Thai Press Reports articles from November 2005

Thai Press Reports archives from November 2005

Thailand and Russia reach agreement on visa exemption.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Thailand and Russia will enjoy visa exemption soon as part of bilateral efforts to promote tourisms, trades and communication, Thai Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhol said Monday,...

Thailand: Teachers demonstrate against decentralization of educational administration.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - At least 50,000 teachers from across the country will stage a mass demonstration in Bangkok Tuesday to protest the transfer of schools from the Education Ministry to local administrative...

Thailand: Anti-graft commission chief wants commission members appointed quickly.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The secretary-general of the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) Monday called for the speedy appointment of its nine members, saying that further delay would result in the...

Thailand: Pre-trial hearing in Thaksin vs Sondhi case postponed.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Criminal Court Monday postponed a pre-trial hearing for a libel case Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra filed against government critic Sondhi Limthongkul's media group, The Nation...

Thailand: Australian experts to help improve coastline management in tsunami hit region.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Experts are meeting Tuesday in Bangkok to share ideas on improving coastal management along Thailand's tsunami- ravaged coastline, The Nation reports. Opening the seminar in Bangkok,...

Tourism in southern Thailand hit by floods and insurgency violence.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The continuing unrest and recent widespread flooding in southern Thailand have reduced the number of foreign tourists and tourism revenue, officials said Monday, The Nation reports. ...

Thailand: Thaksin vs Sondhi bout seen having profound effect on Thai politics.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Commentary - Countdown is on: Will December 9 bring a wind of political change, or the end of the road for critic's bandwagon? The countdown is on to the clash of the titans. Come December 9 the series...

Thailand: Returning missed calls on cell phones my trigger bombs, police in the South say.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Southern Border Provinces Peace-building Command (SBPPC) warned residents in the restive South on Sunday not to return missed calls from unknown callers because their cell phones...

Thailand: Court to be petitioned to reverse ruling which nullified appointments of National Broadcasting Commission members.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Ten selected persons set to join would-be broadcasting commissioners in asking court to reconsider nullification order, The Nation reports. Ten members of the National Broadcasting...

Laos: Construction of Nam Theun II hydroelectric power project gets underway.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his Laotian counterpart Bounnhang Vorachit lay the foundation stone on Sunday for the controversial Nam Theun II hydropower project, The Nation...

Thailand: Senate posts in Udon Thani likely to go to well known and influential people.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - Pundits claim that front-runners like former cabinet minister Choksaman, MPs' wives and a retired police chief are 'almost guaranteed' to win, The Nation reports. Udon...

Thailand: Many candidates in forthcoming senate election have close government ties.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Commentary - Although elections for the 200-seat Upper House are still five months away, likely candidates already seem to be no different from the departing senators, many of whom have been accused of...

Thailand: Airports of Thailand Plc owe substantial taxes to Bangkok Metropolitan Authority.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) owes more than Bt1.4 billion in taxes to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), making it the BMA's primary debtor, a senior city official said on...

Thailand: Two more Easy Buy customers file criminal compliant alleging that they were charges fees and interest higher than legal limit.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Another two clients of the Easy Buy personal loan service filed criminal complaints with police on Sunday, accusing the company of charging them a usurious interest rate, The Nation...

Thailand: Ruling party says it still has popular support.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - Ruling party insists Thaksin still has support of people; cites recent survey, The Nation reports. The Thai Rak Thai Party on Sunday accused Democrat Party leader Abhisit...

Thailand: Chat Thai Party supports constitutional amendments.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - The Chat Thai Party supports amending the 1997 Constitution to allow the general public to initiate changes as well, deputy leader Nikorn Jamnong said on Sunday, The Nation...

Thailand: Opposition leader says government policies to cause higher prices.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Sunday that ill-advised government policies will lead to a steep rise in the price of consumer goods and the cost of power next...

Thailand: Thai Rak Thai tipped to set up special team to deal with Sondhi.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - The Thai Rak Thai Party has set up a special team to try and stall Sondhi Limthongkul's plans to bring down the government, The Nation reports. A source from the ruling...

Thailand: Southern insurgents attack police outpost but caused no casulaties.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Insurgents on Sunday raided a police outpost in Yala's Bannang Sata, causing damage to the building but causing no casualties, The Nation reports. An eyewitness said two men opened...

Thailand: Government spokesman denies cabinet reshuffle rumours.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - The spokesmen for the government and Thai Rak Thai Party on Sunday denied that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is planning a major Cabinet reshuffle, The Nation reports. ...

Thailand: Election Commission chief criticises inaccurate reporting on commission's performance.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Annoyed at media coverage of the Election Commission's performance, chairman Vasana Puelarp recently defended the commission's work and criticised inaccurate reporting, The Nation...

Myanmar (Burma): French, Belgian journalists released after short detention.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - The Myanmar (Burmese) authorities on Sunday released two foreign journalists detained on Saturday after they had mistakenly crossed the border into Burma from Thailand, The Nation...

Thailand: Singapore nominees used to hold Thai stocks.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Speculation Thai politicians avoiding scrutiny by buying shares in this way, The Nation reports. Foreign nominees who hold sizable shares in PTT Plc, PTT Explora-tion and Production Plc...

Thailand: Health and beauty firm Pan Rajdhevee says Thai-US FTA to boost company performance.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - In line with the trend towards borderless trade , Pan Rajdhevee Group Plc, the local integrated health-and-beauty service firm, is set to benefit from the Thai-US free-trade agreement...

Thailand: Thai Beverage now sees need for public relations activities.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Though one of the country's largest companies, with sales surpassing Bt100 billion, Thai Beverage Plc has never issued press releases to publicise its products or its good deeds, The...

Thailand: Health and beauty firm Pan Rajdhevee sets R&D budget.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - To compete with its rivals, Pan Rajdhevee Group Plc is allocating a Bt200-million annual research-and-development budget to develop innovative and high-quality products, The Nation...

Thailand: TT&T Plc looks for foreign partner for 3G mobile phone business.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - TT&T says it's open to joint venture with foreign firm as major shareholder, The Nation reports. TT&T Plc operates only a fixed-line network but might enter the 3G broadband...

Thailand: Thai Acrylic Fibre reconised worldwide for manufacturing quality.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Thai Acrylic Fibre may be little known outside the textile industry, but the world's 14th-largest acrylic-fibre maker has helped Thailand establish its name on the global map of...

Thailand: Alcoholic beverage companies says government policies may lead to increased smuggling of liquor products.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Alcoholic-beverage manufacturers and distributors claim that the government's plans to strictly control point-of-sale displays and increase taxes on alcoholic drinks will lead to...

Thailand: Foreign buying boost real estate prices in Hua Hin.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Home-buyers from Hong Kong and Scandinavia have become interested in buying residential projects in Hua Hin, lifting housing prices in the area by an average 15 per cent this year,...

Thailand: Sita wants budget airlines in Southeast Asia to use global communication services.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Sita, a global communication service-integrator owned by air-transport companies around the world, is trying to persuade Southeast Asian budget airlines to use its computer systems and...

Thailand: Exports to Russia on rapid growth path.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Well-heeled Muscovites also keen on home decorative items, The Nation reports. The volume of Thai exports to Russia is expected to grow 35 per cent next year, mainly because the...

Thailand: Thai ambassador offers advise on selling to EU.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Ambassador to Belgium suggests product diversity with stress on agricultural goods, The Nation reports. Thailand must try to raise its exports to the European market by 20 per cent...

Thailand: Mall Group pushes for bigger market share in men's apparel and accessories business.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - The Mall Group, which runs The Mall Department Stores, plans to increase its share in Thailand's Bt10-billion retail market for men's apparel and accessories from the current Bt18.5 per...

Thailand: MAAKK Weath Management aims to be one-stop centre for financial advise.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - MAAKK Wealth Management is planning to create a one-stop outlet offering financial products and advice, said president and chief executive officer Vincent Kwo, The Nation reports. ...

Thailand: Gold worth more than husbands these days.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Commentary - Demand outstrips mine production and the gap is widening, making for a glowing future, The Nation reports. In ancient times, according to a Thai proverb, a woman would not care even if...

Thailand: Grand Canal Don Muang offers luxury homes.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Grand Canal's second waterway project draws on strengths of first site, The Nation reports. Grand Canal Don Muang offers luxury homes on a canal-filled estate near the current...

EU luxury housing realtor Engel & Volkers expands in Thailand.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Europe's top luxury housing outfit plans to open many outlets soon, The Nation reports. The recent arrival of European real-estate agency Engel & Volkers in Thailand could boost...

Thailand: Quality Houses offers homes for semi-literate tycoons with deficiency in design ability.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Commentary - Pruekpirom project offers mansions from Bt40m, The Nation reports. Where one lives often gives away one's status in life. Especially those who have accumulated great wealth but still...

Thailand: Constitutions needed a few critical improvements.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Editorial - The Thai charter needs a few critical improvements in order to prevent it being further abused by the govt, The Nation reports. The euphoria following the promulgation of the 1997...

Thailand: Asean - China ties hard to assess.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Commentary - Assessing the future of the currently excellent Asean-China relationship is not an easy task, The Nation reports. How does one improve rock-solid ties? Indeed, this would be very...

Thailand: Thai political scene heating up.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Commentary - Suddenly, the political thermometer has shot from tepid to turbid, The Nation reports. Massed rallies. Generals rattling sabres. Bombs in front gardens. Talk about coups. A political...

Hong Kong's first real estate investment trust debuts.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - Hong Kong's first real estate investment trust had a stirring market debut, and Hong Kong Disneyland says it is on track to meet attendance projections. Shares in Hong Kong's Link...

Former Philippine election official denies poll rigging.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - A former Philippine election official at the center of vote-rigging charges against President Gloria Arroyo has denied that he conspired with her to rig last year's presidential poll....

Thai authorities refuse entry to Cambodian muslims.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Thai military officials say they have refused a group of Cambodian Muslims entry into the country for security reasons amid unrest in the country's Muslim-dominated south. A military...

Thailand: Proposal to merge NBC and NTC gains support.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Telecom operators and academics on Monday voiced support for the merger of two regulatory bodies to conform with international practice under which telecom and broadcasting businesses...

Thailand: Authorities defend increase in treasury bill issues.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Policymakers on Monday rebutted opposition claims that a proposed increase in treasury bill issues was a signal of weakness in the country's budgetary accounts, the Bangkok Post reports....

Thailand: United Overseas Bank (Thai) launched following merger of UOB Radanasin Bank and Bank of Asia.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Singapore's United Overseas Bank on Monday formally announced the creation of subsidiary United Overseas Bank (Thai), the Bangkok Post reports. The new entity, formed from the...

Thailand: Executive says Thai stock market needs to diversify product mix better.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News -The Thai stock market needs to diversify its product mix to better represent the country's economic base, according to Kongkiat Opaswongkarn, the chief executive officer of Asia Plus...

Thailand: SCB makes estimate on additional capital it needs to meet Basel II requirements.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) estimates that it will need four billion to five billion baht in additional capital to cover operational risks and meet the requirements of the new Basel II...

Thailand: SET to conduct monthly investor fair.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) plans to hold an investor fair every month to help increase public understanding about personal finance, investment planning and risk management...

Thailand: Thai Nakarin Hospital sets IPO price.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Thai Nakarin Hospital has set its initial public offering price at 1.75 baht per share, the Bangkok Post reports. The hospital will float 30 million shares at one baht par value on...

Thailand: Expert discusses implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Many countries have committed to and are in the process of implementing International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) either by following a roadmap of adopting IFRS into their local...

Thailand: Samut Sakhon property developers band together to strengthen bargaining position on provincial town plan.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Real-estate developers in Samut Sakhon have banded together for more bargaining power in the revision of the provincial town plan scheduled next year, the Bangkok Post reports. Anon...

Thailand: Industry operators urge to apply for low-cost loan projects to increase energy efficiency.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Operators of factories and large buildings are being invited to apply for cheap loans from a 12.2-billion-fund to promote more efficient energy consumption, the Bangkok Post reports. ...

Thailand: Hom Mali rice promotion to include branding to increase appeal.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Stiff competition from neighbouring countries, poor marketing and rising supply trends are among the obstacles cited by rice traders to the development of jasmine rice in the world...

Thailand: Nestle launches campaign to increase market share for ice-cream.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Nestle (Thai) Ltd has announced a new marketing campaign aimed at capturing a leading 44% share in the 6.5-billion-baht ice-cream market, the Bangkok Post reports. According to...

Thailand: Platinum Fashion Mall launches shopping plaza.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - New downtown mall aims to become one-stop fashion hub, the Bangkok Post reports. Platinum Fashion Mall officially launched its shopping-plaza section last weekend, with the aim of...

Thailand: Central Food Retail to open new Tops supermarket stores and renovate existing ones.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Central Food Retail Co (CFR), the operator of Tops supermarket, plans to invest 750 million baht to open new stores and renovate its existing facilities next year, the Bangkok Post...

Thailand: Electricity charges to go up.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Electricity prices will begin to rise starting in February as subsidies on natural gas are removed, according to Kraisi Karnasuta, the president of the state power utility Egat Plc, the...

Thailand: Bankers upbeat over prospects for Thai economy.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Economy - Local bankers expressed optimism for future prospects for the economy and financial markets, but cautioned that companies and investors alike needed to adjust to shifts in the overall...

Lao coffee producer to sell franchise in Thailand.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - A Lao coffee producer is poised to cash in on the growing demand for fresh quality coffee in Thailand. The company opened the first Laotian coffee shop in Thailand last year on Rama...

Thailand: Tesco helps Thai food exporters upgrade product standards.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - To help boost exports of Thai food products to Europe, British food retailer Tesco is beefing up a campaign to encourage Thai food suppliers to meet more stringent safety standards which...

Thailand: AIS aims to make 3G service a revenue generator in non-voice sector.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Advanced Info Service (AIS), the country's largest mobile-phone operator, is betting on third-generation mobile phone services to help double its non-voice revenues to 20 billion baht...

Thailand: Hutch Mobile sells background music to set mood for phone conversations.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Users of Hutch mobile phones can now add background music to their conversations. Nine musical tones are available from R.S. Promotion along with various background voices produced...

Thailand: Large banks put competitive pressure on small non-bank financial companies.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Small non-bank financial institutions will face growing pressure in the future as larger commercial banks expand their reach into operations such as leasing and hire-purchase businesses,...

Thailand: Japan-based personal loan firm Promise enters Thai market.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Promise, a Japan-based personal loan operator, has become the latest entrant in the fast-growing personal loan market, the Bangkok Post reports. Promise received its licence from...

Thailand: Expert explains how to use questions.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - I was driving to the new Baan Khanitha restaurant on Sathorn Road, when my friend Thomas asked how the place happened to be in such a good location. "It may be the result of asking and...

Asian companies adopt good governance practices little by little.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Little by little, companies in Asia are adopting better governance practices as the corporate governance issue in general becomes more and more important in influencing a company's...

Critics take issue with WTO's plurilateral negotiations.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - With the World Trade Organisation ministerial talks set to begin on Dec 13 in Hong Kong, activists are stepping up warnings about the implications of a new negotiating approach that...

Thailand: Alangkarn theatre owner to build 2 hotels.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - As hospitality businesses in Pattaya gear up for the opening of Suvarnabhumi airport, the operator of the Alangkarn theatre is set to spend one billion baht building two new hotels in...

Thailand: Sale of alcoholic beverages expect to decline in 2006.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Alcoholic beverage companies expect their market to contract by 2% next year as a slowing economy and government anti-drinking campaigns take hold, the Bangkok Post reports. The...

Thailand: Water Net Plc targets industrial customers.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Water Net Plc is expanding beyond its established vending-machine business to focus more on providing water to industrial customers next year, according to chief executive officer...

Thailand: Swensen's expects sales growth to slow down.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Swensen's Thailand Co is projecting slower sales growth for its ice-cream business next year due to higher fuel costs, the slowing economy and higher inflation, the Bangkok Post...

Thailand: PTTEP to double oil reserves at Sirikit field.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP) will spend about 2.4 billion baht (US$60 million) over the next three years to double the petroleum reserves to 400 million barrels at its...

Thailand: Krungthai Card makes credit extension growth forecast for 2006.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - The local credit card leader Krungthai Card Plc expects to post steady growth of 20% to 30% for its loan book in 2006, with rising interest rates not expected to affect business...

Thailand: Thai Gypsum Products to build new production and storage facilities.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Thai Gypsum Products Plc, the market leader in gypsum wall and ceiling systems, will spend about 2.2 billion baht to build a new production line and expand its storage capacity, the...

Thailand: Federation of Thai Industries wants Thai companies to spend more on training.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Business leaders have urged the government to push all companies big and small to budget funds for training in order to strengthen the country's competitiveness, the Bangkok Post reports....

Asian Development Bank may issue new bonds in Thailand.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) may raise as much as US$100 million by issuing new bonds in the domestic market in Thailand as part of its drive to help develop the country's capital...

Asean business leaders think Japan may decelerate investments in China and increase them in Asean economies.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - Japanese businesses are expected to shift their investment away from China and pour new funds into Southeast Asia over the next several years, the Bangkjok Post reports. Business...

Thailand: Unimit Engeneering falls below IPO price on MAI debut.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Shares of Unimit Engineering, a manufacturer of high-pressure LPG vessels, had their debut on the Market for Alternative Investment spoiled last Friday as investors remained concerned...

Thailand: Mida Medalist Entertainment to list on SET in December.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Mida Medalist Entertainment, a manufacturer of electronic dartboards and bar games, will list on the Stock Exchange of Thailand on Dec 8. MME plans to float 60 million shares, or...

Thailand: Big C opens 45th outlet.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Big C has invested 300 million baht to open its 45th store in Sakhon Nakhon, aiming for 750 million to one billion baht in annual revenue. The new store, to be opened last Saturday...

Laos: Foundation stone ceremony held for Nam Thuen II hydroelectric project.
November 30, 2005... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his Lao counterpart Bounnhang Vorachit Sunday jointly lay founding stone for the controversial Nam Thuen II project to kick start construct of the...