Office secretary-general Anant Phusitthikul said growers would be given royal land in Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Nayok and Chachoengsao.

It hopes to increase exports to more than 30 countries - including the United States, Japan and China along with European Union and Middle East nations - and reach annual sales of Bt10 billion by 2010. Growers should be able to earn a minimum of Bt10,000 a month.

Growers will sell contract-farmed orchids to Thai Orchid and Bangsai Garden at a guaranteed price of Bt7 to Bt8 per spray. The two companies will provide technology, expertise and high-quality breeding stock.

Electronics :Malaysian firm targets Thailand

Printed circuit-board maker AE Multi Holdings of Malaysia is expanding its operations in Thailand.

Group executive chairman Yang Wu-Hsiung said prospects for printed circuit boards were brighter in Thailand. The group has a factory here which already contributes about 3 million Malaysian ringgit (Bt28.6 million) in monthly revenue.

"There is a strong presence of multinational corporations in Thailand. Our customers include Samsung and LG. Our printed circuit boards are used in their liquid crystal displays," he said.

Yang said because of rising raw-material costs the group would focus on selling "higher-value printed circuit boards, broadening its customer base and streamlining costs" in order to stay competitive and sustain growth.