Bangkok Post (Bangkok, Thailand) articles from July 2001

Bangkok Post (Bangkok, Thailand) archives from July 2001

All Nippon Airways to Resume Bangkok-Kuala Lumpur Flights.
July 25, 2001... Byline: Boonsong Kositchotethana Jul. 25--Flight competition on the Bangkok-Kuala Lumpur route is set to grow more intense with All Nippon Airways (ANA) re-entering the sector, challenging Thai Airways International, the major player. ...

Thai Airways to Reduce Its Debt-to-Equity Ratio.
July 25, 2001... Byline: Chatrudee Theparat Jul. 25--Thai Airways International will cut its debt-to-equity ratio to no more than two times from 11 now under a restructuring plan approved yesterday by the cabinet. The national carrier will issue up to...

Red Bull Producer Insists Drink Is Safe.
July 25, 2001... Byline: Phusadee Arunmas Jul. 25--The manufacturer of the energy drink Red Bull has insisted that the drink is safe for consumers. Chaleo Yoovidhya, founder and president of T.C. Pharmaceutical Industries Co, said there was no...

Thailand's SF Cinema City Is Set for Expansion.
July 25, 2001... Byline: Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit Jul. 25--Following an aggressive expansion involving one billion baht, SF Cinema City Co is poised for top-three status among local cinema chains. Toward the end of this year, the firm expects to have a...

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Company Reports Column.
July 25, 2001... Jul. 25--Bangchak Petroleum said its board approved the appointments of Chaiyant Poshyanonda as a director and Gen Somchai Somprasong and Sutham Chitranukroh as independent directors, effective July 23. As well, it named Virach Aphimeteetamrong...

Gradual Economic Liberalisation Can Avert Price Bubbles.
July 25, 2001... Byline: Parista Yuthamanop Jul. 25--A gradual approach to financial liberalisation is the best way to avoid asset price bubbles leading to financial crises, according to economists attending the Asia-Pacific Finance Association Conference....

More Safeguards Needed in Asian Economies, Says Expert.
July 25, 2001... Jul. 25--Asian countries need to build up more "dynamic risk protection" as an insurance policy against future crises, according to Myron Scholes. Dr Scholes, a 1997 Nobel laureate in economics for his work on derivative pricing, said the...

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Business Insider Column.
July 25, 2001... Jul. 25--A local researcher was looking for some information on the country next door-the one that the retired general who dresses up as our defence minister said wasn't worth going to war with over a stupid hill. He and his brother generals in...

Soccer Sponsorship Helps Mobile Phone Firms Score Big with Thai Customers.
July 25, 2001... Byline: Kanjana Pluemjit Jul. 25--The sponsorship of the soccer match between Manchester United and the Thai national team on Sunday is probably a very worthwhile investment for Siemens and Advance Info Service Plc. While Siemens, a...

Thai Officials Plan Online Tax Payments.
July 25, 2001... Byline: Wichit Sirithaveeporn Jul. 25--While e-commerce will transform deals with customers, finding the right system to make the most of the opportunities can be a headache. Integrating different hardware and software systems,...

Thai Maker of Paper Products Is Example for Other Small Firms, Says Premier.
July 25, 2001... Byline: Chatrudee Theparat Jul. 25--A group of villagers who make saa paper and related products from mulberry trees has been hailed as an example for other cottage industries to follow as part of the "One Tambon, One Product" programme....

Loan Delay Forces Thai Petrochemical to Revise Revenue Targets.
July 25, 2001... Jul. 25--The long delay in obtaining US$80 million in working capital has led Thai Petrochemical Industry to revise its oil refining and revenue targets. But company executives insist that the firm can complete its business rehabilitation...

Mobile Phone Companies Biggest Spenders on Thai Radio Ads.
July 25, 2001... Byline: Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit Jul. 25--Advertising spending on radio in the first half of this year totalled 1.43 billion baht with DTAC mobile phones the biggest spender, according to Key to Success Co. The radio planning and buying...

Thailand's 'Black Economy' Ranks First among 18 Asian Nations.
July 25, 2001... Byline: Krissana Parnsoonthorn Jul. 25--Thailand's "shadow economy", or underground business, ranks first out of 18 Asian countries surveyed, according to Friedrich Schneider, an economist from the Johannes Kepler University of Linz,...

Thai Steelmakers Urge Action on Dumped Imports from China, Japan.
July 25, 2001... Jul. 25--Local manufacturers of hot-rolled structural steel are demanding tough counter-measures from the government against dumped imports from China and illegal imports from Japan. Without any immediate action, the local steel industry...

Taiwanese Investment in Thailand Likely to Rise.
July 25, 2001... Byline: Woranuj Maneerungsee Jul. 25--Taiwanese direct investment in Thailand is likely to increase because of soured relations between Taiwan and China. Most Taiwanese investors have become uncertain about the prospects in China,...

Talks to Kick-Start Conversions of Thai Telecom Concessions.
July 25, 2001... Byline: Kanchana Pleumjit Jul. 25--Attempts will begin today to revive the long-delayed process of converting telecommunications concessions, a key step toward liberalising the local market. A committee studying the conversions will...

Thailand's Eastern Water to Expand Pipeline Services.
July 25, 2001... Byline: Yuthana Praiwan Jul. 25--Eastern Water Resources Development and Management Co plans to spend eight billion baht in the next three years to expand its water services. Wanchai Lawatanatrakul, the director and chief executive,...

Air Rescue Service to Add Three More Planes to Thailand Fleet.
July 26, 2001... Byline: Nondhanada Intarakomalyasut Jul. 26--An Australian tourist is recovering from a severe injuries caused by an accident while travelling to Cambodia and now enjoying first-class medical treatment in his home town, Perth. Things...

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Business Briefs Column.
July 26, 2001... Jul. 26--FRA CHECKS LOANS TO FORMER GF STAFF: The Financial Sector Restructuring Authority (FRA) has been asked to check the legitimacy of loans extended to former staff of General Finance & Securities to buy the company's shares. In a...

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Insider Column.
July 26, 2001... Jul. 26--HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE CEO: It was time for cake and candles yesterday when the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce got together to welcome their guest speaker. The 900-odd souls didn't want to miss the opportunity to wish Thaksin...

Car-Insurance Premiums to Be Reduced in Thailand.
July 26, 2001... Jul. 26--New premium rates for compulsory car insurance are to be cut by an average of 10 percent in an attempt to boost the level of vehicle coverage. Exceptions to the reductions include trucks with trailers. The annual premium on each...

Slow Growth in Economy Hurts Profits at Siam Cement.
July 26, 2001... Jul. 26--Siam Cement Plc has warned that despite a huge jump in first-half profit, its revenue this year will be disappointing because of slow growth in the local economy. The group anticipated 140 billion baht in revenue this year, about...

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Company Reports Column.
July 26, 2001... Jul. 26--Golden Land Property Development said new shares would start trading today after completion of capital-increase procedures. -- Luckytex (Thailand) said shareholders on July 24 approved a dividend of 1.50 bt per share, to be paid...

Thailand Direct-Sales Growth Hurt by Downturn.
July 26, 2001... Byline: Sukanya Jitpleecheep Jul. 26--The sluggish economy is slowing the growth of Thailand's direct-sales business this year to single-digit levels compared with slightly over 10 percent last year as consumers tighten their belts. ...

Thai Prime Minister Defends Dual-Track Economic Policy.
July 26, 2001... Byline: Voranai Vanijaka Jul. 26--Foreign investors "may not understand the whole purpose of what we are doing", Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said yesterday in a defence of his dual-track economic policy to the Joint Foreign Chambers...

World Bank Asks Thailand to Continue Economic Restructuring.
July 26, 2001... Byline: Parista Yuthamanop Jul. 26--The government should press forward with fundamental restructuring to help boost the country's competitiveness, according to Jayasankar Shivakumar, outgoing country director of the World Bank. A...

Thai Managers Find Keeping the Best, Firing the Rest Can Be Tricky.
July 26, 2001... Byline: Cholada Ingsrisawang Jul. 26--It's an experience that senior executives generally agree represents one of the most difficult decisions in the workplace. But whether due to worsening cashflows, factory relocations or new technology...

Thai Rules on Tender Offers to Mesh With New Public Companies Act.
July 26, 2001... Jul. 26--The Securities and Exchange Commission will change regulations on tender offers to match the new Public Companies Act, which is expected to take effect next month. The current rule requiring a tender offer to be made if any...

Singer Co. Expands Well Beyond Sewing Machines in Thailand.
July 26, 2001... Byline: Sukanya Jitpleecheep Jul. 26--After more than a century on the local scene, Singer (Thailand) Co, best known for selling sewing machines, is changing the way it does business. The local unit of the US home electrical appliance...

Thai Experts Ponder Pros and Cons of Market Speculation.
July 26, 2001... Jul. 26--While share speculation does bring liquidity and efficiency to emerging markets, the downside is potential damage to trading systems and economies overall, according to financial experts and academics. Controlling risks by...

Thai Trade Surplus Narrows Slightly.
July 26, 2001... Byline: Phusadee Arunmas Jul. 26--Thailand's exports in the first six months of this year reached US$32.78 billion, a drop of 0.25 percent year-on-year. Imports in the same period totalled $31.59 billion, up 9.7 percent , narrowing the...

Thai Finance Ministry to List Revised Withholding-Tax Rates.
July 26, 2001... Byline: Wichit Sirithaveeporn Jul. 26--Strong opposition from transport firms has led the Finance Ministry to agree to temporarily cut new withholding tax on transactions. Suchart Jaovisidha, a deputy finance minister, said a list of...

Thai Farmers Bank Aims to Boost Retail Services.
July 27, 2001... Byline: Parista Yuthamanop Jul. 27--With Thai Farmers Bank now firmly established as a progressive and modern institution in the public mindset, the challenge now is to continue improving retail services to increase the customer base,...

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Business Briefs Column.
July 27, 2001... Jul. 27--NEW TAX STRUCTURE WILL HELP SMALL FIRMS: The Finance Ministry will overhaul the tax system to help promote small and medium-sized enterprises, venture capitalists and new entrepreneurs. Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said...

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Insider Column.
July 27, 2001... Jul. 27--POWER TO THE PEOPLE: If you live in Bangkok, you're about to be offered some powerful incentives to pay your electricity bills by having them debited against your bank account. Like the banks themselves, the Metropolitan Electricity...

Thai Principle of Kreng Jai Can Have Pros, Cons in Business World.
July 27, 2001... Byline: Kriengsak Niratpattanasai Jul. 27--Kreng jai means being aware of another person's feelings, saving the face of others and respecting them. More than a behaviour, it is a core Thai value. Applied wisely, it can bring success in...

Thai Communications Minister May Appoint Committee to Investigate Deal.
July 27, 2001... Byline: Kanchana Pleumjit Jul. 27--Transport and Communications Minister Wan Muhamad Nor Matha said he would appoint a committee to investigate the controversial CDMA deal if the Communications Authority of Thailand defies his order to...

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Company Reports Column.
July 27, 2001... Jul. 27--Asian Seafoods Coldstorage said shareholders on July 9 approved a change of the share par value to 5 baht from 10 baht. The change was registered with the Commerce Ministry on July 25. -- BEC World said that, of the proceeds gained...

Thai Report Forecasts Economic Growth of 2 or 2.5 Percent.
July 27, 2001... Byline: Parista Yuthamanop Jul. 27--Economic growth this year was expected to range between 2 percent and 2.5 percent , down from previous estimates of 2.5 percent to 4 percent , the Monetary Policy Committee announced yesterday. Core...

Survey Says Domestic Consumption Must Drive Growth, Investment.
July 27, 2001... Jul. 27--In the face of the global economic slowdown, domestic consumption must drive growth and investment, according to the latest MasterCard International MasterIndex survey. Heavy dependence on the US economy had led to another cyclical...

Expert Says Excessive Use of Fertiliser Pushes Up Costs.
July 27, 2001... Byline: Somporn Thapanachai Jul. 27--Fruit growers should analyse nutrient levels in the soil and in fruit leaves to work out the most suitable fertiliser formula, according to an expert. As most orchardists do not know the precise...

Historical Thai Epic to Take on Hollywood This Summer.
July 27, 2001... Byline: Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit Jul. 27--The leading market share of top Hollywood film distributor Columbia Tristar Buena Vista Films (Thailand) Co. has been shaken by the euphoria surrounding the local release of the historical epic...

Toshiba Looks to Information Technology Products for Boost in Thailand.
July 27, 2001... Jul. 27--Toshiba (Thailand) says it will shift its marketing focus to information technology products, from home electrical appliances, because demand is stagnant. The company is conducting a feasibility study to expand its business lines...

Netherlands-Based Logistics Services Provider to Reorganize in Thailand.
July 27, 2001... Byline: Srisamorn Phoosuphanusorn Jul. 27--TNT Express Worldwide (Thailand), a major provider of express and logistics services, is embarking on local reorganisation in one of the first major initiatives under the leadership of new director...

US Economist Says Developing Countries Should Rethink Pension Funds.
July 27, 2001... Jul. 27--Developing countries face an urgent need to improve their pension fund systems as demographics shift toward ageing societies in the future, according to Deborah Lucas, chief economist of the US Congressional Budget Office. Dr...

Rent Is Key Criterion in Picking Apartments in Bangkok, Company Says.
July 27, 2001... Jul. 27--A part from building quality and furnishings, rental charges and location are the two most important factors for Bangkok residents selecting apartments, according to Jones Lang LaSalle. Benjawan Suewongprayoon, senior research...

Fund Helps Canned Rice Maker in Thailand Become Major Exporter.
July 27, 2001... Byline: Busrin Treerapongpichit Jul. 27--After struggling to seek a business partner for years, Albatross Co, the producer of Khun Perm brand canned rice, has succeeded in obtaining support from the SMEs Venture Capital Fund for its plan to...

New Unit Integrates Palm with Web Sites.
July 27, 2001... Byline: Arnat Leemakdej Jul. 27--The Palm is used by computer nerds as a secondary device after their desktop or notebook. Therefore, it is very rare that Palm users will use it to surf the Internet. In contrast, iPAQ comes with a...

Telecommunications Network Expansion to Be Reconsidered in Thailand.
July 27, 2001... Byline: Mongkol Jullayothin Jul. 27--Advanced Info Service and Digital Phone Co may have to review their network investment plan after the recent announcement of the takeover of DPC from Telekom Malaysia, the former major shareholder, by...

Thai Airways to Reorganize in Preparation for Privatisation.
July 27, 2001... Jul. 27--Thai Airways International Plc will undergo a reorganisation with the creation of four new business units in a move aimed at enhancing its portfolio to ensure successful partial privatisation at the end of this year. Chairman...

Thailand Tourism Authority Discusses Development Plans.
July 27, 2001... Byline: Nondhanada Intarakomalyasut Jul. 27--The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is hoping to turn Ko Samui into a national model of a world-class sustainable tourism development. A three-day workshop, due to start today on the...

Thai Officials Work to Inform Region's Producers of Tariff Incentives.
July 27, 2001... Byline: Woranuj Maneerungsee Jul. 27--While Thai beer exports to Singapore now attract no import duty, non-Asean suppliers have to pay 80 cents a litre. It's surprising how few Asean businessmen are aware of this and a host of other...

Bangkok Panel Says Fuel Tariff Should Be Kept.
July 27, 2001... Jul. 27--The widely criticised energy cost adjustment charge known as the fuel adjustment tariff (Ft) should not be scrapped as the three state power utilities could face serious financial problems, says a panel formed to study new electricity...

Seven `Wise Persons' to Draw Up Fresh Economic Agenda for Asia.
July 28, 2001... Byline: Voranai Vanijaka Jul. 28--Seven "wise persons" including former Thai deputy prime minister Supachai Panitchpakdi have been assigned to draft a "new agenda" for Asia, but the impact on decision-making of local governments and the...

Thai Treasury Eyes Joint Ventures in Plans to Boost State Assets.
July 28, 2001... Byline: Wichit Sirithaveeporn Jul. 28--The Treasury Department says it hopes to boost the value of state assets, now valued at around 1.6 trillion baht, by another 65 billion baht under a new five-year development plan. As part of the...

Revamp of Mitsubishi Distributor to Include Capital Increase.
July 28, 2001... Byline: Santan Santivimolnat Jul. 28--A capital increase, a shorter line of command and more say for Thai executives form part of restructuring under way at MMC Sittipol Co, the distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles. The revamp, initiated...

Bangkok Bank Accepts Shares in Three Restructurings.
July 28, 2001... Jul. 28--Bangkok Bank said that, as part of the debt restructuring of Thai Durable Textile Co, it had accepted 18.9m common shares (10 percent ). As well, as part of the debt restructuring of Felix Hotel Group, it accepted 10m common...

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Business Briefs Column.
July 28, 2001... Jul. 28--PAY-TV PIRACY: The Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (Casbaa) will hold a discussion on pay-television in Bangkok on Friday as part of an effort to publicise the need to crack down on signal piracy. Participants...

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Business Briefs Column.
July 28, 2001... Jul. 28--NEW 500-BAHT NOTES DUE ON WEDNESDAY: The Bank of Thailand will issue new 500-baht banknotes on Wednesday. They will gradually replace the existing 500-baht notes, which increasingly have been the target of forgery gangs. However,...

Thai Government's Bond Plans Trigger Yield Fluctuation.
July 28, 2001... Byline: Wichit Sirithaveeporn Jul. 28--Government bond yields in the secondary market continue to fluctuate on trader concerns about plans by state agencies to issue bonds worth hundreds of billions of baht in the next few months. The...

Chinese Imports, Smuggled Goods Dent Retail Rivals' Market Share in Thailand.
July 28, 2001... Byline: Srisamorn Phoosuphanusorn Jul. 28--Thirty years ago, Japanese brands began to shed their low-quality image and push their Western counterparts into retreat across many lines of manufactured products. Now it's the turn of...

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Company Reports Column.
July 28, 2001... Jul. 28--Amata Corp said its board on July 26 appointed Noppun Muangkote as an independent director and audit committee member. It appointed Varaporn Vatcharanukroh as the company's secretary, board secretary and executive board secretary,...

Stainless Steel Cookware Makes Its Mark in Thailand.
July 28, 2001... Jul. 28--From stoneware to clay pots to aluminium pans, cookware has evolved over thousands of years. Now, in the latest phase, stainless steel products are gaining popularity in Thai households where they are relatively new kitchen items...

Thai Businesses Urge Government to Speed Study of Credit Accounts.
July 28, 2001... Jul. 28--Credit accounts, instead of mandatory cash payments, could help revive the country's exports, according to the private sector which has urged the government to speed up its study of the proposal. Plengsakdi Prakaspesat, the...

Thailand Island's Buildings to Be `Tropical'.
July 28, 2001... Byline: Nondhanada Intarakomalyasut Jul. 28--A new planning and zoning structure will force all new construction on Ko Samui to comply with one of five designs, according to Pongpol Adireksarn, a deputy prime minister. He said a team...

Thai Finance Minister Says U.S. Economic Revival Will Aid Growth.
July 28, 2001... Byline: Wichit Sirithaveeporn Jul. 28--The economy will show a turnaround in the fourth quarter, helped by a revival in the United States economy and local gains from the government's stimulus programmes, Finance Minister Somkid...

European Union's Small Businesses Need More Time to Strengthen, Group Says.
July 28, 2001... Byline: Somporn Thapanachai Jul. 28--The enlargement of the European Union to cover countries in the former Eastern Bloc will increase business opportunities, but it is more important that European companies become internationally...

Thai Minister Wants to Resolve Alleged Irregularities in Mobile Phone Service.
July 28, 2001... Jul. 28--The future of a planned new national mobile-phone network hangs in the balance until the Communications Authority of Thailand can clarify questions about alleged irregularities and lack of transparency in the project. The demand...

Former Executive Steers Investors away from Thai Petrochemical.
July 28, 2001... Byline: Soonruth Bunyamanee Jul. 28--Prachai Leophairatana, former president of Thai Petrochemical Industry, unveiled his latest shot in the battle to regain control by warning potential new investors that any contracts with...

Well-Heeled Thais Find New Hobby in Poultry Contests.
July 28, 2001... Jul. 28--It's best to keep it simple, as the saying goes, and for the fancy chicken industry, the smallest is probably the most appealing. With their unique characteristics and weight as low as 300 grammes, the indigenous Malay fancy fowl...

Calls Go Unanswered as Securities Regulators Watches Firms.
July 28, 2001... Byline: Krissana Parnsoonthorn Jul. 28--Following Thursday's crackdown on the "boiler room" operations of the Brinton Group and Benson Dupont Capital Management on Thursday, 21 unlicensed securities firms under close watch by securities...

Stainless Steel Makes its Mark in Thai Households.
July 28, 2001... Jul. 28--From stoneware to clay pots to aluminium pans, cookware has evolved over thousands of years. Now, in the latest phase, stainless steel products are gaining popularity in Thai households where they are relatively new kitchen items...

Finance Executive's Victory over Extradition A Blow to Thai Prosecutors.
July 28, 2001... Byline: Parista Yuthamanop Jul. 28--Yesterday's victory by Pin Chakkaphak in London's High Court against extradition back to Thailand to face charges of theft and falsifying accounts represents a stunning setback for local prosecutors. ...

Thai Villagers Open Their Doors to Foreign and Other Tourists.
July 28, 2001... Jul. 28--Only two villages are offering services, rather than products, under the "One Tambon, One Product" campaign. One of them, Ban Mae Kampong in Chiang Mai province, will offer home-stays for tourists who want to spend time in the...

US Stance Puts Global Trade Round in Doubt.
July 28, 2001... Byline: Saritdet Marukatat Jul. 28--The United States' unwillingness to compromise is jeopardising plans for a new global trade round widely expected to be launched by members of the World Trade Organisation later this year, a senior...

Outgoing World Bank Chief Relishes Past Challenges in Thailand.
July 28, 2001... Jul. 28--Jayasankar Shivakumar looks wistfully out his ceiling-high window from high up over Wireless Road. It's a beautiful view of the Bangkok skyline, albeit one scattered with reminders of the pitfalls of urbanisation and economic collapse....

Committee of Seven to Discuss 'New Agenda' of Strategy for Asia.
July 30, 2001... Byline: Voranai Vanijaka Jul. 30--Seven "wise persons" including former Thai deputy prime minister Supachai Panitchpakdi have been assigned to draft a "new agenda" for Asia, but the impact on decision-making of local governments and the...

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Business Briefs Column.
July 30, 2001... Jul. 30--The Bank of Thailand will issue new 500-baht banknotes on Wednesday. They will gradually replace the existing 500-baht notes, which increasingly have been the target of forgery gangs. However, the genuine notes that have been in...

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Company Reports Column.
July 30, 2001... Jul. 30--Bangkok Bank said that, as part of the debt restructuring of Thai Durable Textile Co, it had accepted 18.9m common shares (10 percent ). As well, as part of the debt restructuring of Felix Hotel Group, it accepted 10m common shares (10...

Thai Minister Forecasts 2 Percent to 2.5 Percent Growth.
July 30, 2001... Byline: Wichit Sirithaveeporn Jul. 30--The economy will show a turnaround in the fourth quarter, helped by a revival in the United States economy and local gains from the government's stimulus programmes, Finance Minister Somkid...

Quick Action Urged by Thai Government on Credit Accounts.
July 30, 2001... Jul. 30--Credit accounts, instead of mandatory cash payments, could help revive the country's exports, according to the private sector which has urged the government to speed up its study of the proposal. Plengsakdi Prakaspesat, the...

Thai Treasury Hopes to Boost Value of State Assets under Five-Year Plan.
July 30, 2001... Byline: Wichit Sirithaveeporn Jul. 30--The Treasury Department says it hopes to boost the value of state assets, now valued at around 1.6 trillion baht, by another 65 billion baht under a new five-year development plan. As part of the...

Mitsubishi Motor Corp. Revamp in Thailand to Include Capital Increase.
July 30, 2001... Byline: Santan Santivimolnat Jul. 30--A capital increase, a shorter line of command and more say for Thai executives form part of restructuring under way at MMC Sittipol Co, the distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles. The revamp, initiated...