Hong Kong-based carrier sheds staff, looks to mainland

PTT little affected by water cuts

PTT Plc said yesterday the planned 40-per-cent cut in water supply at the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate would have little impact on the operations of its subsidiaries or affiliates at the Rayong estate.

Thai Const buys Hory

Thai Const and Building Manufacturing yesterday revealed it had successfully taken over Japan’s Hory Engineering Co Ltd and planned to list the company on the Stock Exchange of Thailand this year.

Unif eyes big expansion of range

Uni-President (Thailand), a subsidiary of Taiwan’s Uni-President Enterprise Corp that makes green tea, fruit juices and sports drinks under the Unif brand, plans to expand into soymilk, chilled products and instant noodles over the next three years.

Chile seen as portal to Latin America

Government officials and private sector representatives suggest that Thai businesses expand their markets into Latin America, and they chose Chile as a starting point during a trade seminar held yesterday.

BIODIESEL PROJECT: ‘Bt2.5 bn needed for fuel plan’

Expert says state assistance is crucial

Gates’ visit agenda

Microsoft chairman Bill Gates will outline his vision for the integration of technology in the country with the theme “Thailand Digital Inspiration”, and announce three major new projects in partnership with the government during his one-day visit next Thursday.

IN BRIEF: Dumping of shrimp

Thailand preparing submission to US

COMPANY REPORTS

BANKTHAI reported that it sold 1 million shares of TMB Asset Management at Bt28 per share. It sold 562,500 shares to TMB Bank, 125,000 to Thai Ocean Life Insurance, 125,000 to Prudential TSLife Assurance and 187,500 to DBS Bank. The bank will use the Bt28 million to fund operations.

Watch sales plunge 20%

Mid-range watch sales have been hammered down by 20 per cent in the year to last month, while luxury watches have shrugged off the economic blues to keep advancing, an industry expert said yesterday.

KSC gets new licence, vows cheaper rates

KSC Commercial Internet will capitalise on being the first Internet licensee of the national telecom regulator by offering cheaper Internet services in coming weeks.

Data signals trade deficit

Thailand’s trade account in May showed a preliminary deficit of US$930 million (Bt37.2 billion), according to Customs Department data. It was the fifth consecutive month of deficit.

STREET WISE: Spending boost is much needed

It is reasonable for Thailand to get panicky about the Customs Department’s preliminary import-export figures for May. Despite the government’s insistence the economy will soon improve, the figures fly in the face of such assurances.

PARTNERSHIP DEAL: IFS buys into Advance Finance

Top Singaporean financial company in bid to break into Thai market

RAYONG DROUGHT: PTT’s water plan ‘sensible’

The plan by PTT Plc and its affiliated companies to get around the water crisis in Rayong province by shipping in water will likely affect their earnings less than if they cut output, a brokerage firm said yesterday.

BOT projects current-account deficit of $1 billion

The Bank of Thailand (BOT) expects a current-account deficit of slightly more than US$1 billion (Bt41 billion) this year, due to high oil prices.

Thai Steel Cable soars 45 per cent on market debut

Thai Steel Cable shares closed 45 per cent up yesterday – on their first day of trading – over the stock’s modest initial public offering price, thanks bright business prospects.

FRIDAY BUG: Bankers flock to China

China has never been so “hot” for Thai banks.

HOUSE BUILDERS: Companies form Home Networks

Three major players aim to cut costs, enhance competitiveness via cooperation

Luxembourg seeks alliances with Thai SMEs as EU gateway

Luxembourg businessmen are seeking alliances with local small and medium-sized enterprises as a means of boosting Thai exports to the European Union.

CAT chief seeks clarity on plans for SET listing

The acting president of CAT Telecom will meet with board chairman Wisudhi Srisuphan today, to seek a clear direction for plans to list on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

BlueScope’s pre-engineered building project a first

An Australian construction firm will invest in a pre-engineered building project in Thailand that will allow for the faster construction of industrial plants and warehouses.

Siemens gears up as major local 3G player

Siemens is laying the groundwork to be a big player in the 3G market once the National Telecommuni-cations Commission issues licences for the advanced mobile-phone technology.