Chief executive Yusof Annuar Yaacob said that TM International is keen to invest in Thailand's mobile-phone business if the opportunity arises and if it finds a willing local telecom to partner with. He added that his company has already had discussions with potential partners.

TM International, an overseas investment arm of Telekom Malaysia Bhd, holds 19.2 per cent of Thailand’s technology and information provider Samart Corp Plc.

Yaacob said that Telekom Malaysia is committed to becoming a regional mobile-phone operator, having already made its presence in several countries.

Telekom Malaysia is reportedly in talks about a possible partnership with Thailand’s largest telecom operator, True Corp Plc.

While he declined to confirm the report, Yaacob said that there were not many choices of cellular operators to approach.

True and its cellular service operator, True Move, are one of the few Thai telecom firms with no foreign strategic partner.

Yaacob made his remarks during an official signing ceremony yesterday between TM International and Samart Corp Plc for a share sale of Samart’s two subsidiaries to Telekom Malaysia.

-Sirivish Toomgum, The Nation