* Dollar flat after falling over 1% last week
* Thailand inflation rate falls first time in 25-mths
* Malaysian ringgit hits highest since Sept.6

By Rishav Chatterjee
       Nov 6 (Reuters) - The South Korean won led Monday gains
among Asian currencies as stocks surged, with sentiment buoyed
by the dollar's decline and markets, awaiting economic data from
major countries in the region, priced in early cash rate cuts.
    The dollar index which fell more than 1% last week to
a six-week low, was trading little unchanged at 105.1.
        This week includes a slew of economic data points from
some major regional economies, expected to set the tone for
Asian markets.
    China, the world's second largest economy, is set to release
its import and export figures for October on Tuesday and also
its bank lending and credit and key consumer price
inflation(CPI) data on Thursday.
    "Tuesday’s trade will likely show imports running at a
subdued level given the sluggish economy and CPI on Thursday
will show benign price pressures again," HSBC analysts said.
    China's yuan was muted in trading and was more or
less unchanged. China's shares surged 0.9% to a more
than two-week high.
    Indonesia and Thailand print inflation figures on Monday.
    The Indonesian rupiah surged 1.2% to 15540 and was
set for its best day since March 24. Stocks in Jakarta
gained 1%.
    Analysts at ING expect growth in Indonesia to be steady over
the next few quarters, then picking up early next year ahead of
a presidential election in February. 
    The Philippines will from Monday start allowing
short-selling, a practice that seeks to profit off bets on a
stock falling, two weeks behind the initial target, the bourse
operator said on Friday. 
    "I think the Philippines is trying to attract more foreign
equity inflows after years of shrinking stock transactions,"
Nicholas Chia, macro strategist at Standard Chartered.
    "This could be positive for the PHP (Philippine peso), but
it also introduces more two-way risk to both the currency and
the equity market."
    The peso gained 0.5% against the dollar while stocks
in Manila surged 1%.
    Thailand's inflation rate fell for the first time in 25
months, reflecting lower energy prices due to government support
measures and lower food prices, the commerce ministry said.
    The baht was trading 0.1% higher while the Thai share
market was flat.
    The Malaysian ringgit gained 1.4% against the dollar
to hit its highest level since Sept.6 while the Singapore dollar
 added 0.3%.
        Among stock markets, South Korea shares surged
4.1% after authorities re-imposed a ban on short-selling through
the first half of 2024.
    
  Asia stock indexes and                              
 currencies at 0411 GMT                         
 COUNTRY  FX RIC        FX     FX  INDE  STOCK  STOCKS
                     DAILY  YTD %     X      S   YTD %
                         %               DAILY  
                                             %  
 Japan               -0.13  -12.3  <.N2  2.44   25.43
                                4  25>          
 China                           EC>          
 India               +0.14  -0.54  <.NS   0.60    6.86
                                   EI>          
 Indones             +1.19  +0.16  <.JK   0.96    0.05
 ia                                SE>          
 Malaysi             +1.35  -5.64  <.KL   0.75   -2.32
 a                                 SE>          
 Philipp             +0.45  -0.27  <.PS   1.01   -7.87
 ines                              I>           
 S.Korea                         11>          
 Singapo             +0.25  -0.83  <.ST   0.47   -2.86
 re                                I>           
 Taiwan              +0.55  -4.42  <.TW   1.10   18.04
                                   II>          
 Thailan             +0.14  -2.33  <.SE  -0.03  -14.94
 d                                 TI>          
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    HIGHLIGHTS:    
    ** S.Korea to re-impose stock short-selling ban through June
to 'level playing field' 
    ** Singapore DBS Q3 profit beats view, sees steady earnings
next year
    ** Philippines' finance minister to vote to hold rate in
next c.bank policy meeting

    
 (Reporting by Rishav Chatterjee in Bengaluru)