Thai share prices closed 0.93 percent higher on Thursday as foreign investors hunted for bargains ahead of the weekend elections here which the government is expected to win easily, dealers said. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index rose 6.59 points to 716.92, while the blue chip SET 50 index was up 0.41 points at 50.19. Gainers led losers 228 to 87, with 91 stocks unchanged, on turnover of 2.7 billion shares worth 21.7 billion baht (566 million dollars).

The electronic sector led the market, rising 5.26 percent to close at 740.31, while energy rose 1.16 percent to 11,920.24.

Banks were up 0.96 percent at 251.29, while finance and securities closed 1.35 percent higher at 1,474.42.

BFIT Securities analyst Ekpittaya Aimkongeak said bargain hunting by foriegn investors lifted the market, which had no fresh leads after the US Federal Reserve raised its key interest rates by one-quarter point, as expected.

"It was bargain hunting by foreign investors ahead of the weekend election," he said.

Ekpittaya said the market Friday is expected to close higher as investors keep looking for deals.

Among major stocks, Capital Nomura Securities rose 0.50 baht to close at 70.00 but BFIT Securities shed 0.25 baht to finish at 34.25.

Bangkok Bank closed 2.00 baht higher at 110.00 while Kasikornbank was unchanged at 55.50 and Siam Commercial Bank 0.25 baht higher at 50.00.

PTT Plc and Siam Cement both added 2.00 baht at 190.00 and 258.00 respectively.

Thai Airways International fell 0.50 baht at 48.25 but Advanced Info Service closed 1.00 baht higher at 110.00.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2005