Thai Press Reports articles from December 2005

Thai Press Reports archives from December 2005

Thailand's industrial confidence index dropped in November.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - The industrial confidence index dropped from 101.9 points in October to 97.0 points in November, Krungthep Turakij reported. The Federation of Thai Industries released its industrial...

GMM Grammy of Thailand to launch news radio station.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - GMM Grammy has joined a business partner to launch a news radio station, Krungthep Turakij reported. Open Radio is a joint venture between GMM Grammy and an investment partner. In...

Thai oil giant PTT to downsize retail fuel sales network.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Due to increased competition, PTT plans to close down its less profitable services stations, a report in Krungthep Turakij said. PTT plans to reduce the number of its petrol...

Rayong Purifier buys more petrol stations in Thailand.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Rayong Purifier intends to have 100 petrol stations by the end of 2006, Krungthep Turakij reported. Rayong Purifier increased the number of its petrol stations from 18 to 32 this...

Thailand: Navakij Insurance makes a tender offer on Siam Commercial Insurance shares.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Navakij Insurance has made a tender offer to buy 1.76 million shares in Siam Commercial Insurance at the price of 70.41 baht a share, a report in Krungthep Turakij said. After...

Thailand: Direct Media Corp of Pakistan to broadcast via Thai Com satellite.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Pakistan's Direct Media Corp is renting a transponder on Shin Satellite's Thai Com 3 satellite to broadcast a TV service, Krungthep Turakij reported. Direct Media Corp has signed an...

Property Perfect of Thailand to pull in a new investment partner in 2006.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Property Perfect and its subsidiary Bangkok Land and House both plan to make agreements with new strategic allies in 2006, according to a report in Krungthep Turakij. The chairman...

Thailand: Price of government-supported alternative fuel, NGV, poised to be on the rise.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Thailand's petroleum giant, PTT Public Company Limted (PTT), says it will consider raising the price of natural gas for vehicle (NGV) in January after having capped the price at 8.50 baht...

Government to improve strategies in Thailand's deep South.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The government will review and continue to improve its functional strategies in the deep South to best fit the situation and effectively address southern woes, Deputy Prime Minister Pol....

Bullish Thai stock market envisioned next year.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Stocks - Investment sentiment on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is expected to be bullish next year with the index rallying to 800-810 points, according to a leading brokerage house. Kavee...

Thailand: Government urged to lift up 'media strength'.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The government should re-manage local media mechanism so that it could sustain its vital role as the "fourth fighting front", former deputy prime minister Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh...

Thailand: Court sentences ex-bank head to 20-years jail, US$472 million fine.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Bangkok Criminal Court on Wednesday sentenced the former president of a scandal-plagued bank to a 20-year jail term and order him to pay fines of US$472 million on charges of...

Thailand's industrial confidence index drops in November.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - The industrial confidence index in November edged down from October since purchase orders placed both locally and overseas eased and concern over higher operation costs upon the upward...

Thailand: Bridge bombing blocked in Narathiwat; plea bargains offered militants.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Fast and efficient response by bomb demolition squads foiled an insurgent attempt to blow up a bridge in Narathiwat's Rue Soh district Wednesday morning, potentially saving lives as well...

Thailand: RMF and LTF urged to penetrate medium-income customer base.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - The Retirement Mutual Fund (RMF) and Long Term Equity Fund (LTF) should focus more on penetrating the medium-income customer base amidst a sluggish investment in the money and capital...

Thailand: School transfer bill to be enforced, regardless of opposition.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang promised Wednesday that legislation to transfer public schools from his ministry to local administrative bodies will be legally enforced even if...

Denmark buys carbon credits from Thai farmers.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - H.E. Ulrik Helweg-Larsen, Danish Ambassador to Thailand, has on behalf of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed an agreement with a group of Thai pig farmers on purchase of...

Vietnam: Army urged to become elite revolutionary force.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - Strengthening the People's Army into a revolutionary and elite fighting force would help Vietnam shake off its status as a developing country, according to General Secretary of the...

Vietnam records highest GDP growth.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - Despite great challenges and difficulties, this year Vietnam scored the highest economic growth in the past seven years, Government officials have said. According to figures released...

Vietnamese Gov't provides $12m for boosting trade promotion.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - The State has injected VND195 billion (US$12 million) to support national trade promotion activities this year. The Ministry of Trade said yesterday in Hanoi that this amount...

Vietnamese Vice President visits flood victims in central region of Vietnam.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - Vice President Truong My Hoa inspected the work being done to repair the damage caused by floods and presented gifts to people in the worst affected areas of Quang Ngai Province, central...

Vietnam: Construction starts on Nam Non dam.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - The damming of the Nam Non River began on Monday in preparation for the Ban Ve hydropower plant. The 300MW plant, to be built in Tuong Duong District , comes with a VND5,912 billion...

Denmark, US agree to help Vietnam combat bird flu.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - Denmark presented to Vietnam yesterday veterinary equipment and chemicals worth about US$1 million to help control bird flu. Forty-four provinces and cities nationwide will receive...

Vietnam: Lower import tariffs to boost market.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - Beginning on January 1, tariffs on 27 imported commodities of countries that belong to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)'s Free Trade Area will fall to 5 to zero per...

Vietnam focuses on quality, hygiene key to US market.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - Vietnam must now focus on high quality, hygienic farm produce for the United States market, advises Agricultural Economic Institute director Dang Kim Son. Farm exports could also be...

Vietnam: Tailor-made clothes bring tourists to Hoi An.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - Same-day service on custom suits, robes, and beautiful ao dai (traditional dress) in Hoi An are making tours to the ancient town in the central province of Quang Nam extremely...

Vietnam: HEPZA increases exports during 2005.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - The HCM City Industrial Parks and Export Processing Zones Authority (HEPZA) says it has succeeded in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), increasing export turnover and improving...

Vietnam: Long An's IZs help lure investment.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - Industrial zones play a vital role in attracting investment in the southern province of Long An, said Phan Thanh Phi, deputy head of the provincial Industrial Zones (IZs) Authority. ...

Vietnam: Long An cashew exports to hit $120 million.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - The southern province of Long An is on track to hit US$120 million in cashew nut exports this year, equivalent to 20 per cent of the country's total cashew export, according to the Trade...

Vietnam: Dak Nong exports soar 50% in 2005.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - The Central Highlands province of Dak Nong reported an export turnover of US$75 million this year, up 50 per cent from the corresponding period last year. Provincial exports have yet...

Vietnam: Bac Ninh posts 26% rise in industrial output.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - The northern province of Bac Ninh this year reported a 26 per cent increase in industrial output. The province's private sector saw the highest growth with 57.2 per cent, followed by...

Vietnam: Thai Binh greenlights 38 new investment projects.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - The northern province of Thai Binh attracted 38 new investment projects this year, bringing the total number of projects to 195 with combined capital of VND4.2 trillion (US$267...

Vietnam: Work begins on Son La cement factory.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - Construction began on Monday on a Son La Cement Company factory in the Mai Son district of northern Son La Province. The US$64,000 investment factory will produce 1.2 million tonnes...

Vietnam: US dollar deposit interest rates rise.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - The Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank) announced new interest rates for US dollar deposits on Monday. The new annual interest rates are: 3.25 per cent for one-month, 4...

Vietnam: Saigontourist to issue Premium Travel.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - The Saigontourist Company and Asia Commercial Bank recently launched the ACB-Saigontourist Premium Travel Card. Customers will be able to use the card to pay for tourist products...

Vietnam: HSBC launches US dollar certificates of deposit.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - HSBC launched the scriptless US dollar certificates of deposit (CDs) in Hanoi and HCM City yesterday, becoming the first foreign bank to offer certificates of deposit in the country. ...

Assembly hailed for Vietnam building on 60th anniversary.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - On behalf of the city leaders, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, Nguyen Phu Trong, yesterday hailed generations of National Assembly (NA) deputies for their contributions to the...

Vietnam, China hold meeting on border delimitation.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - The 14th joint committee presidential-level meeting on land border delimitation and installation of markers between Vietnam and China concluded successfully in Beijing, the Ministry of...

Vietnam: Journalists to tackle HIV/AIDS.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - A network linking Asian journalists on HIV/AIDS issues should be set up in an attempt to minimise the discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS, suggested participants in a...

Vietnam: Ha Tinh's housing project brings 17,000 residents in from the cold.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - The central province of Ha Tinh is helping residents of dilapidated thatched-roof houses build new homes, bringing about 17,000 families in out of the rain. Can Loc has become the first...

Vietnam: Transplant patient recovering.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - Children's Hospital No1 in HCM City carried out an oesophagus transplant using a new technique for the first time in the country, Dr Dao Trung Hieu, director of the hospital's Paediatric...

Vietnam: Work starts on new Hanoi hospital.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - Construction began on a new private hospital on Truong Lam Street in the Long Bien District of Hanoi on Monday. The 180-bed, 8,300sq.m Truong Lam Hospital will open by the end of...

Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City set for better cancer diagnosis.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - Work began on Monday on Vietnam's first cyclotron laboratory, a high-technology tool used to diagnose cancer, in HCM City. Limited company Medic Medical Centre broke ground for the...

Vietnam and Israel sign co-operation agreement.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - The Vietnam and Israeli governments signed a Culture-Information agreement in Hanoi yesterday. The agreement, intended to develop and strengthen friendship between the two countries,...

Vietnam: Int'l education training course opens.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - An international training course on educational administration began on Monday for more than 30 administrators from Cambodian, Indonesian, Lao and Vietnamese universities. The...

Vietnam: Lam Dong sets target for poverty reduction.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - The Central Highlands province of Lam Dong has set a target of reducing the proportion of ethnic minority households living in poverty to 49 percent by the end of next year. In order...

Vietnam: Legend Hotel presents Xmas gifts to orphans.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - Legend Hotel Saigon gave away Christmas gifts to orphans of the Binh Trieu Development Centre last weekend. The hotel, which adopted the centre last October, has since improved...

Korean association aids flood victims in Vietnam.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - The Korean Resident Association donated over US$3,000 on Sunday to flood victims in Phu Yen Province. In September, the association made a similar donation to flood victims in Nghe An...

Vietnam: MoCI proposes publishing incentives.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - The Ministry of Culture and Information proposed incentives for printing and publishing enterprises engaged in export activities at a recent conference in HCM City. The proposed...

BOI of Thailand approves new privileges for electronics projects.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Investment - The Board of Investment has approved new incentives for the electrical and electronics industry conferring premium privileges for projects which re-invest. The incentives are expected to...

Legor to set up first master alloy production base in Thailand.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Legor Group, a manufacturer in the production of master alloys, metals and solders for the gold and silver jewelry industry, has signed an agreement with IGS Plc, owner and operator of...

EU-Thailand Partenariat: Breaking down barriers.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Thailand's decision to host the EU-Thailand Partenariat suggests it is eager to forge ahead in developing stronger trade and investment links with key EU industry sectors - especially in...

Gemopolis: Future of Thailand's gem and jewelry industry.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - With over a decade of meticulously structured growth, Gemopolis last year accounted for 20% of all Thai exports in Thailand's fifth largest export sector, amounting to over US$500...

AustCham: Facilitating Australian business in Thailand.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Gary Woollacott, president of the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce (AustCham) is positive that the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) is opening up concrete opportunities...

King of Thailand's projects promote sustainable development.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Celebrating his 78th birthday this month, King Bhumibol Adulyadet of Thailand has gained admiration from around the world as a visionary in the field of sustainable development. ...

PURAC builds first lactic acid plant in Thailand.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - The Netherlands Ambassador to Thailand Pieter Marres, CEO of PURAC CSM N.V. Worldwide Gilles van Nieuwenhuyzen, BOI Secretary General Satit Sirirangkamanont, and Vice President of PURAC...

Thai PM says 9 bombs aimed at creating chaotics situation in Thailand's deep South.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra commented on nine bombs detected by officials in the southern region, expressing his belief that the bombs were aimed at creating situation in the...

Thailand: PM Thaksin extends New Year's wishes to Thai people.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has extended his New Year wishes to Thai citizens, saying that the government will do its best to solve poverty and improve the quality of life for the...

Thailand: Help centers set up to facilitate transport during New Year holidays.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The department of highways prepares to facilitate travelers during the New Year holidays, by setting 24-hour help centers from today until January 4 next year. Director-general of...

Thailand: Government to open mobile markets buying rubber from producers in Southern border provinces, after prices fall below central market prices.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The government prepares to open mobile central markets buying rubber from producers in southern border provinces to solve the plummeting rubber prices for local residents. Deputy...

Thailand: Government Pension Fund to adjust capital ratio and increase investment channel to generate higher returns for members.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - The Government Pension Fund has set up a policy to adjust capital ratio and increase investment channel, to generate good profit for members. Secretary-general of the Government...

Thailand: Deputy Commerce Minister inspects red zone areas to campaign against buying and selling of products violating property rights.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Deputy Commerce Minister Preecha Laohapongchana has inspected red-zone areas suspected of selling products violating property rights, to campaign for the people to choose legal products....

Thailand: Education Minister indicates that school transfers must be voluntary.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang indicated that the school transfers to local administrative bodies must be done on a voluntary basis. Mr. Chaturon said during a seminar of...

Thailand: TAT organizes Andaman's Cup Regatta 2005 on occasion of first anniversary of tsunami disaster.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in cooperation with the Royal Thai Navy's regatta club, organized Andaman's Cup Regatta 2005, on the occasion of the first anniversary of the...

Thailand's representative to UN reiterates support for Mr. Surakiat for UN's top post.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Thailand's permanent representative to the United Nations Khunying Laksanachan Laohaphan reiterated support for Deputy Prime Minister Surakiat Sathirathai in the contest for the UN...

Thai DPM Chidchai says penalty for violators in Thailand's deep South have to be issued as an act.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Chidchai Wannasathit has indicated that the law to mitigate the penalties imposed on southern insurgents has to be issued as an Act, in order to...

Thailand: Residents in Surin Province worship coconut tree.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - An odd-looking coconut tree with two trunks has been found in Surin Province. Locals are worshipping the coconut tree in Sang_Kha District. The tree belongs to Mrs. Mit Kaewphirom. It...

Thailand: PM allows 6 projects from Transport and Agriculture ministries to proceed.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is allowing the 9.3-billion baht projects of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry and Transport Ministry to continue, after their costs have been...

Thailand: Supreme Commander agrees with govt's drafting of law to reduce penalties on surrendered insurgents.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Army, Gen. Ruengroj Mahasaranon, has voiced his agreement with the plea-bargaining rule, saying that it is an effective measure to handle...

Thailand: PM Thaksin confident that GDP to grow by at least 4.5% this year and 5% next year.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Economy - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has expressed his confidence that the Thai economy would have expanded by no less than 4.5% this year, and believes that the economic trend of the country is...

Japan to send in specialists to evaluate Thailand's mega-projects in January.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Economy - Investors from Japan have shown interest in Thailand's mega-projects, and will send in specialists to conduct the projects' evaluations next month. Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya and the...

Pollution Control Department says water quality in Thailand deteriorates.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Pollution Control Department has indicated that the water quality in Thailand is deteriorating, while electronic junk has become a new problem that could drastically affect the...

Thailand: Mr. Bhokin says caution should be applied while amending constitution to prevent problems in future.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government & Politics - Parliament Speaker Bhokin Bhalakula said he is not in a position to propose for constitutional amendments. He said only cabinet members have the authority to propose the...

Government to broadcast PM's visit to Thailand's poorest province.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - UBC's Channel 16 will broadcast live the premier's visit to At Samart District, Roi Et Province. The aim is to allow the general public and other provinces to see for themselves how the...

Thailand: Phuket Community products on sale at all district offices for new year gifts.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Encouraging people to buy community products also known as O.TOP products for the New Year gifts, Pongsak Plaivet, Vice Governor of Phuket officially opened the campaign yesterday...

Thailand: New Year Countdown to be organized at Rawai.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - To celebrate the New Year season and promote a festive atmosphere the Rawai district office is organizing a festival during December 29th to January 2nd. The event will be organized at...

Thailand: Royal Thai Navy ready to ensure safety for tourists at sea.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Joining the government's efforts in ensuring the highest safety for tourists visiting the Andaman Sea during the holiday season of new year, the Royal Thai Navy Third Fleet has prepared...

Thailand: Phuket Police keep strict safety measures during New year holidays.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Speaking about police preparedness and operations during the holiday period of New Year, Phuket Police Commander Police Major General Decha Butnampet said about 1,000 officers, police and...

Thailand: Phuket set to keep fatal cases for road accidents to minimum.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura yesterday announced the opening of a road safety centre during the festive New Year season. The centre will be on duty on December 29th to January...

Thailand: Government expects 50,000 computers to be installed in schools by May 2006.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The government has set a target of 50,000 computers to be installed in schools across the country within May 2006. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said he has initially requested...

PM Thaksin discusses Thailand's economy situation with economists.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Economy - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra held a meeting with the executives of economic institutions and Thai economists at the Government House this afternoon. They discussed and exchanged various...

Energy Ministry of Thailand expresses gratitude to Thai people on helping reduce energy consumption.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - On behalf the Ministry of Energy, Deputy Permanent-Secretary Pornchai Rujiprapha, expressed the ministry's gratitude to the Thai public for cooperatively conserving energy. He said...

Thai DPM Chidchai says there much progress in solving Thailand's unrest situation.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister, Pol. Gen. Chidchai Wannasathit, and the Southern Border Provinces Peace-Building Command (SPPBC) organized a meeting to discuss the...

Thailand: Sugar price administered by government.
December 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit has instructed 70 provinces throughout Thailand, except Bangkok and the six enclosing provinces, to control the price of...