Thai Press Reports articles from August 2006

Thai Press Reports archives from August 2006

Thailand: Impact of alleged assassination attempt on prime minister assessed.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - Fact or fiction, the Thaksin Shinawatra 'assassination' saga will have far-reaching consequences for society, The Nation reports. While the debate on the authenticity of...

Thailand: Government tightens security.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - Government House is imposing extra security measures to protect caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Thaksin, particularly limiting who and what goes in and out, The...

Thailand: Southern violence continues unabated.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Two soldiers were killed and five others injured in a roadside bomb explosion on August 26, The Nation reports. Colonel Suthisak Prasertsri, commander of Task Force 1, died instantly...

Thailand: Chamber of Commerce urges government to protect small retailers.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Thai Chamber of Commerce urges political parties to protect small retailers, The Nation reports. The "unbearable" growing impact of modern retail trade outlets upon local grocers and...

Thailand: Bangkok plans to build 100 new streets.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Bangkok City has planned to construct new 100 streets as the preparation for the city's expansion and solution to severe traffic problem, The Nation reports. Land expropriation has...

Thailand: Magsaysay Award winners say Thai democracy has made little progress.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Magsaysay award winners say Thai democracy has advanced very little since 1932 military coup Thai political and social reform faces an uphill climb with or without Thaksin, according to...

Thailand: Somkid urges end to corruption in farm price support programme.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Caretaker Commerce Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak on August 26 called on trade officials to stamp out corruption in the farm-price support programme, The Nation...

Thailand: Small retailer decides to sell business in wake of competition from Tesco Lotus.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Jintana Phoophol is putting her mini-mart opposite the giant Tesco Lotus supercentre on Rama I Road up for sale, The Nation reports. "I cannot take the losses anymore," said Jintana,...

Thailand: Commentary - Thaksin's version of alleged assassination attempt finds few believers.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Commentary - The Nation - Thaksin Shinawatra showed remarkable aplomb when he described to armed forces leaders on Thursday how he spotted a suspicious car around his house before it was found with...

World: University administrator explains roots of global terrorism.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Ramesh Thakur, senior vice rector of the United Nations University, recently provided a comprehensive set of underlying causes of global terrorism in a paper entitled "Peace and Social...

Thailand: Kularb kaew Co. was nominee in Shin Corp share sale deal, some experts say.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Consensus view is that actions of its major shareholders would make no sense otherwise, The Nation reports. Economists and academics believe that Kularb Kaew Co has violated the...

Thailand: US-based Cigna International buys Thai Charoen Insurance.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi's foresight in shopping around for cheap assets to acquire during the 1997 Asian crisis was rewarded earlier this month when US-based Cigna International spent...

Thailand: SSH Home Appliances to improve distribution network.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Firm confident of economic revival, The Nation reports. BSH Home Appliances Ltd, a unit of Bosch and Siemens, is gearing up for the end of the current economic gloom by spending...

Thailand: Thai company to be distributor of Malaysia-made Proton cars.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - A major Thai auto firm is set to secure a deal with Proton Holdings Bhd for the sole rights to distribute Proton cars in the country, a source from Bangkok was quoted as saying in...

Thailand: Commerce Ministry to help SMEs become exporters.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Commerce Ministry hopes to encourage about 3,000 selected small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to become exporters within the next five years and boost the value of the Kingdom's...

Thailand: Commerce Ministry works to protect small retailers.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - The Commerce Ministry will next month announce new guidelines drawn up to protect small and medium-sized retailers against unfair practices by their giant rivals, The Nation reports....

Thailand: Economists urges changes to Alien Business Law.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Economists have called for the government to amend what they feel is the "hypocritical" Alien Business Law, calling it ambiguous by aiming to protect local industries on the one hand...

Thailand: Shell Autoserv to set up franchises.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Shell Autoserv Ltd, the automobile fast-fit service provider, plans to launch franchising by the second quarter of next year in order to speed up its expansion into all 76 provinces,...

Thailand: Government claims budget deficit needed to stimulate economic growth.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Economy - Caretaker Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya said on August 25 the government may have to run a budget deficit in 2007 in a bid to boost economic growth, while the central bank endorsed the idea,...

Thailand: Government works to bail out State Railway of Thailand.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Plans discussed to save indebted agency, the Bangkok Post reports. Government agencies are to meet on Wednesday in an ongoing effort to develop plans to salvage the debt-ridden State...

Thailand/Cambodia: Thailand and Cambodia work together to curb drug trade.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - Border areas now big storage, transit point, the Bangkok Post reports. Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to expand anti-drug cooperation following reports that drug traffickers are...

Thailand: Violent incidents in South expected to rise.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Increase in southern violence expected, the Bangkok Post reports. Radical militant groups in the far South held a secret meeting four months ago to plan a new round of attacks on...

Thailand: US company to sell cheap AIDS drugs in Thailand.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Thai health officials say an American pharmaceutical firm has offered to sell an antiretroviral drug to Thais living with HIV/AIDS at drastically reduced prices. The Thai Red Cross...

Vietnam: Vietnam detects second bird flu outbreak this month.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - Vietnam says the bird flu virus has been found in poultry in the southern Mekong Delta for the second time this month. The Department of Animal Health said Saturday the H5N1 virus...

ASEAN: United States, ASEAN sign trade and investment pact.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - The United States and the Association of South East Asian Nations have signed an expanded trade and investment pact at a meeting of trade ministers in Malaysia. The move is seen as a...

Thailand: Total Access Communication works to set up partnership with Australia-based Telstra.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - As the deadline for mobile phone operator Total Access Communication (TAC) to repay US$80 million in short-term loans draws near, managing director Boonchai Bencharongkul says...

Thailand: TMB bank expects to show operating profit this year.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - TMB bank Plc says it plans to direct 50 billion baht worth of bad loans to a new asset management company in July. At the same time, the bank says it expects to reach an operating...

Thailand: Hong Kong diners love Thai frogs.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Ayutthaya families learn by trial and error how to raise amphibians for discerning Hong Kong diners, the Bangkok Post reoports. Music entertains not only people but also frogs. Frogs...

Thailand: Krung Thai bank has 30.15% stake in Alphatec Electronics.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Krung Thai Bank said on August 16 that it now held a 30.51% stake in Alphatec Electronics, after purchasing 806 shares for 8,060 baht. The transaction was part of Alphatec's debt...

Thailand: Bangkok Bank says e-commerce offers opportunities.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - E-commerce is a practical alternative for creating business opportunities, given the small workforce required, lower overall production costs, yet unlimited potential for expanding...

Thailand: PTT Plc in talks with potential partners for petrochemical projects.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - In preparation for an industrial uptrend, the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) says it is in talks with potential partners to invest in its two intermediate petrochemical projects,...

Thailand: GSS Array Technology says this year's revenue may fall.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - GSS Array Technology has warned that its revenue this year might fall significantly due to the increasingly intense competition in the electronics manufacturing service industry, the...

Thailand: Australia-based MLC to take 25% stake in Advance Insurance.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Australian fund manager and life insurer MLC said on August 16 that it would spend $24 million to take a 25% stake in Thai life insurer Advance Assurance, the Bangkok Post reports. ...

Thailand: TPG Newbridge Fund to take 25 per cent in Bank Thai.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Bank Thai is planning to sell 500 million capital increase shares to TPG Newbridge Fund of the USA, a report in Krungthep Turakij said. On 25 August the Bank Thai board approved a...

Thailand: Central Pattana of Thailand reports seven-per-cent increase in rent income.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Central Pattana (CPN) predicts that it will meet its annual growth target of 12 per cent even though rent income did not rise as quickly as expected, Krungthep Turakij reported. In...

Thailand: Thai solar cell maker Solartron signs a long-term materials contract.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Solartron has made an agreement to buy silicon wafers from a major supplier for ten years, a report in Krungthep Turakij said. Since demand for solar power equipment is rising and...

Thailand: Bangkok Metro plans to clear losses in five years.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Bangkok Metro (BMCL) expects to be able to clear its accumulated losses in five years, a report in Krungthep Turakij said. BMCL is planning to make an IPO of 2.7 billion shares on...

Thailand: Thai software company Solution Corner (1998) diversifies.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Solution Corner (1998) has invested in three new businesses, a report in Krungthep Turakij said. Solution Corner (1998) will soon start selling ZEND products as the official...

Thailand: Interior Minister expects security chaos before general election.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government & Politics - Thailand's Interior Minister Kongsak Wanthana warned here Monday that troublemakers would cause continuing security chaos and panic among the public for their political gain as...

Thailand: Thai exporters urged not to compete in price-cuts.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinwatra on Monday called on Thai exporters not to compete with each other by adopting a price-cutting strategy, saying it would affect local labor. Speaking...

Thailand: DPM Chidchai insists bomb plot targeted Thaksin.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government & Politics - The alleged carbomb plot last Thursday really was an assassination attempt on caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Chidchai...

Thailand: Bomb hoax reported near PM Thaksin's residence.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - A suspicious object was found near caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's Bangkok residence Monday morning, setting off a new round of bombing fears and was reported to authorities...

Thailand: Thai entrepreneurs urge GSP extension with US.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - The government has been urged to accelerate negotiating with the United States on an extension of the generalized system of preference (GSP) on precious stones and ornaments to prevent...

Thailand: Chart Thai party proposal for solving Southern unrest.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government & Politics - Members of Chart Thai (Thai Nation) political party Sunday called on the government to establish an administrative unit and emergency centre for people in the restive South to...

Thailand: Heavy rains drench northern provinces.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Flash floods have hit several northern provinces following drenching rains, forcing villagers to temporarily evacuate to higher ground. In this lower northern province, flash floods...

Thailand: ABAC Poll finds that Bangkokians worry more about national politics.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government & Politics - People living in Bangkok have now become more worried about national politics and want every party concerned to sit at the negotiating table to find ways to compromise, according...

Thailand: National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Department still needs army's HK33 assault rifles to protect forests.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - In an apparent sarcasm, National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Department chief Damrong Pidej says he will buy rubber bands for park rangers for use in forest protection if the army takes...

Thailand: Social Development and Human Security Ministry's 10th women development plan emphasizes gender equality.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Social Development and Human Security Ministry's 10th women development plan emphasizes gender equality and promotes the roles of women in political, economic and social development....

Thailand: World Bank to help Thailand prepare alternative fuel promotion strategies.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The World Bank will provide technical assistance to Thailand in designing strategies to promote the use of alternative fuels in the next five to 10 years. Akhom Termpitthayapaisit,...

Thailand: Interim senate may need another special parliamentary session to select poll commissioners.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government & Politics - The interim senate looks certain to have to seek another royal decree calling for an extraordinary parliamentary session to select five new members of the Election Commission...

Thailand: Debts Restructuring Committee to terminate services on October 1.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Debts Restructuring Committee will end its operations from October 1 onwards as it has been able to restructure more than 80% of non-performing loans (NPLs). The committee started...

Thailand: Thailand assigned by ASEAN science ministers to look after campaign against bird flu and promotion of functional food.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - ASEAN science ministers have put Thailand in charge of prevention of the spread of bird flu and promotion of functional food. Caretaker Science and Technology Minister Prawit...

Thailand: Three psychological rehabilitation teams to assist flood victims in Nan.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Three psychological rehabilitation teams have been dispatched to the northern province of Nan to help victims of heavy flooding that destroyed their houses and other property last week....

Thailand: Agricultural Land Reform Office to help farmers make maximum use of their land in reform zones.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) will help farmers make maximum use of their land in reform zones by working with the private sector in agricultural production and marketing....

Thailand: Gen. Thammarak not notified about army officers who involved in bomb plot.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government & Politics - Defence Minister Thammarak Isarangura Na Ayutthaya has not been informed about the four army officers who were involved in the assassination plot against Prime Minister Thaksin...

Thailand: DPM Chitchai says Lt. Thawatchai's interrogation VCD will make people believe that bomb plot was not attempt to create a situation.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government & Politics - Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Chitchai Wannasathit said the broadcast of the VCD on Lt. Thawatchai Klinchana's interrogation will make members of the public more...

Thailand: People encourage PM at the Government House.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government & Politics - A pro-democratic and peace-loving group of supporters gathered in front of the Government House to give their encouragement to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Over 30...

Thailand: Students invited to write slogans to campaign women to get more involved in politics.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Office for Women and Families would like to invite students to enter the slogan-writing competition, to encourage women to have more roles in politics. Thailand has fewer female...

Thailand: Gen Sonthi says his meeting with PM did not pin point in the military reshuffle.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government & Politics - Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Army, General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, stated that his meeting with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra at Phitsanulok residence yesterday...

Thailand: Gen Sonthi says RTA will not intervene in investigation of officials.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government & Politics - The Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Army, General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, has insisted that the recent assassination plot against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra allegedly...

Thailand: Gen. Thammarak says Defense Ministry not pressurized by political sides over military reshuffle.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government & Politics - Defence Minster Thammarak Isarangura Na Ayutthaya stated that political pressure is a non-influential factor in the military reshuffle. Gen. Thammarak spoke about the army...

Thailand: Chart Thai Party leader Mr. Banharn refuses to comment on current political situation but gives advice on EC selection.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government & Politics - Chart Thai Party leader Banharn Silpa-archa refused to comment on the assassination attempt against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the current political situation. ...

Thailand: Democrat Party says PM's decision not to visit the areas for solicit votes unrelated to security reason.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government & Politics - Mr. Thepthai Saynaphong, the Spokesman of the Democrat Party's Election Bureau, views that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's decision not to help the Thai Rak Thai (TRT)...

Thailand: Energy Ministry aims at reducing the proportion of energy consumption to GDP to be 1:1 within 2-3 years.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Energy Minister Viset Choopiban has made a forecast that within the next two to three years, his ministry will be able to reduce the proportion of energy consumption to Gross Domestic...

Thailand: Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry assigned to inform bomb plot situation to foreign countries.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government & Politics - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has assigned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inform the facts regarding the recent bomb plot to foreign countries. Government Spokesman...

Thailand: Cabinet acknowledges progress on primary study concerning on the fee of 3 new BTS routes.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Cabinet has acknowledged the progress of the initial study on the fare collection of the three new BTS routes. The fare is currently priced at 15 baht all the way through. At the...

Thailand: Thai Rak Thai Party to evaluate election condition following the inability of the Senate to establish new EC.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government & Politics - Thai Rak Thai party will evaluate the election following a possibility that the Senate is unable to establish the new Election Commission. Caretaker Prime Minister and the...

Thailand: Cabinet assigns Interior Ministry to take care of grouping 4 districts into a new province.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Cabinet has assigned the Ministry of Interior to study the possibility on uniting the districts of Hua Hin, Pranburi, Cha Am and Sam Roi Yod together to become a new province of...

Thailand: Chairman of Ayutthaya Islamic Committee insists that his members not related to 'grass-root' group.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government & Politics - Pradit Rattanakomol, chairman of the Ayutthaya Islamic Committee, insists that the members of his Islamic group have not established a new core group called the 'grass-root...

Thailand: Phuket promotes chemical free agricultural products to serve a fast growing market.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The chemical-free agricultural produce fair was held during the weekend at a new public park in town. Opened by Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura, the fair exhibited and put on sale...

Thailand: Phuket Provincial Administration Organization launches pro-active marketing into Russian market and will take part in Leisure 2006 in Moscow next month.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Tourism Authority of Thailand or TAT local office, Phuket Tourist Association and local tourism operators are scheduled to take part in Leisure 2006 at Moscow in Russia during...

Thailand: Krabi targets to attract incentive and seminar visitors for next green season with a MICE in Green event scheduled on 1-3 September.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Southern Travel Mart under the theme 'MICE in Green' will be organized during the 1st and 3rd of September at the Sheraton Krabi Beach Resort. It is co-organized by the Tourism...

Thailand: BMA confident it will be able to handle incoming water flow, with accommodating measures prepared.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is confident it will be able to handle the incoming water flow from the northern region, with both short and long term measures having already been...

Thailand: Male White Bengal tiger arrives at Chiang Mai zoo.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Chiang Mai zoo is welcoming a white Bengal tiger who will aid in spawning more of the rare creature. 6-year-old Shalakka was granted to the zoo from Khaokhiew Open Zoo, under a...

Thailand: Minister of Energy estimates 18 billion baht energy savings in 2007.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Minister of Energy states that the nation will be able to reduce energy usage by more than 18 billion baht in 2007 through intensive cooperation between the public and private sector....

Thailand: Cabinet approves more money for assistance of Nan flood victims.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Cabinet has approved money towards the assistance of flood victims in Nan province. Prime Minister's Office Spokesperson Danuphorn Punnakant said the Cabinet approved a further...

Thailand: Thai Rak Thai Party leader believes election day will probably be postponed.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government & Politics - Thai Rak Thai Party Leader Thaksin Shinawatra believes there would be postponement of the election day. Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin today attended a meeting of his party and said...

Thailand: Laotian man arrested with milk carton bull of metamphetamines.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Police arrested a Loatian man who hid almost one thousand Yaba pills inside a milk carton, but the man says it is not his milk. The 32-year-old man is being interrogated under...

Thailand: Former Malaysian Customs officer shot in Satun province.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - A former Malaysian Customs officer was reported to have been shot with assault weaponry in the municipal area of Satun province early this evening. Pol Lt. Col Praweet Panasri, watch...

Thailand: Kasikorn Securities expect lower interest rates next year.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Kasikorn Securities PCL predicts a decrease in interest rates next year due to good government efforts in controlling inflation. The managing chairman of Kasikorn Securities PCL, Mr....

Thailand: World Bank warns of Thai economic slowdown.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Economy - World Bank economists are recommending that Thailand seek to undertake economic reforms instead of adopting new measures to stimulate the economy. In particular it was suggested that consumers...

Thailand: Bank of Thailand reports on slowdown in investment and consumer consumption in the north.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - The Bank of Thailand (BOT) is reporting a slowdown in investment and consumer consumption in northern Thailand. Fewer tourists have been visiting popular northern cities due partly to...

Thailand: Bank of Thailand amends non-bank regulations.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has allowed non-bank companies to continue to legally provide loans with property assets as security, so long as the institutions charge no more than 15%...

Thailand: Finance Minister to raise minimum wage.
August 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Due to surging oil prices, the Finance Ministry may raise the minimum wage from 184 to 193 Baht per day. The Bank of Thailand (BOT) states that the wage increase would not push up...