Safe haven in stormy times
With the stock market volatile and the direction of interest rates uncertain, the world of money-market funds offers a relatively sound investment option
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Beer brewers expect flat growth this year
The Thai beer industry is likely to be hit hard by the overall gloomy economic sentiment and see zero growth this year, industry insiders said yesterday.
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Warning on emissions
If businesses cannot control air pollution in Map Ta Phut within one year, the National Environment Board would declare the area a pollution control zone and operators would find it more difficult to set up new factories there, the Industry Minister warned yesterday.
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Huawei plans R&D centre in Thailand
China's major telecom equipment vendor Huawei Technologies plans to set up a research and development (R&D) centre in Thailand within this year to support customers in six Southeast Asian countries.
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STREET WISE
SCB throws a centenary bash
Few Thai companies can boast that they are 100 years old. Siam Commercial Bank will be passing this milestone today. Last Sunday, close to a thousand "who's who" of the Thai corporate world turned up to join the celebrations at SCB headquarters in Ratchayotin.
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LATE NEWS
Disk contract
Forth Corp has signed a contract to produce hard-disk components worth Bt2 billion a year for US-based Western Digital (Thailand).
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Government urged to cut protected businesses listed in Annex 3
Foreign investors and academics yesterday urged the government to at least reduce the list of businesses in Annex 3 of the Foreign Business Act, or the amended law will force foreign investors to seek other "tricky ways" of hiding nominees to benefit from doing business in Thailand.
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Robinson predicts sales slow-down
Robinson Department Store expects sales at its 19 branches nationwide to grow less than last year due to a slow-down in consumer spending.
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Rising rice prices lower volume
Rising prices in both the domestic and world markets have lowered the volume of rice under the government's rice-pledging programme, which has reached only 1.37 million tonnes of paddy rice despite a projection of 7.5 million tonnes by the end of next month.
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DTAC asks ICT for speed-up
Total Access Communication (DTAC) yesterday urged the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Ministry to order TOT completely to connect its 1.5 million new numbers with TOT's network as soon as possible.
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King Power defends against accusations
King Power International, the operator of the duty-free concession at Suvarnabhumi Airport, came out yesterday to defend itself from allegations over failure to render a Bt2-billion advance payment to Airports of Thailand (AOT), saying the company had already fulfilled the obligation.
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ALTERNATIVE FUEL
Palm-oil firm to produce biodiesel
Southern Palm Oil Industry will make Bt2.22-bn investment in three plants
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Life outside the envelope
Innovative thinking is what's put Thanarat Leetrakul on the path to influence and success in the world of
business technology n Jirapan Boonnoon
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Reflections on benefits of business competition
"Competition is not only the basis of protection to the consumer but is the incentive to progress" - Herbert Hoover.
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Music industry sees the light
Thai music and media industries must look towards new business models, shifting from content-driven to consumer-based approaches.
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IN BRIEF
Travel award
Kingdom is simply the best for Swedes
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Regional seminar on the elderly
A regional seminar at the UN Conference Centre will draw urgent attention to the plight of the elderly poor in the Asia-Pacific, urging governments to come up with basic pension plans.
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Digital technology creates bright future
The music industry is approaching a turning point and over the next three or four years will see annual growth of 6.6 per cent, thanks to the development of wireless and digital media technologies, say industry experts.
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FASHION RETAILER
Outlet Mall set for expansion
Phuket and Ayutthaya to have stores after opening of new Khao Yai branch
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Company reports
CH KARNCHANG signed a Bt1.153-billion contract to build Cambodia's National Highway No 67 (Anlong Veng to Siem Reap) with that country's Ministry of Public Works and Transport.
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STOCK FOCUS
TPI Polene
Kim Eng Securities (Thailand) has maintained its speculative "buy" rating on shares of TPI Polene, with a fair value of Bt14 apiece.
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TMB Asset Management sets modest growth target for 2007
TMB Asset Management (TMBAM) has set a humble 2007 growth target of 15 per cent from the Bt101.92 billion in assets it recorded as of last Friday, says Jotika Savanananda, managing director of the company.
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GOING PUBLIC
SET revives privatisation plan
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has revitalised its privatisation plan, says a source.
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Multibax falls on its market debut
Multibax (MBAX), the first initial public offering (IPO) this year, yesterday closed its trading debut on the Market for Alternative Investment 12 per cent lower than its issue price.
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BANKING SECTOR
GHB announces rate cuts
Largest mortgage provider reduces cost of borrowing but tightens lending
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