6. CONCLUSION
As a preliminary step in a larger project to investigate the efficacy of soft computing techniques for forecasting stock prices in SET, this paper has surveyed relevant literature about the Thai stock market. In determining the main factors influencing the SET, both soft computing techniques and non-soft computing techniques were applied. Although driving indicators may vary from time to time, the main indicators include the Dow Jones index, the Nikkei index, the Hang Seng index, the MLR, the gold price and the value of the Thai baht. In addition, soft computing techniques have potential benefits for forecasting the SET and determining the factors which is influence it.
7. RECOMMENDATION
In developing models for stock market forecasting, selection of factors such as input data, time periods for the study, and methodologies are key issues. The stock market targeted for a study is the main consideration for choosing factors or input data. Since stock market circumstances continue to change, factors influencing the stock market vary according to time. Different time periods such as a normal period and a crisis period may have different impacts on the study. Stock forecasting, generally, does not require exact answers and stock data are time series data. Soft computing techniques such as neural networks, genetic algorithms and fuzzy logic are accordingly suitable for stock forecasting.