Prasarn said that on request from the AEC, the bank would immediately explain the facts and details of the project. In lending to the project, the bank had followed legal and good governance practices, he said.

Eight local and foreign banks formed a syndicate to finance the Bt25.9-billion project.

BI makes top 10

Newsweek, one of the top two American news magazines, currently features Bumrungrad International (BI) among "10 World-class Destinations" that include hospitals in Germany, India, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Israel and the United States.

Newsweek calls Bumrungrad "Asia's first internationally accredited hospital and one of the most modern and efficient medical facilities in the world". Its correspondent, Joe Cochrane, visited the hospital early this month, interviewing management, staff and patients.

In the article, he reports that Bumrungrad's patients "get treatment redolent of a five-star hotel". Attracted by "world-class medicine at developing world prices", the hospital is "a magnet for medical tourists", treating more foreign patients than any other hospital in the world, it said.

Cheaper Beemers 

BMW Group Thailand and BMW Financial Services recently introduced a financial programme for all BMWs, exempting new buyers from monthly instalments in the first two months of purchase.

The programme applies to all BMW models bought until the end of the year. For example, a 520d customer buying a BMW in November will start paying the monthly instalment of less than Bt35,000 in February.

Exclusively for the 320iSE and 325I, customers can also choose a zero-rate scheme to own these two models, for a 36-month instalment period. The two models require a down payment of 15 per cent of the price, which is Bt2.8 million or Bt3.3 million, respectively.