Thai Hot Stocks-Property shares up on improving economy

(Adds property shares)

BANGKOK, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Thailand's benchmark stock
index .SETI was up 1.8 percent at 656.29 at 0736 GMT on
Monday. The index hit an 11-month high of 657.98 in morning
trade.

The market was cheered by gains on overseas markets after
U.S. stocks hit highs for the year and by Thai economic data.

"Rallies in regional markets encouraged investors to jump
in although several stocks are ex-dividend. The latest positive
data ... is very supportive," said Charoen Iampathanatham, an
analyst at KT Zmico Securities.

Thailand's economy emerged from its worst recession in 11
years in the second quarter, growing 2.3 percent from the first
quarter thanks to a resurgence in manufacturing, adding to
signs of a rebound in Asia's export-reliant economies.
[ID:nBKK378885]

Stocks on the move included:

PROPERTY SHARES .SETPR UP ON IMPROVING ECONOMY

The property sector index jumped 2.6 percent to a 12-month
high on expectations that low interest rates, improving
consumer confidence and the economic outlook could stimulate
housing demand.

Top home builder Land & Houses LH.BK shot up 4.8 percent
to an 11-month high of 6.60 baht, while Quality Houses QH.BK
climbed 5.6 percent a 12-month high of 2.08 baht.

0735 GMT

BANKS .SETB UP ON UPBEAT ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

The banking sector index rose nearly 2 percent on
expectations the sector would benefit from the country's
improving economic outlook.

Top lender Bangkok Bank BBL.BK gainned 2.2 percent to
115.50 baht and fourth-ranked Kasikornbank KBAN.BK increased
2 percent to 73.75 baht

0420 GMT

PTTCH PTTC.BK, IRPC IRPC.BK UP ON DIVIDEND PLANS

PTT Chemical shot up 3 percent to 67.50 baht after the top
olefins pertrochemical maker said it planned to pay an interim
dividend of 0.60 baht per share for the first half.

Petrochemical refiner IRPC increased 2.35 percent to a week
high of 3.48 baht after it said it would pay an interim
dividend at 0.08 baht.

0357 GMT

ENERGY SHARES .SETEN LEAD RISES

Improving sentiment in overseas markets and domestic
economic data helped push heavyweight energy stocks .SETEN up
2.5 percent, recovering from a two-week low hit last week.

Top energy firm PTT PCL PTT.BK gained nearly 3.0 percent
to an one-week high of 245 baht, PTT Exploration and Production
PTTE.BK rose 2.13 percent and top oil refiner Thai Oil
TOP.BK climbed 2.53 percent.

A surge in world oil prices also lifted the shares, with
crude moving above $74 a barrel in early trade.

0317 GMT

KHON KAEN SUGAR KSL.BK UP ON 2009 PROFIT FORECAST

Thailand's fourth-biggest sugar miller rose 2.33 percent to
13.20 baht after the company told Reuters it aimed for 2009/10
net profit growth of at least 10 percent, above analysts'
forecasts, boosted by higher output and prices. [ID:nBKK366872]

0312 GMT

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($1=34.04 Baht)
(Reporting by Arada Kultawanich and Khettiya Jittapong;
Editing by Alan Raybould)