Low prices trigger fresh complaints

The move came after some suppliers complained to the department that the roll-back campaign offered goods at below production costs.

Yangyong Phuangrach, director-general of the department, said price dumping was one of eight restrictions under the Act. Penalties for violators include up to three years' imprisonment and fines of up to Bt6 million.

Santi acts to cut airport charges

Transport Minister Santi Prompat has assigned the Department of Aviation's director-general Chaisak Angsuwan to reduce airport fees to ease the burden on airlines caused by the soaring cost of fuel.

He said parking fees would be reduced by half, while landing and take-off fees would be unchanged.

Roof-tile exports more than double

The Mahaphant Group, a leading manufacturer of roof and concrete roof tiles and wood-substitute boards, said its sales of roof tiles more than doubled in the first half of the year, due to a sharp rise in exports to neighbouring countries.

Exports of the company's lightweight roof tiles under the Ha Huang brand to Laos, Cambodia and Burma jumped more than 100 per cent. Buildings and important places of interest in those three countries are being restored.

Piyaporn Kalantakaphan, the company's senior product group manager, said exports of the roof tiles accounted for 10 per cent of total sales.

Sale of NPAs beats expectations

Despite the economic slowdown, sales of non-performing assets in Pattaya in the first half were 10 per cent higher than expected at Bt852 million.

Director of the Office of Legal Execution in Pattaya, Ratchanee Boonruang, will open the bidding for NPAs, which include hotels, condominiums and land worth more than Bt500 million.

SCC supporting skills programme

Siam City Cement is collaborating with the Department of Skill Development to support a training programme for people living in rural areas to help them earn additional income during dry the season.

The Northeast is the hardest-hit area during the dry season, due to insufficient rainfall and ineffective water management that causes severe hardship. Terracotta jars, which are a traditional and simple way of storing rainwater, are not practical, due to their limited size.