Thai Press Reports articles from October 2008, page 9

Thai Press Reports archives from October 2008

Thailand: DWR hosts '116 Days' flag offering ceremony.
October 30, 2008... Section: General News - Director-General of the Department of Water Resources (DWR) Siriphong Hangsaphruk yesterday (October 28th) presided over the flag offering ceremony, a part of the 116 Days from Mother's Day to Father's Day project. The...

Thailand: Academic says ThaiBev's listing will not help sustaining Thai economy.
October 30, 2008... Section: Business News - An academician indicates the country's largest alcohol beverages' brewer Thai Beverage Plc's planned listing on the Thai stock exchange could not help sustaining Thai economy. While Ramkamhaeng University's students...

Thailand: BAAC all set for rice mortgage on Nov 1.
October 30, 2008... Section: Business News - The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) has affirmed that it is ready for the opening of a new round of rice mortgages on November 1, revealing that it will restrict the amount of non-profitable...

Thailand: Minister of Social Development: believe of non-violence for Thaksin's phone-in.
October 30, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - Minister of Social Development and Human Security suggested peace and happiness should begin at home, believing there would be no violence for former premier's phoning in to join Today's Truth programme on...

Thailand's southern unrest: Bombing at Yala government unit, wounds 2 soldiers, 7 residents.
October 30, 2008... Section: General News - A bombing at government office in Yala municipality in Thailand's southernmost province Wednesday morning left at least two soldiers wounded, and seven local residents, including shoppers and vendors at an open air...

Thailand: PAD receives Bt35 million in donations for October 7 victims.
October 30, 2008... Section: General News - The anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) said that donations for casualties from the violent clash at Parliament on October 7 has reached more than Bt35 million, while the anti-government protesters...

Thailand: Thai Parliament approves framework for Thai-Cambodian border talks.
October 30, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - A joint meeting of the Thai Parliament' s House of Representatives and Senate late Tuesday gave a green light to the proposed framework and approved the mandate of the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) to...

Laos/Vietnam: Vietnam, Laos to expand co-operation on agriculture.
October 30, 2008... Section: General News - Vietnam is seeking to further expand co-operation with Laos in agriculture and rural development, particularly in areas such as agricultural technology, training, investment and trade, said Minister of Agriculture and...

Italy/Vietnam: Italian bank to open rep office in Ho Chi Minh City.
October 30, 2008... Section: Business News - The State Bank of Vietnam has granted a licence for Italian Intesa Sanpaolo SpA Bank to open a representative office in Ho Chi Minh City. The office is licensed to operate for five years to undergo market...

Vietnam: Societe Generale Viet Finance to raise capital.
October 30, 2008... Section: Business News - Societe Generale Viet Finance Company has received State Bank's approval to increase its charter capital from VND320 billion (US$19.4 million) to VND520 billion ($31.5 million). The company was established last...

Thailand: Anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy rejects appeal for peace talks.
October 29, 2008... Section: Government and Politics - The anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy has rejected an appeal for peace talks, calling the current approach to forging reconciliation inappropriate, The Nation reports. "Negotiations are...

Thailand: Full state guarantee on bank deposits extended until August 2011.
October 29, 2008... Section: General : Full coverage will now last for three years before being reduced, The Nation reports. Responding to the global financial crisis, the Cabinet on October 28 approved a measure extending the 100-per-cent state guarantee on...

Thailand: Under-funded state hospitals asks government to help.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - Overworked and underpaid staff working in fear of lawsuits, The Nation reports. Regional and general hospitals across the country have made a plea for help from the Public Health Ministry, claiming their staff is...

Thailand: "The King of Thailand in World Focus" book now available.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - A new book guilds global opinion with HM the King's own words to build a multifaceted picture of his gleaming reign, The Nation reports. Thais and foreigners eager to know more about the revered King Bhumibol...

Thailand: Cabinet approves three-year spending budget.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - The Cabinet on October 28 endorsed a three-year spending budget of Bt7.1 trillion, including about Bt1.61 trillion for mega-project investment - considered essential in driving the economy at a time when the global...

Thailand: Unemployment expected to rise.
October 29, 2008... Section: Economy - All units under the Labour Ministry have been ordered to stand ready to cope with a possible spiralling of unemployment, as employers may reduce their workforce to deal with declining business, The Nation reports. ...

Thailand: Retail petrol prices come down.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - Oil retailers will on Wednesday further cut petrol and gasohol prices by 80 and 60 satang per litre, respectively, The Nation reports. PTT President and CEO Prasert Bunsumpun attributed the cut to the continued...

Thailand: Thai Smart Card sets performance target.
October 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Thai Smart Card, operator of the Smart Purse digital cash card, has set the ambition to attract a million of new holders every year, The Nation reports. Chief Commercial Officer Chatchai Chatchaiganan, said that...

Thailand: Amarin Printing organizes House and Garden fair.
October 29, 2008... Cash generated at Baan Lae Suan Fair 2008 (House and Garden Fair) is expected to reach Bt5 billion, about the same as last year, due to the world financial crisis and domestic political turmoil, The Nation reports. However, attendance...

Thailand: Jay Mart outs its initial public offering on hold.
October 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Major mobile-phone retailer Jay Mart has put its initial public offering on hold, pending a recovery in the economy, The Nation reports. "We may list [on the Stock Exchange of Thailand] next year but that depends...

Thailand: Tata Consultancy Service opens office to provide IT and business process outsourcing services.
October 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Tata Consultancy Service has set up a representative office in Bangkok to provide IT and business process outsourcing (BPO) services to help large corporations invest in IT efficiently and at a lower cost, The Nation...

Thailand: Philips Electronics makes business plan.
October 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Philips Electronics (Thailand) plans to be among the top two in the MP3- and MP4-player market next year with an aggressive marketing campaign, The Nation reports. Philips is focusing on the MP3 and MP4 market...

Thailand: Yum Restaurants International expands quick-service outlets.
October 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Company to invest Bt1.7 bn to opening KFC, Pizza Hut restaurants, The Nation reports. In contrast with the current economic difficulties, Yum Restaurants International (Thailand) will next year allocate record...

Thailand: Property developer Sansiri launches 3 Hive condominium projects.
October 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Hive is the city condominium brand of Sansiri, which focuses on the middlemarket segment under the broad theme of "Simply Sansiri", The Nation reports. Interior Design at sampling room of Hive project. The...

Thailand: Property companies shift to smaller residential projects.
October 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Firms revise business plans to boost sales and cash flow, The Nation reports. Property companies have revised their strategies and will develop smaller residential projects to speed up their sales in the last...

Thailand: Democrat Party-list MP acquitted of electoral fraud.
October 29, 2008... Section: Government and Politics - A Democrat Party-list MP was acquitted of electoral fraud, while two Democrats from Ubon Ratchathani province were yellow carded, Election Commission secretary-general Suthiphon Thaveechaigarn said on...

Thailand: Ruling party MP Karun accused of threatening to kick Senator Rosana.
October 29, 2008... Section: Government and Politics - Ruling party MP Karun Hosakul was accused on October 28 of threatening to kick outspoken Bangkok Senator Rosana Tositrakul following her verbal spat with another government MP during a parliamentary meeting,...

Thailand: Korn wants chief government prosecutor investigated for not going ahead with case against Thaksin.
October 29, 2008... Section: Government and Politics - Democrat MP Korn Chatikavanij on October 28 petitioned that an investigation be started to see if the chief prosecutor had abused his power by deciding not to prosecute ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra in the SC...

Laos: Laos denies detaining Hmong leaders.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - Laos on October 28 rejected a request from an international human-rights group to release Hmong leaders, saying it was not holding any refugees deported from Thailand, The Nation reports. New York-based Human...

Thailand: Armed forces chief urges feuding parties to avoid mentioning monarchy in their political dispute.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - The Supreme commander of the armed forces on October 28 urged feuding parties to avoid mentioning the monarchy in their political dispute, The Nation reports. General Songkitti Jakkabatra said the monarchy was...

Thailand: Cabinet approves budget to compensate victims of government crackdown against demonstrators.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - The Cabinet on October 28 approved a Bt56-million budget to compensate victims of recent political violence, The Nation reports. Deputy government spokesperson, Suparat Nakboonnam, said victims to be compensated...

Thailand: Anti-government group PAD detain pro-government demonstrators.
October 29, 2008... Section: Government and Politics - Pro and anti-government protesters clashed near Nang Lern intersection in Bangkok, causing injuries of both groups, The Nation reports. People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) announced Tuesday they...

Thailand: Commentary - Politicians do not understand southern insurgency and make no efforts to do so.
October 29, 2008... Section: Commentary - The Nation Thai politicians do not understand the southern insurgency and make no efforts to do so. Of all places in the country, Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat finally found some solace in Thailand's deep South....

Thailand: Open letter to UK authorities on Thaksin extradition.
October 29, 2008... Section: Commentary - By Tulsathit Taptim - The Nation Dear British asylum authorities. Before you say it, this is not dismayed sarcasm or a lame attempt at reverse psychology. This letter means every word that is written, and the one...

Thailand: Anti-government group PAD detain 5 pro-government people.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - PAD guards say they were under attack, the Bangkok Post reports. Scuffles broke out and a woman was punched in the face when five pro-government supporters were grabbed and held by People's Alliance for Democracy...

Thailand: Cabinet extends 100% state guarantee on bank deposits.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - The cabinet on October 28 approved the extension of the 100% state guarantee on bank deposits until Aug 10, 2011, the Bangkok Post reports. The Deposit Insurance Act passed in August guaranteed bank deposits for...

Thailand: Parliament gives negotiators authority to discuss border demarcation with Cambodia.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - Lawmakers at the joint parliamentary session last night gave negotiators authority to hold talks with Cambodia to demarcate the land boundary in the disputed area between the two countries, the Bangkok Post reports....

Thailand: Democrat Party escapes danger of being dissolved.
October 29, 2008... Section: Government and Politics - Election Commission: No basis to red-card deputy leader Vithoon, the Bangkok Post reports. The opposition Democrat party has avoided possible dissolution proceedings with the five-member Election...

Thailand: ICT Ministry to block websites containing lese majeste content.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - The Information and Communications Technology Ministry is to introduce an internet gateway system to block websites containing lese majeste content, the Bangkok Post reports. ICT Minister Mun Patanotai will also...

Thailand: Mother of demonstrator killed by police sues deputy police spokesman for defamation.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - The mother of 28-year-old protester Angkhana Radappanyawut, who was killed in the Oct 7 street clashes, is suing deputy police spokesman Surapol Thuanthong for defamation, the Bangkok Post reports. Angkhana died...

Thailand: December Asean meeting may have 2 venues.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - Asean event now likely to be held in two cities, the Bangkok Post reports. Organisers of the Asean business forum oppose the government's plan to move the Southeast Asian summit from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and say...

Thailand: Prime minister visits southern provinces.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat on October 28 made his first visit to the three Muslim-dominated southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat since taking office last month, the Bangkok Post reports. ...

Thailand: Office of Auditor General opposes naming bid winner on Purple Line electric train project.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) has formally opposed the naming of the successful bid for the Purple Line electric-train project owned by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) which will run from Bang Sue to...

Thailand: Thaksin may lose his police rank following conviction by court.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - Police are considering stripping former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra of his rank of lieutenant-colonel for his conviction in the Ratchadaphisek land purchase case, the Bangkok Post reports. Police spokesman...

Thailand: Groups oppose using Social Security Fund to finance teachers' debts.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - Labour groups: money can't be lent to teachers, the Bangkok Post reports. Labour organisations have strongly opposed a plan by labour and education ministers to use the Social Security Fund (SSF) to refinance...

Thailand: Melamine found in milk chocolate smuggled from China for sale at border market.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - Melamine has been found in milk chocolate smuggled from China for sale at a border market, the Bangkok Post reports. The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found Orphic milk chocolate, manufactured by Tianjin...

Thailand: Plan to declare new national parks creates land use conflicts.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - A plan to declare 43 new national parks has created widespread land-use conflicts between forestry officials and local people, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said on October 28, the Bangkok Post reports....

Thailand: Stocks rise on Tuesday.
October 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Thai shares closed 2.74% higher on October 28 as most regional markets gained on bargain-hunting, the Bangkok Post reports. The Stock Exchange of Thailand index closed at 398.04, up 10.61 points, in moderately...

Thailand: PTT Exploration & Production Plc reports third quarter earnings.
October 29, 2008... Section: Business News - PTT Exploration & Production Plc on October 28 reported a stronger-than expected third-quarter profit of 12.98 billion baht (3.93 baht a share), up 84% from the year before, the Bangkok Post reports. Nine-month...

Thailand: Fiscal Policy Office officials says fiscal spending stimulus needed.
October 29, 2008... Section: Economy - Fiscal spending and jobs to be the focus, the Bangkok Post reports. Additional fiscal spending and jobs programmes are needed to help cushion the Thai economy from the impact of a global recession in 2009, according to...

Thailand: US restaurant chain Yum Restaurants to continue to invest in Thailand.
October 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Despite the economic downturn in its home country, the US restaurant chain Yum Restaurants will continue to invest in Thailand with a planned budget of 1.7 billion baht next year, more than double this year's total,...

Thailand: Fund managers say property funds still attractive.
October 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Long-term returns now look attractive, the Bangkok Post reports. Property funds may be one of the last asset classes that can still offer relatively stable returns for nervous investors over a medium-term...

Thailand: Government prepares to set aside funds to buy corn and tapioca.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - The government is preparing to set aside 11.12 billion baht to buy corn and tapioca in its latest intervention scheme to shore up the prices of the two products, the Bangkok Post reports. According to Yanyong...

Thailand/Hong Kong: Thai egg producers expect to ship more eggs to Hong Kong.
October 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Thai egg producers expect to ship more eggs to Hong Kong after excessive levels of melamine in Chinese eggs were recently discovered in the territory, the Bangkok Post reports. Hong Kong normally imports 22-23...

Thailand: Industrialists disagree with dire prediction of job losses.
October 29, 2008... Section: Economy - Dire forecast of one million layoffs inflated, the Bangkok Post reports. Thai industrialists have contradicted reports that up to one million jobs could be lost next year, although they acknowledge the global slump may...

Thailand: Automotive industry believes it can remain relatively unaffected by global financial turmoil.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - The local automotive industry believes it can remain relatively unaffected by the global financial turmoil as Thai economic fundamentals remain sound while the domestic and export markets are still healthy, said Toyota...

Thailand: Exports of electronics and electrical products may not grow next year.
October 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Thailand's exports of electronics and electrical products next year may not pass this year's 1.6-trillion-baht projection as the European market nears a slowdown after the US market's collapse, the Bangkok Post...

Thailand: Sanitaryware producer Bathroom Design confident of achieving its targeted growth this year.
October 29, 2008... Section: Business News - The Thai sanitaryware producer Bathroom Design is confident of achieving its target of 20% business growth this year, helped by the appreciation of its innovative designs by residential developers and foreign...

Thailand: TV Channel 3 to adopt new strategy.
October 29, 2008... Section: Business News - To cope with falling ad spending, Channel 3, the country's second-ranked TV station, will apply a new strategy aiming to take away market share from rivals, said Surin Krittayaphongphun, an executive of Bangkok...

Thailand: Thai companies trail regional competitors in publicising corporate social responsibility activities.
October 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Thai companies continue to trail their competitors in the region in publicising their corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, says a survey by CSR Asia, the Bangkok Post reports. The Hong Kong...

Thailand: Jay Mart Plc makes jFone brand again.
October 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Global rivals 'weak' in mid-priced niche, the Bangkok Post reports. Jay Mart Plc, a leading mobile handset distributor, is resuming making its own jFone brand to serve the local medium-priced market, which it...

Thailand: Nokia steps up efforts to sell mobile gaming services.
October 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Nokia is stepping up efforts to drive its mobile gaming services following their global popularity among next-generation handset users, the Bangkok Post reports. The move is part of the Finnish-based world market...

Thailand: Expert discusses supply chain issues.
October 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Bangkok Post The global financial crisis is taking its toll across almost every international business sector. Asian economies face a new challenge, a downward spiral in the global economy with which they have...

Thailand: Thai Airways International to keep its non-stop Bangkok-Los Angeles flights.
October 29, 2008... Section: Business News - Thai Airways International has resolved to keep its non-stop Bangkok-Los Angeles flights, which were to have been terminated last Sunday, as sharply lower oil prices are improving the route's viability, the Bangkok...

Maldives: Maldives Cast Votes in Presidential Election Run-Off.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - Voters in the Maldives have cast ballots in a critical election that will determine whether Asia's longest-serving leader will extend his 30-year rule. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom faced opposition candidate and...

Philippines: Thousands of People Displaced in Philippines 'Forgotten War'.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - The International Committee of the Red Cross, or ICRC, says hundreds of thousands of people in the Philippines war-torn Central Mindanao Province are facing a humanitarian crisis. But, it says, no one is paying...

United States/Afghanistan: US Considers Talks With Some Afghan Taliban Elements.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - State Department officials say the United States is considering contacts with elements of Afghanistan's militant Islamic Taliban movement, as part of a broad Bush administration review of the conduct of the Afghan war....

Sudan: Sudan Urges Condemnation of Darfur Rebel Group for Oil Worker Deaths.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - Sudan has urged the international community to strongly condemn the Justice and Equality Movement rebel group from Darfur, which it accuses of executing five Chinese oil workers that were kidnapped last week. For VOA,...

Pakistan/Afghanistan: Pakistani, Afghan Delegates Agree to Talks With Taliban.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - Pakistani and Afghan political and tribal leaders meeting in Islamabad Tuesday have agreed to seek talks with Taliban insurgents in a bid to limit violence along their shared border. The announcement came after a...

Laos: Rights Group Calls on Laos to Release Information on Hmong Protest Leaders.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - A human rights group has called on the Lao government to release information regarding several Hmong refugees who led protests in Thailand earlier this year and were later repatriated to Laos. As Ron Corben reports...

South Korea: South Korean 'Goose Dads' Feel Pinch of Crisis-Driven Currency Swing.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - South Korea's currency, the won, fell to its lowest exchange value in 10 years against the dollar, this week. Panicked investors are taking shelter in the dollar, amid global financial uncertainties, driving its value...

Afghanistan/Pakistan: Afghanistan, Pakistan, US Military Forces Cooperate in Border Region.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - Mutual distrust between Afghanistan and Pakistan has hampered efforts to combat terrorism along their common border. That has led to calls for joint patrols, along with international troops. While that has yet to...

South Korea/North Korea: South Korean Spy Chief Says Kim Jong Il Well Enough to Work.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - South Korea's spy chief says North Korean leader Kim Jong Il appears to have recovered enough from a stroke to resume his ordinary duties. National Intelligence Service chief Kim Sung-ho told lawmakers Tuesday...

World: Global Stocks Gain Tuesday Despite Dire US Economic Forecasts.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - Stock prices closed Tuesday mostly higher in Europe and Asia. Shares in New York posted strong gains for much of the day, despite gloomy news about U.S. consumer confidence. VOA's Kent Klein reports from Washington....

North Korea/South Korea: North Korea Threatens to Turn South Into 'Debris'.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - North Korea is warning South Korea of a pre-emptive strike that will turn the South into "debris," if Seoul does not stop what the North calls "a policy of confrontation." As VOA's Seoul Correspondent Kurt Achin...

Australia/Afghanistan: Australia to Investigate Deaths of Rejected Afghan Asylum Seekers.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - The Australian government is investigating reports that the Taliban killed up to 20 Afghans who were denied asylum in Australia and sent back to Afghanistan. They allegedly were among 400 asylum seekers denied entry...

Iceland: Iceland Says It Needs $6 Billion Bailout.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - Iceland's prime minister says his country needs about $6 billion in loans to recover from the global financial crisis, as Reykjavik's central bank hikes its interest rates by a massive six percentage points. For VOA,...

Russia: Russia Says No EU Monitors in Georgian Breakaway Territories.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - Russia says it opposes the deployment of European Union monitors inside two Georgian breakaway territories that Moscow now recognizes as independent countries. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov outlined his country's...

World: Karadzic Tells Tribunal He is Not Ready to Respond to War Crimes Indictment.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic has appeared briefly in a war crimes courtroom, telling a judge in The Hague he is not yet prepared to respond to an amended indictment filed by prosecutors. Karadzic...

Serbia: Serbian Authorities Arrest Basketball Player Wanted in US.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - Serbian police have arrested a Serbian basketball player who fled the United States after being involved in a bar fight that left an American student in a coma. Authorities said Tuesday they detained Miladin...

United Kingdom: British PM Brown Urges Action to Stop Financial 'Contagion'.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - Britain's prime minister says the top priority for London and Paris is to stop the global financial crisis from spreading to eastern Europe's emerging economies. Gordon Brown said Tuesday the International Monetary...

Iraq/United States: US Commander Develops Regional Transition Task Force in Iraq, Possible Model for Country.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - The U.S. commander in what was one of Iraq's most violent areas says he has developed a Transition Task Force to give Iraqi forces responsibility for security in the area, and he believes the model can be used...

Israel: Israeli Parties Call for February 10 Election.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - Two of Israel's main political parties are calling for early elections to be held in February. The leaders of the Kadima and Likud factions in Israel's parliament expressed support for a February 10 date as they...

Middle East: Most Arab, Gulf Stock Markets Lower for Third Day.
October 29, 2008... Section: General News - Most Gulf stock exchanges traded lower again, but with smaller losses than in previous sessions. Financial difficulties by the United Arab Emirates second-largest bank are causing a ripple effect in various countries,...