Thai Press Reports articles from September 2008

Thai Press Reports archives from September 2008

Thailand: Prime minister unfazed by allegations of illegal shareholding.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said on September 29 he was not disturbed that he would be investigated for alledgedly violating the Constitution by holding shares in CS Loxinfo that has a concession with CAT, and...

Thailand: Chavalit in talks with anti-government PAD group co-leader Chamlong.
September 30, 2008... Section: Government and Politics - Chamlong Srimuang, co-leader of the anti-establishment People's Alliance for Democracy, said on September 29 he had spoken briefly with Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh as the government began...

Thailand: Foreign minister skips UN speech.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Foreign Minister Sompong Amornwiwat on September 29 skipped his speech before the United Nations General Assembly due to fear of violating the Constitution as the new government has not yet announced its policies to...

Thailand: Natthawut is new government spokesman.
September 30, 2008... Section: Government and Politics - Former deputy government spokesman Natthawut Sai-kua has edged Nahathai Thewphaingarm out of the government spokesman's seat, The Nation reports. Former MP Nahathai was earlier believed to have been made...

Thailand: Commentary - Political reform becoming buzzword again.
September 30, 2008... Section: Commentary - The Nation Political reform is once again becoming a buzzword since the drastic transformation of the political system as enshrined in the suspended 1997 charter, known as the People's Constitution. Following the...

Thailand: Bankers' association urges government not to allow foreign firms to issue baht bonds.
September 30, 2008... Section: Business News - The Thai Bankers' Association (TBA) on September 29 urged the Finance Ministry to impose a ban on foreign financial institutions' plans to issue baht-denominated bonds, due to the US financial crisis, The Nation...

Thailand: Muang Thai Life Insurance says nationalization of Fortis bank won't have significant impact.
September 30, 2008... Section: Business News - Muang Thai Life Assurance, the Kingdom's third-largest life insurer, on September 29 dismissed any significant impact on its business following the nationalisation of Dutch-Belgian bank Fortis, The Nation reports. ...

World: European governments stepped in to rescue Fortis, Bradford & Bingley and Hypo Real Estate Holding.
September 30, 2008... Section: Business News - Move 'stalls risk of a systemic breakdown', The Nation reports. European governments stepped in to rescue Fortis, Bradford & Bingley and Hypo Real Estate Holding as tremors from the US credit crisis reverberated...

Thailand: Bankers' association proposes measures to protect against liquidity shortage.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Thai Bankers' Association on Monday proposed 5 measures to Finance Minister Suchart Thadadamrongvej, on concerns that the US financial crisis could lead to tight liquidity in the Thai market, The Nation reports. ...

Thailand: Thai Union Frozen Products Plc buys Ace of Diamonds brand in US.
September 30, 2008... Section: Business News - Thai Union Frozen Products Plc's board of directors last week approved the company's plan to purchase "Ace of Diamonds" brand in the US market for US$200,000 or approximately Bt6.9 million, The Nation reports. ...

Thailand: Phuket Square, operator of Jungceylon Shopping Destination to manage retail space in Millennium Mall.
September 30, 2008... Section: Business Ness - Firm confident of good revenue from upmarket project, The Nation reports. Phuket Square, operator of Jungceylon Shopping Destination, expects to receive Bt50 million per year from managing retail space in...

Thailand: Company News.
September 30, 2008... Section: Business News - The Nation SRT agrees land deal with Central. The State of Railway of Thailand's board on September 29 agreed to renew Central Group's Lat Phrao land lease for another 20 years for Bt21 billion. Governor...

Thailand: Convention bureau works to develop MICE business.
September 30, 2008... Section: Business News -The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has unveiled a planned offensive to turn Thailand into the preferred meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) destination in Asia next year, The...

Thailand: Energy Ministry urges more production of ethanol.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - The Energy Ministry wants the Thai Ethanol Manufacturing Association (TEMA) to increase daily production capacity from 930,000 litres now to 1 million litres from the October-November period, The Nation reports. ...

Thailand: Industry minister vows to give eco-cars priority.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Industry Minister Pracha Promnok intends to give priority to eco-car investment rather than promoting E85-compatible cars, The Nation reports. "We don't mean that we will ignore promoting E85-compatible cars, but...

Thailand: Transport minister vows to push existing projects ahead.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Transport Minister Santi Prompat on September 29 vowed to proceed with projects carried over from his first term in the Samak Sundaravej administration, The Nation reports. These include mass transit, Suvarnabhumi...

Thailand: Red Bull launches marketing campaign using entertainment.
September 30, 2008... Section: Business News - The Red Bull Beverage, manufacturer and distributor of Kratingdang energy drink, on September 29 launched its entertainment marketing strategy to expand its customer base among first-jobbers, particularly those who...

Thailand: Dtac to pick 3G broadband supplier soon.
September 30, 2008... Section: Business News - Total Access Communication (DTAC) wants to select a third-generation (3G) mobile broadband-network supplier soon, to launch the service by next year's second quarter, The Nation reports. "It's a matter of weeks,...

Thailand: Airports of Thailand vows to make Suvarnabhumi Airport among the world's best.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Improvements on course: authority, The Nation reports. Airports of Thailand insists that Suvarnabhumi Airport will become one of the world's best 10 aviation gateways next year, despite the slight drop in...

Thailand: Oxford Business Group to issue report on Thai economy.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - The Oxford Business Group (OBG), a global publishing and consultancy firm based in the UK, plans to launch a Thailand investment report in next year's first quarter, The Nation reports. "The Report: Thailand 2009"...

Thailand: Criminal Court to declare verdict on attempted assassination of former Supreme Court Chairman.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - The South Bangkok Criminal Court today is scheduled to declare the ruling on the historical case of the conspiracy to assassinate former Supreme Court Chairman Praman Chansue after the case was in trial for 15 years....

Thailand: 15 provinces warned of heavy rains.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Meteorological Department warned people in 15 provinces nationwide to brace themselves for heavy rains on Monday and Tuesday. Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation director-general Mr. Anucha Mokkhavesa...

Thailand: Public Health Ministry drafts regulations to control melamine contaminated products.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - The Ministry of Public Health expedites the drafting of ministerial regulations to control dairy products and food sold in Thailand to prevent melamine contamination exceeding the amount set by the ministry. ...

Thailand: Industry Minister vows to continue on with projects in 6 industries.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - The Minister of Industry has affirmed to continue ministry policies to develop industries in 6 sectors while asking for the opportunity to prove himself. Minister of Industry Police General Pracha Phromnok stated...

Thailand: Suvarnabhumi Airport accommodates 80 million passengers so far.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Director of Suvarnabhumi Airport Serirat Prasutanont reports that there have been more than 80 million passengers using the airport during two years of its operation. The director sets the target for the airport to be...

Thailand: PAD reveals speaking with DPM and possibility of negotiations.
September 30, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - Leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy have revealed that they spoke via telephone with Deputy Prime Minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and admit to the possibility of setting up negotiations. ...

Thailand: Court sentences 2 of 4 defendants in murder charges against former Supreme Court Chairman.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - The South Bangkok Criminal Court has sentenced defendants 3 and 4 in the conspiracy to murder former Supreme Court Chairman Pramarn Chansue to 25 years in prison each while defendants 1 and 2 have been given reduced...

Thailand: Suphan Buri authority issues measure to protect local consumers.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Suphan Buri Governor Somsak Phurisrisak reveals that local authority has been instructed to observe the price movements of products and services in the province, adding that the move aims to prevent entrepreneurs...

Thailand: PM lauds Defense Ministry for being good role model.
September 30, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - Prime Minister and Defense Minister Somchai Wongsawat lauds the Defense Ministry for being a good role model in assisting public members. Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force, Air Chief Chalit Pukpasuk...

Thailand: EC to cut out witnesses in Democrat Deputy Leader case if they fail to give their statements.
September 30, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - The Election Commission is considering removing witnesses in the Witoon Nambutr Electoral Fraud case if they fail to appear for their statements as the commission is expecting to rule on the matter in October....

Thailand: Commerce Ministry to request National Rice Policy Committee to take charge of rice again.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - The Ministry of Commerce will request the National Rice Policy Committee to oversee rice again after it transferred all rice-related operations to the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives and the Ministry...

Thailand: Senator seeks credential review of PM.
September 30, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - Senator Ruangkrai Likijwattana will today (September 29, 2008) seek an Election Commission review of the Prime Minister's credentials after raising suspicions on the legitimacy of his membership in the House...

Thailand: PM commends Defense Ministry for its service to the public.
September 30, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - The Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force indicates that the Prime Minister has commended the Ministry of Defense for serving as a prime example of public assistance. Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force,...

Thailand: Second day of Vegetarian Festival in Sungai Kolok kicks off well despite high prices of food.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Despite heightened prices of vegetarian food during this year's festival period, the atmosphere for the Vegetarian Festival in Sungai Kolok district is still vibrant with many citizens taking their vegetarian meals at...

Thailand: PAD declare agreement with Political Reform committee.
September 30, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - Leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy yesterday voiced their agreement with suggestions that an independent committee be formed to handle political reform. People's Alliance for Democracy leaders...

Thailand: Democrat party says PM should remove critical television program to promote unity.
September 30, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - The Democrat Party yesterday called for the Prime Minister to cease the broadcast of "Kwam Jing Wan Nee" to ensure more unity in the country while asking for a response to the concept of "New Politics". ...

Thailand/Laos: Thailand and Laos agree to cooperate rail transport to reduce costs.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Thailand and Laos have agreed to cooperate on rail transport in an effort to reduce logistics costs. Deputy Minister of Commerce Pichet Tuncharoen revealed that a recent visit to the Lao People's Republic, by...

Thailand: Security officials prepare for heavy rail travel during Hari Raya.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Internal Security Officers are amassing their numbers to help secure commuter trains for citizens participating in upcoming Hari Raya. Commander of Songkhla provincial Police, Police Lieutenant General Wirun...

Thailand: DPM General Chawalit admits his return to politics is motivated by a need to aid the nation.
September 30, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - Deputy Prime Minister General Chawalit Yongjaiyuth has admitted that his return to politics is to aid in rectifying the nation's situation. Deputy Prime Minister General Chawalit Yongjaiyuth revealed today...

Thailand: Yaovaraj is all set for vegetarian festival.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Yaovaraj, Thailand's China town, is all set for vegetarian festival, officially begins September 29 spanning to October 7. The annual meatless fair is, for this year, coupled with praying ceremony to contribute to...

Thailand: Apirak confident to be re-elected.
September 30, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - Mr. Apirak Kosayodhin, a prominent Bangkok governor candidate from Democrat party, has expressed confidence he would emerge as the Bangkokg gubernatorial upcoming election this Sunday. Mr. Apirak...

Thailand: Meatless festival prompts vegetable price hikes.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Prices of vegetables in the markets have climbed up as Chinese vegetarian food festival officially begins today (September 29), while agricultural areas nationwide have been adversely affected by flash floods. The...

Thailand: Accord reached on huge US financial rescue.
September 30, 2008... Section: Economy - US Congressional leaders and the Bush administration Sunday morning had struck an accord to insert the US government deeply into the American financial markets, agreeing to spend up to $700 billion to relieve Wall Street of...

Thailand: 4 candidates hurdle for Bangkok governor.
September 30, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - As Bangkok gubernatorial comes to very last week, four prominent candidates have tried hard to woo voters to support them via launching various tactics in bids to try to win the city's governor seat. The...

Thailand: Public health ministry says flood death toll rises to 18.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - The death toll in Thailand's current round of floods has risen to 18, while nearly 190,000 patients suffering from water borne diseases have been seen by the national hospital and clinic network, according to the...

Thailand: Thai capital named 'Best Leisure Destination' in Asia-Pacific.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - The Thai capital of Bangkok has been named 'Best Leisure Destination' in the Asia-Pacific region by readers of Business Traveller Asia Pacific magazine, the Thai foreign ministry announced. The ministry said it...

Thailand: Thailand plans strict screening of workers seeking jobs in South Korea.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Thailand's Ministry of Labour has imposed rigid screening of Thai workers seeking employment in South Korea following the recent arrests of 111 workers there on drug charges, a senior ministry official said. ...

Thailand: Senator seeks probe investments by PM, daughter in possible charter violation.
September 30, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - A member of the upper house of the Thai Parliament said Sunday he will file complaints with the country's Election Commission (EC) on Monday asking for a probe of the assets of both Prime Minister Somchai...

Thailand: Thai PM unperturbed by protesters 'welcome'.
September 30, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - After a series of embarrassing 'welcomes' by protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) over two days, Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said Sunday he is unperturbed by the actions and...

Thailand: PAD protesters insist on public role in political reform.
September 30, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - Although earlier agreeing to a proposal by the rectors of 24 state and private universities on political reform for Thailand to be achieved by empowering an independent committee to grapple with the issue,...

Thailand: PM encounters protesters in South; PAD ambivalent on request to close airports.
September 30, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, making a one-day visit to his hometown in Nakhon Si Thammarat on Saturday after his royal appointment last week, was met by angry People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD)...

Thailand: Protesters clash with airport security as PM arrives in Surat Thani.
September 30, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters here clashed with airport security shortly after the arrival of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat on Saturday. The incident took place after Mr. Somchai,...

Japan/ASEAN: Japan hopes for ASEAN regional investment headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand.
September 30, 2008... Section: Business News - Amid the worldwide economic slowdown, Japan wants Thailand to amend "rigid procedures" and improve public utilities, and sees Thailand the right site for a regional headquarters to serve full market liberalisation...

Thailand: Current US financial crisis still better than 1997 Asian crisis.
September 30, 2008... Section: Economy - The outlook for the impact from the current US financial crisis on Thailand is still less severe than the Asian economic crisis in 1997, triggered by the flotation of the Thai currency, the baht, according to Maris Tarab,...

Thailand: Deputy PM Chavalit negotiates with PAD protesters.
September 30, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - In an attempt to defuse political tensions in Thailand, newly-appointed Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh said Monday he had held negotiations with a core leader of the self-proclaimed Peoples...

Thailand: Finance minister assures market of readiness to supervise liquidity.
September 30, 2008... Section: Business News - Newly-appointed Finance Minister Suchart Thada-Thamrongvech on Monday assured private-sector executives of the ministry's readiness to supervise liquidity in the country's financial system to prevent possible...

Thailand: Senator's challenge puts PM's qualifications under scrutiny.
September 30, 2008... Section: Government & Politics - Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat's qualifications are under scrutiny after appointed senator Ruangkrai Leekijwattana accused the prime Minister of holding shares in CS Loxinfo, a company operating under a...

Thailand: US financial woes could impact Thai liquidity in future.
September 30, 2008... Section: Economy - Global liquidity has started to tighten following the financial troubles in the US, causing Thai investors to switch to borrowing money domestically due to the higher costs of international funding mobilisation and this may...

Vietnam: Vietnam joins UN efforts to address global issues.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Vietnam has seriously observed its commitments and actively participated in addressing to global issues, said Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem at the UN General Assembly in New York...

Vietnam: Vietnam supports regional economic integration.
September 30, 2008... Section: Economy - Vietnam supports the East Asian region's economic integration process, affirmed a Vietnamese diplomat at the second East Asia Trade Forum in Beijing on September 28. Addressing the event, counsellor of the Vietnamese...

China/Vietnam: Vietnam leaders' special envoy visits China.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - The Special Envoy of the Vietnamese high-ranking leaders, Deputy Foreign Minister Vu Dung, visited China from Sept. 23 to 27. The Special Envoy met with State Councilor Dai Bingguo and handed over to him the...

Vietnam: Vietnam further advances South-South and North-South ties.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Vietnam is resolved to further advance the South-South and North-South Cooperation, a Vietnamese representative affirmed at the 32 nd Annual Ministerial Meeting of the Group of 77 in New York on September 26. ...

Russia/Vietnam: Defence minister visits Russia for cooperation.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Vietnam and Russia have agreed to further enhance their cooperative ties in defence, particularly in the area of training. The agreement was reached during the talks held between Vietnam's Defence Minister Phung...

Vietnam: Party General Secretary meets Thai Nguyen's voters.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and other NA deputies of Thai Nguyen province met with voters of Song Cong town on Sept. 27 as part of preparations for the fourth session of the 12 th National Assembly. ...

Vietnam: Vietnamese communists pay working visit to Germany.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - A delegation from the Communist Party of Vietnam made a week-long working visit to Germany at the invitation of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES). The Vietnamese...

Israel/Vietnam: Vietnam urges Israel to cease illegal settlements.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Israel's settlement activities will only deepen the enmity and confrontation between Israel and the Palestinian people, thus failing to ensure Israel's long-term security interests. We join the Non-Aligned Movement,...

Vietnam: Vietnam learns from Germany's budget experiences.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - A delegation of the National Assembly's Financial and Budget Committee and the State Audit of Vietnam, is on a working visit to Germany from Sept. 20-29. The delegation attended working sessions with the German...

China/Vietnam: Communist magazine staff on China visit.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - A delegation of the Vietnam Communist Magazine led by its Deputy Editor in Chief Pham Tat Thang is in China from September 23-29 to learn about the Chinese party's theory research in the globalization context. ...

Japan/Vietnam: PM pledges greater efforts to strengthen relationship with Japan.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - The Government and people of Vietnam will spare no efforts to beef up cooperative relations with Japan , particularly in the areas of economy, trade and investment, to bring practical benefits to both countries. ...

China/Vietnam: Vietnam, China's border provinces meet to beef up cooperation.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Joint working groups from the Vietnamese border provinces of Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Lai Chau and Dien Bien and the neighbouring Chinese province of Yunnan convened their inaugural meeting in Sa Pa resort, Lao Cai, on Sept....

Vietnam: Deputy PM urges stronger measures to achieve MDGs.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem said on September 25 that Vietnam gives top priority to poverty reduction and is taking strong measures to achieve eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. Deputy PM...

Vietnam: US education exhibitions to open next month.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Four exhibitions on the US education will take place in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in October, according to the Institute of International Education in Vietnam (IIE Vietnam). The American Community College...

Vietnam: Floods claim more deaths and missing in northern region.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Floods triggered by storm Hagupit had caused 37 deaths and missing and substantial losses in property in northern region of the country, the Central Steering Committee for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control...

Vietnam: German paper holds US responsible for Vietnam's AO victims.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - A German newspaper has published an article calling on the US to take over responsibility for consequences caused by US military's use of Agent Orange/dioxin during the Vietnam War. US court dismissed twice...

Vietnam: Deputy PM urges quick help for storm-hit localities.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has asked relevant ministries and agencies to focus on search and rescue while helping northern localities overcome the aftermaths of storm Hagupit. The forecast of and...

Vietnam: Vietnam, Canada look to administrative management coop.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - A delegation of the National Ho Chi Minh Political and Administrative Academy has discussed cooperation plan with representatives of the Canadian Public Administration University (ENAP) in Quebec. Leaders of the...

Argentina/Vietnam: Argentina's Metro TV talks about Vietnam.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - The Argentine Metro TV has broadcast a talk show about Vietnam to introduce socio-economic achievements gained by the Southeast Asian country, as well as challenges it faces during national construction and development...

Vietnam: WHO advises breastfeeding amid tainted milk scandal.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Only 17 percent of Vietnamese infants were breast fed in the first six months of their life, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). It also said that 80 percent of Vietnamese infants were supplied with...

Vietnam: Export turnover up 6.3 billion USD thanks to price increase.
September 30, 2008... Section: Business News - The increase in prices of crude oil, coal, rice, coffee and rubber has raised the nine-month export turnover by 6.3 billion USD over the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The...

Netherlands/Vietnam: Vietnam boosts agricultural cooperation with Netherlands.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Vietnam and the Netherlands agreed to expand cooperation in agriculture and climate change prevention during Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat's recent visit, the first of its kind, to the...

Italy/Vietnam: Vietnamese coffee makers seek outlets in Italy.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Representatives from 11 Vietnamese leading coffee producers and exporters met with Italian businesses at a workshop in Rome on Sept. 26 to study market demand and to seek Italian distribution partners. Addressing...

Taiwan/Vietnam: Taiwan-backed auto factory inaugurated in Dong Nai.
September 30, 2008... Section: Business News - Taiwan 's SanYang Industry Co. opened an automobile factory at the Nhon Trach 2 Industrial Zone in southern Dong Nai province on Sept. 26. Covering 33.1 ha, the factory is operated by the SanYang Vietnam Motor...

Vietnam: Vietnam's insurance market sees fast expansion.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - Vietnam's insurance market has expanded rapidly over the past years and will become one of the fastest growing markets in the world, according to the Business Wire website. With support from the liberalisation post...

Vietnam: ADB assists transport, agriculture in Vietnam.
September 30, 2008... Section: General News - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide 1.1 billion USD in loans to help Vietnam upgrade the Noi Bai-Lao Cai section of the Kunming-Hai Phong transport corridor. An agreement on the biggest single project...