Thai rubber futures ended higher on Friday with volume surging to a daily high with 117 contracts traded compared to 111 contracts on Thursday, dealers said.
"I think we could see trading volume rise to around 200 contracts in a few weeks with more people entering the market," one broker said, adding they were seeing more walk-in clients this week.
The most-active November contracts settled at 53.4 baht per kg, up from 53.1 baht on Thursday. However, 42 contracts were traded compared to 46 contracts on Thursday.
Trade in September contracts nearly doubled to 15 from eight on Thursday.
They closed at 53.7 baht per kg on Friday, compared with 53.4 baht per kg on Thursday. "There was room for the price to rise, especially for deferred contracts in strong demand," said another broker.
Thailand, the world biggest rubber producer and exporter, opened its first commodity futures exchange in late May, allowing brokers to trade ribbed smoked sheet number 3 (RSS3).
Trading hours are 10.30 am-12.00 pm (0330-0500 GMT) with September, October, November and December of RSS3 contracts offered.
RSS3, September contract in Singapore's SICOM was quoted unchanged at $1.32.
In Thailand's Hat Yai physical market, RSS3 was quoted at 53.9 baht.