Bangkok Post (Bangkok, Thailand) articles from December 2002

Bangkok Post (Bangkok, Thailand) archives from December 2002

Marketplace Thrives for Thai-Made Auto, Electronic Parts.
December 2, 2002... Byline: Santan Santivimolnat Dec. 2--A market for automobile and electronic parts, hosted by the Board of Investment (BoI), has generated deals worth up 700 million baht since the event started in March this year. Organised on the last...

Bangkok Post, Thailand, To The Point Column.
December 2, 2002... Byline: Baker & McKenzie Dec. 2--Log on to the Internet, do a search for "history of patents", and 20,164 different entries come up on the screen. This is just one small indication of the importance of patents and the interest they...

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Business Briefs Column.
December 2, 2002... Dec. 2--NEW TAX REGIME FOR DISTILLED SPIRITS: A new excise tax structure for distilled spirits will be based on alcohol content rather than beverage classification, according to Deputy Finance Minister Suchart Jaovisidha. He said the...

New Use of Chicory as Fibre Source Holds Promise.
December 2, 2002... Byline: Somporn Thapanachai Dec. 2--Chicory has been used widely as a coffee substitute in western countries for decades, especially in times of war and by campers, but its various properties are comparatively unknown in Thailand. DPO...

Thai Development Firm Plans IPO Early Next Year after Financial Restructuring.
December 2, 2002... Byline: Darana Chudasri Dec. 2--Seacon Development Plc plans an initial public offering of its shares and a listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in the first quarter of next year, according to a company source. Seacon Development...

Thailand's Green Oil Demand Expected to Grow by 50 Percent Next Year.
December 2, 2002... Byline: Busrin Treerapongpichit Dec. 2--Four giant oil companies expect monthly sales of up to 150 million litres of green oil next year, a 50 percent rise on the current figure, given increasing demand by fishing trawlers offshore. ...

Thai Herb Is Promoted through Public, Private Efforts.
December 2, 2002... Byline: Somporn Thapanachai Dec. 2--The government and private sector are working together to develop and market a Thai herbal extract, known as plai, as a new ingredient in international cosmetic and health products. The consortium of...

Center Will Bring Jobs, Income to Thailand's North.
December 2, 2002... Dec. 2--The National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) has set aside one billion baht to develop the IT Knowledge Park in Chiang Mai, joining forces with Software Park Thailand, the private sector and academic institutions. The...

Low Interest Rates Dent Thai Life Firms' Investment Returns.
December 2, 2002... Dec. 2--Life insurance companies, led by market leader American International Assurance Co (AIA), have moved to raise premiums on certain insurance policies in order to cover higher operating costs and declining investment returns. ...

Thailand Must Defend Claim to Jasmine Rice for International Recognition.
December 2, 2002... Byline: Woranuj Maneerungsee Dec. 2--Protecting the origin of Thai Hom Mali rice under Thailand's Geographical Indications (GI) Bill may not be accepted by international organisations as it runs against GI principles, according to French...

European Union Prioritizes Multilateral Trade Agreements.
December 2, 2002... Byline: Somporn Thapanachai Dec. 2--The number of bilateral free trade agreements is increasing as many countries lose faith in the multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organisation (WTO). But the 15-nation European Union...

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Travel Column.
December 2, 2002... Byline: Imtiaz Muqbil Dec. 2--Last week's bombings in the Kenyan beach resort of Mombassa pose a grave danger to the future of the global tourism industry, and more specifically to that of Thailand. While international intelligence and...

Chinese Prosperity Will Benefit Regional Economy, Businessman Says.
December 2, 2002

Office Workers Are Optimistic about Thai Economy, Management.
December 2, 2002

Thailand Sees Growth in Social Security Fund.
December 2, 2002

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Business Briefs Column.
December 3, 2002... Dec. 3--COINS MARK HIS MAJESTY'S BIRTHDAY: The Treasury Department has issued a special commemorative coin series in celebration of His Majesty the King's 75th birthday on Thursday. The coins, with face denominations of 7,500, 600, 20 and...

Thai Firm Finances Used Cars, Plans for IPO Next Week.
December 3, 2002... Byline: Nuntawun Polkuamdee Dec. 3--Used-car financing company Ratchthani Leasing plans to hold its initial public offering next week, with shares to be listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand on Dec 19. The company will issue 16.8...

Thai Province Emerges As Major Site for Ceramic Cluster.
December 3, 2002... Byline: Yuthana Praiwan Dec. 3--Lampang is emerging as a production hub for world-class ceramic tableware under the ambitious cluster development project of the Industrial Finance Corporation of Thailand (IFCT). About 300 ceramic...

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Company Reports Column.
December 3, 2002... Dec. 3--ASIAN MARINE SERVICE said shareholders had approved the sale of land and buildings on Suk Sawat 49 for 50m bt and its floating dock (Asimar 1) for 40m bt to Marine Acme Thai Dockyard Co. They also approved the purchase of ordinary...

Fast-growing Thai Cosmetics Firm Eyes Markets in Korea, Taiwan.
December 3, 2002... Byline: Nondhanada Intarakomalyasut Dec. 3--Soap opera star Pornchita "Benz" Na Songkhla has claimed early success for her "Bense" cosmetic venture and is now looking at exporting her goods to South Korea and Taiwan next year. ...

Thai Hotel Chain Plans 800 Million Baht Expansion.
December 3, 2002... Byline: Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit Dec. 3--Royal Garden Resort Plc, the hospitality division of the Minor Group, will spend almost one billion baht to expand its hotel chain over the next two years, despite terrorist threats that could...

Kodak Eyes New Imaging Services for Thai Consumers.
December 3, 2002... Byline: Sukanya Jitpleecheep Dec. 3--Kodak (Thailand) Co is moving to tap emerging business in info-imaging, a combination of image science and information technology, to augment its traditional imaging services. The strategy is a...

Thailand Police Consider Online Solution to Oil Fraud.
December 3, 2002... Byline: Busrin Treerapongpichit Dec. 3--Oil refineries and depots nationwide will be linked electronically so that oil inflows and outflows can be monitored closely. The online network would enable officials to precisely check where...

Thai Property Firm's Six Projects to Fuel Sales Increase.
December 3, 2002... Byline: Krissana Parnsoonthorn Dec. 3--Property Perfect Plc forecasts sales of five billion baht next year, more than double the two billion baht estimated this year, with six new housing estates to be launched in Bangkok. Improving...

Investment Bankers Urge Thai Firms to Speed IPO Plans to Avoid Market Jam.
December 3, 2002... Byline: Nuntawun Polkuamdee Dec. 3--With several large state enterprises planning to float shares on the stock exchange next year, investment bankers have been pushing clients to move forward listing plans to avoid getting squeezed in the...

Steel Import Price Surge Hits Thai Auto Parts Makers.
December 3, 2002

BankThai Sees Niche in Japanese Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises.
December 3, 2002

Investments in Asia Regain Momentum, Banker Says.
December 3, 2002

UN Agency Sees Larger Role in Helping Thai Small Businesses.
December 3, 2002

Thailand's Inflation Dips in November.
December 3, 2002

Nine of 25 Sectors in Thai Economy to Struggle, Research Group Says.
December 3, 2002

Burma Agrees to Join Thailand in Dam Project.
December 3, 2002

Thai Businessmen Urge EU to Allow for Talks before Imposing Trade Rules.
December 3, 2002

Thai Finance Ministry Considers Increasing Income-Tax Waiver.
December 3, 2002

Thai Officials Emphasize Unique Character of Local Liquors.
December 3, 2002

Remittance System on Apec Agenda in Thailand.
December 3, 2002

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Business Weekly Link Column.
December 4, 2002... Dec. 4--With an average 20 percent annual growth, outsourcing of supply chain operations to professional third-party logistics (3PL) companies in Thailand has been one of the success stories in recent times, as manufacturers and retailers look...

Calling-Card Firm Sues Communications Authority of Thailand over Disconnection.
December 4, 2002... Byline: Vivat Prateepchaikul Dec. 4--An international calling-card firm has sued the Communications Authority of Thailand and demanded 1.9 billion baht in compensation for disconnecting the company after it failed to meet a two-day...

Thai Analysts Forecast Rocky Start for Mobile-Phone Newcomers.
December 4, 2002... Byline: Nuntawun Polkuamdee Dec. 4--Local analysts say the new entry of Thai Mobile and Hutchison CAT is unlikely to affect the revenues or market share of the three main mobile-phone players. The current players -- Advanced Info...

Thai Pop Singer Launches Chicken Rice Franchise.
December 4, 2002... Dec. 4--Pop singer Ruangsak "James" Loychusak has entered the food business with the launch of his own James Chicken Rice brand, to be introduced in a franchise system with a sales target of 100 food carts within three months. Kriangkrai...

Thai Cabinet Approves Economic Stimulus Measures.
December 4, 2002... Dec. 4--Even critics of the Thaksin Shinawatra government concede that its strategy of focusing on the domestic economy and community development has been remarkably prescient, considering the turmoil abroad. The latest economic stimulus...

Thailand's Ageing Population, Public Awareness Grow Retirement Funds.
December 4, 2002... Byline: Darana Chudasri Dec. 4--Assets held through retirement mutual funds are expected to grow by at least 100 percent next year due to greater public awareness of the funds and the need to boost long-term savings, according to Dayana...

Thailand Considers Five-Country Rice Pool to Improve Farmers' Situation.
December 4, 2002... Byline: Woranuj Maneerungsee Dec. 4--A proposed five-country rice pool should encourage reduction of plantation areas if it wants to see effective co-ordination, according to Vichai Sriprasert, president of the Rice Exporters' Association....

Confusion over Thai Tax Waivers Lingers.
December 4, 2002... Byline: Malika Bhumivarn Dec. 4--There have been a number of commentaries and reports in the media concerning the reduction of tariff rates on trade among Asean countries and how this is to be achieved. Unfortunately, various...

Thailand Advertising Agency's Billings Seen Surging by 30 Percent.
December 4, 2002

Thai Business Group Branches into Property with New Apartments.
December 4, 2002

Thai Government Urges State Banks to Accept More Debt Write-Downs, Write-Offs.
December 4, 2002

Taiwanese Food, Beverage Firm Eyes Thai Ready-to-Drink Tea Market.
December 4, 2002

Thai Provinces Sound Upbeat Economic Note.
December 4, 2002

Siemens Opens Industrial Services Centre in Thai Airport.
December 4, 2002

Thai Property Developer's Shares Sell Out on First Day.
December 4, 2002

Thai Shoppers Keep Purses Shut on Economic, War Jitters.
December 4, 2002

Thai Bakery Prepares for Public Offering.
December 5, 2002... Byline: Sukanya Jitpleecheep Dec. 5--President Bakery Plc is moving to list on the Stock Exchange of Thailand by the end of this month, hoping to raise 160 million baht through an initial public offering. The company will use the money...

Dragonair Gets Nod to Fly Five New Asia Routes.
December 5, 2002... Byline: Charlie Zhu Dec. 5--Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Ltd has obtained clearance to fly five new Asia-Pacific routes, intensifying its head-to-head rivalry with the territory's biggest carrier Cathay Pacific Airlines. Hong Kong granted...

New Law Could Help Thai Investors in China.
December 5, 2002... Byline: Michael Doyle Dec. 5--Since the government implemented the new Regional Operating Headquarters (ROH) legislation in August, many investors have sought to utilise the law in ways that the authorities might not have originally...

Financial Firm Aims to Help Japanese Companies List on Thai Stock Exchange.
December 5, 2002... Byline: Nuntawun Polkuamdee Dec. 5--Capital Nomura Securities will look to attract several Japanese firms to list on the Stock Exchange of Thailand next year, according to Suthep Peetakanont, president of the brokerage firm. Of the 35...

Thai Industrial Estate Agency to Help Small Businesses Relocate.
December 5, 2002... Byline: Busrin Treerapongpichit Dec. 5--The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) is set to shift its focus to encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises to relocate to industrial estate areas to support large companies. ...

Thai Yamaha Motor to Launch 1.5 Billion-Baht Expansion.
December 5, 2002... Byline: Santan Santivimolnat Dec. 5--Thai Yamaha Motor Co plans a 1.5-billion-baht business expansion over the next three years to cater to rising demand overseas and at home, according to Praphan Phornthanavarsit, the company's executive...

Thai Food Brands Need Marketing `Shepherds' to Tend Names, Expert Says.
December 5, 2002

Thailand Vehicle Modification Firm Counts on New Isuzu to Boost Sales.
December 5, 2002

Thailand Commercial Banks Given More Governance Guidelines.
December 5, 2002

Procurement Online Calls for Changes, Oil Giant Executive Says.
December 5, 2002

Support Weak for Thailand Time Zone Shift.
December 5, 2002

22 Thai Agencies Gear Up to Do Purchasing Online.
December 6, 2002... Byline: Yuthana Praiwan Dec. 6--Twenty-two state agencies and enterprises are ready to begin e-procurement next month, with the goal of saving the government billions of baht a year and solving long-standing irregularities in the...

Direct Sales of Insurance in Thailand Claim Big Success Through Credit Cards.
December 6, 2002... Dec. 6--Buying insurance products from sales agents can be an irksome experience and many deals are closed without mutual satisfaction. The pushy sales style of agents usually gives clients no time or opportunity to examine policy terms...

Stylish Italians Asked to Lend Expertise in Making Thailand a Fashion Hub.
December 6, 2002... Byline: Chatrudee Theparat Dec. 6--Another initiative to help make Thailand a regional fashion hub has been launched, with two world-class Italian companies invited to help develop the country's industry. The invitation was made by...

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Guest Column.
December 6, 2002... Dec. 6--Some banks, such as the Government Savings Bank, announced recently that they plan to lend to communities, community enterprises and small and medium enterprises. Such a pro-active step is positive for the economic development of...

Thai Housing Authority Wraps Up First Securitisation Deal.
December 6, 2002... Byline: Chiratas Nivatpumin Dec. 6--The National Housing Authority is set to complete Thailand's first asset-backed commercial paper deal, which will result in the issuing of 607.9 million baht worth of debuntures. Under the deal, put...

Oil Firm Proceeds with Thailand-Malaysia Gas Projects.
December 6, 2002... Byline: Yuthana Praiwan Dec. 6--Preparations for the controversial Thailand-Malaysia natural gas pipeline and gas separation plant have begun despite continuing opposition from conservationists and local residents in Songkhla. PTT...

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Kriengsak Niratpattanasai Column.
December 6, 2002... Byline: Kriengsak Niratpattanasai Dec. 6--"I have tried to coach several Thai staff but it didn't work. I don't think Thais are coachable," a frustrated expat friend told me recently. Managing people today involves a lot of coaching,...

Thailand's Small Firms Catch Up on Larger Rivals through Improved Efficiency.
December 6, 2002... Byline: Darana Chudasri Dec. 6--Small and medium-sized enterprises have been making noticeable gains over the past two years, according to a recent survey by the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI). The survey showed several...

Bangkok, Thailand, Fair a Hit with Craft Fans.
December 6, 2002... Byline: Woranuj Maneerungsee Dec. 6--Shop owners selling wooden furniture and home fittings in Soi Pracha Narue Mit in Bang Sue district, Bangkok, are working around the clock to prepare for the community's annual Thanon Saimai (Wooden...

Thailand Plans Crackdown on Import Inspection Evasion.
December 6, 2002

Thai Mobile Phone Firm's Handset Revenue Could Reach 60 Million Baht.
December 6, 2002

Expert Expects Stock Exchange of Thailand to Hit 500 Mark Next Year.
December 6, 2002

Thailand Expects Tax Cuts to Be Offset by Economic Growth.
December 6, 2002

Six Groups Seek Thai Billing, Call-Centre Project.
December 6, 2002

Thai Customs Agency Cracks Down on Car Smugglers.
December 7, 2002... Byline: Wichit Sirithaveeporn Dec. 7--The Customs Department is taking serious action against car smugglers, and is prepared to investigate past tax payment records on luxury vehicles, according to Chavalit Sethahmeteekul, the department's...

Information Access at Heart of Dispute Involving Thai Petrochemical Industry.
December 7, 2002... Byline: Busrin Treerapongpichit Dec. 7--Prachai Leophairatana, the deposed founder of Thai Petrochemical Industry Plc (TPI), has launched a new attack on the company overseeing TPI's business rehabilitation plan, claiming he is being...

$40 Million Pipe Venture Wants Better Investment Terms from Thailand.
December 7, 2002... Byline: Boonsong Kositchotethana Dec. 7--Thailand may lose the opportunity to become the base for a pipe manufacturing venture worth up to US$40 million unless Thai authorities make the investment environment more conducive, promoters of...

Thai Retailer to Take On Area Giants.
December 7, 2002... Byline: Sukanya Jitpleecheep Dec. 7--The soft opening of the four-billion-baht Central Plaza Rama II on Thursday is poised to dramatically change the retailing market in Bangkok's southwestern outskirts. It would directly threaten two...

KGI Securities' Shareholders to Receive 4.33 Billion Baht.
December 7, 2002... Byline: Nuntawun Polkuamdee Dec. 7--KGI Securities is planning to reduce its share par value to 7.50 baht from 10 baht, allowing the firm to write off retained losses and return 4.33 billion baht in funds to shareholders next year. The...

Thai Energy-Drink Market Looks Lively.
December 7, 2002

Experts Don't Expect Hike in Thai Oil Retail Prices.
December 7, 2002