The department's deputy director-general Dusit Uchupong-amorn said yesterday the boards were legally appointed at the TPI shareholders meeting, which was hosted according to the legal framework.

TPI founder Prachai Leophairatana controls the existing boards of the five subsidiaries including TPI Oil Co Ltd and Thai ABS Co Ltd.

- The Nation.

FTA deficits

Thailand has registered a trade deficit under the free-trade agreements with China, India, Australia and New Zealand, the Commerce Ministry said yesterday.

Exports from 2003 to 2006 to all four countries totalled Bt609.06 billion, while imports were Bt618 billion, a deficit of Bt8.94 billion.

While trade with China showed a deficit, Thailand had slight surpluses with India, Australia and New Zealand.

- The Nation.

BEC profit soars

BEC World yesterday announced a jump in net profit for the second quarter to Bt465 million, up 103 per cent from Bt229.1 million in the same period last year.

The company also recorded a net profit for the first half of the year of Bt901.12 million, up from Bt382.28 million last year. - The Nation.

Precious plunge

Precious Shipping Plc yesterday announced a 51.4-per-cent fall in net profit for the second quarter to Bt768.57 million, from Bt1.58 billion in the same period last year.

- The Nation.

Printing plans

Sahamit Machinery Plc, a leading importer and distributor of industrial equipment and machinery, plans to invest Bt1 billion in a newspaper printing plant. Chairman Chaisilp Tamesirichai said the company is studying the feasibility of the plant, as it believes there is room for growth. There is currently only one newspaper printing plant in the country. - The Nation.