Central bank says expected surplus will halt string of monthly increases

FTA could prevent car sales to Japan

Thailand may not be able to sell cars to Japan after the Thai-Japanese trade deal is finalised because Tokyo is unlikely to lift barriers against imported vehicles, an executive from Ford Motor Co said.

Star Alliance cuts costs to stay ahead

Competition on the world’s air routes is heating up, as major airlines begin to feel the effects of the global economic slowdown, high oil prices and the rise of budget carriers.

Card growth falls, spending goes up

Credit-card accounts issued by banks and non-banks grew at a slower rate in April, while credit-card loans and card spending kept expanding.

Conrad managers sharpen hotel skills

The Conrad Hotel Bangkok last month initiated an e-learning programme to help middle management employees improve skills and advance their careers.

BBDO bags 3 Adman awards

BBDO Bangkok Ltd took three of the top five prizes at the Adman Awards and Symposium on Friday night, and picked up 60 awards out of 282 awarded on the night.

Airlines ask for floor plan of new airport

International airlines have asked the government for details of Suvarnabhumi Airport’s terminal floor plan so they can prepare for the airport’s opening, slated for September.

PURCHASING POWER: Belts are tightened as slowdown bites

Consumers starting to spend less on property, autos, electronics and cosmetics

IN BRIEF: PETROCHEMS

New firm ‘on behalf’ of TPI founder

Special: The knotty problem of housing for the needy

The finance vice minister talks to KI Woo about low-income property challenges

On The Market

FOR SOFTIES

Economic Battlefield: Weaker firms should fight one small battle at a time

Thai companies face challenges from competitors of different sizes. There are the powerful multinationals, not only from the United States, Europe and Japan, but also from South Korea and now China.

Managing the Cultures. . . Inspiring the Team

Getting to grips with the need for change

TURNING A BUSINESS PLAN INTO REALITY: Moot Biz award fuels new energy venture

Winning team Ntech plans to replace furnace oil with a distillation from old tyres, cutting the country’s import bill in the process

Downgrades are good news for investors

Since this column appeared two weeks ago, the number of earnings downgrades for Thai corporations has increased alongside more reductions in index forecasts for the year. We should continue to expect more downgrades in the following month or two. But all this is good news!

CASALUNAR: Seaside paradise

Developer builds beach homes less than an hour’s drive away

Thanapat builds in Phuket

After a successful run in Bangkok with about a dozen residential sites, Thanapat Property Development is now investing in Phuket .

Personality: A man with a bright plan

Thanakorn Wongwises has recently been appointed general manager of Philips Electronics (Thailand)’s lighting division, and he dreams of raising his company’s reputation as a “key provider” of total lighting solutions in Thailand.

Regulator ready to go ahead with licences, numbers

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) will take up the new telecoms licensing framework and phone-number plan this week, eyeing a quick implementation of both initiatives.

Street WISE: Govt goes cold on energy plan

Many people now seem to be taking energy-saving measures more seriously. Some say they regularly turn off one light every night, and others say they drive below 90 kilometres an hour.

TELECOMS: True asks for rates to continue

Provincial service provider TT&T says long-distance charges unprofitable