Chitnupong Rungrojngamcharoen, chairman of the cooking gas distributor association, said the transportation price tentatively rose by Bt5-Bt8 for a 15kg gas tank, or about 30-50 satang per kilogram.

At present, transportation is priced at Bt10 per 15kg tank.

That price was fixed in 2003 when retail diesel was Bt12-Bt13 per litre, against Bt25.89 at present. - The Nation.

Refund for failed IPO

Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand's 6,000 employees who bought the state enterprise's shares with cash have been given refunds worth Bt1.6 billion, said a deputy governor.

Pichai Chulapongsathorn said 20,000 employees who financed the purchase with borrowings from the cooperatives and Siam City Bank will receive refunds worth Bt5.4 billion on April 12.

The refunds cover the share price, capital gains taxes that the employees already paid to the Finance Ministry, and interest on loans.

Pichai said Egat is now undergoing transformation from being a public company to a state enterprise.

Management positions have been reverted, including the chief executive officer which is now reverted to governor.

He said the only problem remaining concerns Egat Telecom Co Ltd, which was set up when Egat was a public company. - The Nation.

Foreigners buy Major's stake

Major Cineplex Group Plc, the local operator of multi-plex movie theatres, last Tuesday reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission that 30 million shares had been sold to the foreign investors, including T Rowe Price Associates Inc and its affiliates.

Vicha Poolworaluck, the chairman of Major Cineplex Group, had agreed to sell 20 million shares or 2 per cent of total shares, to overseas investors for Bt336 million (at the price of Bt16.80 per share).

Meanwhile, Paradee Poolworaluck, a director of the company, also sold 10 million shares for Bt168 million.

The sale of the minor stakes to foreign investors would not affect management change in the company. - The Nation.