PM’s relatives make millions on Wyncoast’s return. The Wongsawat family immediately reaped millions of baht in profit from their investment in Wyncoast Industrial Park Plc by unloading shares when the stock resumed trading yesterday.

Thai Beverage gears up to fight foreign imports

Thai Beverage Plc, Thailand’s largest liquor-maker and owner of the Mekong and Sangsom labels, yesterday announced the overhaul of its Marketing Department, in an effort to raise its competitiveness against imported spirits. Ueychai Tantha-obhas has been appointed the new managing director of Thai Beverage Marketing Co Ltd. He will be in charge of all aspects of marketing, including recruitment of new young talent.

NEW YEAR SPECIAL: The 10 top things taking shape (or not) next year

1.Thai-US FTA talks

STREET WISE: Somkid exposed as TV soap fan

Men are notoriously reluctant to admit to being fans of cheesy soap operas. When they go to a video rental store, they might walk out with “Die Hard” or “Terminator”, but their favourite programme at home is “Desperate Housewives”.

2006 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK: Growth to rise in ’06, but not above 5%

External, internal factors to weigh on exports, investment

SUSPICIOUS SHARE TRADING: Execs in the spotlight

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) will closely monitor the behaviour of the management of listed companies next year and warned investors to study listed firms carefully before buying.

Tax cuts for selected industries

The Cabinet has approved tariff cuts and tax breaks for the electrical-appliance, electronics and printing industries and for new investment in machinery.

SET may allow IPO buybacks

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is conducting a study into whether to allow major shareholders of newly listed companies to buy back their initial public offering (IPO) if their stocks trade below the offering price on the first day of trade.

BIZNEWS ROUND-UP

- Fitch Ratings (Thailand) yesterday affirmed PTT Public Company’s national senior unsecured long- and short-term ratings at “AA+” and “F1+” respectively.

Seven-nation Bimstec poised to initiate FTA next July

The seven nations comprising the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) agreed to initiate a free-trade agreement (FTA) next July, Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon said yesterday.

DHANARAK DEAL: CAT clinches contract for Govt Centre

Revenue from telecom services agreement may exceed Bt100m a year

Jim Thompson promotes farm tours

Thai silk-maker Jim Thompson Co is promoting its mulberry orchard and plantation in northeastern Thailand as a destination for tourists.

IN BRIEF: Delphi systems

Execs keen on Asia-Pacific

SUBSIDIARY SELL-OFF: Ucom will use funds to pay down debt, Brekke says

Board opts against further investment in telecom firm; shareholders to vote on Jan 25

WTO enters home stretch for forming comprehensive global trade deal

The World Trade Organisation’s recent Hong Kong meeting to cut farm subsidies has pushed the process past the half-way mark, which bodes well for a deal aimed at closing the gap between rich and poor nations, Achara Pongvutitham writes.

Banks, retail groups unveil e-purse system

Who says cash is king? A consortium of telecom, retail, bank and cinema chains yesterday launched an e-purse system, which it said could replace half of the coins and bills in circulation in three to four years.

Power Mall cuts revenue forecast

Power Mall, The Mall Group’s consumer electronics department, expects revenue growth for this year to come in at 3 per cent, less than half of its targeted growth rate of 7 per cent.

IHG to run 4 new Thai hotels

The Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) will manage four new hotels and resorts in Thailand in the next few years.

LATE NEWS: Honda motors

Bike sales up