103 with 147 ending unchanged.

Bank, finance and communications issues closed higher, gaining respectively 1.08 percent, 0.35 percent, and 0.57 percent.

Brokers said the Thursday debut of expressway operator Bangkok Expressway Co Ltd may provide a much needed lift for the weak market.

Krung Thai Bank rose 1.50 baht to 99.00, Bangkok Bank advanced six to 206, Shinawatra added one to 52.00, CMIC eased one to 88.50, TelecomAsia fell 0.50 to 82.50, and National Finance gained two to 119.-Reuter