Year also full of much excitement over takeovers in media, telecoms. The year drawing to a close was an action-packed one, with several merger deals on the scene amid changes in macro-economic fundamentals. We vote the following as the top 10 business news stories on the scale of their influence on the Thai economy.

Thai bourse closes the year on a high

Stock investors may be in for another roller-coaster ride in the coming year. The Stock Exchange of Thailand index closed yesterday in the final trading day of the year at 713.73, up 6.82 per cent from the 668.01 close at the end of 2004, with market capitalisation having surged to a record high of Bt5.08 trillion on Thursday.

IN BRIEF: food exports

Canada imposes new labelling rules.

LATE NEWS: SUGAR

Chakramon steps down over prices. Industry permanent secretary Chakramon Phasukvanich yesterday resigned as chairman of the sugar-cane and sugar committee, saying he had failed to solve the pricing problem.

Sagging confidence still burdens economy

Private consumption and investment were still showing signs of slowing down in November due to a lack of confidence in the economy and government policies.

Rice exporters see good times in 2006

The government’s barter trade policy and high-price guarantee scheme could help increase the price of Thai rice exports next year.