April 1 (Bloomberg) -- Thailand's baht rose in March before an election called by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for tomorrow amid pressure for him to resign.

Protesters amassed in Bangkok plan to suspend demonstrations until April 7, Pipob Thongchai, one of the protest leaders, said in an interview March 30. Opposition parties have boycotted the poll, meaning the premier's Thai Rak Thai party will be uncontested in two-thirds of parliamentary seats.

``People are more focused on the result of the election, helping the baht rise,'' said Chatchawan Jumruswittayawong, a currency trader at Bank of Ayudhya Pcl in Bangkok. ``The political problems should be calmer.''

The baht this week climbed 0.7 percent to 38.82 against the dollar in late Asian trading yesterday. It rose 1 percent in March and 5.5 percent for the quarter. The currency may trade in a range of 38.80 to 38.95 next week, Chatchawan said.

Thaksin Feb. 24 dissolved his three-quarter-majority government and called the snap election in an attempt to end heightening protests and accusations of wrong-doing.

The demonstrators also have attacked Thaksin's policies on issues such as trade liberalization, education reforms and selling shares in state companies.

A tax-free gain of $1.9 billion by the premier's family for the sale of its stake in telecommunications company Shin Corp. in January drew calls for him to step down.

`Yield Play'

In Indonesia, the rupiah had a monthly and quarterly gain on speculation global investors will increase demand for the country's bonds, which yield more than regional counterparts.

The Asian Development Bank this year or next plans to sell rupiah-denominated bonds, its first such sale in Southeast Asia's largest economy, Ramesh Subramaniam, lead economist of the government-funded lender that promotes development in Asia, said March 24.

The government will sell 3 trillion rupiah ($328.7 million) of local-currency bonds April 11.

``There's still demand for Indonesia's bonds because of the yield play,'' said Richard Yetsenga, a currency strategist at HSBC Holdings Plc in Hong Kong.

Bank Indonesia March 7 left its key interest rate at 12.75 percent. The rate is higher than Malaysia's overnight policy rate of 3.25 percent and the overnight lending rate between banks in Singapore of 3.0625 yesterday.

The rupiah last month rose 1.4 percent, and 8.5 percent in the first quarter to 9,060, the best-performing Asian currency.

`Good Level'

South Korea's won gained this week on speculation some exporters converted overseas earnings into the local currency for month-end bookkeeping.

A 0.8 percent decline in the currency last week raised the amount of won companies such as Samsung Electronics Co., the nation's biggest exporter, get for their foreign revenue. The company March 29 estimated that every 1 won rise versus the dollar reduces annual earnings by $20 million.

``There's been exporter demand for the won this week, strengthening the currency,'' said Koby Koo, a senior foreign- exchange dealer at Korea Exchange Bank in Seoul. ``The won is still at a good level'' to exchange profit.

The won this week gained 0.8 percent to 971.60 against the dollar, according to Seoul Money Brokerage Services Ltd.

Overseas fund managers bought a net $89 million of South Korean shares last quarter, according to stock exchange figures.

Elsewhere in Asia, Singapore's currency strengthened 0.1 percent to S$1.6186 this week and 2.7 percent for the quarter. The Taiwan dollar climbed 0.6 percent in the five-day period to NT$32.46, bringing a quarterly advance to 1.2 percent, according to Taipei Forex Inc.

The Philippine peso this week rose 0.3 percent to 51.125, bringing gains in March to 1 percent and this year to 3.7 percent, according to the Bankers Association of the Philippines. India's rupee this week strengthened 0.1 percent to 44.6125 and rose 1 percent for the quarter.

To contact the reporter on this story: Christina Soon in Beijing at csksoon@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: March 31, 2006 18:32 EST