Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak yesterday said Thailand's trade deficit now averages between $300 million and $400 million per month.

This deficit mainly stems from oil and capital goods imports. - The Nation.

Hog prices rise

The Internal Trade Department yesterday gave the green light for hog farmers to raise their prices by Bt1 per kilogram to cover rising costs and tackle a pork shortage.

Siripol Yodmuangcharoen, director-general of the department, said the increased retail price is still lower than the department's price control ceiling of Bt52 per kilogram.

The price of pork from farms will be set at Bt48-49 per kilogram. - The Nation.

Auto sales dip

New vehicle sales in Thailand fell 2.2 per cent on the year to 66,101 units in March, reversing a 13.6-per-cent rise in February, according to Toyota Motor Thailand.

Toyota didn't give a reason for the slump, but analysts said political uncertainty hurt consumer confidence, causing them to delay car purchases. - Dow Jones Newswires.

Rolls-Royce deal

Rolls-Royce has been awarded a contract for three more RB211 gas turbine compression packages by PTT Plc, in addition to the five packages announced late last year.

They are for a PTT platform in a new offshore project in the Gulf of Thailand. It is part of a gas pipeline master plan designed to increase the supply of natural gas to the Eastern provinces. - The Nation.

Loan for Sansiri

Property developer Sansiri Plc has obtained a Bt1.34-billion loan from Siam Commercial Bank to finance its subsidiary's condominium and town-house projects.

The subsidiary, Plus Property Partners, will be using "Condo One" and

"Plus City Park" brands for these housing sites. - The Nation.