briefs

Floods hurt tourism less than protests

Floods in major provinces have had little effect on tourism, as fewer tourists come to Thailand during the low season, said Tourism Council of Thailand vice chairman Chalermkiat Khlaisuwan.

He told a seminar yesterday that more direct and indirect effects were expected from the political turbulence, which could hurt visitor numbers in the high season.

Chalermkiat urged the new prime minister to end the political conflict before the advent of the high season, otherwise losses could amount to Bt100 billion, and several hotel operators could go bankrupt. - The Nation

Blocked rail line

PTT used 60 lorries to transport liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from its Khon Kaen depot yesterday after heavy rains led to mudslides that crippled the rail line.

Depot manager Surat Jiamlertwiwat said 300 metres of the line had been damaged and would be repaired within a few days. - The Nation

FT up 14.85 satang

The Energy Regulatory Commission yesterday agreed to raise the fuel tariff (FT) for the October-December period 14.85 satang a unit, raising power bills 5.17 per cent to Bt3.20 a unit.

The FT should have been raised 57.22 satang, but the regulator was concerned about the impact. PTT helped out with Bt3.6 billion from its take-or-pay gas contract with Burma. Also the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand agreed to allocate Bt4.3 billion worth of penalties paid by the Arthit Field operator to bring down the power price, which reduced the FT 12.68 satang. - The Nation

New THAI bond issue

Thai Airways International will issue Bt7 billion worth of bonds from next Wednesday to October 1.

Eighteen-month bonds will carry a coupon rate of 4.77 per cent per annum, three-year bonds 5.05 per cent and five-year bonds 5.5 per cent.

Proceeds will be used to pay loans coming due and purchase aircraft.

Bank of Ayudhya, TMB Bank, BankThai, Tisco Securities, BT Securities and Thanachart Securities are the underwriters. - The Nation

Air-ticketing fraud

Twenty clients have filed a police complaint against ticketing company Rakkan Thongtheeo, alleging it failed to provide them with a combined Bt2 million worth of air tickets.

The clients say the airline involved refused to issue the tickets, saying the company had given it a bad cheque. When contacted by the clients, the company said the problem had occurred because of "internal fraud".

Din Daeng police station has summoned the company's owners for clarification. - The Nation

Udon Thani hotel-mall

An Udon Thani shopping-centre builder has announced plans to build a hotel and outdoor shopping-mall complex called UD Town the Lifestyle Destination. - The Nation