Bangkok Post (Bangkok, Thailand) articles from July 2003

Bangkok Post (Bangkok, Thailand) archives from July 2003

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Company Reports Column.
July 1, 2003

Gap Widens between Thailand's Rich, Poor.
July 1, 2003

State-Backed Low-Cost Life Coverage Will Cost One Baht Per Day.
July 1, 2003

Thai Stock Exchange Backs New Derivatives Market.
July 1, 2003

Thai Petroleum Giant Seeks New President.
July 1, 2003

Thai Car-Body Assembler Set to Back Energy-Saving Taxi Scheme.
July 1, 2003

Thai Cabinet Approves Computer Loans for Civil Servants.
July 2, 2003

Thai Year-on-Year Inflation Rises 1.7 Percent in June.
July 2, 2003

Thai Telecom Firm to Add Online Games to New Mobile Phones.
July 2, 2003

Thai Commerce Ministry Voices Optimism over Rice Export Goals.
July 2, 2003

Thai Securities Firm to Offer Derivative Warrants.
July 2, 2003

Thai Central Bank Aims at Deflation with Interest Rate Cut.
July 3, 2003

US Extends Duty-Free Benefits Programme; Some Thai Products Get Waiver.
July 3, 2003

Siemens to Build Thai Provincial Electricity Authority Substations.
July 3, 2003

Thai Commerce Minister Rejects Import Curbs on Shrimp.
July 3, 2003

Thai Airways International to Set Date of Share Sale.
July 4, 2003... Byline: Nondhanada Intarakomalyasut Jul. 4--Encouraged by positive signs, including a lower-than-expected loss during the Sars outbreak, Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) will determine a definite timing for its share offering by the...

Bank of Thailand Could Allow Individuals to Invest in Asian Currency Bonds.
July 4, 2003... Byline: Parista Yuthamanop Jul. 4--The Bank of Thailand is studying possible ways to allow individual investors to invest in Asian currency bonds, according to Thirachai Phuvanat-naranubala, a central bank deputy governor. One option...

Thai Cement Company Given Deadline to Finish Talks with Investors, Creditors.
July 4, 2003... Byline: Parista Yuthamanop Jul. 4--The Central Bankruptcy Court yesterday gave TPI Polene until July 22 to finalise talks with potential investors and creditors. Failure to demonstrate progress by the deadline could lead the court to...

Superhero Enlisted to Push Thai Milk Sales.
July 4, 2003... Byline: Sukanya Jitpleecheep Jul. 4--The Thai Dairy Industry Co (TDI) is resuscitating its Mali UHT milk business to regain market leadership in the segment, lost five years ago to Foremost Friesland and the Dairy Farming Promotion...

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Kriengsak Niratpattanasai Column.
July 4, 2003... Byline: Kriengsak Niratpattanasai Jul. 4--Last week my partner Michel le Quellec and I ran a workshop for the marketing and sales department of a Thai-western joint venture. The leader of this team is a European. Under him are a...

Thai Petrochemical Industry Creditors Supportive of New Management.
July 4, 2003... Jul. 4--Creditors of Thai Petrochemical Industry yesterday expressed cautious support for a new government-appointed team to run the company after receiving assurances that founder Prachai Leophairatana would play no role in the restructuring....

Mobile Phone Firms in Thailand Unruffled by Cuts to Fixed-Line Rates.
July 4, 2003... Byline: Komsan Tortermvasana Jul. 4--The reduction in domestic fixed-line long-distance call rates is unlikely to adversely affect the mobile phone business, according to cellular operators. The rates will be cut from the current...

Thai Trading Surges to Nine-Year Peak.
July 4, 2003... Jul. 4--Thai stocks gained 2.53 percent yesterday on the highest trading turnover seen in 912 years, with continued strong foreign buying helping to boost the exchange. The Stock Exchange of Thailand index closed at 489.8 points, up 12.07,...

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Business Briefs Column.
July 4, 2003

Russia Agrees to Repay US$36 Million Rice Debt to Thailand.
July 4, 2003

Thai Credit Operator Expects 23 Percent Rise in Receivables.
July 4, 2003

Thai Securities Depository Restructures to Spur Expansion.
July 4, 2003

Thailand Agency Studies Feasibility of Low-Cost Insurance for Housing Units.
July 4, 2003

Bangkok Bank Establishes Team of Mobile Marketing Officers for Home Loans.
July 4, 2003

Mobile Phone Communications Firm in Thailand to Increase Focus on Services.
July 4, 2003

Mandarin University in Thailand Pitched to Fortify Cultural Ties, Trade.
July 4, 2003

Catholic University in Thailand Plans to Invest in Shopping Center.
July 4, 2003

Revamp Sees Leaders at Thai Environmental Group Resign.
July 4, 2003

Shares of Thai Electronic Goods Manufacturer Draw Big Demand.
July 5, 2003... Byline: Nuntawun Polkuamdee Jul. 5--Mida Assets, a leader in leasing of electrical and electronic goods and motorcycles, is expected to attract huge interest once it lists on the Stock Exchange of Thailand later this month. ...

Chemical Find Prompts Call for Bar Codes on Thai Shrimp, Chicken Exports.
July 5, 2003... Byline: Wichit Chantanusornsiri Jul. 5--The Customs Department is proposing that special bar codes should be attached to shrimp and chicken exports to guard against mislabelling by unscrupulous traders. Chavalit Sethameteekul,...

Hitachi Moving into High-End Electronics.
July 5, 2003... Byline: Sukanya Jitpleecheep Jul. 5--Hitachi, best known for selling basic home appliances such as washing machines and refrigerators in its 36 years in Thailand, is moving into a new territory -- the growing high-end market with offerings...

Thai Medical Center Sells Shares to Rival Hospital.
July 5, 2003... Byline: Charoen Kittikanya Jul. 5--In the latest deal involving consolidation among private hospitals, Vibhavadi Medical Center Plc, operator of Vibhavadi General Hospital, said it had sold 31.225 million ordinary shares of Phattanakarn...

Dejected Thai Port Authority Director Calls It Quits.
July 5, 2003... Byline: Srisamorn Phoosuphanusorn Jul. 5--Frustration over an intransigent management culture, personal stress and an inability to affect changes have led Mana Patram to call it quits as director-general of the Port Authority of Thailand...

Thai Stock Exchange Closes Just Shy of 500 in Heavy Trade.
July 5, 2003... Jul. 5--Thai shares yesterday rose 1.21 percent on heavy turnover exceeding 30 billion baht, with the Stock Exchange of Thailand index closing in on the 500 point barrier as retail investors continued to switch assets from bank deposits to...

Thai Telecommunications Firm Pressed to List by Fourth Quarter.
July 5, 2003... Byline: Komsan Tortermvasana Jul. 5--TOT Corporation should take advantage of current market momentum and speed up its listing in time for the fourth quarter of this year, says Surapong Suebwonglee, the information and communications...

Thai Insurance Industry to Benefit from State Schemes.
July 5, 2003

Singapore Telecommunications Names New Chair.
July 5, 2003

Hong Kong-Produced Whisky Aims for Higher Market Share in Thailand.
July 5, 2003

Thai Gem, Jewellery Exports May Reach 100 Billion Baht Target.
July 6, 2003... Byline: Nareerat Wiriyapong Jul. 6--Thai exports of gems and jewellery grew in the first five months of the year, and are on course to reach the targeted amount of 100 billion baht for the year despite increased competition from Asian...

Thai Agency Makes Billboard-Insurance Coverage Mandatory.
July 6, 2003

Thai Authorities Clarify Agricultural Land-Reform Programme's Rules.
July 7, 2003... Byline: Chatrudee Theparat Jul. 7--Government authorities clarified the rules pertaining to land ownership under the agricultural land reform programme, known as Sor Por Kor 4-01, saying that ownership will be revoked if holders default on...

Bangkok Post, Thailand, To The Point Column.
July 7, 2003... Byline: Baker & McKenzie Jul. 7--We are all well accustomed to advertising. It has been around for ages and exists almost everywhere -- along roadsides, on buses, the skytrain, even tuk tuks. On TV, a barrage of ads comes between your...

Low Interest Rates Likely to Dent Bank-Operating Profits, Thai Executive Says.
July 7, 2003... Byline: Darana Chudasri Jul. 7--Falling interest rates could cut into bank operating profits for the third quarter, cautioned Banthoon Lamsam, president of Kasikornbank. "Over the past two weeks, it's clear that things have changed....

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Business Briefs Column.
July 7, 2003... Jul. 7--BANGKOK BANK LIFTS NATIONAL GROWTH FORECAST: Bangkok Bank has raised its economic growth forecast for the country to 4.5 percent for 2003, according to Bunluasak Pussarungsri, vice-president and deputy research manager. The bank...

Massive Phuket, Thailand, Development Projects Get Fast-Tracked.
July 7, 2003... Byline: Chatrudee Theparat Jul. 7--PHUKET, Thailand--Six development projects on Phuket will be used as prototypes for integrating business and tourism in the second most prosperous province after Bangkok. The list was agreed at a...

Japan's Toshiba to Make Thailand Its High-Tech Production Base.
July 7, 2003... Byline: Nareerat Wiriyapong Jul. 7--Toshiba Corp of Japan plans to turn Thailand into its production base for higher-technology home appliances, a move that will help double its exports from the country within three years. Takashi...

Thai Power Agency Tackles Staff's Excess Weight.
July 7, 2003... Byline: Soonruth Bunyamanee Jul. 7--Recognising that fat is an impediment to effective corporate performance, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat), which is set to float its shares early next year, is taking steps to...

Thai Firm Precious Shipping PLC Sails to Profitability.
July 7, 2003... Byline: Srisamorn Phoosuphanusorn Jul. 7--Precious Shipping Plc is on its way to returning to profitability this year with plans to begin expanding its fleet after experiencing accounting losses for seven years in a row. The country's...

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Travel Column.
July 7, 2003... Byline: Imtiaz Muqbil Jul. 7--One of the world's unique groups of luxury hotels is reporting a sharp surge in bookings received directly over the Internet, and plans to grow those numbers further in the months ahead. The Small Luxury...

United States Makes Demands for Thai Trade Deal.
July 7, 2003... Byline: Wichit Chantanusornsiri Jul. 7--The United States has made full compliance with General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (Gatt) valuation procedures a prerequisite before any progress can be made on a US-Thai free trade agreement....

Industrial Operators Seek Thai Funding for Pilot Plant.
July 7, 2003... Byline: Busrin Treerapongpichit Jul. 7--A group of industrial operators is seeking funds from the Thailand Research Fund (TRF) to build a pilot plant to treat electronic and electrical waste. The operators would require about 150...

Thai Agency Ready to Back Value-Added Products in Agricultural Sectors.
July 7, 2003

Raw-Material Prices Likely to Fall for Thai Animal Feed.
July 7, 2003

Siam City Bank Sets Up Risk-Management System Ahead of Accord.
July 7, 2003

It's Time for China to Loosen Reins on Yuan, Says Korean Minister.
July 7, 2003

Thai Movie-Theater Giant Banks on New Cineplex.
July 7, 2003

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Company Reports Column.
July 7, 2003

Thai Construction Sector Enjoys Good Outlook, Survey Shows.
July 7, 2003

Direct Marketing Symposium to Bring Delegates to Bangkok, Thailand, in August.
July 7, 2003

Thai-Japanese Firm Muscles In on Rival's Pea-Snack Market.
July 7, 2003

Thai Stock Exchange Backs Shopping Street Concept with Focus on Bangkok.
July 7, 2003

Carnival May Revive Tourism on Thai Island Ko Samui.
July 7, 2003

Thai Bank Eyes September Share Offer.
July 8, 2003... Byline: Darana Chudasri Jul. 8--Krung Thai Bank expects to hold a public offering of shares now held by the central bank's Financial Institutions Development Fund by September, according to KTB president Viroj Nualkhair. "September...

Battery Firm to Capitalise on Tariff Reductions in Thailand.
July 8, 2003... Byline: Nareerat Wiriyapong Jul. 8--GP Batteries International is looking to strengthen its presence in Thailand by tapping the low-tariff scheme under the Asean Free Trade Area (Afta). General manager K.L. Tsang said GP had stepped up...

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Business Briefs Column.
July 8, 2003... Jul. 8--EU STEEL DUMPING PENALTIES EXTENDED: The European Commission has extended anti-dumping charges on certain steel products from Thailand for another five years. The EC said an interim review found that steel tubes and pipe fittings...

Thai Commerce Ministry May Order Music Companies to Lower CD Prices.
July 8, 2003... Byline: Phusadee Arunmas Jul. 8--Amid efforts to cut down on piracy, the Commerce Ministry has threatened to order music companies to declare their costs if they fail to reduce their prices of music CDs and tapes to a satisfactory rate....

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Company Reports Column.
July 8, 2003... Jul. 8--ASIA FIBER said holders of its AFC-W warrants could exercise rights on July 31, notification from July 15-30. Each warrant can be exchanged for one ordinary share at 10 bt. CHAROEN POKPHAND FOODS said 24 holders of its CPF-W2...

Thai Operations of California-Based Electronics Company May Shut Down.
July 8, 2003... Jul. 8--About 7,000 employees of the Thai factory of Read-Rite, a loss-ridden US electronics company, might lose their jobs if the company is forced to shut down operations by mid-month due to shortages of raw material and money. Read-Rite...

Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand May Pay Higher Fee for Power.
July 8, 2003... Byline: Yuthana Praiwan Jul. 8--The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) has tentatively agreed to raise the price it will pay for electricity to Union Power Development Co, the operator of the Hin Krut power project, once...

Bangkok, Thailand, Hotel Plans Facelift, New Name.
July 8, 2003... Byline: Boonsong Kositchotethana Jul. 8--The 20-year-old five-star Regent Bangkok on Ratchadamri Road is undergoing an extensive facelift and getting a new name. The exercise is part of an effort by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the...

Thai Mortgage Security Agency Aims to Expand Range of Instruments.
July 8, 2003... Byline: Wichit Chantanusornsiri Jul. 8--The Secondary Mortgage Corporation (SMC), a state agency set up to support mortgage securitisation, is looking to develop new instruments to allow long-term fixed rate loans as well as the purchase...

Thai Particle Board Maker Scraps Plans to Launch New Public Offering.
July 8, 2003... Byline: Nuntawun Polkuamdee Jul. 8--The Vanachai Group (VNG), the largest panel and particle board maker in the region, has scrapped plans to launch a new public offering or acquire any other companies. The company yesterday reported...

Thai Petrochemical Industry Creditors Appoint New Plan Administration Team.
July 8, 2003... Jul. 8--Creditors of Thai Petrochemical Industry (TPI) yesterday voted to appoint a new five-person team as the new plan administrator. But several foreign creditors, including the International Finance Corp, German development bank KfW and...

Thai Property Firm to Streamline for Stronger Footing.
July 8, 2003... Byline: Krissana Parnsoonthorn Jul. 8--After completing its 14-billion-baht debt restructuring in March, property developer Krisda Mahanakorn Plc (KMC) is preparing to find strategic partners to help it resume building a sound operation....

Thailand Takes Aim at EU Sugar Subsidies.
July 8, 2003... Jul. 8--Thailand is preparing to lodge a complaint with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against the European Union, saying its sugar subsidies violate EU commitments on agricultural trade. Thailand, Brazil and Australia this week will...

Thai Tourism Authority Raises Estimate of Impact from SARS.
July 8, 2003... Byline: Nondhanada Intarakomalyasut Jul. 8--The impact of Sars on Thailand's tourism industry is far greater than previously anticipated by authorities, who are now coming up with a much more realistic picture of the state of the industry...

Satellite Training Session Organized for Thailand Wine Producers.
July 8, 2003... Byline: Wichit Chantanusornsiri Jul. 8--The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives has joined with Kasetsart university to organize a satellite-based training session for wine producers and other community-based enterprises....

Bangkok Post, Thailand, Business Briefs Column.
July 8, 2003

Thailand-Based Coffee-Restaurant Chain Plans Expansion to Middle East.
July 8, 2003