Discount airlines prefer to remain at Don Muang, say Suvarnabhumi Airport operating costs likely to be higher. Budget airlines prefer to remain at Don Muang international airport rather than move to Suvarnabhumi, foreseeing no problems in the Kingdom having two Bangkok airports.

Malls fix up food courts as fine dining draws

Once a place for cheap dining, food courts at shopping complexes have become exquisite dining places where expertly selected local and international cuisine is on offer in a lavishly set atmosphere. However, all come at a higher price.

Philips’ Thai strategy to focus on outsourcing

Philips Electronics (Thailand) Ltd, the Netherlands-based manufacturer of electronic and medical products, has restructured its manufacturing strategy in Thailand to focus on outsourcing rather than more new investments, chairman and chief executive Jan Eggebeen said last week.

FTA talks this week with US on satellite market

The Information and Communications Technology Ministry and the country’s main telecom regulator are meeting with US trade negotiators this week to discuss access to the satellite market.

Street WISE: Heads will roll, but where to?

Last weekend must have been more than frightening for provincial commerce officers.

GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS: National design centre opens doors

The mission: to give Thai exports the edge through creativity, not low cost

Several brokerages bullish on 2006

Bangkok brokerages are predicting that foreign stock investors will return at the end

Samart i-Mobile tees up for expansion

Major handset-distributor Samart i-Mobile Plc (SIM) hopes that its sponsoring of the upcoming Royal Trophy golf tournament in Thailand will highlight its brandname throughout Asia.

Civic Video signs up I-See Entertainment

Giving an opportunity to franchisees and film buffs alike, I-See Entertainment Co Ltd plans to offer 20 franchise licences for the Australian-based Civic Video movie-rental shops each year.

KRC advises against tax breaks to boost market

A Bangkok financial research firm has called on government authorities to improve corporate governance and raise the quality of listed companies instead of relying on tax incentives to expand the capital market.

Local Benz plant the first outside Germany for A-Class, S-Class

next year, Germany’s Daimler-Chrysler will start producing Mercedes-Benz A-Class at its plant in Samut Prakan, and in line with current planning the new S-Class production will begin in 2007.

BIRD FLU: The chicken or the egg?

Farmers’ body says the latter are quite safe

Kilen orders new press to boost quality

Bangkok-based Kilen Printing Co Ltd has broken new ground by placing an order for a shaftless Goss Universal 50 press. This will be the first Universal 50 press to be installed in Thailand.

Asean moves to open up tourism, aviation, ICT and healthcare

Tourism, air travel, communications technology and healthcare are the priority sectors targeted under the Asean Economic Community (AEC) scheme in terms of achieving market liberalisation by 2010.

Local company proves it has the right ingredients

Pantainorasingh’s product quality speaks for itself but a little promotion doesn’t hurt

ON THE MARKET:

Wash-day winner

Film collaboration all the rage

If the recent Tokyo Film Festival is any indication, the latest trend in Asian cinema is co-productions.

Funds of funds, the new way to diversify

Authorities should support the Government Pension Fund’s plan to invest in hedge funds to help reduce the volatility in its portfolio

Egat shares might not be enough for all

Queuing system may leave some power users unable to buy the new shares, while retail investors have to cross their fingers and hope

PHUKET REAL ESTATE: Raimon to sell hilltop resort units

Developer offers 51 apartments with views of Kata Bay