The 456 companies account for 97 per cent of the 470 listed companies. PTT Plc, Siam Cement Plc, PTT Exploration and Production Plc, Bangkok Bank and Advanced Info Service Plc showed the highest profit.

The resource sector showed the biggest growth in net profit, rising 29 per cent, thanks to skyrocketing fuel prices. The technology sector - which groups communication, electronics and electric appliance stocks - was the worst performer with a 20-per-cent profit drop to Bt36.2 billion.

The combined earnings of companies in the financial sector rose 16 per cent to Bt108.79 billion, as 14 commercial banks showed net profit of Bt95.39 billion compared with Bt82.76 billion in 2004. - The Nation.

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Suvarnabhumi: 'Needs clear run'

The government should shut down Bangkok International Airport at Don Muang once Suvarnabhumi Airport is ready for operations, an industry figure said yesterday.

Brian Sinclair-Thompson, president of the Board of Airline Representatives Business Association, said that if the two airports were both open, they would compete against each other and the older airport would be at an advantage given its lower charges.

All airlines should operate from Suvarnabhumi to ensure transparency in charges on each airline, he said. This will force the airlines to compete against each other, and will make Suvarnabhumi competitive against regional airports.

Airports of Thailand Plc reported that Don Muang was the busiest airport in Southeast Asia last year, when it handled a record-breaking 39 million passengers and 268,000 aircraft. Suvarnabhumi is expected to open in the middle of the year. - The Nation.

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Foreign reserves rise slightly

Foreign reserves as of February 24 were up slightly at US$53.7 billion (Bt2.1 billion), from $53.5 billion a week earlier. The rise is in line with the recent strengthening of the baht. The unit yesterday ended lower at Bt38.865 to the US dollar. - The Nation.