Bangkok--31 Aug--SET The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), Phatra Securities PCL (PHATRA) and Merrill Lynch (Asia Pacific) Ltd. said, at a joint press conference today, that they were looking forward to hosting Thailand Focus 2007 during September 12 — 14, 2007. The event, whose theme is Platforms for Growth, will be an opportunity to inform top-level executives, managers and analysts from leading international funds and institutions about Thailand’s economy, government policies and listed companies. They expect about 180 participants from local, North American, European and Asian institutions. “The 2004 and 2005 Thailand Focus conferences were very successful, with overwhelming interest from international institutions. I expect that this year’s event, to be held at Plaza Athenee Hotel, will receive a similar positive response, especially as the situation is clearer since the national referendum has been successfully held and the promise of a general election,” SET President Ms. Patareeya Benjapolchai stated About 90 top-level executives from North American, European and Asian institutions, which collectively manage USD 3 trillion (or about THB 105 trillion) in assets, will be attending Thailand Focus 2007. Of these assets, about USD 8,600 million (or THB 300 billion) is invested in Thailand. Also participating will be another 90 fund managers who manage local equity, provident, long-term equity, and retirement mutual funds, controlling assets of around THB 400 billion. “We are deeply honored to have Prime Minister H.E. Gen. Surayud Chulanont opening the event and giving the keynote address, This Government’s Legacy for Thailand. Finance Minister Dr. Chalongphob Sussangkarn and senior management from the Bank of Thailand, Securities and Exchange Commission, Export-Import Bank of Thailand, Agricultural Futures Exchange of Thailand, Federation of Thai Industries, Thai Bankers’ Association, Association of Investment Management Companies, and Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations will participate in the opening ceremony on September 12 at 9:00 hrs.,” Ms. Patareeya added. Another highlight of this year’s event is that it is the first time representatives from listed companies in six ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand) will lead a panel discussion on the trends and challenges facing the travel industry in each country. This is another example of ASEAN exchanges strengthening their collaboration. “It is a pleasure for PHATRA and its business partner, Merrill Lynch, to host Thailand Focus 2007. Our firms are experienced in coordinating events involving Thai listed firms and foreign investors, having previously organized successful Thai Corporate Day’s in Singapore and Hong Kong over the past three years,” PHATRA Chief Executive Officer Mr. Suvit Mapaisansin said. Seminar sessions of interest of foreign institutions cover policy challenges for Thailand’s next government, and the international competitiveness of, and trends in, automotive, technology and communication, and digital animation sectors. Currently, 63 Thai listed companies are attending the event. These firms are from 15 sectors, having a market capitalization of THB 3.98 trillion, or 65% of the Thai stock market’s total capitalization. They will offer 960 group presentations and one-on-one meetings. In addition, there will be a company site visit so that the institutions can learn more about the firm and can observe its operations. Merrill Lynch (Asia Pacific) Limited Managing Director and Head of Client Management Group, Pacific Rim, Mr. Anders Wihlborn, said that the Thailand Focus 2007: Platforms for Growth is an excellent platform in itself for information exchange and discussion on these issues. Merrill Lynch analysts and strategists think that the short-term outlook for the Thai equity market is bright not at least on a relative basis compared to other regional markets. They expect a v-shaped recovery in earnings that will lead to a higher earnings growth than the other regional markets at a time when the market is trading at a considerable discount in terms of valuation (40%). There are many reasons for earnings recovery including a base effect from two difficult years, progress on regulatory issues, pent up demand & consumption, M&A and foreign investment. Increased political stability is facilitating the above. Indeed, many foreign investors have started to recognize the bright picture and the Thai market has performed well until very recently. In fact Merrill Lynch fund manager survey indicates that fund managers are 23% net over weight in Thailand at the moment. “The weight of the Thai equity market is in MSCI Asia Pacific is only 1.5%. It is only 1.5% in MSCI Emerging Markets. Compare that to the weight of 3.8% of BHP in MSCI AP. These numbers warrant some reflections. The relatively low weight means that an investor with these benchmarks would not lose out that much relative performance if he missed out on his Thai exposure. It is important for Thailand to offer an investment outlook that offers promising long term returns to attract foreign capital and convince the doubter that despite of its small index weight Thai Equities are worth his commitment,” Mr. Wihlborn said. He also added that strategists like Mr. Ian Gisbourne at PHATRA, a Merrill Lynch Research Partner, suggest that opportunities are to be found in companies related to infrastructure developments, property and construction, vehicles’ and parts industry, hospitality, heath care, agribusiness and processed food as well as petrochemicals. Thailand Focus 2007 has two foreign media partners—a leading economics and investment magazine, Institutional Investors, and Bloomberg, a leading financial and investment information provider. 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