Thai Hot Stocks-Index erases gains; banks down on weak loans

(Adds banks)

BANGKOK, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Thailand's benchmark stock
index .SETI was down 0.35 percent at 638.80 at 0357 GMT on
Friday, dragged down by profit-taking after edging higher in
early trade, dealers said.

Stocks on the move included:

BANKS .SETB DOWN ON WEAK LOAN GROWTH IN JULY

The banking subindex fell nearly 1.0 percent, with top
lender Bangkok Bank BBL.BK down 0.88 percent at 112 baht,
after Citigroup said in a research note that weaker loan growth
in July and pricing competition could put pressure on Thai
banks' net interest margins.

"We see more downside risk to bank earnings and therefore
maintain our cautious view on the sector," it said in a
statement.

Shares in second-ranked Krung Thai Bank KTB.BK dropped
1.8 percent to 8.35 baht, the lowest since July 30; number
three Siam Commercial Bank SCB.BK eased 0.65 percent to 77
baht and fourth-ranked Kasikornbank KBAN.BK edged down 1.38
percent to 71.50 baht.

0357 GMT

THAI OIL TOP.BK UP ON DIVIDEND PAYMENT

Thailand's biggest oil refiner outperformed the energy
subindex .SETEN, rising nearly 2.0 percent to a one-week high
of 39.75 baht, after the company said its board approved an
interim dividend of 1.05 baht a share to be paid on Sept. 17.

0308 GMT

TMB BANK TMB.BK DOWN FURTHER AFTER FINMIN'S COMMENT

Thailand's sixth largest lender extended Thursday's 3.8
percent fall, sliding nearly 3.0 percent to a one-week low of
0.99 baht after Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij told Reuters
the ministry had not received any formal bid for its 22.56
percent stake in the bank. [ID:nBKK478466]

The stock jumped around 43 percent in hectic trading
between Aug. 7 and 17, taking it to its highest in a year, on
speculation the government would sell its stake to the bank's
major shareholder, Dutch financial group ING (ING.AS).

0314 GMT

AAPICO HITECH AH.BK UP ON PROFIT OUTLOOK

Thai auto parts firm rose 3.8 percent to 5.45 baht, having
hit a one-week high of 5.55 baht in early trade, after the
company said it expected to return to net profit in the second
half of the year after orders from clients increased.
[ID:nBKK30598]

0315 GMT

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($1=34.04 Baht)
(Reporting by Arada Kultawanich; Editing by xxx)