BANGKOK: Most Southeast Asian stocks gained on Friday, with Thai shares climbing to a two-week high amid hopes for a solution to the political crisis, while Indonesia rose for a fifth day with PT Bumi Resources Tbk outperforming. Bangkok's SET index ended up 0.7 percent at 1,405.26, the highest close since May 2, with large cap stocks leading the pack. The SET rose 2 percent on the week, the biggest gain since the week ended March 7. Members of Thailand's Senate trying to devise a "road map" out of a long political crisis are expected on Friday to propose the appointment of an interim prime minister, a move which would infuriate supporters of a beleaguered caretaker government. Jakarta's Composite Index rose 0.8 percent on popular Jakarta Governor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo increasing chances in July's presidential election on Tuesday. The index, Southeast Asia's best performer this year according to Thomson Reuters data, notched up a weekly gain of 2.7 percent. Shares of PT Bumi Resources extended gains on Friday, rising as much as 8.1 percent, after the Indonesian coal miner said earlier this week it swung to a net profit for its first quarter from a loss a year ago. Vietnam's benchmark VN Index ended up 1.04 percent amid bargain hunting. It fell 2.4 percent on the week, the region's worst, amid concerns about an ongoing dispute between Vietnam and China over parts of South China Sea. Stocks in Singapore and Malaysia posted modest gains on the week. Philippines was down 0.4 percent on the week after seven consecutive weeks of gains. SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS Change on day Market Current Prev Close Pct Move TR SE Asia Index* 423.56 423.04 +0.12 Singapore 3262.59 3272.49 -0.30 Kuala Lumpur 1883.34 1879.83 +0.19 Bangkok 1405.26 1395.21 +0.72 Jakarta 5031.57 4991.63 +0.80 Manila 6817.71 6849.33 -0.46 Ho Chi Minh 529.49 524.05 +1.04 Change on year Market Current End 2013 Pct Move TR SE Asia Index* 423.56 388.37 +9.06 Singapore 3262.59 3167.43 +3.00 Kuala Lumpur 1883.34 1866.96 +0.88 Bangkok 1405.26 1298.71 +8.20 Jakarta 5031.57 4274.18 +17.72 Manila 6817.71 5889.83 +15.75 Ho Chi Minh 529.49 504.63 +4.93 * The Thomson Reuters South East Asia Index is a highly representative indicator of stocks listed in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. - Reuters

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Southeast Asia stocks: Thai at 2-week high

As a springtime gift to myself, I bought a bright green cover for my yoga mat to sling over my shoulder. Conically shaped and easily tucked under the shoulder, its about 25 inches long (64 cm) and 15 inches (38 cm) round.

With it, I can jauntily hoof it the half-mile to the yoga studio where I submit myself to the torture of Pilates and yoga at least twice a week. The bag puts a spring in my step as I go forth to conquer the aches and pains of Boomer arthritis.

Yet something about the United States recently spoiled this idyllic picture. After Pilates, I decided to walk about 50 yards to the corner Citibank branch to get some cash. As I approached the corner, I noticed the Dunbar Armored vehicle with its motors running.

Being an American hardened by the United States gun culture, I actually thought to myself, Woops, maybe I should wait until they are finished. After all, they might think I have an AK-47 in that yoga pouch.

Silly thought, I said to myself. Probably been watching too much House of Cards. This is not the movies this is just my suburb!

So I went toward the door of the bank, trying to look as innocent as possible and definitely not like Patty Hearst or Al Capone preparing to empty the vaults at gunpoint. Unfortunately, I know my culture all too well: the Dunbar guard, exiting with a big heavy bag of cash, came to a halt, looking startled at me and my concealed mat!

Then the bank manager, with whom I have passed pleasantries in the past, furrowed his brow and looked at my yoga mat. Poor fellow I know he is originally from Spain, but he has evidently become just as cynical as my initial train of thought, after living in our gun culture for a while.

I deemed it advisable to move slowly and coolly sideways toward the automatic tellers on the sidewall of the room. I reached for my ATM card. At that point, the guard hightailed it out of the bank and the manager went back to his desk.

Obviously relieved, he sat at his desk and looked down. One of his colleagues, a young woman with a strong accent and dressed to a tee, smiled and asked me if I did yoga. Yes, I replied, pointing to the opposite corner of the block where the well-know yoga studio sits.

Arent we an exceptional country? A mere fitness aficionado, I was momentarily suspected of packing heat inside my yoga mat cover!

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Al Capone of the Yoga Mat