Egat listing will likely drain interest in PEA, MEA. The Finance Ministry might merge the country’s two power distribution utilities - the Provincial Electricity Authority and Metropolitan Electricity Authority - to burnish their appeal to future investors, a source said yesterday.

Former Daidomon officers face fraud charge

Three former top executives of Daidomon Group Plc have been charged with cooking the books and misleading the public about the company’s true financial condition, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said yesterday.

Oil bond issue fuels frenzy, despite brokers’ warning

Demand for Oil Fund bonds from individual investors is likely to exceed supply, Krung Thai Bank, said yesterday.

Somkid ‘not quitting’ Commerce

Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak has no plans to relinquish his dual commerce-minister post, an official at the ministry said yesterday.

PROFILE: Makro boss has eye on the bottom line

As president of Siam Makro Plc, Suchada Ithijarukul is as one of Thailand’s top female chief executives and combines her financial acumen with a keen eye for management and marketing.

STREET WISE: If chimp can quit smoking...

For many years, governments around the world have been trying their best to encourage their citizens to quit smoking.

MONETARY POLICY: Major rate hike unlikely: Pridiyathorn

Despite inflationary trend, BOT chief dismisses chance of a 50-point hike

FOREIGN INVESTMENT: Capital inflow to slow: Tisco

Capital inflow from foreign investors in the Thai stock market will slow significantly as their holdings in big market capitalisation stocks are approaching legal limits, according to Tisco Securities.

Bank unit trust holdings capped

Commercial banks will soon be restricted to holding unit trusts of mutual funds not in excess of 10 per cent of the size of the fund.

Industry’s external debt on the rise

Although the central bank is a creditor of the US government, the external debts that Thailand’s private non-bank sector owes to US creditors increased in the second quarter.

Universal banking policy proves a hit

Thailand’s large commercial banks are enthusiastically implementing the new universal banking policy by restructuring subsidiaries to make them functional as soon as possible.

Sompoch to leave Picnic

Sompoch Intranukul will resign as chairman of Picnic Corp Plc’s audit committee and independent director effective November 3, the company said in a filing with the Stock Exchange of Thailand yesterday.

ENTERTAINMENT: Grammy mulls TV, radio station forays

Awaiting broadcasting body’s ruling before expanding its media empire

AP lines up six new housing projects

Asian Property (AP) Development Plc plans to launch six projects worth Bt6.5 billion in Bangkok this month and next, including single-family houses, townhouses and home offices.

PTT considers diesel fuel hike

PTT Plc will consider raising its retail diesel price this week if global prices continue to climb.

Clinic to iron wrinkles from tourists

The Medisci Anti-ageing and Aesthetic Institute in Bangkok is joining with international travel agencies to woo tourists who are concerned with health and beauty.

‘Collusion’ kills state coffee bid

The Commerce Ministry cancelled a bidding session for coffee beans harvested during the 2004 to 2005 season yesterday, after buyers appeared to have colluded in pushing prices below market value.

LATE NEWS: Free trade pact

Thai, Japan hit snag on tuna

REGIONAL TIES: Jetro floats FTA strategy

Japanese agency to submit ideas to Asean govts

PTT polymer sales unit eyes 50% market share

PTT Polymer Marketing Co Ltd, a new subsidiary of PTT Plc, expects sales to soar in the next three years, chairman Prasert Bunsumpun said yesterday.

5th round of Thai-US trade talks ends

The United States and Thailand have finished a fifth round of talks aimed at reaching a free trade agreement, US trade officials said early yesterday.

IN BRIEF: Bourse cooperation

SET to assist Vietnam’s exchange