This month’s World Trade Organisation meeting may not produce earth-shaking results, but Jeerawat Na Thalang says members should not lose hope. Hundreds of dairy farmers last week dumped fresh milk in front of Government House to urge the government to block the deluge of cheap foreign dairy products, which they claim are causing suffering among Thai farmers as a result of trade agreements.

Pop culture drives Korean beauty push

Many South Korean products have gained popularity over the past couple of years in Thailand because of increasing interest and hype in the country’s movies, soap operas and popular culture. In the past, virtually no South Korean cosmetic brands existed in Thailand, because Thai ladies preferred the look of Hollywood movie stars.

INVESTING IN WHAT YOU KNOW: Stars stick to basics

Celebrities share their strategies for maintaining wealth after stardom

Minority Report: Dubai, a case study in how taking risks can pay off

I was fortunate enough to spend a few days in Dubai last month. It was my first visit in 10 years but it might as well have been my first visit ever.

WATERFRONT ESTATE: Pano pays tribute to main river

Krungthep Land, Fraser Group build on Rama III Road

Focus on quality, says trade official

Thailand Trade Representative Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara has urged producers to focus on high product quality if they hope to take advantage of the free-trade agreement between Thailand and Japan, to be implemented next year.

Hasten single market, Asean urged

President of the US-Asean Business Council Matthew Daley has urged Asean countries to accelerate the creation of a single market to attract foreign investors to compete with the emerging Chinese and Indian economies.

Street WISE: ‘Golden-dragon’ kids now five

Chinese-Thai parents tend to believe that children born in the year of the golden dragon will be lucky. Therefore, a number of them intentionally produced babies in 2000, the most recent golden-dragon year.

INTELLECTUAL RIGHTS: Sino-Thai action plan to be inked

Exports to benefit from suppression, recognition efforts

Andaman realty lures investors

Local and foreign investors are regaining interest in the Andaman provinces, particularly Phuket and Krabi.

Address safety issue: Tesco executive

Rising customer expectations of food safety and sustainable agriculture will present an ongoing challenge for food producers, according to Tesco’s international trading law and technical director Terry Babbs.

COMMODITIES: High rice price may backfire: importers

Thai move to mark up jasmine rice could force buyers to switch grains

ON THE MARKET:

Postal first