Following the tender offer, Temasek's holding in AIS remains at 42.84 per cent, with 1.26 billion shares, according to the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Srithai to up prices

Srithai Superware, a major manufacturer and exporter of melamine and plastic products, is planning to increase its retail prices 5 per cent to compensate for rising production costs.

Group president Sanan Angubolkul said yesterday that higher costs, particularly for oil, had prompted the company to revise its business plan.

Srithai's sales are projected to increase from Bt4.03 billion in 2005 to Bt4.28 billion this year. Of the estimated total, revenue from melamine products accounts for Bt1.6 billion and plastic products for Bt2.5 billion.

Rising overseas sales mean the company expects to export 33 per cent of its melamine products, up from 30 per cent, and 15 per cent of its plastic products, up from 10 per cent.

TOT's e-rule plea

The TOT Plc board on Thursday endorsed TOT's plan to ask the Comptroller General's Department to relax a Cabinet resolution ordering all state agencies to temporarily delay plans to seek bids for procurement of equipment worth more than Bt100 million, pending the announcement of new e-procurement regulations.

TOT plans to call tenders for the supply of broadband Internet equipment valued at about Bt972 million.

TOT president Teerawit Charuwat said TOT could not wait for the e-procurement regulations, or its planned business development would be disrupted.

Otop to the World

The Export Promotion Department will display a huge new collection of export-quality One Tambon One Product (Otop) products during "Otop to the World 2006", to be held at

the Impact Exhibition Centre Muang Thong Thani from April 18-23.

Chantra Purnariksha, director-general of the department, said the event would bring together  overseas buyers, importers, wholesalers, retailers and local buyers to meet with Otop manufacturers and exporters.

A wide range of Otop products will be displayed at about 500 booths. Items on show will range from gifts, home accessories and decorative items, jewellery, health and beauty products, artificial flowers and plants, and potpourri, to fashion (ready-to-wear, leather and shoes), food and furniture.

Top life insurers

Thai Life Insurance was named the best-performing life insurer by the Insurance Department yesterday. Muang Thai Life Assurance was named the second-best performer for the third consecutive year.

Commenting on his company's award, Muang Thai president Sara Lamsam said the insurer had a special committee to monitor its corporate governance.