Thai Press Reports articles from September 2006

Thai Press Reports archives from September 2006

United Kingdom: Former UK ambassador to Thailand says ouster of Thaksin justified.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - Former British ambassador to Thailand, Derek Tonkin, has expressed his support for the September 19 coup, suggesting that ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is to blame...

Thailand: Authorities issue traffic advisory as work on skytrain extension begins.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - An outbound lane on Sukhumvit Road will be closed from Sunday onward to allow construction work to extend the Skytrain, The Nation reports. The closure will affect a two-kilometre...

Thailand: Police explain traffic conditions at new airport.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Traffic conditions around the new airport won't be the same as at Don Muang, senior traffic police say, The Nation reports. But in a bid to prevent problems, up to 30 traffic police...

Thailand: Airport staff face relocation decisions.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - With the closure of Don Muang, staff must decide whether to buy homes near faraway Suvarnabhumi Airport or rent an apartment, or to take on the extra cost and time of travelling to work...

Thailand: Commentary - Military coup a roadmap to democracy, not an end to political crisis.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Commentary - The Nation -There's a fear of political turmoil increasing and delaying election. Make no mistake about it - the road back to an elected government is long and winding. The...

Thailand: Former Thai Rak Thai MP Suporn reports to CDRM.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - Former Thai Rak Thai MP Suporn Atthawong reported on September 26 to Second Army officers - although he had not been ordered to do so by the Council for Democratic Reform under...

Thailand: Thai Social Forum event to be held in October.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Thai Social Forum, a major meeting of 300 social and political activists, will be held in October despite last week's coup and the ban on any political gathering of more than five...

Thailand: Deans of universities support draft of interim constitution.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - Deans from four political science faculties on September 26 offered a positive critique of the temporary charter draft, expected to be promulgated on Saturday, The Nation...

Thailand: Journalist groups meet to discuss interim constitution.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Press Council of Thailand, Confederation of Thai Journalists, Thai Journalists Association and Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, met on September 26 to discuss concerns about...

Thailand: New government to have free rein, CDRM chief says.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - Coup leaders hint Surayud at top of shortlist for PM, The Nation reports. The Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) on September 26 vowed to...

Thailand: Row erupts over new shipment fee for exporters at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General news - Some cargo shipments will be delayed till AOT explains, The Nation reports. On the eve of the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport, a major row has broken out between exporters, the Thai...

Thailand: Government's fiscal 2007 budget not yet fibalised.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - The Finance Ministry and Budget Bureau have yet to finalise the 2007 fiscal budget, because expenses need to be controlled and spending on new investment projects need to be...

Thailand: Bangchak Plc president concerned over availability of loans for R&D.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Bangchak Petroleum Plc president Anusorn Sangnimnuan has expressed concern over refineries' ability to gain approval for loans necessary to fund research into improving oil quality, The...

Thailand: CRC Sports Co. to open new stores.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - CRC Sports Co Ltd, operator of SuperSports superstores, plans to open three more of its new Fit stores, after successful launches of two others earlier this year, The Nation reports....

Thailand: RTH Construction Co. to list on SET next year.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - RTH Construction Co Ltd is planning to raise Bt150 million worth of capital from the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) next year, after major shareholder Ritta Co Ltd sold all of its...

Thailand: Bangkok Metro Plc plans joint promotional campaigns with building developers.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - BMCL joins developers in campaign, The Nation reports. Bangkok Metro Plc (BMCL) is planning a joint promotional campaign with developers that are building more than 100 projects...

Thailand: Market research sector shows strong growth.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - But trade group says hard times loom for sector, The Nation reports. Thailand's market-research industry last year recorded the second-fastest growth in the Asia-Pacific region after...

Thailand: National telecoms commission works to prevent monopoly and unfair competition.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The national telecom regulator has introduced a measure to prevent monopolies and unfair competition, under which it will require telecom operators to seek its permission before they can...

Thailand: Applications for BOI investment privileges drop sharply.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Project applications for promotional privileges dropped 43 per cent in value to Bt350 billion in the first nine months of this year, the Board of Investment (BoI) said on September 26,...

Thailand: PTT Plc expands through new projects.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - PTT Plc has shown its confidence amid the unstable economic and political situation by moving forward with a number of projects including a new plastics plant, a third gas pipeline and...

Thailand: S7P affirms corporate rating of G Steel Plc with negative outlook.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Standard and Poor's Ratings Services said it had affirmed the "B+" corporate credit rating on G Steel Plc, but the outlook is negative, The Nation reports. The negative outlook...

Thailand: 7 major retailers agree to freeze expansion for 30 days.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Three retail giants - Tesco Lotus, CP 7-Eleven and Central Watson - have yet to agree to suspend their expansion plans for 30 days, The Nation reports. However, seven retailers -...

Thailand: Exports predicted to drop 1% if US withdraws GSP.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Thailand's exports are forecast to drop 1 per cent, or Bt972.5 million, next year if US tax privileges on Thai goods under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) are terminated,...

Thailand: Survey shows Bangkok residents more satisfied with quality of life.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - More city dwellers happy with their lives, The Nation reports. The Thailand Marketing Research Society (TMRS)'s quarterly survey found that Bangkok residents were satisfied overall...

Thailand: Phuket's Jungceylon hotel and shopping complex to open in December.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Phuket's giant Bt3.5-billion Jungceylon hotel and retail complex is finally set to open on December 1 after a delay of two years, The Nation reports. The 200,000-square-metre complex...

Thailand: AIG Finance applies for banking license.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - AIG Finance (Thailand) is hoping the Bank of Thailand (BOT) will grant it a banking licence by the end of this year, after it sent the central bank the information it requested...

Thailand: Phatra Securities bullish on banking stocks.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Most investors believe last week's bloodless coup will reduce political risks and induce positive growth, while banking-sector stocks are currently the most preferred, Phatra Securities...

Thailand: Industrial and Engineering Service Plc debuts on SET.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Thai Industrial and Engineering Service Plc (TIES) will have its first day of stock trading on September 28, after its debut on the Market for Alternative Investment (MAI) was delayed...

Thailand: Growth of mutual fund industry predicted to drop.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Asset-management company forecasts a sharp slowdown, The Nation reports. Thailand's mutual-fund industry is expected to grow this year at only half the rate of last year's huge...

Thailand: The Economist sour on Thai coup.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - As expected, The Economist was prominent among the foreign press in branding last week's coup a dangerous incident, The Nation reports. In the latest edition, the magazine said it was...

Thailand: Thailand ranked lower on competitiveness compared to last year.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Thailand was ranked 35th of the world's competitive economies this year, dropping two places from last year, The Nation reports. Switzerland, Finland and Sweden this year took the...

Thailand: Commentary - CDRM should withdraw support for Surakiart candidacy for top UN post.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Commentary - The Nation - The CDRM should withdraw support for the former deputy PM's candidacy in the race to succeed Kofi Annan. The Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy...

Thailand: Commentary - Good to put Thaksin's destruction of democracy to an end.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Commentary - The Nation - Last week, the Thai military ousted caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. As a longstanding and strong critic of Thaksin, Dictator Watch is pleased to see him go. It...

Thailand: Coup a good event for numerologists.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the Army chief, led a successful coup to topple the Thaksin government, The Nation reports. His destiny hinged heavily on the auspicious number nine. The...

Thailand: Commentary - Thai Rak Thai and its religious affiliate Phra Dhammakaya are very much the same.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Commentary - The Nation - Being a former core member of Phra Dhammakaya Temple for nineteen years, I am compelled to write this article after having observed the latest developments in both Thailand's...

Thailand: Surayu seen as leading contender for prime minister's post.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - Ex-military man may get job, hints Sonthi, the Bangkok Post reports. Privy Councillor Gen Surayud Chulanont has emerged as a strong candidate for interim prime minister...

Thailand: Major meeting of academic groups and NOGs to be held in October.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Non-governmental organisations and civic groups from across the country will hold a massive gathering next month to discuss political and social reforms and to offer suggestions on a new...

Thailand: Election Commission endorses 22 city councillors-elect.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The newly-elected Election Commission (EC) has endorsed 22 of the 57 city councillors-elect, according to Staporn Santibutr, acting secretary-general of the commission, the Bangkok Post...

Thailand: Interior Ministry orders members of local administrations not to leave their provinces.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - Fear of farmers' demo in Bangkok spurs ban, the Bangkok Post reports. The Interior Ministry on September 26 rushed to ban members of local administration organisations...

Thailand: Panel established to probe assets of ousted politicians holds first meeting.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The newly appointed assets scrutiny panel will on September 27 hold its first meeting to clarify the scope of its authority, which has been seen as overlapping with other agencies, the...

Thailand: Interim constitution ready for His Majesty the King's endorsement.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - Royal endorsement to be sought Sept 30, the Bangkok Post reports. The Council for Democratic Reform (CDR) has finished drafting an interim charter that will create a...

Thailand: Activists urge CDRM to end withdraw troops from Bangkok streets.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - A political activist group has called on the coup leaders to withdraw their troops from the streets and return them to their barracks to avoid giving youngsters the wrong...

Thailand: CDRM shortens its name in English.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - The English name of the military group that staged the coup last week has been changed to prevent misunderstanding in the global community that the putsch had His Majesty the...

Thailand: Many petitions submitted to coup leadership group.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Angkhana Neelaphaijit, the wife of missing Muslim lawyer Somchai, on September 26 petitioned the Council for Democratic Reform (CDR) to look into the case of her husband and take action...

Thailand: Investigation of alledged assassination plot against Thaksin on hold.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Police have taken a break from their investigation into the alleged car bomb plot against deposed caretaker prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a senior officer handling the case said on...

Thailand: Suvarnabhumi Airport set for grand opening.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Everything is set for the opening of Suvarnabhumi airport, which will take over all commercial flights at 3am on September 28, the Bangkok Post reports. The Council for Democratic...

Thailand: Survey to be conducted to study impact of new airport on area residents.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The city administration is making a survey to assess the impact on the livelihood of area residents following the move of airline operations from Don Muang airport to Suvarnabhumi, the...

Thailand: New airport construction tainted by suspicions of corruption.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: general News - Suvarnabhumi is more than an airport. It is a classic study of how megaprojects in the country get tainted by massive corruption and allegations of power abuse, the Bangkok Post reports....

Thailand: Commentary - Internet helps promote media freedom.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Commentary - Bangkok Post - Most Western journalists fight back when governments threaten their ability to gather the information they need. Some have gone to jail to protect the identities of...

Thailand: New airport faces challenges.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Transport Ministry's recently issued mandate for the Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) to make Suvarnabhumi Airport one of the world's best airport within two years of its opening on...

Thailand: Commentary - Thailand a long way from grasping essence of democracy.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Commentary - Bangkok Post - Despite public opinion in support of it, the Sept 19 coup against the elected Thaksin government is proof that Thailand has a long way to go before it can grasp the real...

Thailand: Thai coup leaders draft new constitution.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government & Politics - Thailand's military junta has drafted a new interim constitution, and the ruling generals say they are close to naming a civilian prime minister. The generals say they will...

Thailand: SET transfers chief of market regulation division.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) board on September 27 transferred Suthichai Chitvanich from overseeing the market regulation division and put him in charge of corporate governance,...

Thailand: Rangsit Plaze to launch property fund for Future Park Rangsit expansion.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Rangsit Plaza, the operator of the Future Park Rangsit retail centre, will introduce a 4.7-billion-baht property fund to finance business expansion over the next three to five years,...

Thailand: Bangkok International Airport closes down after 92 years of operation.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The bustling Bangkok International Airport is history today but authorities have no clear plan for its future, despite having had 44 years - the time it's taken to create Suvarnabhumi -...

Thailand: Advisory councils to CDRM not expected to play significant role.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government and Politics - Members of the new economic advisory committee to the Council for Democratic Reform do not expect their work to play a significant role in changing current economic policies,...

Thailand: Maximum limit on online interbank transfers to be raised.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Thai Bankers' Association will double the maximum limit for interbank online retail fund transfers (ORFT) to 100,000 baht per transaction starting on Dec 1, the Bangkok Post reports....

Thailand: Thai tourism industry strategically important.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - By Anan Wattanakuljarus, PhD - National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA). - Bangkok Post - Tourism is one of Thailand's key strategic industries. Its importance has been...

Thailand: Japanese car makers in Thailand continue to expand business.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - Japanese car manufacturers in Thailand continue to expand their businesses without anxiety about the effects of last week's coup, according to Adisak Rohitasune, the vice-chairman of the...

Thailand: Thailand aims to be major producer of biodegradable plastic.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Thailand hopes to become a leading producer in the Asian biodegradable plastic industry over the next two decades, with production capacity reaching 15,400 tonnes per year by 2021, the...

Thailand: Industrial Sentiment index rises in August.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Economy - Industrial sentiment in August improved to a score of 85.6 from 81.4 in July, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), the Bangkok Post reports. The monthly Thai Industries...

Australia: iPSTAR Australia reports progress in signing up subscribers.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - iPSTAR Australia Pty Ltd (IPA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Thailand's Shin Satellite Plc, says it has been signing up 1,000 subscribers per month in Australia and expects to reach...

Thailand: United Airlines to introduce non-stop service between Bangkok and Washington D.C.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - United Airlines, the world's largest transpacific carrier, says it will introduce a daily one-stop service from Bangkok to Washington D.C. starting from Oct 28, the Bangkok Post...

Thailand: central bank reports bills auction results.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Bank of Thailand on September 27 auctioned four billion baht worth of 10-year bonds for a weighted average accepted yield of 5.1112%. Accepted bid yields ranged from 5.09% to 5.118%,...

Thailand: SME venture capital fund to invest in 2 companies.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Business News - The SMEs Venture Capital Fund on September 27 announced plans to invest a total of 16 million baht in two small and medium-sized enterprises, the Bangkok Post reports. The fund will...

Thailand: DA40 Diamond Star - A four-seater plane using turbo diesel engine does on sale.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News -From a layman's perspective, the white, light aircraft with a tail shaped like a dragonfly looks like any small plane, but on closer inspection by aviation professionals and enthusiasts it...

Thailand: Smart Corp denies rumours of acting in favour of ousted government.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Samart Corporation has rejected rumours that it acted in the interests of the former government, insisting that any decisions made by the company have been purely in the interest of...

Thailand: Survey shows Bangkok residents feeling more upbeat.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Bangkok residents displayed increased financial confidence in the third quarter, with peace of mind, simplicity and good health singled out as priorities, according to the latest...

Thailand: Motorola targets provincial market for mobile phones.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - The mobile-phone handset maker Motorola will focus on mass-market demand in the provinces as a key growth driver in terms of penetration rate, the Bangkok Post reports. The plan was...

Thailand: Thai Insurance Plc expands distribution channels.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - SET-listed Thai Insurance Plc is committed to expanding distribution channels in the remaining months both through corporate and retail customers, as well as small and medium-sized...

United Nations: Thai ambassador delivers speech at the UN saying military coup necessary for political reforms.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Thailand sought to reassure the world this morning (Thailand time) that the military coup was just a short interlude on the road to democracy, necessary to carry out crucial reforms, the...

Thailand: Thailand's economic growth rate in August decreases.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Economy - Fiscal Policy Office Deputy Director Somchai Sajjapong said the economic growth rate in August slowed down when compared to the figure in July. However, the revenue of the government increased...

Thailand: Next Blue Flag Market to be held tomorrow.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Director-General of the Internal Trade Department, Mr. Siripol Yodmuangcharoen, stated that the Blue Flag Market will be held again tomorrow at Sanam Luang 2, to help alleviate...

Thailand: Asset Inspection Panel Chairman insists no conflicts in cooperation between his panel and Auditor General Office.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Government & Politics - Mr. Sawat Chotepanich, the Chairman of the Asset Inspection Panel, which has been set up following the 23rd announcement of the Council for Democratic Reform (CDR), insisted that...

Thailand: Mr. Wanchai calls units to assess the problems in Suvarnabhumi Airport.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Permanent Secretary to the Transport Ministry, Mr. Wanchai Sarathulthat, called certain units to evaluate the operation problems of Suvarnabhumi Airport, following its official...

Thailand: Thai Airways cancels its flight to Manila due to Xangsane depression.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: Corporate News - Thai Airways Plc. has announced to cancel its flight traveling from Bangkok- Manila due to the Xangsane Depression. Currently, Xangsane Depression with speed of 120 kilometer per...

Thailand: Atmostphere at Don Muang Airport this morning not lively as usual.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The atmosphere in Don Muang Airport is very quiet today after the authorities have relocated all equipments to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Passengers are no longer travelling to Don Muang...

Thailand: Leakages on roof of Suvarnabhumi Airport's terminal building to be completely repaired by next week.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) has accelerated the repair of the terminal building's roof in Suvarnabhumi Airport as the leakages on the roof are causing rainwater...

Thailand: CDR Deputy Chief Chalit checks readiness of Suvarnabhumi Airport.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Deputy Chief of the Council for Democratic Reform (CDR), Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pookpasuk, inspected the readiness of services in Suvarnabhumi Airport, while admitting that some...

Thailand: ACM Chalit develops good understanding with tourists at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The Deputy Chief of the Council for Democratic Reform (CDR) and the Royal Thai Air Force Commander, Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pookpasuk, developed a mutual understanding with tourists in...

Thailand: Bangkok Governor warns motorists to avoid using flood routes.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin has asked motorists to avoid using Srinakharin and Pattanakarn routes, as they are still inundated. Mr. Apirak said heavy precipitation in the...

Thailand: Return of 48 orangutans to Indonesia postponed indefinitely.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - The National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation Department has postponed indefinitely the return of 48 orangutans to Indonesia. Department deputy chief Chawal Thanhikorn said 48...

Thailand: King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Lat Krabang campus seeks 214 million baht to alleviate effects from Suvarnabhuni Airport.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Lat Krabang campus asks for 214 million baht from the Airports of Thailand Plc. for use in alleviating effects from Suvarnabhumi airport. Privy...

Thailand: A study finds people concerned most about violence and drug problems.
September 29, 2006... (From Thai Press Reports) Section: General News - A Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University academic finds in her study on social safety that the people are worried most about violence and the return of drug problem. BR> Siriwan...