Eligible government units must have an urgent need to solve their organisational problems by next year and they must use up their loans within 24 months from the approval date. Their programmes under the loans must help improve their competitiveness and vision.

The loan committee will be chaired by the Finance Ministry's permanent secretary. The ministry borrowed US$1.95 billion (Bt67.47 billion) during 1997-1999 to finance the SAL project.

Privitasation bill :New rules for public offerings

The draft privatisation bill approved by the Cabinet yesterday could affect future floats of CAT Telecom, TOT and PTT.

The new law, if passed by the legislature, would replace the Corporation Act. It would not affect state enterprises such as PTT that have already been listed and would not reverse the corporate status of TOT and CAT.

However, if these corporations offer new shares to the public, they would have to meet the new requirements. Any single retail investor cannot hold more than 5 per cent of total shares, and local retail investors get priority in subscribing to initial public offerings. State enterprises will be prohibited from offering shares to their patrons.

The draft is designed to make privatisation transparent after the ousted Thaksin Shinawatra government was accused of mismanagement of the privatisation process for state enterprises.

It will not allow the government to privatise natural monopolies, such as the power and water grids. Privatisation of tobacco is not allowed out of concern for public healthcare.

The bill does not allow the government to transfer monopolies, or privileges granted by the state enterprise law, to companies. State enterprises also have to comply with the new law if they set up subsidiaries.

Adman awards : Nude Com snares a silver

Nude Communication's BeNice Firm and White Lotion campaign won a silver award for an integrated marketing-communication campaign during the recent Adman Awards and Symposium.

The local brand agency's working definition is "surprise, simple and sexy".

Thai airways :Cabinet backs Airbus deal

The Cabinet yesterday gave approval to Thai Airways International (THAI) to purchase eight Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

President Apinan Sumanaseni said the new aircraft were set to replace 20 old aircraft that have been in use for 20 years.

The new aircraft to be used over the next 10 years are part of the airline's strategy, which includes a plan to buy Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s for long-term use.

The eight aircraft are from an option offered by the French maker at special prices after it delayed the delivery of six A380 jumbo jets to THAI for two years.

The aircraft maker will not pay cash to THAI for damages from the delay.

Asian cup :TAT pitches Socceroos packages

The final rounds of football's AFC Asian Cup will for the first time be co-hosted by four nations — Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Bangkok will be hosting the matches for the countries, including Australia, in Group A from July 7-21.

From its humble beginnings in 1956, the Asian Cup has developed into the continent's premier football tournament

With Australia going into their debut appearance among the favourites to lift the trophy, the Tourism Authority of Thailand's Sydney office has been working in partnership with Event Travel, a national sports event organiser, to develop a special AFC Asian Cup Thailand travel package especially for fans wanting to watch the Socceroos in action in Bangkok.