2010 Communiqués de presse

Bangkok - Manulife Asset Management (Thailand) Company Limited (MAMT) today announces a dividend payment for the Manulife Strength-Equity Dividend Fund.

Mr. Sukkawat Prasurtying, CFA, Chief Investment Officer, Acting Chief Executive Officer said: “We are delighted to announce the Manulife Strength-Equity Dividend Fund’s dividend payment of THB 0.70 per unit. The book closing date is September 29, 2010 and the payment date is October 7, 2010.”

The dividend payment is the fifth since the fund was launched in August 2009. The Fund invests in stocks listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand and is available for both retail and institutional investors. The fund offers institutional investors tax privileges on dividends as any dividends received from the fund are tax-exempt for listed companies. For non-listed companies, only 50% of dividends from the fund are subjected to corporate tax¹.

Sukkawatcontinued:“As we expected, the Thai stock market has been rallying since the end of 2009 due to the greater-than-expected expansion of Thai economy. Moreover, consumer confidence in Thailand has recovered rapidly as local politics stabilized. Resolution of the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate issue has also been one of the positive factors contributing to stock market confidence along with better-than-expected earnings announced by listed companies.   As a result, analysts and economists have adjusted upwards their GDP estimates, after the reported 10.6% GDP growth for the first half of 2010. The Ministry of Finance has also revised up 2010 GDP from 5.5% to 7.5%.”

He continued: “Manulife has a positive view for Thai stock market due to the expansion of the domestic economy, driven by exports, domestic consumption, and government spending. Moreover, the attractive valuations and fundamentals of the Thai stock market, which has lower Price-to-Book (P/BV) and Price-to-Earnings (P/E)s than many of its neighbors in Asian region, has also brought substantial foreign fund flows into the market. However, there are potential risks on the horizon and in particular, we are keeping an eye on the political situation, any changes in which would impact on market sentiment. Overall, we are still bullish for the long term outlook for Thai equities.”

Investors who are interested in MAMT funds can contact MAMT directly at Tel. (66) 0-2354-1001, (66) 0-2246-7650 (press ‘2’ for asset management) or via selling agents e.g. Standard Chartered Bank (Thai) PCL., Phatra Securities PCL, KGI (Thailand) Securities PCL, Merchant Partner Securities Co., Ltd. and Phillip Securities (Thailand) Co., Ltd, Ayudhya Securities PCL, Siam City Securities Co., Ltd. and Asia Plus Securities PCL.

Manulife Asset Management Thailand is part of MFC Global Investment Management, the asset management division of Manulife Financial Corporation. Representing over 100 years of Asia asset management experience, MFC Global Investment Management (MFC GIM) has developed a strong presence across the region. Locally-based investment professionals in 10 locations in Asia – including Thailand – offer extensive knowledge of local markets and exceptional investment expertise.

Notes to editors:

¹The company must hold investment units at least three months before and after the XD date.

The Fund invests, on average, no less than 65 per cent of the net asset value in stocks listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. The remaining funds are invested in other assets to seek investment returns as stipulated or approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) or the Office of the SEC.  The investment ratios can be adjusted by the fund managers as appropriate in order to help maximize returns to investors. The Fund has a policy of paying dividend to unitholders a maximum of 12 times per year at a rate up to a maximum of 70% of fund’s retained earnings or net profits which include realized gains and unrealized gains or increases in net assets resulting from operations. Dividends paid from net profits or an increase in net assets resulting from operations may not include unrealized gains. So, unitholders will have a chance to realize profits without redemption.

In addition, the management company shall reserve the right not to pay dividend if the dividend to be paid is less than Bath 0.10 /Unit in each accounting period or if the dividend payment causes the fund to accumulate a loss in that accounting period.

About Manulife Financial

Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group operating in 22 countries and territories worldwide. For more than 120 years, clients have looked to Manulife for strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions.  Our international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to millions of clients. We provide asset management services to institutional customers worldwide as well as reinsurance solutions, specializing in life and property and casualty retrocession. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$454 billion (US$428 billion) as at June 30, 2010. The Company operates as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘945’ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

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The information and views expressed herein are those of Manulife Asset Management (Thailand) Company Limited and its affiliates ("Manulife") as of (October 7, 2010), and are subject to change based on market and other conditions. The information in this document including statements concerning financial market trends, are based on current market conditions, which will fluctuate and may be superseded by subsequent market events or for other reasons. Some of the information in this document may contain projections or other forward looking statements regarding future events or future financial performance of countries or markets. There is no assurance that such events will occur, and may be significantly different than that shown here. Manulife disclaims any responsibility to update such information.  All overviews and commentary are intended to be general in nature and for current interest.  While helpful, these overviews are no substitute for professional tax, investment or legal advice. Clients should seek professional advice for their particular situation.  Neither Manulife nor any of their affiliates or representatives is providing tax, investment or legal advice.  Investments contain risks.  Past performance does not guarantee future results.  This material was prepared solely for informational purposes, does not constitute an offer or an invitation by or on behalf of Manulife to any person to buy or sell any investment. Investor should review the prospectus before making decision to invest.