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Published on January 19, 2008

Minister Suvit Yodmani said yesterday that of the total, Bt377.8 billion was generated by domestic tourism, up 17.14 per cent from the previous year.

"The number of domestic trips was only 81.99 million, or up 0.61 per cent from the previous year, but revenue rose significantly. This shows that we're on the right track in promoting quality tourism. Despite the fewer trips, revenue grew significantly," he said.

Moreover, the ministry has managed to ease the "zero dollar" tour problem, he said.

The Nation

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Land rush

The Lands Department netted more than Bt10 billion in transaction fees from October to December, as more than 1 million buyers and sellers rushed to complete deals before reappraised land prices took effect on January 1.

The department is confident the fees will meet the target at Bt50 billion this fiscal year.

The Nation

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Bank protest

About 100 employees of Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) staged a protest yesterday, demanding a Bt1,000 salary increase for 1,000 staff who were moved to the Chidlom branch.

The bank's labour union said in a statement that the staff were promised additional transportation allowances, but so far they have received nothing. They said that while the bank's management have given themselves much higher raises, the staff have been treated unfairly in terms of salary, welfare and bonuses.

Executive vice president Praves Suttirat said the increase would affect the bank's financial status. He said SCB had provided proper welfare and was one of the top three in the industry in this regard.

The Nation

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Toxic leaks cut

The Industrial Works Department has succeeded in reducing 80 per cent of toxic leakage from 76 industrial plants in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong, its director-general Ratchada Singalavanija said yesterday.

Ratchada said that during an investigation, 279 points of leakage had been found at factories located outside the estate.

The Nation

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Green thought

Hassell (Thailand), a local arm of Australia's multidisciplinary design and planning firm, is promoting the green concept to its Thai clients at a time of growing concern about global warming.

Managing director Tim Shannon said that under the green concept, it had invested Bt25 million to open a new office that promises to reduce energy by 10-15 per cent.

The Nation