New Cash Accounts Trading On Thai Bourse Can Pay Through Automated Transfer System Starting Nov. 1, 2005

New investors trading using cash accounts will be able to transfer their payments through the Automated Transfer System (ATS), except for institutions and juristic persons. This will help shorten the clearing and settlement period from T+3 to T+2. This payment facility will be effective Nov. 1 and be immediately useable by brokers’ new accounts. Furthermore the SET also approved expanding the Thailand Securities Depository’s (TSD) business to include securities borrowing and lending (SBL) and e-IPO.

Today (September 28) the SET announced that new investors who trade through cash accounts will be able to transfer their payments through the ATS, applicable to accounts opened with brokers from November 1, 2005, onwards, except for institutions and juristic persons.

“Payment through the ATS will improve the efficiency of brokers’ operations and make it more convenient for investors. In addition, the facility will also help shorten the clearing & settlement period from T+3 to T+2 in the future.” said Ms. Patareeya Benjapolchai, SET Executive Vice President.

Today, the SET also approved a business expansion of the TSD to include SBL, collateral management and bond lending. The TSD expects to provide bond repurchasing (Repo) and SBL services by January and April 2006 respectively.

Furthermore the TSD will provide electronic share subscription facilities (“e-IPO”), so as to develop a standard share subscription system, reduce costs for the industry and enlarge the market’s retail investor base.

The SET will submit all these Board resolutions to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for approval.