The new tariff will take into account PTT's investment in all three natural-gas pipelines, interest expenses, return on investment and the present value of the pipelines. The source said the tariffs of all three pipelines could be averaged, which would minimise the increase.

Court won't rule on fees

The Central Administrative Court has declined to rule whether Total Access Communication (DTAC) and True Move must pay the access charge or the interconnection charge, suggesting the cellular operators bring the case to the National Telecommunications Commission instead.

It advised the companies of the ruling on Wednesday. 

Kantana's soap opera

The Kantana Group has lost about Bt70 million in revenues from the removal of a 100-hour soap opera from iTV, after the television station had to switch back to its original programming. The soap opera was aired during prime time, which should air only news.

Jaruek Kaljaruek, chairman of Kantana, yesterday said the loss would not hit the company hard.

Kantana generated revenue of Bt2.4 billion last year.

He is also confident that if anything happened to iTV, it would not affect programme producers.

Rasa Property IPO

Rasa Property is moving ahead with a plan to launch its initial public offering by the end of March, undeterred by sluggish market conditions.

Twenty million shares will be offered to boost its capital to Bt400 million.

Proceeds will be used to retire loans and expand business.

Budget still not final

The Finance Ministry was unable

to finalise the 2008 fiscal budget yesterday, as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula is still not satisfied with the income figure proposed by the Fiscal Policy Office, said a source from the ministry.

However, Pridiyathorn earlier hinted that 2008 could be a deficit year to boost the economy.