THAI NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - APRIL 2, 2004.

(From Asia Pulse)

BANGKOK, April 2 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers:

THE BANGKOK POST:

- Administrators overseeing Thai Petrochemical Industry have finalised a new restructuring plan that will cut debt to US$1.8 billion from US$2.945 billion now.

- Sitthiporn Ratanopas, the governor of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat), has been cleared of any mismanagement related to a failed share swap deal with Banpu Plc.

- Thai stocks jumped 3.8 per cent yesterday on bargain hunting and market anticipation of new tax incentives from the government for stock investment.

- The upcoming enlargement of the European Union in May is a major focus not only for governments in the acceding countries, but also for their central banks. Upon entry, they will become members of the European Central Bank, which means that the new members are expected to take active steps toward fulfilling the necessary conditions for future admission into the eurozone.