The Nation (Thailand) articles from October 2008

The Nation (Thailand) archives from October 2008

N Korea even harder to predict than usual.
October 31, 2008... Byline: The Nation. China's desire to prevent a collapse of the regime and flood of refugees is one stabilising factor North Korea is entering a new phase due to the uncertainties surrounding the health of supreme leader Kim Jong-il....

Executive Bookshelf.
October 31, 2008... Byline: The Nation. 75 Green Businesses You Can Start to Make Money and Make a Difference Environmental concerns are skyrocketing, and entrepreneurs are in a unique position to take the lead in the green revolution. This guide...

How to decide whether to outsource an HR function.
October 31, 2008... Byline: The Nation. From a humble administrative support function, human resources has developed into an integral and strategic function in today's challenging business environment. Especially with the current job crunch and talent...

Alarm over rising HIV infection among gay men.
October 31, 2008... Byline: The Nation. While the overall figure of people living with HIV/Aids is declining, new infections among men who have sex with men have been increasing drastically during the past few years, causing grave concern at the Public...

Do you have enough leaders'.
October 31, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Questions to ask yourself about your existing employees' ability to lead people During this economic downturn, what would happen if organisations lacked strong leaders' The term "leadership" is not new. Numerous...

When Thai politics takes a kinky turn.
October 31, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Move over "Bangkok Dangerous", there's another film waiting to take Bangkok by storm. Though this one has yet to be given a title, it has all the ingredients of "Sex, Lies and Videotape" - a kinky blockbuster about a...

Wise thoughts on /democracy from Thaksin.
October 31, 2008... Byline: The Nation. I agree with Thaksin Shinawatra when he says: "Thai democracy is at a crossroads. I would like to urge everyone concerned to give freedom to the Thai people to exercise democratic power. Don't think that they are less...

Maths contest adds up to 3 golds for Thai students.
October 31, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Thai students snatched three golds at the International Mathematics Competition 2008 that ended in Chiang Mai yesterday. Some 800 primary and secondary students from 25 countries participated in the tournament,...

Potential winner franchishing likely to gain from current cirsis.
October 31, 2008... Byline: The Nation. People look to stable incomes in tough times The local franchise industry is expected to be a gainer in the current economic and political turmoil, which has led to job insecurity in the workplace. Somjit...

Firms under pressure: liquidity shortage looms.
October 31, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Many Thai businesses anticipate liquidity shortages in the fourth quarter from sluggish economic growth following declines in consumer confidence and the uncertain political situation. This was the finding of a...

Suchart defends additional deficits.
October 31, 2008... Byline: The Nation. The Bt100-billion boost to the 2008 mid-year budget will help thrust economic growth past 4 per cent next year, the government said yesterday. "The increased budget will help expand the economy by one percentage...

Privileges for investment year.
October 31, 2008... Byline: The Nation. The Board of Investment (BoI) and Thai Airways International have signed a memorandum of understanding to provide special privileges for investors during Thailand Investment Year 2008-2009. The BoI will nominate...

Rubber exports to be cut.
October 31, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Thailand, the world's biggest rubber shipper, plans to cut exports 5.5 per cent next year as growers trim output on concern a recession will curb demand for tyres. "We and other exporting countries are considering...

Tdri: social security plan will require study.
October 31, 2008... Byline: The Nation. The Thailand Development Research Institute yesterday warned any move to cut Social Security contributions should be based on economic grounds rather than politics. The Social Security Office (SSO) should wait and...

Lampang turns to Russia, Mideast.
October 31, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Ceramic firms in Lampang will turn to Russia and the Middle East after orders from the US and Europe plunged. "During the recent fair in Bangkok, they landed sizeable orders from Russia. Our products should be...

Lower revenues could lead to lay-offs next year.
October 31, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Most Thai businessmen believe they will suffer a drop in revenue this year, because the global financial crisis has pulled down demand and commodity prices. This is the finding of a new survey by the University of...

Capital faces oversupply of condo units.
October 31, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Falling demand leaves developers with a large inventory of unsold units Bangkok may find itself with a significant oversupply of city condominiums located around mass-transit systems if demand tumbles next year...

liquidity shortage looms.
October 31, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Domino effect on growth: survey Many Thai businesses anticipate liquidity shortages this quarter from sluggish economic growth following declines in consumer confidence and the uncertain political situation. ...

Chamlong sees govt hand behind violence.
October 31, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Thursday morning's outbreak of violence reflects a deepening social division as pro- and anti-government groups heap blame on one another for worsening the fractious political situation. The wee hours of the...

Speech in doubt.
October 31, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Amid fears that the political situation may spin out of control, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra might opt for a tactical retreat from his planned live speech tomorrow in the "Today's Truth" mobile talk show....

Intermec Announces New IT67 Enterprise Rigid Asset Tag.
October 31, 2008... Byline: The Nation. New rugged RFID metal tag enables multidirectional reading performance for portal and forklift applications. Intermec introduced the IT67 Enterprise Lateral Transmitting (LT) Tag, an RFID tag with both edge and...

Epson EMP-6110.
October 31, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Evolution Series of Epson's Projectors Whatever the conditions, you can expect what is now a standard set by Epson - groundbreaking technology, great performance, excellent value, reliability and efficiency. ...

Diageo bullish on new super deluxe whisky.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Diageo Moet Hennessy (Thailand) Ltd is injecting a marketing budget of Bt100 million to revitalise the super deluxe whisky market with the introduction of Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve. Zanita Kajiji,...

Presidential election: Will there be another Truman moment'.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. FIVE days before Americans cast their votes to elect their next president, all polls are giving Barack Obama a relatively comfortable, albeit tightening, lead in total electoral vote projections. These polls have...

It's all about anti-corruption Article 100, stupid!
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. THERE is hardly any doubt that former premier Thaksin Shinawatra is an intelligent person. So, when he said in his note to "dear friends in the international media" on October 22 that he was "confused" by the Supreme...

PAD is no alternative, /even to bad democracy.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Wan Yoobamrung, Chalerm Yoobamrung, Thaksin's brother-in-law... apparently these guys are trying to rub the noses of all of Thailand in it: "Look at us! We can appoint the most unfit, the most outrageously...

Thailand needs to show leadership quality.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. The government must get its house in order before hosting the upcoming Asean summit Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has decided that Chiang Mai would be a better location than Bangkok to host the upcoming Asean...

BAAC worries over wild swings in farmproduct rices.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. The sharp twists and turns in the fortunes of farmers due to the global financial crisis has made executives of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) jittery. While farmers' incomes jumped...

Guru Speak.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. WHAT SHOULD MUTUALFUND INVESTORS DO IN THESE VOLATILE TIMES' Just when you think that the financial crisis cannot get any worse, the VIX -often called Wall Street's fear gauge and known best by its ticker symbol...

Trade fests planned to battle.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. The Commerce Ministry will organise trade festivals nationwide to help tide over the negative impact of the domestic and global economic slowdown. "We hope the festivals will not only boost domestic consumption,...

GI status sought for Mud Mee silk.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Khon Kaen provincial authorities are preparing to seek geographical indication (GI) status for Mud Mee Thai silk, with the aim of preserving local wisdom and lifting its status in the international arena. Jiralak...

University to help students survive.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Since the global economic slowdown is affecting one and all, Bangkok's Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) has decided to help out by letting students pay their tuition on a monthly instalment basis, university...

Eight hurt in freshmarket blast.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Eight people, including three soldiers, were injured when a powerful bomb went off near the entrance of a fresh market in Yala's Muang district yesterday, sending shock waves throughout the security apparatus that...

Social security contributions to be cut.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Both employees and employers could soon get a break in their social security contributions for one year to help all sides squeeze through the economic crunch. "For employers and employees, the rate will come down...

Paliament gives the go ahead for Cambodia border talks.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. New round of talks on boundary demarcation with Cambodia will begin on November 10 following the approval of the negotiation mandate from parliament. The boundary at the disputed area near the Hindu temple of...

Head-hunting firm thrives.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. High demand for professional executives in Asia-Pacific was cited as the main contributor to the satisfactory third-quarter financial results of Heidrick & Struggles International Inc, a global executive search and...

Pizza Co sees room.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. After proclaiming its leadership of the pizza market, The Pizza Company is heading further upcountry by providing all marketing support to franchisees and rolling out new products that are consistently under...

Hemaraj to spend Bt20 billion on development.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Thailand's largest industrial-estate developer, Hemaraj Land and Development, plans to spend Bt20 billion over the next five years on industrial-estate development, property projects and utilities investments. ...

TAT drives for home travel.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched its "Bustling Thai Tourism, Burgeoning Thai Economy" campaign, aimed at restoring domestic tourism in the fourth quarter. The campaign will boost tourism and...

Scholarships for telecom.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. The national telecom regulator's Telecommunications Research and Industrial Development Institute (TRIDI) yesterday granted scholarships to 22 university students. The awards were part of a plan to promote telecom...

'Make economy the focus'.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. The government is being urged by the Northeast Chamber of Commerce to pay more attention to economic stability than political stability, as the public is in need of advice and assistance to adjust to the global...

Harmony plans up to three projects.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Property firm Harmony Group has set aside an investment budget of between Bt200 million and Bt300 million to buy land this year and next for the development of two or three residential projects during 2009. The...

Siam Sanitary set to meet target.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Siam Sanitary Ware Industry will maintain business growth of 7-8 per cent this year even though Thailand's economy has grown only slightly, due to the global economic slump. The company is a subsidiary of the Siam...

More information from mutual funds.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. The Securities and Exchange Commission has ordered all mutual-fund companies to disclose their investment portfolios on a monthly basis instead of every six months. The rule, which exempts property funds, requires...

Dutch Mill plans jv operation in India.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Dutch Mill Group plans to open a joint-venture dairy plant in India in three years as it strives to become the leading dairy manufacturer in Asia. Chairman Teerayuth Chaisaw-angwong said yesterday that the company...

Thai carpet-maker ties up with UK firm.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Couristan to cut costs by shifting manufacturing site Couristan has moved production of its Axminster carpets from the UK to Thailand by signing a partnership deal with Thailand Carpet Manufacturing. The Thai...

BTS ventures into property.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Company wants to use its cash to create additional sources of revenue Skytrain operator Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) is venturing into the property-development business in Bangkok and public-transport...

No lay-offs at PTT.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. PTT and its affiliates will not lay off employees in the face of the global economic slowdown, which has pulled down the prices of oil and petroleum products, president and CEO Prasert Bunsumpun said yesterday. ...

ASEAN business council OPPOSES change of summit venue to Chiang Mai.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. The Asean business community has voiced concerns over the Thai government's plan to move the venue of the 14th Asean Summit to Chiang Mai, saying the change would prevent the annual Asean Business & Investment Summit...

CP praises price intervention.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Charoen Pokphand Group, the country's biggest agro-conglomerate, yesterday lauded the government for coming up with a Bt106-billion farm-price intervention scheme. Without such a package, the farming sector and...

Govt to pump in extra Bt100 bn.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. More public spending to address sagging economy The government will increase the mid-year budget for fiscal 2009 by Bt100 billion, to help drive economic growth as it bids to minimise a potential surge in...

LOVESCOPE.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. LOVESCOPE BY EUGENIA LAST October 20 to 27 ARIES (March 21-April 19) Play on the emotions of someone whose interest is not yet foreseeable and you will win approval. Plan a trip for two that is romantic,...

LOVESCOPE.
October 30, 2008... Byline: The Nation. LOVESCOPE BY EUGENIA LAST October 27 - November 1 ARIES March 21-April 19 You won't have any trouble attracting a love partner but be careful what you wish for. Someone may be a little overpowering,...

Yum to expand quick-service outlets.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Company to invest Bt1.7 bn to opening KFC, Pizza Hut restaurants In contrast with the current economic difficulties, Yum Restaurants International (Thailand) will next year allocate record investment to expand its...

Philips' ambitious MP3/4 target.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Philips Electronics (Thailand) plans to be among the top two in the MP3- and MP4-player market next year with an aggressive marketing campaign. Philips is focusing on the MP3 and MP4 market after seeing the...

company reports.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. SRI TRANG AGRO-INDUSTRY's board approved setting up a new, 50:50 joint venture in Singapore with Semperit Technische Produkte Gesellschaft Australia, to be called Sempermed Singapore, with registered capital of US$6...

Jay Mart shelves listing plan.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Major mobile-phone retailer Jay Mart has put its initial public offering on hold, pending a recovery in the economy. "We may list [on the Stock Exchange of Thailand] next year but that depends on the economic...

High hopes when passion meets fashion.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Fairglam, organiser of "Passion and Fashion 2009", an international exhibition under the theme of "Shopping around the World", expects Bt1.2 billion in sales at the event. More than 700 imported brands will be on...

More visitors, same expenditure expected at fair.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Cash generated at Baan Lae Suan Fair 2008 is expected to reach Bt5 billion, about the same as last year, due to the world financial crisis and domestic political turmoil. However, attendance should be up 10 per...

The South is a long way from Bangkok.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Thai politicians do not understand the southern insurgency and make no efforts to do so Of all places in the country, Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat finally found some solace in Thailand's deep South. This is...

Another loose canon puts the country in peril.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Congratulations to Pol General Bunnag for doing his part to destroy the livelihoods of so many Thais with his planned confrontation against the PAD. Not only is he notorious for his handling of suspected drug dealers...

The swing state.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. No Democrat presidential candidate since Jimmy Carter in 1976 has carried North Carolina. But this southern state may turn blue this time round. With the US election only a week away, North Carolina has become one of...

State hospitals cry for help.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Overworked and underpaid staff working in fear of lawsuits Regional and general hospitals across the country have made a plea for help from the Public Health Ministry, claiming their staff is overworked and...

Bangkok's healthier future.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has promised to bring its publichealth system up to international standards and establish a medical centre for elderly residents. Deputy BMA Governor Malinee...

Royal balm.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Her Majesty the Queen has graciously granted Bt100,000 through the Phetburi Red Cross Society to assist the family of a technical college student who sustained a serious head injury in a hazing ceremony last week. ...

Rights body demands release of Hmong leaders.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Laos yesterday rejected a request from an international human rights group that they release Hmong leaders in detention, saying that it was not holding any Hmong refugees deported from Thailand. New Yorkbased...

Please keep Thaksin there. We don't want him here.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. DEAR British asylum authorities, Before you say it, this is not dismayed sarcasm or a lame attempt at reverse psychology. This letter means every word that is written, and the one and only message that it tries to...

Ageing bakery crumbles.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Workers flee as time takes a slice out of old mansion A threestorey mansion partially collapsed early yesterday in Bangkok, prompting all 11 residents to run for their lives. Three of them received minor...

A monument to His Majesty.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. A new book guilds global opinion with HM the King's own words to build a multifaceted picture of his gleaming reign Thais and foreigners eager to know more about the revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's...

Melamine found in milkchocolate wafers.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has discovered a high concentration of melamine in the Orphic brand milkchocolate wafers found on the shelves in Mukdahan province, a senior health officer said yesterday. ...

PM urged to restore faith in justice system as he visits South.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Civil society and Islamic religious leaders have called on Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to restore faith in the country's justice system if the government wishes to see peace and reconciliation restored between...

Chonsawat gets suspended jail term.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Chonsawat Asavahame, a son of Puea Pandin Party chief adviser Vatana, yesterday escaped a jail term for assaulting a policeman. The Criminal Court found Chonsawat and his two aides Sakul Pramoolchai and Pratya...

BMA to go ahead with BRT plan despite warnings.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Despite warnings from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) of it being a waste of money, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is still going ahead with its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. ...

100,000 tourism jobs threatened.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Small and medium operators hardest hit At least 100,000 employees in the tourism sector are expected to lose their jobs due to the global economic crisis that has now hit Thailand's hospitality industry, the...

chengteh halts b'desh plans.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Ceramic manufacturer Ceramic manufacturer and exporter Chengteh Chinaware (Thailand) has halted plans to establish a new plant in Bangladesh, due to the global economic recession. The company, which produces...

Ministry.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. The Finance Ministry The Finance Ministry is preparing immediate and longer-range policies to see the economy through the global financial crunch and domestic slowdown next year. "The team is evaluating the...

PWO faces suits over bt1-bn debt.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. The state-owned The state-owned Public Warehouse Organisation (PWO) is at risk of being sued by millers, surveyors, warehouse-owners and insurance companies owed a combined debt of Bt1.02 billion. The PWO...

Leather-goods firms 'should go upmarket'.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Makers and exporters Makers and exporters of leather goods should shift their focus to medium- and high-end markets in order to maintain competitiveness amid cheap products from China, according to an industry...

MINISTRY GEARS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT SURGE.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. All units under the Labour Ministry have been ordered to stand ready to cope with a possible spiralling of unemployment, as employers may reduce their workforce to deal with declining business. While the...

Govt ready to spend for growth.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. The Cabinet yesterday endorsed a three-year spending budget of Bt7.1 trillion, including about Bt1.61 trillion for mega-project investment - considered essential in driving the economy at a time when the global crisis...

Deposit guarantee extended.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Full coverage will now last for three years before being reduced Responding to the global financial crisis, the Cabinet yesterday approved a measure extending the 100-per-cent state guarantee on bank deposits...

AMD Demonstrates Optimum Cloud Computing Platform at Microsoft PDC 2008.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. AMD announced that it is providing its Quad Core AMD Opteron processor for Windows Azure Compute Service, the cloud service operating system which is featured this week at PDC, as well as its selection as a key...

IDC Finds Only 59% Toner Cartridges and 62% Inkjet Cartridges Used in Asia/Pacific are Originals.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. According to IDC's Asia/Pacific Quarterly Printer Consumables Tracker, the printer consumables market grew about 5% year-on-year to reach 46 million units in 2Q 2008. Inkjet cartridge remained dominant, accounting...

Juniper Networks Awarded 2008 SSPA STAR Award for Service Excellence in Mission Critical Support - Hardware.
October 29, 2008... Byline: The Nation. Juniper Networks announced it has been awarded the 2008 STAR Award for Service Excellence in Mission Critical Support - Hardware from the Service & Support Professionals Association (SSPA), the largest and most...