Increase in health budget proposed

At next Tuesday's meeting, the Cabinet is also expected to consider a proposed budget for the National Health Security Office. Coupled with additional budgets for patients with HIV and kidney disease, the amount proposed will be Bt100 billion.

Surapong said this would "benefit the general public".

Cooking-oil makers seek price hike

Producers of cooking oil made from palms will next week ask the Commerce Ministry for permission to raise retail prices Bt6.50 for a 1-litre bottle, from Bt47.50 to Bt54.

Palm Oil Refinery Association president Wanporn Martkasem yesterday said producers were "suffering from the skyrocketing palm-oil price", which was pushing up raw materials to Bt37 per kilogram.

The current retail price is based on a raw-material cost of Bt32 a kilogram.

Another slump in consumer confidence

The Consumer Confidence Index fell for the second consecutive month in May, due to political uncertainty and rising oil prices. The index fell from 79.9 points in April to 78.8 points, its lowest level in the five months of the Samak Sundaravej administration, said the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

The university is considering whether to revise its annual inflation forecast from 5-5.5 per cent to 6-6.5 per cent. It may also lower its growth forecast of 5-5.5 per cent.

Kantana, Loxley plan animation JV

Kantana Animation plans to form a joint venture with Loxley Video Post to invest Bt80 million in producing and developing software for the movie industry. With 70 staff, the venture will focus on digital content. It hopes to enjoy tax incentives from the Board of Investment.

Modernine shuffles its programmes

MCOT, operator of Modernine TV, launched the biggest television-programme reshuffle in two years in a bid to expand its audience base to cover more children, families, teenagers and grass-roots people.

The company hopes the change will raise the channel's rating and help it achieve 15-per-cent revenue growth this year. Modernine suffered a revenue drop in the first quarter.

The proportion of entertainment programmes will also increase from 24 per cent to 32 per cent, while news programmes will rise from 34 per cent to 40 per cent.

DE Capital to be known as Sunshine

DE Capital shareholders have approved changing the company's name to Sunshine.

Shareholders also approved a split in its par value, from Bt1 to 10 satang.

Northeastern folk save the least

Northeasterners have the lowest amount of savings in the Kingdom, a study by the Bank of Thailand revealed yesterday.

It blamed the rate on low incomes, high expenses, growing personal debt and poor access to financial institutes.

Respondents saved an average of Bt3,464 per month per household. Most of the savings, however, are used for short-term use.