Thai Press Reports articles from January 2006

Thai Press Reports archives from January 2006

Thailand: SET watches on sidelines as share price of Shinawatras' SC Asset Corp surges.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Market regulators have declined to take any immediate action in the face of a 100% increase over the past two weeks in the share price of SC Asset Corporation Plc, controlled by the...

Thailand: Thai Airways delays management takeover of airport in Bangladesh.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Thai Airways International's management takeover of Shah Amanat International Airport, in Chittagong, Bangladesh, has been delayed following a request from Biman Bangladesh Airlines...

Thailand: Energy officials look for ways to deal with cost of generating electricity.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Low-cost hydropower plants will be encouraged to generate as much electricity as possible during the coming hot season to help lessen the impact on power bills, the Bangkok Post reports....

Thailand: MFC Asset Management tipped to form partnership with Social Security Office.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - MFC Asset Management will soon have the Social Security Office as its new strategic partner after TMB Bank sells its 9% stake in MFC to the cash-rich fund, the Bangkok Post reports. ...

IMF forecasts Thailand economic growth.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Economy - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has estimated that Thailand's economy will grow by at least 5% this year, on par with the official forecast, according to Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya,...

Thailand: DTAC braces for intensified competition from Singapore-owned rival AIS.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - The second-ranked mobile operator DTAC is preparing to start a new price war with rival Advanced Info Service in what is seen as the first test for the market leader's new corporate...

Thailand: Pfizer joins with IDS Manufacturing to set up new factory for Listerine products.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Pfizer's consumer health-care unit has entered into a joint venture with IDS Manufacturing Co to establish a new factory in Pathum Thani to produce Listerine products for both local and...

Thailand: Muang Thai Life Assurance urges government to give insurance industry enough time to prepare for trade liberalisation.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Muang Thai Life Assurance president Sara Lamsam repeated his call for the government to give local insurers five to 10 years to prepare themselves before liberalising the market under...

Thailand: Revenue Department responds to public outcry over tax-free takeover of Shin Corp.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Revenue Department acknowledges growing concern that Thai people will no longer pay taxes after a storm of criticism over the tax-free sell-off of Shin Corp shares by the Shinawatra...

Thailand: Local contractors afraid of not getting big enough share of megaproject contracts.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Local contractors say they expect to get only a tiny share of the work on megaprojects worth a total of 1.8 trillion baht, as it seems the government is favouring foreign investors, the...

Thailand: Takeover of Oishi Group confirmed.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Liquor tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi and a low-profile Hong Kong investor on January 26 confirmed their acquisition of a 55% stake in the green tea maker Oishi Group Plc., the...

Thailand: Legal experts explain franchising.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Franchising is becoming a popular business format in Thailand, among both consumers and entrepreneurs. One reason is that the legal environment for franchisers in Thailand is more open...

Thailand: TMB Bank has sufficient funds to redeem capital increase shares.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - TMB Bank's existing capital fund is adequate for the redemption of five billion baht worth of capital-increase preferred shares and for lending growth in this year, according to...

Thailand: Krung Thai Bank to sell more NPLs.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Krung Thai Bank plans to set aside more provisions and sell non-performing loans this year to improve its financial position, according to president Apisak Tantivorawong, the Bangkok...

Thailand: PTT Plc signs agreement to buy oil from Pearl Oil (Thailand).
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - PTT Plc has signed an agreement to purchase crude oil from the Jasmine field operated by Pearl Oil (Thailand) Co for 20 years, in a bid to reduce its reliance on imported oil, the...

Thailand: Carabao Dang to enter Malaysia market.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Having established its presence in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, the maker of Carabao Dang energy drinks is expanding into Malaysia this year and aims to be in Brunei, Singapore and...

Thailand: Asian hotels brands to grow faster in international markets, executive says.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Asian hotel brands are likely to grow at a stronger pace in the international market as investors shy away from American chains over fears about terrorism, according to the director of a...

Thailand: Hotel operator Best Western International expands in Thailand and other parts of Asia.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - The US hotel chain Best Western International is expanding its portfolio in Thailand and Asia to capitalise on the rapid growth in tourism, the Bangkok Post reports. The...

Thailand: Thai Dairy Industry and Campina International form joint venture.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Two long established brands of milk in Thailand and the Netherlands - Thai Dairy Industry and Campina International - have formed a joint venture to share facilities, increase economies...

Thailand: Singapore-owned True Fitness Centre to open in June.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - A Singapore-based business plans to open the largest fitness complex in Thailand this June, according to Patrick Wee, the founder and CEO of True Fitness, the Bangkjok Post reports. ...

Thailand: Anti-Thaksin senator says Shin Corp satellite name given by the King should be revoked following takeover by foreign investor.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - Senator Chirmsak Pinthong called on Thais to demand Singapore's Temasek Holdings to stop using ThaiCom names for satellites it had bought from Shin Corp under the Shin...

Thailand: Social critic urges government to exercise restraint in handling upcoming anti-government demonstration.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - Social critic Prawase Wasi Thursday has warned the government to exercise restraint in controlling the crowd at the anti-Thaksin rally on February 4 - in order to avert...

Thailand: Libel case against Bangkok Post over article on new airport runway to proceed.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Criminal Court Thursday accepted a defamation suit filed against the Bangkok Post by Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) and New Bangkok International Airport Co Ltd over the paper's...

Thailand: Delay in issuance of construction permit leads to suit against Bangkok governor and district chief.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - A company has filed a Bt20million lawsuit against Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin and Dusit District Office's director Atthaporn Suwanthanadecha for ignoring its request to renew the...

Thailand: PTT to buy crude oil from Pearl Oil.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - PTT Plc Thursday signed an agreement with Pearl Oil (Thailand) to buy crude oil produced from the Jasmine field for 20 years, The Nation reports. Under the agreement, Pearl Oil...

Thailand: Prime minister makes presentation on megaprojects to foreign investors.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - About 1,000 foreign investors and diplomats were at the Government House Thursday to hear plans for state development megaprojects valued at about Bt1.8 trillion, The Nation reports. ...

Thailand: Court disqualifies firebrand Chuwit as MP.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - The Constitution Court Thursday disqualified Chat Thai party-list MP Chuwit Kamolvisit on ground that he had not joined the party for at least 90 days before the general...

Thailand: Defence Minister concerned over possible use of Shin Corp satellites by Singapore for spying.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Defence Minister Thammarak Israngura Na Ayuttaya said the intelligence community was concerned that Singapore's takeover of Shin Corp could allow the city state to eavesdrop on Thailand...

Thailand: Opposition member sees need to scrutinise Shin Corp takeover on tax issues.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Minute scrutiny of huge deal begins to focus on 'weakest link among those who avoided tax', The Nation reports. The focus of the scrutiny of the Shin Corp takeover deal has now...

Thailand: Thaksin defends sale of family stake in Shin Corp.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on January 25 slammed critics of the Bt73.3-billion Shin Corp share sale, saying they were motivated by envy of his wealth, The Nation reports. I say...

Thailand: Bangkok poll shows public mistrust of Thaksin in Shin Corp stake sale.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - More than half of the people surveyed for a poll in and around the capital believe the Shinawatra family's sale of Shin Corp shares was not handled transparently, while more than four in...

Thailand: Opposition points finger at Bangkok city clerk in corruption scandal.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - City Clerk is said to have rushed projects despite complaints of irregularities, The Nation reports. A probe by the Democrat Party into the corruption scandal surrounding...

Thailand: Government tries to take steam out of Sondhi's planned demonstration.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Commentary - Authorities move to take steam out of Sondhi's campaign. Whether February 4 turns out to be Sondhi Limthongkul's long-awaited D-Day depends a lot on the outcome of a battle of wills...

Thailand: Hearing on corruption allegations over Bangkok construction projects scheduled.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The House Committee on anti-corruption will next week open a hearing on alleged bidding irregularities in the Agriculture and Transport Ministries, Democrat MP and committee deputy...

World first vaccine for cervical cancer expected this year.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The world's first cervical cancer vaccine is expected to be available this year - but it could prove to be expensive, The Nation reports. That's the advice from Professor Haral zur...

Thailand: Government admits it tried to block live broadcast of anti-government demonstration.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - The government has admitted it pressured satellite operators about broadcasting laws to block live coverage of a rally in Hat Yai on January 25 led by Thaksin critic Sondhi...

Thailand: Court rejects complaint against selection of National Broadcasting Commission members.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Campaign for Popular Democracy (CPD) on January 25 lost its appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court in a lawsuit against the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)'s selection...

Thailand: No cabinet reshuffle for now, Thaksin says.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on January 25 dismissed press reports that he would reshuffle the Cabinet next month, The Nation reports. It's just a rumour. There's no...

Thailand: Military submits budget request.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - PM-initiated plan likely to be trimmed; Navy seeks largest share for new vessels, The Nation reports. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and senior defence planners will on January 26...

Thailand: Government conducts information session on megaprojects for foreign investors.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - On January 26 the prime minister will open up Government House to nearly 1,000 foreign investors and their local partners as well as diplomats to welcome their visions for his...

Thailand: Thaksin rules out negotiating with Patani United Liberation Organisation.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said on January 25 that the government would not negotiate with the Patani United Liberation Organisation (Pulo) even though the group is willing to...

Thailand: Border health workers meet to prepare for outbreak of bird flu.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Health workers from refugee camps and migrant communities on the Thai-Burmese border will meet with local officials and donors in Tak on January 27 to review contingency plans to cope...

China accused of obstructing flow of Mekong river.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - China, which operates two major dams on the Mekong, was accused on January 25 of obstructing the river's flow - and having a major impact on millions of people and the ecosystem...

Thailand: Regulatory bodies criticised for easy-going attitude towards Shin Corp acquisition.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Reputation of both agencies tarnished, stock analysts say, The Nation reports. The laissez-faire approach of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Stock Exchange of...

Thailand: TAMC says it wants to become lead debt restructuring manager for BTS.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Agency believes it can make better progress if it becomes lead manager, The Nation reports. The Thai Asset Management Corp (TAMC) says it wants to play a greater role in...

Thailand: Foreign minister visits UK, Germany.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon will visit the UK and Germany next week and, among other things, will invite leading companies in the two countries to invest in Thailand's Bt1.7...

Thailand: Thai Chamber of Commerce maintains 2006 GDP growth forecast.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Economy - The Thai Chamber of Commerce is sticking with its 2006 economic growth forecast of 4.5 per cent made last year as it sees some adverse trends souring investment appetite, The Nation reports....

Thailand: More land become rubber plantations.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Rubber growers are expanding plantation areas to take advantage of record high prices, the Agricultural Economics Office said on January 25, The Nation reports. Anchale Ooraikul,...

Thailand: True Corp denies reports that it wants a partner.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - But analysts see foreign suitors lining up. True Corp Plc president Supachai Chearavanont said on January 25 that the company saw no need at present to seek a strategic partner, The...

Thailand: Switzerland-based coffee world sets up business development centre in Bangkok.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - The Geneva-based owner of Coffee World and other fast-food chains is promoting Bangkok as a centre for business development in order to expand its franchises globally, The Nation...

Thailand: M Link Asia Corp targets retail handset business.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - M Link Asia Corp Plc, co-founded by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's younger sisters, will switch its focus from bidding for state projects to its main retail handset business,...

Thailand: Siam Cement Group reports sharply lower Q4/2005 earnings.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - The Siam Cement Group (SCG) on January 25 reported a 46-per-cent drop in its net profit for last year's fourth quarter, because of higher energy costs and a maintenance shutdown of its...

Thailand: US ambassador business provisions of Treaty of Amity in force as Thai-US FTA talks continue.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - US Ambassador to Thailand Ralph Boyce has sought assurances from the Thai government that American businesses here would not be affected by the expiration of trade and investment...

Thailand: Thai Airways to turn over certain domestic routes to sister company Nok Air.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) plans to revamp its domestic schedule by shifting unprofitable flights to its sister airline Nok Air, The Nation reports. The national carrier...

Thailand: Temasek Holdings acquisition of Shin Corp shares makes big waves.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - The Temasek Holdings-Shin Corp deal has stirred interest from all parties in Thailand, directly involved or not. It's thus not surprising that Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan, director...

Thailand: Kasikorn Asset Management to launch ABF Thailand Bond Index Fund.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Kasikorn Asset Management will open an offering of its ABF Thailand Bond Index Fund (ABFTH) between February 15 and 21, which is expected to raise between Bt4 billion and Bt6 billion on...

Thailand: G Steel Plc fails to shine at stock trading debut.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - G Steel Plc, which made this year's first initial public offering on January 25, posted a disappointing trading debut by dropping 16.88 per cent below its IPO price, The Nation reports....

Thailand: Bangkok Bank officials says Chinese firms will win substantial portion of Thai megaproject contracts.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - A Bangkok Bank executive has forecast that Chinese investors are likely to be granted as much as 20 per cent of the total Bt1.8-trillion contracts for mega-projects from the government,...

Thailand: Thorensen Thai Agencies diversifies to manage risks.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Plans move into other shipping services as freight rates fall, The Nation reports. Thoresen Thai Agencies (TTA), the local unit of the 102-year-old international shipping company,...

Thailand: Bangkok real estate market expected to slow down this year.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Supply and demand in the Greater Bangkok property market are expected to drop by about 10 per cent this year due to rising interest rates as well as the increased cost of living,...

Thailand: Myanmar (Burma) makes empty promises on controlling drug trade.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Editorial - And thus any but a politically centred approach is bound to fail in ending this scourge from our neighbour. International anti-drug officials are supposed to step down if they cannot...

Thailand: Thaksin's two hats - businessman and premier - are hard to tell apart.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Commentary - The fun and torment, nay, the excitement and disillusionment of being a Thai citizen these days is that you are never quite sure whether it's the country's premier who is speaking to you -...

Indonesia reports new bird flu fatality.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - An Indonesian health official says a chicken seller suspected of being infected with bird flu has died at Jakarta's infectious diseases hospital. A hospital spokesman said the...

Indonesian media regulations stir up concerns over censorship.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - New broadcasting regulations in Indonesia have come under fire by critics who say the measures are a setback for media freedom and undermine the country's democracy. The four...

UN says Asia will lead global economic growth in 2006.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - The United Nations says the global economy will continue to grow this year as it did in 2005, led by the major economies of Asia. However, the organization says employment rates have not...

Indonesian prosecutors seek death sentence for 2nd Australian accused of drug trafficking.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - Prosecutors in Indonesia have asked a panel of judges for the death penalty against an Australian accused of being a mastermind of a drug smuggling ring on the resort island of Bali. ...

Former Indonesian VP under Suharto dies in Jakarta Hospital.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - Indonesian health officials say former vice president Sudharmono has died at the age of 78. Officials say Sudharmono died Wednesday in a Jakarta hospital. He had served as former...

Thai PM says no to negotiations with Muslim separatists.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Thailand's prime minister says his government will not negotiate with Muslim separatists in the country's south. Thaksin Shinawatra was responding to a reported offer of talks from a...

Thailand: People pay homage to Buddha image at Sanam Luang.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - People have started to arrive at Sanam Luang (January 28, 2006) to pay homage to the imitated Phraphutthasothorn Buddha image. Today is the first day Buddhists can worship the Buddha...

Thailand: Gold Traders Association expects domestic gold market to be lethargic this year.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Thai Gold Traders Association expects the domestic gold market to be lethargic this year as prices have exceeded 10,000 baht per baht-weight. In the meantime total import this year...

Thailand: PM says Asia Bond needed to be issued so as to upgrade regional economy.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Economy - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra indicated that Asia bond is considered necessary in order to upgrade the regional economy and to reduce speculations in oil prices. The premier said that...

Thailand: PM Thaksin reiterates use of smart cards.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has urged officials to expedite the use of smart cards to cover 63 million of Thai people within 2008. He said that the government had opened a bid...

Government engrossed with poverty eradication in Thailand.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The government is fully engaged in the mission to eradicate poverty nationwide, while Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra anticipates that Thai people will have a better quality of life...

Thailand: PM expresses his sincere wishes to Thai-Chinese community on occasion of Lunar New Year.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra gave greetings to the Thai-Chinese communities in Thailand and wished them a blissful, healthy and a prosperous life. However during Prime Minister...

Thailand: Tanning organization to be dissolved in Mar 31st.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Council of the Ministry of Defence has agreed to dissolve the Tanning Organisation due to the chronic lack of liquidity of the state enterprise. Spokesperson of the ministry...

Thailand: PM Thaksin demands district chief officers to take part in eradicating poverty.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra disclosed that he would like District Chief officers to lead their teams to help eradicate poverty nationwide. During the poverty-eradication...

Thailand: Thai-Chinese residents in Yaowarat to kick off Lunar New Year celebration.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Thai-Chinese residents in Yaowarat plans to hold a grand Chinese New Year celebration to commemorate the 60th anniversary of His Majesty's accession to the throne. Mr. Jitti...

Thailand: Fire at apartment in Ramkamhaeng area contained.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - A fire that broke out in the Ramkhamhaeng area of Bangkok has now been controlled. At around 9.30 pm last night (January 29, 2006), the fire erupted at an apartment in Soi...

Thailand: Kasetsart University researches sex changing for shrimps, to deliver to market demand.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Kasetsart University is researching on a method to change the gender of freshwater shrimps from male to female, in order to deliver to the market's demand. Mr. Wikrom Ransin, an...

Japan, Germany and Hong Kong to provide special fireworks to Thailand for demonstrating in conjunction with 60th anniversary of HM King's accession to throne.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Half of the world's ruling monarchs will gather in Bangkok in the middle of this year to join in the celebrations in honour of His Majesty King Bhumibol on the 60th anniversary of his...

Thailand: Prime Minister Thaksin reiterates Suvarnabhumi Airport to open on schedule.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has reiterated that the fire at the Thai Airways catering building at Suvarnabhumi Airport would not affect the airport's opening, and he believes the...

Interior Minister indicates no movement of weapons into Thailand reported.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Interior Minister Kongsak Vantana has indicated that the intelligence still did not indicate movements of weapons smugglers from Malaysia who were said to bring in weapons to stir up...

Thailand: Task centers established to handle 2006 drought in Buriram Province.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Buriram province has established task centers for handling this year's drought which is expected to be severe. Buriram Governor Yai Roetsuwanitchakorn said the water quantity in...

Thailand: Disaster Prevention & Mitigation Department looks for fire over Chinese New Year.
January 31, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department is on full lookout for fire over the Chinese New Year period. Director-General Anucha Mokhavesa said that coordination has been...