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Director Pitak Pruthisarikorn yesterday said his company could not go against the downward trend in demand. Exports now account for 20 per cent of production.

   Honda's export sales this year are expected to equal last year's Bt64 billion.

   In addition, Toyota Motor Thailand yesterday revealed pickup sales dropped 15 per cent year on year in the first 10 months. - The Nation

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Airport Rail Link

The State Railway of Thailand may extend the Airport Rail Link construction period another 180 days as requested by the contractor despite concerns doing so may delay commencement of service planned for  August 12.

   Governor Yuthana Thapcha- roen said the contractor, Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction, based its request on a Cabinet resolution that allows government contractors suffering from higher oil and construction-material costs to extend construction periods by 180 days.

   He admitted the contractor could exercise its rights but said  a delay would disrupt the scheduled service. - The Nation

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Shrimp-feed price

The Thai Feed Meal Association will slash shrimp-feed prices 5 per cent in response to cheaper raw materials, effective today.

   President Pornsilp Patcharintanakul said the association agreed to cut the prices as asked by the Internal Trade Department.

   The department also ann- ounced fertiliser producers had agreed to cut retail prices: Urea-brand fertiliser down from Bt26,500 per tonne to Bt19,500 at the factory gate, while the retail price for a 50-kgm sack will drop from Bt1,400 to Bt1,000. Raw-material costs of Urea have declined to US$265 to $350 (Bt9,300 to Bt12,200) per tonne, from $777 before.

- The Nation

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Rice bids to increase

Thirty-five rice exporters and millers have agreed to increase their bids for government rice, out of fear that President Agri Trading subsidiary Siam Indiga will win a deal for 2.5 million tonnes.

   The ministry put 3.1 million tonnes of rice on auction last Wednesday and is negotiating to raise the bidding prices from all 36 traders.   Bidders offered Bt8,500 to Bt15,100 a tonne for 5-per-cent white rice from the 2004-07 harvest seasons. For jasmine rice, the bids ranged from Bt10,500 to Bt24,100 a tonne. - The Nation