In Brief :Price-hike checks at Royal Flora

The Commerce Ministry's Internal Trade Department has dispatched mobile inspection teams to Chiang Mai during Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006, in a bid to prevent any unfair hiking of prices during the three-month event.

Department director-general Siripol Yodmuangcharoen, of the, said yesterday the ministry was afraid some unscrupulous merchants might increase the price of goods and services during the horticultural show. It has therefore sent mobile teams to monitor shops in the grounds closely.

 Traders guilty of overpricing will face seven years in jail and/or a maximum fine of Bt140,000.

GSP exports rise

Thai goods exported under the generalised system of preferences (GSP) increased 16.4 per cent to US$5.59 billion (Bt205 billion) in the first half of the year.

Foreign Trade Department director-general Rachane Potjanasuntorn said yesterday the EU ranked the biggest GSP market for Thai goods, at $2.44 billion, accounting for 43.62 per cent to the country's tax-privilege exports.

The EU was followed by the US with $2.04 billion, an on-year increase of 36.62 per cent; and Japan, which grew 12.27 per cent to $686.97 million.

Economics seminar

The Thammasat Economics Association has organised its annual seminar under the theme "Thai Economy after Reform … Perish or Prosper", in order to provide a forum for experts to brainstorm and discuss the prospects for the economy under the sufficiency-economy philosophy.

The seminar will be held in the Escap Hall of the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok on November 23 from 8.30am-5pm.

The keynote speech will be given by Privy Council member Prof Dr Kasem Watanachai on the "Sufficiency Economic Principle: An Alternative for the Thai Economy and Society". Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula will preside over the opening ceremony and deliver opening remarks.

The seminar will be conducted in Thai, with simultaneous English translation. The registration fee is Bt3,000. For registration or further information, please contact (02) 271 3700 or (02) 617 2111 ext 1131 or 1157.