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Published on December 25, 2007

Six companies have already left the SET, while the other five are in the preparation stage.

Altogether, their departure will reduce SET's market capitalisation by Bt73.8 billion.

In 2003, four companies sought delisting, followed by four in 2004 and seven in 2005.

New government 'must work closely with tourism sector'

Association of Thai Travel Agents president Apichart Sankary wants the next government to work more closely with the private sector and cater to tourism developers' needs.

"Previous governments focused on tourism because it was a key sector for the economy, but they never worked to get close to operators. The country's tourism development can still fail," Apichart said.

The association wants electronic visas on arrival for foreign visitors. They are faster than manual immigration and more efficient, Apichart said.

The association asked the government to extend work permits for foreign tour guides, in particular South Koreans, Russians and Arabic speakers.

It also wants the tourism portfolio to be managed by the prime minister.

One-Two-Go Airlines and Orient Thai Airlines CEO Udom Tantiprasongchai said the country could attract more than 20 million tourists a year in the immediate future, double the current number, if the government encouraged private development.

"Look at Malaysia, for instance. It gets almost 20 million arrivals a year, and there is not that much to do compared with the tourism products and services we have. This success is because of government help," Udom said.

Modellite targets 25-40 group with New Zealand cosmetics

Modellite (Thailand) is importing JC New Zealand cosmetics and is targeting buyers aged 25-40.

The skincare products are available through Call Centre 1577, shopping centres, hospitals and the network of Health Choice pharmaceutical shops.

Initially, three products are available: lanolin and collagen cream, placenta cream and lanolin moisturiser. A 100-gram lanolin and collagen cream is priced at Bt2,240.

Royal Thai Police will install 700 biodiesel machines

The Royal Thai Police plans to install biodiesel-production machines in 700 police stations, to reduce diesel consumption in response to His Majesty the King's December 4 speech on alternative energy.

Commissioner-general Seripisut Temiyavej said biodiesel machines had already been placed in 80 stations.

"We have 4,500 police cars. If all of them are filled up with our own biodiesel, we'll be able to save about Bt255 million a year," he said.

The Federation of Thai Industries in each province is providing financial support for the project.

Each station needs an investment of about Bt400,000 for a machine and building construction.

Hess production budget covers Gulf of Thailand gas scheme

Global energy firm Hess last week announced a US$4.4-billion (Bt148 billion) capital and exploratory expenditure budget for next year.

About $1.6 billion is earmarked for production, $1.5 billion for field development and $1.2 billion for exploration.

The production budget includes natural-gas development in the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area in the Gulf of Thailand. Investments include installation of well-head platforms and the drilling of wells.

John O'Connor, president for worldwide exploration and production, said the company's well-balanced plan was consistent with its long-term target of growing reserves 5-8 per cent a year and production 3-5 per cent a year.

"Our exploration programme has the potential to increase the company's hydrocarbon resources and create significant value for our shareholders," he added.

Bumrungrad to manage new hospital premises in UAE

Al-Mafraq Hospital in Abu Dhabi will set up new premises in the UAE capital at a cost of 2 billion dirhams (Bt18.34 billion) in conjunction with Thailand's Bumrungrad Hospital.

The decision was taken after authorities found a large number of UAE nationals were travelling to Bangkok for medical treatment.

More than 70,000 UAE citizens travelled to Bangkok this year to seek medical assistance at Bumrungrad Hospital.

Al-Mafraq Hospital has already signed an agreement with Bumrungrad management to manage the facility, which is expected to be complete by 2012.

Five new Bumrungrad staff members are already on board at al-Mafraq Hospital.

"We'll focus on multidisciplinary quality control, improving customer service for patients and ensuring that a dedicated team of doctors cater to patient needs in a timely fashion," said Bumrungrad Hospital CEO Clyde Eder.

Among the services to be offered at the new facility are morbid-obesity surgery, a trauma programme, retina surgery, a glaucoma section and a burn unit.

 The Nation