Soybean prices were generally firm although the firmer baht and good offers from Thai buyers triggered buying.

"Traders offered lower prices because they were aggressively looking for buyers to fill freight," a trader with a US trading house said. "The firming baht also made sales a lot easier."

Soymeal in the C&F market was subdued because of ample arrivals of material of South American origin earlier committed to. Trade sources said about 60,000 to 70,000 tonnes were arriving at Thai ports in coming days.

Moreover, users were still cautious about buying Indian soymeal after being disappointed by product from its last crops.

"The poor quality of Indian soymeal last time still leaves a bad taste in the mouth of many buyers," said a trader with a major European house. "But the prices being offered now are quite attractive. Orders might flow insoon."

Indian soymeal was quoted around $153 per tonne on C&F basis while Argentine soymeal was offered at around $167 per tonne.

Demand for feed in the poultry industry is robust as the industry is preparing for an anticipated rise in chicken exports during the holiday season in December.

Soymeal was sold at 8.00 to 8.30 baht a kg in the local market this week, slightly lower than last week.

Corn exports also lost steam as the firmer baht made it unattractive to sell corn in the FOB market.

"We have to watch China's prices. China is now offering around $110 to $115 per tonne and we cannot offer much higher," said the trader at a US trading house.

Thailand has exported around 14,580 tonnes of corn during the period from September 1 to September 27, compared with 7,370 tonnes when the harvest started last month.

The country has so far exported 54,518 tonnes of corn compared with 54,494 tonnes during all of 1997. Trade sources said there was a lot of export availability from now until December ifprices were right.

Some estimated that Thailand's corn exports this year could be between 80,000 and 100,000 tonnes.

The price of corn was quoted around 4.00 to 4.20 baht per kg locally.