Plans stay; private investors sought. The Transport Ministry will early next month receive a detailed investment plan for the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima high-speed train service costing Bt115.9 billion, apparently showing the government’s commitment to continuing with the Bt1.7 trillion worth of mega-projects amid calls for downsizing the plans.

SAVINGS: BOT: We need more to support deficit

Loans ‘not enough for mega-projects’. The savings-measure package to be proposed to the Council of Economic Ministers on Monday will allow the government to invest in planned mega-projects with a current-account deficit no higher than 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) over the next five years, the central bank said yesterday.

COMPANY REPORTS

AGRIPURE HOLDINGS’s board of directors approved the write-down of paid-up capital by Bt406.4 million by trimming its par value to Bt8.49 per share from Bt10. It will also use Bt274 million of its share premium to erase accumulated losses on its balance sheet. After the write-offs, the company’s retained loss will drop to Bt1.95 million.

Local ceramics and musical instruments a big draw at trade fair

Thai-style musical instruments, ceramic ware and ceramic dolls have proved a big attraction to foreign buyers, particularly from Syria, whose companies have placed orders worth millions of baht with small and medium-sized businesses this past week.

Thiti-Thanapark heads to Bangladesh

Thiti-Thanapark Co, the distributor of the Thai-Danish brand of dairy products, is branching into the food and property sectors in Bangladesh.

Fewer tourists expected

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has forecast 12 million tourist arrivals in Thailand this year, below the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s target of 13.4 million.

STREET WISE: Unto them that have

The wealthiest people in Australia may rest a little easier now that their prime minister has announced that he plans to seek a tax cut.

EXERCISE DEGREES: Training fitness pros

Company to certify personal trainers

CP beefs up its property presence

Charoen Pokphand Group, the country’s largest agricultural conglomerate, is taking more of a foothold in the property sector by acquiring a medium-priced housing project on Srinakarin Road worth Bt900 million from the Seri Group.

SET finds no fault with Picnic share sale

The Stock Exchange of Thailand yesterday said it had found no irregularities in the divestment of Picnic Corp shares by five or six of the company’s major shareholders.

Camera sales ‘hot’

Digital camera sales will increase by 50 per cent to 750,000 units this year, while the market will grow only slightly to over Bt7 billion, according to Boonjerd Harnvichitchai, vice president for operations at IT City Plc, a major retailer.

New tools for SMEs

Software-developer Advance Multitechnology (AMT) has released three e-business programs to help small and medium-sized companies manage their business for a monthly service fee.

H20’s Central Trading deal

US skincare and cosmetics brand H2O Plus appointed Central Trading Co Ltd as its sole distributor in Thailand at the beginning of the month with a view to doubling its sales revenue in three years.