"We are now the biggest PR company, with 60 staff. If we get the deal, we're confident we can do it," said Nimit, who recently met with Temasek representatives about the possibility of doing business together.

If 124 fails to clinch a deal with Temasek, Nimit believes it will not be because of reported connections with Thailand's recently deposed government.

During a telephone interview, he insisted neither he nor his company had ever had any connections to the Thaksin government or the Shinawatra family. He also flatly denied reports that ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's brother-in-law, Bhanapot Damapong, held an indirect stake in 124.

"I've known Bhanapot for 35 years, but if there had been such a connection as reported, 124 would not have lost so many PR deals from government agencies like Egat [Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand], TOT or CAT Telecom," he said. "We were not even invited to bid for Royal Ratchaphruek 2006."

"If we had a connection, then we should have been interrogated. We're listed, and we have rules to follow."

He pointed out that if 124 had enjoyed such a connection, then the company would have been awarded projects from Advanced Info Service (AIS), where Bhanapot served as chairman for years. But to date, it has secured only one job from AIS: holding a press conference at a cost of about Bt200,000.

Nimit said the reports did have some negative effect on 124, since anti-Thaksin sentiment remained strong, and many companies were refraining from doing business with anyone thought to be close to the former PM.

The company reported a half-year net profit of Bt9.36 million, compared with an annualised net profit of Bt30 million last year.

"We can't do anything about that. We know we don't have any such connection. We're doing business, and the rest is a matter of 'word of mouth'."

Nimit admitted that most deals reached by the company were indeed because of connections, but rather with state officials he knew from his days teaching graduate marketing courses at Thammasat University.

He said those officials sought discussions with him on this and that, leading to invitations to participate in bidding. And then, it was through word of mouth.

This year, one of the major deals the company won was a five-year image-branding scheme for Suvarnabhumi Airport from Airports of Thailand. Another was from the Bank of Thailand, which needed a plan to promote the Deposit Insurance Corp, with financial assistance from the World Bank.

"In any bidding, we must fight to the end. We've won many, because we're the best, with the best team and the cheapest price. We're fully dedicated. If they want 100 per cent from us, we'll give them 150 per cent."

To 124, despite all the negative reports and political change, 2006 has been another good year for the company because the political changes have created new business opportunities.

While public agencies need public-relations companies to clear up confusion about the new government among local and foreign investors, private companies cannot afford to "stay on defence".

"Sitting idly is actually a step backwards. We need to reach out to potential clients. Indeed, even though the world is looking at Thailand with suspicious eyes, we can tell them we're not like them and that our democratic system is unique."

After the coup, he added, 124 had clinched deals with two heavyweight companies that felt the need to enter into them.

Achara Deboonme

The Nation