The Nation (Thailand) articles from February 2009, page 2

The Nation (Thailand) archives from February 2009

Thailand to return seized Cambodian artefacts.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. The Cabinet yesterday agreed to return seven artefacts to Cambodia in a yet to be scheduled handover ceremony. Fine Arts Department director-general Kriangkrai Sampatchalit said yesterday that the other 36 items...

MPC expected to cut rate sharply.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, a macroeconomic specialist of the Fiscal Policy Office, expected the Monetary Policy Committee to cut the policy rate as much as 0.75-1 percentage point at their meeting today. MPC expected...

Career Juice: What to do when laid off.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. What to do when facing lay-off is a question that has been through the minds of a lot of people. The economic crisis seems to have brought up the term lay-off, or termination of employment, much more often lately. It...

Hi! managers: A leader to watch closely.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. "Don't judge me on a good speech. Judge me on my results. Be very cynical. Be very cold. Look at the profits, the debt, the market share, the appeal of the cars. Then judge me." So said Carlos Ghosn, president and...

Different views on customer relations.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Technology alone is not enough, branding expert warns Instead of becoming obsessed with software and new technology, companies implementing customer relationship management (CRM) programmes should focus on...

Suicide by decapitation.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Bridge victim's head torn off by 'force of gravity'; missing Italian man likely victim Deputy police commissioner-general Jongrak Chutha-nont announced yesterday that the westerner whose head was found hanging...

BT19 BN BUDGETED for 2009 investments.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. CRC takes largest share, three retail projects deferred The Central Group, one of Thailand's largest business conglomerates - with interests in hotels, retail, trading and food - yesterday announced it would...

good q2 expected by Thai polycons.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Thai Polycons Thai Polycons hopes to win Bt1 billion worth of construction contracts in the second quarter, in a bid to keep growing steadily after it lists on the Market for Alternative Investment (MAI). "We...

Thai Airways yet to submit its business-improvement plan.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Thai Airways International Thai Airways International (THAI) has not yet submitted its business-improvement plan to the State Enterprise Policy Office, the office's chief Areepong Phoocha-um said yesterday. ...

us meltdown will lead to thousands of lost thai jobs.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Overall export value to fall 15% if main orders disappear The US economic meltdown will force the country's 20 or so high-end garment manufacturers to pare thousands of employees from payrolls this year as orders...

Talks planned with Japan over 'tainted' rice.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. The Foreign Trade Department The Foreign Trade Department together with the Thai Rice Exporters Association will meet with Japan's Agriculture Ministry to try to solve export problems after Tokyo complained about...

businesses under the FBA.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. The Commerce Ministry The Commerce Ministry is considering liberalising up to 39 businesses under the protected list of the Foreign Business Act (FBA) in order to improve business conditions and promote foreign...

Pay rise for kamnans, headmen.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. The Cabinet yesterday The Cabinet yesterday backed doubling the salaries of kam-nans and village headmen, a move that will increase annual spending by Bt10.3 billion. The Interior Ministry said the pay hike...

Egco expects net profit to dip on reduced power-plant revenue.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. The Egco Group The Egco Group expects a drop in net profit this year due mainly to lower revenue recognition from its three main power plants, namely BLCP Power, Rayong Electricity Generating and Khanom...

Street wise.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. govt TV - but is anyone out there watching' To date, the logic of turning a for-profit TV station into a public organisation relying solely on government funding still amazes many. More amazement is yet to come...

RS In-Store Media to up point-of-purchase ads.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. RS In-Store Media yesterday announced it would spend Bt120 million to expand its point-of-purchase (POP) advertising in a bid to tap the potential of alternative media advertising. Half of that will be used to...

Predicting the Thai political Oscars.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. WE ALL KNOW about the jinx associated with making a sequel, but I couldn't help it. After all, my list of "Thai political Oscars" last year received a presumably good rating. (No boasting here, but the previous story...

Briefs.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Oishi to open bottle factory next year Oishi Trading will open a Bt1.43 billion PET bottle factory in Pathum Thani during the third quarter of next year. Paiboon Kujareevanich, executive vice president of...

IEAT to set up power plants.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Plans one facility per industrial estate The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand is diversifying into electricity generation to stabilise its income after the outlook for its core business darkened following...

The Pizza Company eyes good growth.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. The Pizza Company, the local leader in the pizza restaurant market, is targeting revenue growth in double digits this year despite the gloomy economic situation. General manager Andy Holman yesterday said the key...

Key sectors found lagging.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Thailand's industry, when compared to its Asean counterparts, has demonstrable weaknesses in four sectors - electrical and electronics, information technology, aviation and logistics - according to a new study. ...

Abhisit advised to use baan Phitsanulok as temporary HQ.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has been advised to use Baan Phitsanulok as his temporary office after Government House was sealed off by anti-government protesters. "My determination to work has not wavered and...

Exports to major markets to shrink.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Slow demand, protectionism blamed Thai exports to major markets, especially the United States, the European Union and Japan, are forecast to contract by 0.9-2.3 per cent this year as the Commerce Ministry prepares...

Business Logic Systems wins Microsoft award in Asia Pacific.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Mobile network marketing specialist selected as 'star' Telco Independent Software Vendor (ISV) in Communications Sector Business Logic Systems has been awarded the "Communication Sector, Asia Pacific, Star Telco...

Acer Services 'Do More Pay Less'.
February 25, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Acer Computer advances its service business leveraging its customer's information to offer Service Level Agreement to all type of customers. Target to offer service coverage in all regions by generating value...

Elegance in a dazzling cityscape.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. If you're looking for an elegant city lifestyle in a vertical environment, and if you fancy moving in around the end of this year, the Samirano Group's project The Elegance Alcove Thonglor 10 could be your future...

Samirano to build hotel, retail centre.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Diversified textile company confident of economic recovery in the near future Property firm the Samirano Group plans to launch two new projects this year, including a second "hip" hotel and a retail project,...

New Nokia Thailand GM in April.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Vipul Sabharwal, general manager of Nokia Thailand, will leave his post in April to become sales director of Nokia India. He said recently that the move was a career opportunity, but declined to reveal who would...

TUF profit slumps in Q4, but full-year results.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Thai Union Frozen Product (TUF), the world's second-largest tuna canner, reported a drop of 31 per cent in net profit to Bt443 million for 2008's last quarter following dwindling global demand. The company,...

Gay parade shut down by red-shirt thugs.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. On Saturday, February 21, red-shirted anti-government protesters gathered in Chiang Mai to stop a Gay Pride Parade. Yes, you read that right. With their sound system blaring, and their thugs gathered and menacing,...

Thaksin running scared as Abhisit picks up more points.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. AS Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva prepares his team for the Asean summit meeting this month, aiming to show member countries that he is in charge and everything is under control - despite the periodic political...

Asean to sing in tune.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. A team of Thai composers' joint work "The Asean Way" was recently chosen as the Asean anthem. The winning team comprises Kittikhun Sodprasert, Sampow Triudom and Payom Valaiphatchra. They believe that the Asean Summit...

A boost for regional financial security.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Agreement to expand Asian emergency fund will protect countries hit by payments crises The finance ministers from Asean plus China, Japan and South Korea have agreed to expand the bilateral currency swap...

Tests find school milk samples below par.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Lab tests by the Department of Science Service (DSS) have found that milk samples collected from schools in three provinces were all substandard. "We have collected 60 milk packets from schools in Chumphon,...

Life with robots looks even more probable.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Some 400 scientists and researchers from 34 countries are in Bangkok to finally help make mankind's dream of a robotic future a reality. President of Japan's Tokyo Denki University, Prof Katsuhisa Furuta, who was...

Kamnans and village headmen to get 100% pay rise.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. The Cabinet will today consider a proposal for a 100-per-cent pay hike for kamnans and village headmen, equivalent to an additional Bt10.3-billion spending per year, in a bid to boost their morale. Interior...

Rubber tapper killed, wife survived: police.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Suspected militants shot dead a rubber tapper and seriously injured his wife yesterday morning as insurgency violence continues, apparently unabated, in the southernmost province. Police said the victim died from...

State schools can ask students for no more than Bt1,000.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Any additional fees that most state schools can collect from their students during a semester can be no higher than Bt1,000, according to a latest draft regulation. The regulation will be soon be put into action...

Suicide or execution'.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Body of foreigner's head found hanging from Rama IX Bridge discovered in river; probe into mafia-like gangs ordered After discovering a head at the end of a rope hanging from the Rama IX Bridge on Sunday, police...

Drugged for spare chance.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Fears grow that the children in beggars' arms |are often drugged unconscious in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai Beggars with sleeping children in their arms are a familiar sight on the streets of Thailand's Northern...

Prepare for 'Living Museums'.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Light-and-sound shows to blast |away dusty old exhibits The Culture Ministry will invest Bt300 million to launch 16 pilot "Living Museums", while academics are asking for the launch of a fund to assist more than...

Mesh Technology to grow.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Wide Access, a newly established wireless Internet service provider, is entering the market with the distinguished "wireless mesh network" technology. The company has registered capital of Bt5 million, and has...

Hua Hin to be covered by wireless mesh network.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Service provider considering four other Thai cities for free wireless umbrella The office of the Hua Hin Municipality has teamed up with a wireless Internet service provider, Wide Access, to introduce what is...

Can Thailand keep up with the game'.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Intel Microelectronics (Thailand) recently co-hosted the Thailand Broadband Forum with the Information and Communications Technology Ministry, at which Intel's "5 by 10" rally cry was also announced, reflecting our...

Sittiphol Phanvilai's Neuscreen named winner in Nokia's global calling all innovators competition.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Neuscreen Wins USD 5,000 Prize in Contest for Mobile Applications to Help Improve Life on the Planet Neuscreen, a new application by Sittiphol Phanvilai, a developer from Thailand has been selected by Nokia as the...

Sun Establishes First Open Source Standard for Storage Encryption Solutions.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Sun Microsystems announced the release of the world's first generic communication protocol between a Key Manager and an encrypting device into an open source community. This latest effort in the Open Storage...

siam piwat looks for properties.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Five hotel, office, retail projects in Bangkok targeted Siam Piwat, operator of Siam Discovery and Siam Centre shopping malls, is hunting for promising commercial properties during the current economic hard times,...

TUF reports healthy rise in 2008 net profit despite fall of 31% in last quarter.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Thai Union Frozen Product Thai Union Frozen Product (TUF), the world's second-largest tuna canner, reported a drop of 31 per cent in net profit to Bt443 million for 2008's last quarter following dwindling global...

New general manager at Nokia Thailand in April.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Vipul Sabharwal, Vipul Sabharwal, general manager of Nokia Thailand, will leave his post in April to become sales director of Nokia India. He said recently that the move was a career opportunity, but declined...

briefs.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. briefs Major complex on Rattanathibet Major Cineplex's latest entertainment complex, Esplanade Cineplex on Rattanathibet Road, will open this year, featuring a bowling alley, karaoke, retail shopping and...

Anti-Alcohol network allege alcohol firms of breaking laws.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. The Alcohol Watch Network has accused a list of leading alcohol firms, including a major beer company, of flouting advertising regulations under the Alcohol Control Act, which came into effect a year ago. The act...

Asian REIT markets suffer deepest fall ever.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. The Nation Asian Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) markets suffered their deepest ever fall in the second half of 2008 as the global financial tsunami intensified and the availability of credit was further...

Yingcharoen plans for new plazas, markets.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. The Nation Yingcharoen Estate plans to invest at least Bt1.5 billion from its investment budget to build shopping plazas, including one in its Yingcharoen Market, once the economy recovers. Investment funds...

Watch fair expects rich to loosen purse strings.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. The Nation Robinson Department Store is holding its first watch fair on the outskirts of Bangkok to stimulate spending by high-end consumers. The "Ultimate Watch Fair @ Fashion Island" will be held from...

scg cement sees sales dropping.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Firm turns to high-value products, new export destinations The Nation Siam Cement Group subsidiary SCG Cement expects its sales volume to decline 16.67 per cent this year to 15 million tonnes, due to the...

Check Point Provides ENN Group with Efficient and Scalable Security.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Check Point Software Technologies announced that ENN Group has adopted Check Point security appliances, event analysis and centralized management solutions in its headquarters and branch offices to completely...

Company in Software Park incubation.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Website creates online community for skin clinics and their patients Patients of skincare clinics can now get consultancy services from other clinics via the Internet without a need to "go against the traffic",...

Windfall for shops is likely from Bt2,000 cheques.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. The government's handout of Bt2,000 treasury cheques soon to some 9 million workers and 1.5 million civil servants and local officials - the Bt19-billion stimulus measure - is likely to benefit the retail industry,...

TOT wooing wary AIS to lease its 3G network.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. TOT is trying to persuade Advanced Info Service (AIS) to lease its planned third-generation (3G) wireless broadband network to provide its own service. A TOT source said the company had approached AIS, its private...

One-stop service to encourage investors: PM.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva plans to set up a one-stop service to address all business concerns and provide all services in order to make it easier for foreign investors. In a luncheon talk entitled "Change...

Major players should help lift asean, says nipon.
February 24, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Stronger countries should do more to stimulate their economies, Thailand Development Research Institute president Nipon Poapongsakorn said yesterday, referring to Asean's attempts to create a currency pool to help...

Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security Named eWeek Channel Insider's 'Product of the Year' for Host/Client Security.
February 23, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Trend Micro Incorporated announced Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security (WFBS) 5.0 Advanced received the eWeek Channel Insider "Product of the Year" Award in the Host/Client Security category. For eWeek...

Students suffer from poor study.
February 23, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Weak study skills and poor use of Thai language among children indicate a major flaw in the education system, one-third of people surveyed by Suan Dusit Poll believe. Other problems cited were children's lack of...

More heat and drought - our grim outlook for summer.
February 23, 2009... Byline: The Nation. People in many areas of the country are already roasting under a heat wave of up to 38 degrees Celsius and arid conditions, with the coming summer expected to last to mid-May - and it could be even hotter and drier...

4000 children take part in dengue vaccine trial.
February 23, 2009... Byline: The Nation. In an attempt to curb dengue haemorrhagic fever - a leading cause of hospitalisation in Southeast Asia - Mahidol University has teamed up with the international Paediatric Vaccine Initiative (PDVI), the Public...

"We need protection" say women who face hell working abroad.
February 23, 2009... Byline: The Nation. At 43, Jai, not her real name, believed she was too old to be sold into the flesh market and did not worry much when her sister-in-law persuaded her to get a cleaning job in Italy. But things turned out...

Another beheading in south.
February 23, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Pol Maj-General Sayan Krasaesaen, commander of the Yala Provincial Police, ordered a manhunt for the culprits behind the shooting to death of a couple and the beheading of the male victim early yesterday. ...

tax-rebate cheques are going to keep us waiting.
February 23, 2009... Byline: The Nation. street wise As February started, officials at the Revenue Department of the Finance Ministry encouraged individual taxpayers to file their tax returns. Included in their message was the encouraging fact that,...

Downturn means upturn for frozen foods.
February 23, 2009... Byline: The Nation. The Nation Prospects for the frozen ready-to-eat food business appear bright this year, as the products' prices suit consumers' current low purchasing power, manufacturers said. Makers of ready-to-eat goods...

retailers ready with strategy.
February 23, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Firms believe govt's Bt2,000 handouts will help stimulate consumption The Nation Retailers have adjusted their marketing strategies and campaigns in line with changes in shoppers' habits and the government's...

Hi! managers: Being a successful change agent.
February 23, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Driving change in an organisation can be one of the most challenging tasks a management team undertakes. Theoretically, managing the elements of an organisational alignment model can drive the change: critical...

11 Orangutans rescued from private zoo.
February 23, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Officers raid Crocodile and Tiger World in Phuket, where animals were being held illegally In a raid that has only recently been reported, a team of National Parks Department officers and wildlife activists on...

Wonderful Town has wonderful time.
February 23, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Film makes off with five Subhanahongsa awards; Ananda named best actor, Ratchawin best actress Indie film "Wonderful Town" snatched five Subhanahongsa awards last night - for best picture, best director, best...

Restraint, and the urge to make money.
February 23, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Re: A Tale of Two Floating Markets, Opinion, Feb 20. Thank you very much for your nice article. Capitalism will not go away and that is not necessarily a bad thing... if we only had capitalism with a 'cap' on it....

Asean human rights body: taking the slow boat.
February 23, 2009... Byline: The Nation. ON FRIDAY, their moral standards will be exposed when the Asean foreign ministers vet the terms of reference (TOR) for the Asean Human Rights Body (AHRB). This document contains the lowest denominator that all Asean...

Burma nears high noon and still the UN falters.
February 23, 2009... Byline: The Nation. As a general election approaches, the world has no clear objective on how to deal with the junta Over this weekend Burmese authorities began to free prisoners from Rangoon's notorious Insein prison under a...

Summit will serve as benchmark for countries to forge united front.
February 23, 2009... Byline: The Nation. This week's 14th Asean Summit in the beach resort town of Hua Hin will serve as a benchmark for countries in the region to join forces to face common challenges. The global recession and the recovery path will...

Finance Ministers agree to expand currency pool.
February 23, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Swap facility to be raised to $120 bn in bid to deepen cooperation East Asian finance ministers will finalise the upgrading of the region's bilateral currency-swap arrangement into a US$120 billion (Bt4.34...

Professionals to come under close tax scrutiny.
February 23, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Tax officials are setting their sights on professionals and other self-employed persons as the government struggles to cope with a revenue deficit. Sommai Phasee, a former deputy finance minister, yesterday warned...

Gold price likely to hit Bt17,000.
February 22, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Local gold prices are likely to top Bt17,000 per baht weight (15.244 grams) soon, after ornament prices reached an all-time high of Bt16,750 yesterday, the Gold Traders Association predicts. Global gold prices...

Time running out to form effective rights body.
February 22, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Fight is on to stop member govts packing HRB with their yes-men Human-rights defenders in Southeast Asia have only a few months until July to influence formation of an Asean Human Rights Body (HRB) in order to...

Women migrant workers demand a fair deal.
February 22, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Women's groups at the Asean Peoples' Forum (APF) yesterday urged Asean to ensure that the rights of women migrant workers be protected under the laws of its member states. Women migrant workers make up more than...

Korn says govt seeks Chinese investment in Thai railways.
February 22, 2009... Byline: The Nation. Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij is set to discuss investment in mega-projects in Thailand with his Chinese counterpart today. Korn said the government would invite China to invest in mega-projects, particularly...

Man arrested in Rohingya case.
February 22, 2009... Byline: The Nation. A foreign national has been arrested for alleged involvement in the trafficking of Rohingya boat people, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) said yesterday. The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Safi...