However, Samart president Thavatchai Vilailuck said this was just a rumour.

Temasek owns 96.12 per cent of Shin through its subsidiaries Cedar Holdings and Aspen Holdings, while Shin owns 51.38 per cent of ShinSat. - The Nation.

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Farmers get price boost

The Agricultural Economics Office said yesterday that the agricultural price index had increased by 21.79 per cent year on year in February - good news for farmers' purchasing power.

However, the livestock and fishery price indexes dropped by 11.79 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively, said Anchalee Ooraikul, secretary-general of the office.

Falling shrimp prices directly affected the index, having been undermined by anti-dumping charges in the United States.

She said the drought would reduce production of crops such as rubber, coffee and durian.

This would affect both the local market and exports.

- The Nation.