Rules approved for transport and tap-water services

   The committee on public service obligations (PSO) chaired by Sathit Limpongpan, deputy permanent secretary at the Finance Ministry, approved the rules yesterday.

   The first three state enterprises - the State Railway of Thailand, the Provincial Waterworks Authority and the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority - will get financial support from the government under the PSO scheme.

   The assistance will only be for the new fiscal year.

   The state enterprises have to separate their financial accounts into public services and commercial operations, Areepong said. 

Craft centre has new base

Narai Phand, the Royal Thai Government Handicrafts Centre and a joint venture with the Industry Ministry, has moved to the ground floor of President Tower Arcade on Phloenchit Road.

   Despite the address change, it remains committed to promoting Thai items hand-crafted by villagers and artisans from rural areas throughout the Kingdom.

   It continues to offer up to 2,000 quality products as well as services to customers from every corner of the world. - The Nation

Starbucks opens health clinic

Starbucks Coffee Thailand has opened the Baan Som Poi health clinic, the first of its kind, to serve the coffee-farming community in Chiang Mai's Chom Thong district.

   The clinic was built with the funds raised from the "Good Coffee Day" celebration during Starbucks' 100th store opening last October.

   It is now ready to attend to more than a thousand villagers from Baan Huay Som Poi and hilltribes nearby.