Politics drives investment divide in Southeast Asia's top markets

Political upheaval is driving a split in Southeast Asia's financial landscape, as investors bet that the worst may finally be over in Thailand but only just getting started in Indonesia.

- ANUCHIT NGUYEN, WINNIE HSU & MATTHEW BURGESS

Foreign investors have pulled $653 million from Indonesia's stock market this month, the worst period of selling since April as violent protests and the abrupt replacement of the finance minister rock the country.

Thailand's long-beleaguered stock market looks set to reap the benefit: Aberdeen Investments, Gama Asset Management, and Valverde Investment Partners now say the market stands out as the hot pick among the two, and a prolonged exodus of foreign funds has slowed.

The moves underscore the shifting environment for emerging market funds investing in Southeast Asia, long a region defined as much by political turmoil as economic opportunity.

While Thailand has for years been roiled by changing governments and civil unrest, Indonesia has been a relative source of stability.

That is now starting to change, forcing investors to reconsider their approach to both countries.