Bangkok, 7 October 2016 ? The SEC is seeking public comments on the proposed amendments to the initial public offering (IPO) rules with regard to share allocation to patrons and related persons of the issuer to support sufficient distribution to retail investors.

The proposed amendments have taken into account stakeholders? opinions received from the hearing on the guiding principles conducted in March this year.

The key changes to the rules include: 
- To re-define the term, ?patron? as any person who makes contribution to the issuer clearly and continuously, or any person who has a potential to do so in the future; 
- To limit the collective shareholding of all patrons and related persons up to 25 percent of the IPO shares sold;
- To require the board of directors to approve the criteria for determining the characteristics of patronage and IPO allocation to patrons; and
- To shorten the deadline for the IPO post-offering report from 45 to ten days as from the closing date.

The proposed amendments would facilitate widespread IPO share distribution and prevent concentration and possible supply control, which are some factors that could lead to price manipulation.

The consultation paper is available at www.sec.or.th/hearing. Stakeholders and interested parties are welcome to submit comments through the website, or facsimile at 0-2695-9796 or email: corporat@sec.or.th.

The public hearing ends on November 7, 2016.