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Published on December 27, 2007

To cope with rising demand, PTT next February will increase its capacity from 850 tonnes to 3,000 tonnes, executive vice president Chitrapongse Kwangsukstith said yesterday.

PTT is also in talks with oil companies in Qatar, Egypt, Oman and South Korea for the supply of liquefied natural gas after learning the supply from Iran would be delayed a year to 2013.

Sugar plea

The Sugar Industry Club said the government's plan to raise the retail price of sugar had not solved the sugar-cane price problem and it should focus on higher yields instead.

Chairman Prakit Pradipasen said the government should strongly encourage more consumption of ethanol - which directly uses molasses, a by-product of sugar manufacturing - as a raw material.

Meanwhile sugar-cane growers should concentrate more on quality production to achieve sustainable development, he said.

The government recently has considered finding Bt7 billion to compensate farmers for the preharvest price of sugar cane.

Prakit said the government should consider amending the Sugar and Sugar Cane Act to hone growers' competitiveness in the long run.

"The current benefit-sharing practice of 70:30 between sugar millers and sugar-cane growers has not encouraged both sides to concentrate on development," he said.

HCMC boom

Foreign arrivals in Ho Chi Minh City are estimated to number 2.7 million this year, representing an increase of 14.8 per cent over last year, the Vietnam News Agency reported recently.

The number of tourists from China saw growth of 50 per cent, Singapore saw 41 per cent, Australia 33 per cent, Malaysia 28 per cent, South Korea 22 per cent, France 18 per cent, Canada 15 per cent, Taiwan 11 per cent the United States 5 per cent and Japan 4 per cent.

Favourite destinations of outbound tourists were Singapore with an increase of 22 per cent and Malaysia 26 per cent. Thailand was still a big venue for Vietnamese tourists but suffered a sharp decrease of 20 per cent.

Don't be shy

Watsons, the country's top health and beauty retailer, is inviting Thais to apply for its You Awards - the first such interactive programme in Asia.

The programme encourages customers across Asia to express themselves by showing their best physical attribute in one of five main categories: engaging eyes, healthy hair, friendly face (male/female), luscious lips and fit figure.

Applications close on January 13. They are available at stores and through watsonsyouawardsth.com.