Thai stocks may rise, court ruling the key

BANGKOK, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Thai stocks are likely to move
higher on Tuesday, analysts said, with some investors hoping a
court case that might lead to Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej
stepping down could help relieve political tensions.

The Constitutional Court will decide around 0700 GMT
whether the premier violated the constitution by hosting
television cooking shows for a private sector organisation
while in office. [ID:nBKK19438]

KGI Securities said in a research note that it expected the
market to move sideways but with a firmer bias.

" Although fat gains in the previous session may lead to
profit-taking, the major trend remains positive, hinging on the
hopes of political development," it said.

Kim Eng Securities Pongpan Apinyakul said: "No matter what
happens after the court decision, it sounds more positive to
the political atmosphere ... It seems like we're going to have
some way out."

However, the ruling People Power Party said it would
renominate Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej as premier if he was
disqualified by a court hearing into his hosting of the TV
shows. [ID:nBKK52775]

On Monday, the benchmark SET index jumped 3.08 percent to a
near one-week high of 665.66. Other markets also rose after the
U.S. government took control of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac, easing worries about the global credit crisis.
(Reporting by Arada Therdthammakun; Editing by Alan Raybould)