Broker sells foreign currency in market. The imminent takeover of Shin Corp Plc by Singapore’s Temasek Holdings is responsible for the recent strengthening of the baht against the US dollar, as a huge amount of foreign capital has flowed into the country prior to the transaction, the central bank said yesterday.

SET’s Kittiratt ‘wanted at THAI’

Stock Exchange of Thailand president Kittiratt na Ranong has been approached to apply to be the new president of Thai Airways International (THAI), says an aviation industry source. “His experience and knowledge in the financial sector would be a big help to THAI,” said the source.

Thai Mobile to invest big in 3G

State-run mobile phone operator Thai Mobile plans to spend Bt5.6 billion to roll out a 3G broadband cellular network in the major cities and will seek a strategic partner to help develop the service.

Fire won’t delay Suvarnabhumi debut

Suvarnabhumi Airport will open for commercial services in June, as scheduled, despite a fire at the flight catering building of Thai Airways International on Wednesday, THAI’s acting president Somchainuk Engtrakul said yesterday.

BMCL fails to sell out shares kept for workers

Bangkok Metro Plc (BMCL) surprised the market yesterday when it reported that as many as 154 million shares were left over after its share allocation to employees.

Announcement of new Oishi investors delayed

Oishi Group Plc has postponed the announcement of its new partners that will acquire 103 million shares in the company, representing a 55-per-cent stake, from today to next Thursday.

BiZBits: Banharn’s alum monopoly broken

lt is an open secret that a company owned by Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa has monopolised the sale of alum to the Thai waterworks authority for decades. His monopoly, however, was recently broken by Eastern Water Resources Development and Management Plc (East Water).

AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL ASSURANCE: AIA wants to invest more abroad

Company says local opportunities are not sufficient to meet its requirements

GHB likes Thanong’s new idea

The Government Housing Bank (GHB) stands to gain from Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya’s idea to create a holding company of state-owned banks, its president Khan Prachuabmoh said yesterday.

BANK’S PREDICTIONS: DBS bullish on SET prospects

DBS Bank is bullish on the local stock market’s prospects due to a strong economic outlook, although it expects the earnings per share of listed companies to drop this year.

Employee’s Choice breaks the mould

Finansa Asset Management changed the custom of providence funds only offering traditional fixed-type investments when it introduced its Employee’s Choice plan last March.

WiMAX to get test run this year

If you like to use the Internet while sipping a cup of coffee at a coffee shop, WiFi-equipped gadgets are what you need, but US company Motorola believes you will soon be able to use something even better: WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access).

Red Cup caravan to wake up the Kingdom

Nestle (Thailand) Ltd, distributor of Nescafe Red Cup coffee, this week kicked off its new advertising campaign, “A New Day Cannot Fully Start without Nescafe Red Cup”.

Thaiparcels rollin’

Truck-fleet operators which had provided subcontracting services to the Express Transportation Organisation of Thailand (ETO) have grouped together to set up a company to serve the old clients of the now-defunct state enterprise.

New products for healthy folks

With the trend of health-conscious living continuing to grow, Sampran Food and Blackmores Ltd have started the year by launching two new products each to serve surging demand.

LIQUOR ADVERTISING: Ban hurts Thai ad-industry forecast

Revenue growth is revised downward by Phatra Securities

Textiles stitched up

Thai Garment Association chairman Thienchai Mahasiri has urged the government to negotiate for wider market access for textile products in a series of bilateral free-trade talks.

Late news:

JET FUEL: BAFS signs deal to run depot at Suvarnabhumi Airport

Rose Garden in Bt150m revamp

The Rose Garden is spending Bt150 million to make some big changes, including adopting a new identity which will centre on the traditional Thai way of life on the river.

SINGAPORE EQUITY FUND: GEMS to pump in Bt1 billion

Focus on telecoms services, retail and consumer

Developer adjusts for growth

Property Perfect expects group sales to hit the Bt10-billion mark this year, following the launch of four projects worth a combined Bt5 billion.

Deadlocks ‘may ease’ if Shin Corp stake sold

Industrialists anticipate that some stalled issues in the telecom industry might be resurrected and even make progress if Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s family sells its interest in Shin Corp Plc.

In Brief:

ILLEGAL IMPORTS: Customs told to stop selling cars