SE Asia Stocks-Maxis up on KL debut, econ outlook lifts S'pore

* Economic optimism supports Singapore big-caps

* Malaysia inches up; Maxis rises on debut

* Thailand, Indonesia down, reversing recent gains

By Viparat Jantraprap

BANGKOK, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Singapore's stock market gained
on Thursday as optimism about the economic outlook pushed up
big caps such as SingTel and lender OCBC, while Malaysia showed
a modest gain as telecoms firm Maxis made a positive debut.

The Straits Times Index .FTSTI rose 0.5 percent, erasing
part of a two-day loss of 1.4 percent, with Singapore
Telecommunications (STEL.SI), Southeast Asia's biggest telecom
firm, up 1 percent and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp (OCBC.SI)
1.2 percent higher.

The city-state forecast 2010 GDP growth of between 3 and 5
percent after a contraction this year. [ID:nSP485086]

"I suppose investors will take heart from the numbers for
2010," said Song Seng Wun, a regional economist at CIMB-GK
Research.

Malaysia .KLSE edged up 0.12 percent, with top mobile
phone operator Maxis (MXSC.KL) making a strong market debut
after its $3.3 billion initial public offering, ending at 5.42
ringgit compared with its IPO price of 5.00 ringgit.

However, analysts said it may struggle to go higher because
of the sector's steep valuations and sluggish growth prospects.

Palm plantation firms also gained, with Kuala Lumpur Kepong
(KLKK.KL) up 2.6 percent and IOI Corp (IOIB.KL) 0.7 percent
higher, even though crude palm oil futures edged 0.3 percent
lower on Thursday after hitting three-month highs the day
before. [ID:nKLR106019]

Thailand .SETI and Indonesia .JKSE reversed recent
gains, falling nearly 1 percent and 0.6 percent respectively.
The Philippines .PSI and Vietnam .VNI both rose for a third
day, each adding about 1 percent.

In Bangkok, top energy firm PTT PTT.BK dropped 2.5
percent and conglomerate Siam Cement SCC.BK lost 1.4 percent
after a Thai court failed to set a date for a final ruling on
problems at a huge industrial estate, where some operations
have been suspended.

In Jakarta, Astra International (ASII.JK) dropped 3 percent
and Bank Mandiri (BMRI.JK) fell 1.6 percent.

In Manila, Philex Mining (PX.PS) jumped 8.2 percent and
Manila Electric (MER.PS) rose 3.7 percent. In Hanoi, property
developer Hoang Anh Gia Lanh HAG.HM and Saigon Securities
SSI.HM each rose almost 5 percent.
(Editing by Alan Raybould)