SE Asia Stocks -Thailand closes near 3-month low; energy shares gain

March 26 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets

ended weaker on Thursday, with Thailand near its lowest in more

than three months, tracking losses in regional markets though

energy shares gained as crude prices rose sharply amid

escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Risk appetite was hit from news Saudi Arabia and its Gulf

Arab allies had launched air strikes in Yemen against Houthi

fighters who have tightened their grip on the southern city of

Aden.

Brent futures were up $2.27 at $58.75 by 1034 GMT.

U.S. crude was up $2.03 at $51.24 a barrel.

Thailand's SET index fell 1.1 percent to close at

its lowest since Jan. 6, led by financials. Foreign investors

sold a net $36.69 million worth of shares.

Thai energy shares bucked the trend, with PCC Exploration

and Production PCL and PTT gaining 5.2

percent and 0.3 percent, respectively.

Indonesia's Jakarta Composite Index fell 0.7 percent

to a five-week closing low amid a net foreign outflow of $25.18

million, while the Malaysian stock index ended

marginally lower.

Vietnam's benchmark VN Index dropped 0.9 percent to

close at its lowest since Jan. 8, led by extended selling in

PetroVietNam Gas, the country's top firm by market

value.

Weakness in regional currencies with Malaysia's ringgit

and Indonesia's rupiah down on corporate

dollar demand, also weighed on stocks.

The Philippine stock index recovered from early

losses and closed 0.4 percent up.

After the market closed, the Philippine central bank left

its benchmark interest rate unchanged, as expected, saying

inflation will stay well within its comfort range this year and

next while economic growth is expected to remain robust.

Singapore's key stock index ended 0.4 percent

firmer.

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SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS

Change on day

Market Current Prev Close Pct Move

Singapore 3431.59 3419.02 +0.37

Kuala Lumpur 1818.42 1819.10 -0.04

Bangkok 1496.41 1512.80 -1.08

Jakarta 5368.80 5405.49 -0.68

Manila 7871.10 7836.34 +0.44

Ho Chi Minh 556.16 560.93 -0.85

Change on year

Market Current End 2014 Pct Move

Singapore 3431.59 3365.15 +1.97

Kuala Lumpur 1818.42 1761.25 +3.25

Bangkok 1496.41 1497.67 -0.08

Jakarta 5368.80 5226.95 +2.71

Manila 7871.10 7230.57 +8.86

Ho Chi Minh 556.16 545.63 +1.93

($1 = 32.5200 baht)

($1 = 13,018.0000 rupiah)

(Reporting by Shihar Aneez in COLOMBO; Editing by Subhranshu

Sahu)