Savings Bonds Worth THB20.2 Bln. To List On Thailand’s Bond Electronic Exchange Sep. 9

The SET has approved the listing of two tranches of savings bonds worth THB20.2 bln. (approx. USD 0.5 bln.), on the Bond Electronic Exchange (BEX). These bonds will use “SB119A” and “SB149A” as their trading symbols and will commence trading on September 7, 2005.

People who are interested in investing in these bonds can trade them on the BEX via their brokers. A minimum trading order on BEX’s Main Board is 100 units, but smaller amounts can be traded on its Odd-Lot Board.

These bonds will increase the total outstanding value of government bonds on the BEX to THB408.38 bln. (approx. USD8.25 bln.) and that of all listed bonds to THB659.23 bln. (approx. USD16.08 bln.). The total number of listed bond issues will reach 73 after their listings.

The newly-listed bonds were issued by the Ministry of Finance on September 9, 2004. They are comprised of two tranches:

1. “SB119A”, a 7-year bond worth THB9.37 bln. (approx. USD0.23 bln.) issued during the government budget year 2004 with a fixed coupon rate of 5.1% p.a.
2. “SB149A”, a 10-year bond worth THB10.82 bln. (approx. USD0.26 bln.) issued during the government budget year 2004 with a fixed coupon rate of 5.9% p.a.

These bonds were sold to Thai individuals, cooperatives, foundations, temples, academic institutions, and hospitals provided that they would not be redeemed or transferred before September 9, 2005.

Interest payments for SB119A and SB149A will be made on March 9 and September 9 until maturity.

For more information on investing in or transferring bonds, please consult with the SET's member companies. Details on listed bonds are available on www.bex.or.th.