Hors-d'oeuvre were served, followed by the main course. Then before dessert, TSD chief executive Sopawadee Lertmanuschai made a speech before Tarisa took the podium.

"Maybe it's not necessary to serve dessert as we may receive some dessert from the central bank governor," Sopawadee said, setting off a chuckle from the audience of brokerage executives.

The emcee took over the microphone and formally invited Tarisa to rise to the stage. He didn't forget to repeat that Tarisa might have some dessert for the attendees.

Pressured by Sopawadee and the emcee, Tarisa was quick to respond once she took the mike.

"Maybe dessert is not healthy for people at our age," she said and the audience grinned nervously.

But Tarisa eventually announced that the Bank of Thailand would propose exemption of foreign investment in debentures from the 30-per-cent capital reserve requirement when the debentures are fully hedged and registered during transfer.

At the end of the day, Tarisa's announcement may or may not have been the dessert the diners were expecting to taste - but at least it wasn't another poison pill.