Brief

The National Telecommunications Commission, which was expected to announce its decision yesterday, cited the need to see more details of the companies' 3G business plans and the results of the 3G service launched by Advanced Info Service in Chiang Mai in May before making its final decision. - The Nation

Fashion watch importer sets ambitious revenue target for next year

New Time Collections, a recently established fashion watch importer, expects sales revenue will jump from Bt7 million last year to Bt20 million this year, due to the rising popularity of fashion watches and its plan to aggressively build market awareness of its imported brand names.

New Time currently imports K&Bros fashion watches from Italy, prices range from Bt6,000 to Bt29,000. It has a marketing budget of Bt4 million for this year. - The Nation

AustCham sets date for business awards ceremony for later this month

The Australia-Thailand Chamber of Commerce on August 20 will announce the 14th AustCham Thailand Business Awards 2008 at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel.

Awards are granted to Australian, Thai and other foreign companies that have made outstanding contributions to Australia-Thailand business endeavours in seven different categories, including Business of the Year, Best SME, Best Employer, Environmental Excellence, Best Services Company, Best Exporter and Best Manufacturer.

For the first time, the AustCham Young Alumni Award will also be presented to an outstanding Thai alumnus of an Australian educational institution who has made a significant contribution to relationships between Thailand and Australia. - The Nation

Transport minister considers offering more free train services

Transport Minister Santi Prompat said that once the State Railway of Thailand completes its restructuring process and returns to profit, the ministry may consider offering more free train services.

He said he was inspired by the successful free services, which started on August 1 and will operate until the end of next January, as one of six measures to alleviate the higher cost of living.

He said that so far the SRT's 164 trains have provided free economyclass services to more than 70,000 passengers per day. - The Nation