Thai Thanachart Capital up ahead of SCIB bid news

BANGKOK Feb 3 (Reuters) - Shares in Thailand's Thanachart Capital TCAP.BK, which owns 51 percent in Thanachart Bank, gained 2.5 percent on Wednesday ahead of the announcement of the winning bid for a stake in Siam City Bank SCIB.BK (SCIB).

Kaohoon newspaper reported that Thanachart Bank, also 49 percent-owned by Canada's Nova Scotia Bank (BNS.TO), had offered the highest bid for the 47.58 percent stake at a price of 31.50 baht ($0.953) per share, beating HSBC (HSBA.L) (0005.HK).

However, the central bank and financial sources close to the deal declined to confirm the report. The central bank's rescue arm is in the process of looking at the offers for its stake ahead of a meeting to discuss the sale on Feb. 4.

By 0301 GMT, Thanachart shares were up 2.5 percent at 20.90 baht. The overall Thai market .SETI was up 0.8 percent. Siam City Bank shares rose 0.85 percent to 29.75 baht. ($1= 33.05 Baht) (Reporting by Ploy Ten Kate; Editing by Alan Raybould)