Stock Exchange of Thailand
The Stock Exchange of Thailand, also known as SET, is a trading system that is supported by a securities depository center, clearing house and a securities registrar. Together with a service division that offers assistance on securities information, they form a stock exchange that provides a secure trading environment for both investors and brokers. SET is regulated by the SEA (Securities and Exchange Act), and was established in 1975. The vision and mission of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, is to be a secure market for the trade of securities and to gain the confidence of its stakeholders. The SET wants to support the growth of the investor base, provide securities that are of a high quality and ensure that the technology being used is always at an international standard. As the national stock exchange of Thailand, it has a responsibility towards investors and the country as a whole. The Stock Exchange of Thailand’s indices include the SET50 Index, SET100 Index and the SET Index. The Industry Group Indices are divided into 8 groups, namely Financials, Property & Construction, Services, Resources, Consumer Products, Industrials, Technology and Agro and Food Industry.
Since 1991, the Stock Exchange of Thailand has been trading on a computer system named ASSET, or Automated System for the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Within the system, are two main trading methods, called Put-Through transactions, or PT, and Automatic Order Matching, or AOM. The PT system gives brokers and representative the opportunity to advertise their interests and they are able to trade with each other directly. Once deals have been finalized, the brokers and representatives will forward the details to the ASSET system, where it is recorded.
The AOM system is fully automated, and receives orders from brokers and representatives that are sent to ASSET electronically. Orders will then be sorted by the system by price and time priority. ASSET will match the buy orders and sell orders that are waiting in the queue, and will confirm to the broker, when the transaction has been completed. Companies that are listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand include the Airports of Thailand, PTT, Thai Beverages, Bangkok Bank and Thai Oil.
Within the Thailand economy, the agricultural sector definitely stands out as one of the most important sectors, as Thailand is the worlds’ biggest rice exporter. Other products produced by this sector include teak, which is very valuable, tobacco, corn, rubber, tapioca, sugar cane, cotton and jute.
The fishing industry is also very important to the economy. Thailand exports goods such as rubber, jewelry, computers, vehicles, footwear, seafood product, plastic, appliances, rice and textiles. Their largest export markets are China, the U.S, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan.
Goods are imported from China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan and the U.S. Imported goods consist of raw materials, fuel, consumer goods and capital goods. Thailand also supports a large tourism market, which has to be strictly controlled, as drugs, money laundering and drug money is a continuous fight, to try and eradicate these crimes from its shores.