EM ASIA FX-Peso, baht rise prompts c.bank intervention

* Peso, baht at multi-week highs, c.banks seen intervening

* Ringgit rises on broad dollar weakness ahead of Maxis IPO

By Kevin Yao

SINGAPORE, Nov 10 (Reuters) - The Philippine peso and Thai
baht hit multi-week highs against a broadly weaker dollar on
Tuesday, but their gains were capped by suspected official
intervention.

Asian currencies also received some support from rising
regional stocks on improved risk appetite. The dollar hovered
near a 15-month low against major currencies as investors
looked to return to leveraged carry traders. [ID:nT279070]

PESO

The peso PHP= gained 0.3 percent to 46.75 per dollar, a
three-week high. But it later pulled back to around 46.8 on
suspected dollar-buying intervention by the central bank.

"Strong risk appetite moves overnight are pushing
dollar/peso lower. But as Asian markets open, a bit of profit
taking is going on. That's why dollar/peso found short-term
support at 46.75," said a Manila-based dealer.

"BSP (the central bank) is once again in the market keeping
an eye on the pace of peso appreciation," added the dealer.

A second trader said the central bank was briefly seen
early in the day, buying dollars at 46.75.

BAHT

The baht THB= hit a one-month high at 33.24 per dollar,
prompting active central bank intervention to curb its rally.

"The agents are up and actively defending around the
current level. Factors to watch today are capital inflows and
the extent of dollar weakness," said a Bangkok-based trader,
referring to foreign banks representing the Bank of Thailand.

A second dealer said the BOT tried to hold baht gains by
buying the dollar at 33.30 baht.

RINGGIT

The ringgit MYR= gained 0.3 percent to 3.367 per dollar,
highest in three weeks, extending its recent gains on broad
dollar weakness ahead of an initial public offering of
Malaysia's biggest mobile phone operator Maxis Bhd.

"Dollar/ringgit opened at 3.3730/60 and was given straight
away and onshore guys are targeting 3.3500 next," said a
Singapore-based trader. "Maxis IPO on Nov. 19 should put more
downward pressure although offshore placement is still less
than originally thought."

One-month dollar/ringgit NDFs MYR1MNDFOR= edged up to
3.375, roughly at par with the spot.
CURRENCIES VS U.S. DOLLAR
Change on the day at 0521 GMT
Currency Latest bid Previous day Pct Move
Japan yen 89.91 89.99 +0.09
Sing dlr 1.3877 1.3875 -0.01
Taiwan dlr 32.323 32.365 +0.13
Korean won 1158.90 1161.00 +0.18
Baht 33.30 33.30 +0.00
Peso 46.80 46.90 +0.21
Rupiah 9440.00 9400.00 -0.42
Rupee 46.50 46.45 -0.11
Ringgit 3.3800 3.3780 -0.06
Yuan 6.8271 6.8272 +0.00
Change so far in 2009
Currency Latest bid End prev year Pct Move
Japan yen 89.91 90.60 +0.77
Sing dlr 1.3877 1.4340 +3.34
Taiwan dlr 32.323 32.860 +1.66
Korean won 1158.90 1259.50 +8.68
Baht 33.30 34.80 +4.50
Peso 46.80 47.52 +1.54
Rupiah 9440.00 11000.00 +16.53
Rupee 46.50 48.71 +4.75
Ringgit 3.3800 3.4500 +2.07
Yuan 6.8271 6.8230 -0.06
(Additional reporting by Vithoon Amorn in BANGKOK)
(Editing by Kazunori Takada)