Late news :Transit agency gets more power
The Cabinet yesterday awarded more power to the Expressway and Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand in establishing joint ventures or awarding concessions to private operators.
The state agency will also be able to become involved in property development. Its borrowing plan will need Cabinet approval only when the amount exceeds Bt100 million, compared with Bt10 million before.
Bualuang award Bualuang Asset Management won the Best Equity Fund from the Post-Lipper Fund Awards 2007. The company now manages 10 mutual funds. It attributed the award to support from Bangkok Bank, its major shareholder, in distributing unit trusts.
Ethanol plan The Phitsanulok Chamber of Commerce has drawn up a development plan to encourage businessmen to focus more on ethanol production and logistics. Suthee Hantrakul, adviser to the chamber, said the ethanol plan would be supported by sugar cane and cassava, the province's major crops. Income from alternative energy will support the second-step plan to develop an inland container depot.
Sugar rising The sluggishness of global stocks has prompted investors to speculate on prices through the commodity market and benefit sugar prices, says Thai Sugar Millers Corp. Director Amnuay Patise said high demand from large consumers like China would push prices up. However, prices will not increase dramatically, due to Brazil having 420 million tonnes of sugar cane, 20 million higher than its previous projection.
Internet radio The website sanook.com is introducing "Sanook! My Radio Plus", an Internet radio service that allows consumers to download music legally. Torboon Puangmaha, CEO of sanook.com, said the service would enable users to set up their own online radio stations and play their favourites anytime. "The company allows consumers to download legally, because we work closely with music companies to license their music for legal distribution on the Internet," said Torboon.
Nok Air link Low-cost airline Nok Air will boost services to small provinces by creating a strategic partnership with Siam General Aviation (SGA). Nok Air passengers flying to destinations like Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son will be transferred to SGA's 12-seat 208B Cessna jet in Chiang Mai. The service starts next Sunday.
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