Bangkok--1 Aug--SET The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and participating listed companies’ Tokyo road show sparked the curiosity of more than 70 institutional investors, indicating considerable Japanese interest in the Thai market and its new products. Capital Nomura Securities PCL and Nomura Securities Co., Ltd. invited the Thai bourse and four listed firms - Bangkok Bank PCL, Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL, Minor International PCL and Thai Oil PCL - to join the international road show in Japan during July 29 — 31 in Tokyo, SET President Ms. Patareeya Benjapolchai said “This is a special year, being both the 120th anniversary of the initiation of Japanese-Thai diplomatic relations and SET’s first road show to Japan in five years. As the political situation in Thailand becomes clearer, the government is demonstrating strong support for capital market development. Consequently, the Thai exchange expects to become increasingly competitive internationally,” SET Chairman Mr. Vijit Supinit said. Factors such as strong macro-economic indicators, spending on infrastructure projects, the operations of listed companies, and the influx of foreign investment this year, point to positive future market performance. Despite these indicators, the Thai market’s price-earnings (P/E) ratio remains low compared to other regional markets, while maintaining relatively higher liquidity and dividend yield, Mr. Vijit added. Mr. Vijit outlined to road show participants its three-year strategic plan boosting efficiency and foreign linkages. This vision is supported by sound information technology, particularly the new Direct Market Access (DMA) system which will enable foreign institutional investors to place their orders directly with SET, will facilitate expanded overseas links and promote new products. Japanese institutions attending the road show were from various sectors, including banking, insurance, venture capital, asset management and consumer finance, and their questions focused on the current Thai economic and political situation. SET employed the road show to promote its vision, policies and new products of interest to foreign institutions, such as equity exchange-traded funds (ETF’s) and SET50 Index Options, scheduled for launch in Q3 and Q4 this year. Also, about 20 institutions met one-on-one with listed companies, Ms. Patareeya stated. “Meeting the needs of Japanese long-term investors for direct, factual information increases their confidence in the Thai market. In pursuit of this objective, we have invited them to join a Thailand-based road show, entitled “Thailand Focus”, to be held on September 12 - 14, so that they can learn more about our market and its environment and gain information from companies who could not attend the Tokyo event,” Ms. Patareeya said. For more information, please contact the Corporate Communications Dept.: Ladawan Kantawong Tel: 0-2229-2036 / Sarinluck Jitkawong Tel: 0-2229-2037 / Nattaporn Boonprapa Tel: 0-2229-2049 / Watsamon Saowakhonsathien Tel: 0-2229-2797