Briefs

His Royal Highness Prince Andrew will visit Thailand from tomorrow to Friday in his capacity as UK special representative for international trade and investment.

The prince will meet Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, Deputy Prime Ministers Sahas Banditkul and Surapong Suebwonglee, Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag and Energy Minister Poonpirom Liptapanlop.

The trip will also tie up business cooperation between the two countries.

He will visit Harrow International School, the new £20million (Bt1.25billion) Cadbury Adams plant in Lat Krabang district of Bangkok and the British Council, as well as attending a dinner hosted by RollsRoyce for Thai Airways International.

He will also meet senior British and Thai business people, including members of the 670strong British Chamber of Commerce Thailand and a group of young Thai professionals selected as talented leaders from leading Thai and multinational companies.

Prince Andrew will also pay his respects to the late HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana and have separate audiences with His Majesty the King and HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Eighteen British investment projects worth a combined Bt4.25 billion were submitted to the Board of Investment in the first five months of the year.

British exports to Thailand have averaged about £600 million a year for the last five years. - The Nation

PTT marketing

E85 gasohol

PTT yesterday started marketing E85 gasohol. Energy Minister Poonpirom Liptapanlop chaired the launch ceremony. By the end of the year, it will offer the new alternative fuel at 15 stations, starting with the one near the Bang Na expressway exit.

E85 was Bt20.19 per litre yesterday, 46 to 48 per cent cheaper than 95octane petrol, which ranged from Bt37.69 to Bt38.89. E85 is 30 per cent cheaper than E10 95octane gasohol, which is Bt28.79 per litre.

Bangchak Petroleum plans to offer E85 in October. - The Nation

Thai Ceramic adds Disney value

Thai Ceramic, manufacturer of Cotto tiles, is focusing on creating added value to avoid a price war by buying a licence from Walt Disney to print cartoon characters on its tiles.

The company - part of the Siam Cement Group - initially has the licence to use Winnie The Pooh and Mickey Mouse characters. The first collection with the characters was launched during the Architect Expo 08 in early May. Meanwhile, Thai Ceramic marketing division manager Anutvat Chalermchai said the company had set aside a marketing budget of Bt20 million for the second half of the year. It expects sales of Bt2 billion in the period and annual sales of Bt6 billion. - The Nation