Thai Press Reports articles from November 2006

Thai Press Reports archives from November 2006

Thailand: Market vendors continue to fight eviction by Bangkok administration.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Clothing vendors have threatened to hold a marathon rally outside the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) office to demand the withdrawal of municipal police who have been harassing...

Thailand: Martial law still covers 35 provinces.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - The government Tuesday agrees to lift martial law in 41 provinces including Bangkok, The Nation reports. The law will remain in 35 provinces due to domestic and forreign...

Thailand: Board of Investment predicts over 100 biotechnology R&D companies to be set up.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - More than 100 companies are expected to be established in the field of biotechnology research and development through 2009, investing a combined sum of Bt5 billion, the Board of...

Thailand: Council of State to review proposed ban on ads on alcoholic beverages.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-initiated ban on alcohol advertising will be postponed for 30 days pending a review by the Council of State into its ruling that the ban is invalid,...

Thailand: Cat Telecom Plc boards approves interconnection charge rates.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The board of CAT Telecom Tuesday approved the state agency's interconnection charge rates, said president Phisal Jorpocharudom, The Nation reports. He said CAT's call origination rate...

Thailand: Bank of Thailand to regulate specialized government-owned banks.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Cabinet Tuesday gave an initial approval to legal amendments that would give the Bank of Thailand responsibility for regulating specialised state banks, a senior official at the...

Thailand: Ceiling on credit card interest rates and charges raised to 20%.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The ceiling for interest rates and other charges on credit card services will be raised to 20%, starting Friday, in order to reflect increases in financial institutions' cost of funds,...

Thailand: Petrol stations allowed to stay open after 10 p.m.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Cabinet Tuesday annulled an earlier resolution which banned the sale of oil from 10 pm to five am, allowing fuel stations to operate on around-the-clock basis, The Nation reports. ...

Malaysia: Thailand's lifting of martial law a confidence building measure, Malaysian foreign minister says.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - Malaysia Tuesday welcomed a move by Thailand's military-installed government to partially lift martial law in the country, as junta leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin made a visit here,...

Thailand: Panasonic Automotive Systems Asia Pacific Co. to be established.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Panasonic Automotive Systems Company, a division company of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co, Ltd, announced it will establish Panasonic Automotive Systems Asia Pacific (Thailand) Co,...

Thailand: Federation of Thai Industries to propose investment incentives for southern provinces.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The country's biggest industrial group will ask the government for a "wish list" of incentives to help businesses hard hit by the insurgency in the South, The Nation reports. The...

Thailand: Finance minister recommends criminal charges against Thaksin and others in case involving two- and three-digit lotteries.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - Pridiyathorn recommends criminal charges be laid for bypassing 1974 Act, The Nation reports. Criminal charges should be brought against former prime minister Thaksin...

Thailand: Cabinet to consider Alcohol Control Bill.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Health minister out to push for new regulations after FDA ban invalidated, The Nation reports. The Public Health Ministry will be seeking a green light from the Cabinet on November 28...

Thailand: Bo Bae market clothing vendors defy order to vacate.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Around 500 Bo Bae Market clothing vendors clashed with police on November 27 morning as they defied orders to move to a nearby disused cinema building, The Nation reports. The market...

Malaysia: Son of former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir urge insurgents in southern Thailand to use peaceful means.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - Former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad's son, who helped facilitate a series of meetings between senior Thai officials and separatist leaders, has urged ethnic Malay Muslims in the...

Thailand: Many southern schools close in wake on on-going violence.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Narathiwat, Yala teachers follow Pattani colleagues, The Nation reports. The Teachers Federation has decided to close down all schools in Yala and Narathiwat indefinitely until the...

Thailand: Stateless persons to get free health care.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The National Health Security Office is to extend the state's healthcare system to about 700,000 stateless people who have been left out of the scheme since it began several years ago,...

Thailand: Petrol stations to be allowed to open after 10 p.m.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Energy Ministry will on November 28 ask the Cabinet to allow petrol stations to open around the clock from December 1, The Nation reports. However, lights on large billboards will...

Thailand: Commentary - Election, corruption and military coup is a vicious circle in Thai politics.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Commentary - The Nation - Rampant corruption usually the root cause of the Kingdom's military seizing power. The honeymoon appears to be over for the interim government of Prime Minister Surayud...

Thailand: Thai Rak Thai Party executives says coups leaders should have told people how they will act to benefit the country.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - A Thai Rak Thai executive warned on November 27 that the junta should not abuse its power by accusing the deposed government of Thaksin Shinawatra of a series of scandals...

Thailand: Education Ministry expected to scrap Thaksin-era populist policies.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Education Ministry vowed on November 27 to scrap three populist policies floated by the previous administration, The Nation reports. "We will not focus too much on technology and...

Thailand: Thaksin's wife, brother-in-law, and 4 other people colluded to avoid taxes, Assets Examination Committee alleges.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Assets probe claims evidence three others colluded in 1997 share transaction, The Nation reports. The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) on November 27 accused Khunying Pojaman...

Thailand: National People's Assembly members to vote for 200 Constitution drafting candidates.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - The peer vote by 2,000 National People's Assembly (NPA) members to name 200 charter drafting candidates will proceed as planned although concerns over a block vote remain...

Thailand: Government to use television and radio for public relations blitz.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - The military-backed government is taking its public-relations blitz directly to the public via television and radio, The Nation reports. Government Spokesman Yongyuth...

Thailand: Finance Ministry to propose super-holding agency for state enterprises.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - New agency would promote efficiency, The Nation reports. The Finance Ministry will propose the establishment of a "super-holding agency" to oversee state enterprises and promote...

Thailand: Bankruptcy Court orders Bangkok Mass Transit System to regroup creditors.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - BTS faces paying additional Bt13.7 bn under revised schedule, The Nation reports. The Central Bankruptcy Court has instructed Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) to regroup its...

Thailand: National Food Institute to set strict standards on food.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Measure prompted by slipping global share, The Nation reports. The National Food Institute (NFI) plans to become strict about the standards of Thailand's food and agricultural...

Vietnam: Ascon Construction to joint venture with German company to bid on construction of 18 hotels.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - Ascon Construction will sign an agreement to set up a joint venture with a German firm for joint bidding to construct 18 hotels in Vietnam worth up to Bt10 billion at the end of next...

World: Financial fraud a rising problem for banks.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Banks are having to move swiftly as fraudsters keep pace with advances in electronic transaction technology, The Nation reports. Beware! Prevent the person behind you from seeing your...

Thailand: Bangchak Petroleum expects to show net profit in Q4.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Bangchak Petroleum (BCP) expects to generate a net profit in the fourth quarter, due to a drop in its marketing margin and an increase in its refining margin, The Nation reports. ...

Thailand: Kasikornbank expects rise in lending.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Fourth-largest bank expects lending to increase 8-13% and reach Bt84 billion, The Nation reports. Kasikornbank (Kbank) has set an ambitious lending-growth target of 8-13 per cent...

Thailand: Company Reports.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - The Nation - Asia Metal shareholders approved a price for a rights offering and public offering at Bt2.70-3.30 per share, which is not less than 90 per cent of market price, The Nation...

Thailand: Tisco Securities recommends buy on Thai Airways International.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Stocks - Thai Airways International, The Nation reports. Tisco Securities has reiterated its "buy" recommendation for Thai Airways International (THAI) shares, with a 12-month target price of Bt58...

Thailand: Charoen Pokphand Foods to boost export of chicken products to European Union.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Charoen Pokphand Foods Plc (CPF)said it planned to boost its exports to the EU, after Thailand gained its biggest quota allocation, The Nation reports. President and CEO Adirek...

Thailand: Thai Oil prepares to bid on natural gas powered electricity plant.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Thai Oil, Thailand's largest petroleum refiner and supplier, is preparing to contend in the bidding to build a natural-gas-powered electricity plant with a 1,400-megawatt capacity, The...

Thailand: Selection committee narrows field of candidates for top Tourism Authority of Thailand post.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The committee selecting a new governor for the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has dropped four candidates from the race, because they failed to produce all of the required documents,...

Thailand: World Economic Council invites Prime Minister Surayud to attend meeting in Switzerland.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The World Economic Forum (WEF), the Geneva-based foundation which hosts the annual meeting of top businessmen and world leaders, has invited Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to join its...

Thailand: ICT minister seeks to bring fair competition to telecom sector.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - ICT minister to approach PM on revenue issues, The Nation reports. The Information and Communica-tions Technology Ministry will discuss with Prime Minister Surayud...

Thailand: Insurance fund proposed to increase liquidity of insurers.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - A Commerce Ministry committee has proposed the setting up of an insurance fund to increase liquidity for insurers in order to protect the interests of policy holders in the event of an...

Thailand: Sun Group to re-start frozen processed chicken export operations.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Sun Group will start re-exporting frozen processed chicken in January after halting exports for three years because of the bird-flu outbreak in the region, The Nation reports. ...

Thailand: Finance Ministry permanent secretary resigns from PTT Plc board.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - Finance Ministry permanent secretary Suparut Kawatkul resigned from PTT's board of directors, effective from November 16, the company said on November 27 in a filing with the...

Thailand: Uncertainty over prospects of proposed ban on ads on alcoholic beverages.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Uncertainty still prevails over whether the Public Health Minis-try's plan to impose a ban on alcohol advertising will come into effect, The Nation reports. The Public Health Ministry...

Thailand: Commentary - Keep all schools in the South open.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Commentary - The Nation - Insurgents must not be allowed to destroy a means of attaining social cohesion in the region. Teachers unions in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat decided on November 27 to...

Thailand: Commentary - Thaksin police state agenda must be eliminated.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Commentary - The Nation - Critics of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra were not exaggerating when they described the country under his rule as a "police state. A former police officer,...

Thailand: Finance Ministry wants probe on how 2- and 3-digit lotteries were approved.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - The Finance Ministry on November 27 asked the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) and the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC) to look into alleged abuse of executive...

Thailand: Council for National Security agrees to lift martial law in 48 provinces.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - The Council for National Security (CNS) has agreed to lift martial law in 48 provinces and keep it in place in 28 other provinces in a decision welcomed by the Campaign for...

Thailand: Office of the Consumer Protection Board to ask Prime Minister Surayud to approve ban on alcoholic beverages.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Office of the Consumer Protection Board is to ask Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to exercise his power stipulated under the Consumer Protection Act to put into effect a ban on the...

Thailand: Education Ministry cancels 3 Thaksin-era projects.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - Ex-govt's pet projects left out of budget plan, the Bangkok Post reports. The Education Ministry has axed the ousted Thaksin Shinawatra administration's three pet projects,...

Thailand: Gen Sonthi goes to Malaysia for talks on southern insurgency.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin on November 27 left for a one-day visit to Malaysia to discuss the southern insurgency with his counterparts, a military source said, the Bangkok Post...

Thailand: Assets Examination Committees begins probe on tax evasion allegations against Thaksin's wife and her brother-in-law.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - The Assets Scrutiny Committee on November 27 began the process of bringing criminal charges against the wife and brother-in-law of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and...

Thailand: More southern schools close as violence continues.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Teachers in Yala and Narathiwat on November 27 joined their colleagues in Pattani, closing all 944 schools in the three southernmost provinces until more is done to guarantee their safety...

Thailand/Vietnam: Thailand and Vietnam reach agreement on non-genetically engineered rice.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - An agreement between Thai and Vietnamese rice exporters to maintain non-genetically engineered produce will enable Thailand to gain more access to the European Union market, Wanlop...

Thailand: Transport minister orders improved security and corruption investigation at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen has ordered improved security and investigations into possible corruption at Suvarnabhumi airport, including the procurement of multi-billion-baht...

Thailand: Bo Bae clothing vendors oppose relocation plan.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Market vendors rally, block officials' entry, the Bangkok Post reports. A plan by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to relocate street vendors at the Bo Bae wholesale garment...

Thailand: Train crash in Phichit under investigation.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Officials are investigating the cause of a train crash in Phichit late Sunday night which injured 70 tourists, most on a special train taking them to the Ratchaphruek Flora Expo in Chiang...

Thailand: Fowl raisers oppose plan to use bird flu vaccine.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Representatives of chicken raisers on November 27 asked the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry to drop its plan to use the anti-bird flu vaccine in fowl for fear this would harm both...

Thailand: Prime Minister Surayud vows to re-open cases alleged extra-judicial killings during Thaksin era war on drugs.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - Prime Minister to reopen cases of extra-judicial slayings, the Bangkok Post reports. Prime Minister Gen Surayud Chulanont has vowed to reopen cases of extra-judicial...

Thailand: Commentary - Old ways won't solve problems in the South.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Commentary - Bangkok Post - Those who have been concerned about the renewed violence and tensions in the South got a distinct sense of deja vu last week. The government reached into the shopworn bag...

Thailand: Commentary - Lift martial law.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Commentary - Bangkok Post - Human rights and democracy advocates are upset by the continued enforcement of martial law. This is something that the Surayud government and the Council for National...

Thailand: Bangkok Mass Transit System allege conflict on interest.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Creditors question ad firm's obligations, the Bangkok Post reports. Creditors of the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) have alleged improper conflicts of interest involving company...

Thailand: Baht continues to gain against US dollar.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The baht continued to gain on November 27 as the dollar weakened, despite Bank of Thailand proposals of new measures to facilitate capital outflows and ease pressure on the currency,...

Thailand: Impact Exhibition management Co. to focus more on foreign customers.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Impact Exhibition Management Co, the operator of Impact Arena exhibition centre in Muang Thong Thani, is set to focus more on attracting foreign clients next year to offset near...

Thailand: Kasikornbank makes loan growth prediction.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Kbank could lend B40bn more in 2007, the Bangkok Post reports. Kasikornbank projects it will make 40 billion baht in new loans next year, with net growth of 8% to 13% thanks to an...

Thailand: Forecast made on revenue contribution to government by state enterprises in 2007 fiscal year.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - More than 50 state enterprises are expected to contribute 80-90 billion baht in revenue to the government in the 2007 fiscal year, according to Vichai Jungrakkiat, director-general of the...

Thailand: GE Money to launch rebranding campaign for First Choice personal credit product.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - GE Money will spend 50 million baht on a rebranding campaign for its First Choice personal credit product, the Bangkok Post reports. The rebranding will include TV, print and...

Thailand: Commentary - All parties to contract disputes stand to lose.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Commentary - Bangkok Post - When a relationship comes to an end, it may not only cause a legal dispute. Both parties may also take a financial hit. No, we are not talking about a divorce; here we...

Thailand: Ascon Construction Plc to bid on mass transit projects with foreign partners.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Links with foreign partners for bids, the Bangkok Post reports. The listed contractor Ascon Construction Plc will join German and Japanese partners in entering bids for mass transit...

Thailand: Special fund for life insurance companies proposed.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - A special fund has been proposed to look after general and life insurance companies that are at financial risk in order to protect consumers, the Bangkok Post reports. A committee...

Thailand: Baan Rock Garden shares begin trading on MAI.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Stocks - Shares of Baan Rock Garden will begin trading on the Market for Alternative Investment on November 28 under the symbol BROCK, the Bangkok Post reports. BROCK, with a market capitalisation...

Thailand: Bangkok Art Directors Awards expects 1,600 entries.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - About 1,600 entries are expected for the 22nd Bangkok Art Directors (B.A.D.) Awards this year, according to Thirasak Tanapatanakul, president of the Bangkok Art Directors' Association,...

Thailand: Government Savings Bank signs agreement with Citigroup for conducting international banking business.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Government Savings Bank has signed an agreement with Citigroup to set up an international banking business for the state bank, the Bangkok Post reports. Citigroup will provide...

Thailand: Central bank reports bill auctions results.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Bank of Thailand (BoT) on November 27 auctioned six billion baht worth of 28-day bills for an average yield of 4.77342% with bid coverage of 1.34 times, the Bangkok Post reports. ...

Thailand: Tisco Bank wins Best Corporate Bond House (Thai Baht) award.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Tisco Bank has been named "Best Corporate Bond House (Thai Baht)" in the Asset Asian Currency Bond Benchmark Survey 2006, the Bangkok Post reports. The survey, conducted by The...

Thailand: US-based Sara Lee Corp looks to acquire Thai body care company.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - The Chicago-based consumer goods group Sara Lee Corp is pursuing the acquisition of Thai body-care company as part of a strategy to double its local business over the next two years,...

Thailand: Honda still undecided over building eco-cars in Thailand.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co, the country's second-largest car manufacturer and exporter, is still undecided about a project to produce fuel-efficient cars to be promoted by the Board...

Thailand: Dragon One Plc to inform SET of core business.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Dragon One Plc (D1) will submit its request for Application Hosting Service to become its core business under its holding-company business plan to the Stock Exchange of Thailand by Dec...

Thailand: Thailand's interim government approves partial lifting of martial law.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government & Politics - Thailand's interim government has lifted martial law across half the country, including in the capital Bangkok, two months after a military coup ousted the former government. But...

Myanmar/Burma: Myanmar (Burma) asks Red Cross to close field offices.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Regional News - The International Committee of the Red Cross says the government of Myanar (Burma) has ordered the Swiss humanitarian organization to close its five field offices in the country. The Red...

Thailand: Thailand's Industry Minister and BOI executives visiting Japan.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Deputy Prime Minister and Industrial Minister, Mr. Kosit Panpiemras, is leading a group of the Board of Investment (BOI) executives to Japan, with an aim to boost the Japanese...

Thailand: 2 rice mills in Surin opened for farmers to pawn their produce.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Two rice mills in Surin province are now opened for farmers to pawn their in-season rice crops for 2006/07. Surin Provincial Commerce official Sitthiporn Bangkaew said 31 rice mills...

Thailand: Nan Province bans huge trucks entering old city area.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Traffic Police Inspector Pol.Lt.Gen.Somchai Charncharoen of the Muang Nan District Police Station said that since November 25, 2006, the province has instructed the traffic police of the...

Thailand: Cooperation needed after withdrawal of martial law.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government & Politics - Government Spokesman Yongyuth Maiyalarp said all sides still have to work together constructively after the martial law has been withdrawn in 41 provinces to prevent social...

Thailand: Passenger bus collides with pickup truck, resulting 2 deaths.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - A passenger bus traveling between Bangkok and Chiang Mai collided with a pickup truck at Tak-Mae Sod route, causing two fatalities. At 6:30 AM this morning (Nov 29), Pol. Sub-Lt....

Thailand: 200 representatives of the eastern network hopes to set up framework.
November 30, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - 200 representatives of the eastern network set by the National Economic and Social Advisory Council (NEASAC) have attended the seminar to set the cooperation framework between the eastern...