Nation Broadcasting Corpora-tion Ltd, operator of Nation Channel television, yesterday signed an agreement with four major partners – the Thailand Cable TV Association, Shin Broadband Internet (Thailand) Co Ltd, Asia Global Broadcasting Co Ltd and MediaCast Co Ltd – to set up “Thailand Cable Network” (TLC), a television station that will broadcast provincial news via local cable-TV channels.

FINANCE LIBERALISATION: Cabinet baulks on alien law changes

Amendments to enable foreign competition taken off agenda. Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said yesterday that proposed amendments to the Alien Business Act would not be presented to the Cabinet today, apparently because of growing public resentment about further opening up the country to foreign investors.

Bt2 bn debt-relief bill for GSB

The Government Savings Bank (GSB) expects to spend Bt1 billion to Bt2 billion refinancing individual debts under the government’s debt–relief plan.

DEVELOPMENT: Seacon mulls life after debt

Firm to expand into hotels, housing, consulting

Project brings home builders, landowners together

In an effort to stimulate a sluggish housing market, the Home Builder Association next year hopes to launch housing projects in cooperation with landowners.

BoI grants incentives to 15 projects

The Board of Investment (BoI) yesterday granted investment promotion incentives to 15 large projects worth in total more than Bt40 billion.

Planters push for palm oil as biodiesel additive

Palm-oil manufacturers and planters have urged the government to adjust plans for a biodiesel farm project so that it can be supplied by domestic palm oil.

Exports likely surpassed $10 billion in September

The value of Thai exports in September is likely to have exceeded US$10 billion [Bt408 billion], an increase of 20 per cent on-year, due to the government’s aggressive promotion of Thai goods and services, Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said yesterday.

NTC still working on connection terms

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) is speeding up the preparation conditions for network interconnection, as a guide to network access among its licensees.

Winner in Bt100m sales push

Bangkok Casa Co Ltd, an affiliate of furniture manufacturing giant Index Interfurn Group, has allocated a Bt100-million marketing budget for its Winner brand in an effort to boost sales of its mass-market furniture by 40 per cent next year.

BIOGAS TRIUMPH: Palm-oil waste fuels Krabi plant

Factory able to produce its own power

A presenter displays the latest product, Cute Press Evory, that Cute Press hopes will help boost its final quarter sales this year to Bt250 million.

New powder product leads Cute Press expansion Cosmetics firm SSUP (Bangkok) 1991 Co Ltd is to spend Bt40 million on a marketing campaign to boost sales in the last quarter of this year to Bt250 million, the company’s marketing director Bheerada Chamsobhon, said yester-day.

IN BRIEF

THAI AIRWAYS: Domestic fares set to increase by Bt200-300 on some routes

Pickups lead boom in auto production

Carmakers churned out 710,889 vehicles in the first eight months of 2005, 126,495 more than the same period in 2004.

Truck show to focus on fuel efficiency

Thailand’s trucking industry is gearing up for the Bus & Truck ’05 commercial vehicle motor show at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre.

In BRIEF

BANGKOK: Car import duties surpass the Bt1-billion mark in August

Bidding for new railway lines set for early 2006

The Transport Ministry is to call for bids early next year for the construction of four electric rail routes, worth Bt130 billion, with foreign investors from France, Germany, China and Russia expected to take part in the bidding.

Street WISE: King Power’s reign continues

Whenever its name comes up, King Power is recognised by most Thais as the country’s biggest operator of duty free shops. But how often have you heard that it also earns revenue from other businesses?

STOCK MARKET: SET slips below 700-point level

Likely interest-rate hikes, terror attacks spur the sell-off, led by overseas investors

BankThai gears up for financial liberalisation

BankThai has started reorganising both its front and back-office banking operations in preparation for financial liberalisation, the reorganisation started early this month.

THAI DURABLE GROUP: SET suspends trading in textile firm

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) suspended trading in shares of Thai Durable Group Plc (TDT) yesterday after the company failed to clarify an allocation of new shares to shareholders at lower-than-market price.

SCB reports big jump in third-quarter profit

Siam Commercial Bank’s third-quarter net profit shot up nearly 45 per cent from the corresponding period last year to Bt5.27 billion, thanks to increases in interest and non-interest income.