Currency crunch: Thai SET under strain as rates rise and baht bites

A recent policy rate hike of 0.25% by the Bank of Thailand, coupled with the weakening baht, is placing pressure on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). Analysts have suggested this after observing that the index slipped below the resistance level of 1,500 points.

The Thai bourse experienced a downturn at the opening yesterday, following a 0.88% drop to conclude at 1,494 points on Tuesday. This dip was primarily linked to worries regarding an interest rate increase.

Asia Plus Securities (ASPS) noted that the index falling below 1,500 points is a detrimental technical sign. They further elaborated that the bourse has seen a slump of 10.5% this year.

ASPS also mentioned that for each quarter-point rate increase, the average trading value has decreased by 4 billion baht (US$108,903,000) per day, as observed from past data. They anticipate this…