Politics affects Thai bourse, baht

BANGKOK, November 2 (TNA) - Anxieties over domestic political protests against the government-backed amnesty bill are expected to continue affecting Thailand's stock market and currency next week. The independent Kasikorn Research Centre (KRC) made the assessment on Friday, when the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index closed at 1,429.08 points, down 1.77 per cent from last week, and the Thai currency weakened to 31.18 baht a US dollar, compared with 31.05 baht against the greenback a week ago. The Bangkok-based private think tank foresaw that the Thai bourse should stay in volatility next week due mainly to ongoing street demonstrations against the controversial amnesty bill. According to the leading Thai research firm, a support level for the SET index next week should be at 1,365-1,400 points, while its resistance level should be at 1,447-1,456 points. (TNA)