Dec 26 Thai shares were headed for a second straight session of gains on Monday on robust November trade data showing customs-cleared exports jumped 10.2 percent, the highest percentage rise for a month since February.

The jump in exports, which came on the back of higher demand from major markets, was markedly higher than the 1.55 percent rise forecast in a Reuters poll of economists. Thailand's benchmark stock index saw broad-based gains and was up 0.4 percent as of 0436 GMT, mainly led by industrial, consumer and financial stocks.

The data from the commerce ministry also showed a 3 percent rise in November imports. Economists had expected a fall of 1.05 percent. The November figures produced a trade surplus of $1.54 billion, triple the expectation.

Airports of Thailand, an industrials heavyweight, helped drive the index up by adding 2.1 percent. Convenience store chain CP All PCL was 0.4 percent higher, while Siam Commercial Bank, the biggest Thai bank by market value, was up 1 percent.

Vietnam shares added a paltry 0.36 points and were nearly flat as gains in financials and consumer cyclicals offset losses in consumer staples, the second-biggest sector on the index. Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Viet Nam added 1.4 percent, while Vietnam Dairy Products JSC and Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage Corp were down 0.5 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively.

Stock markets in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines were closed for Christmas.

Check here for latest updates:   

Stock Tips, Stock Picks, Share Investment, Equity Picks, Stock Signals, Stock Investment