Asiamoney favours some Thai companies

 Meanwhile, analysts favour Banpu's adroitness in spotting an opportunity and Precious Shipping's Khalid Hashim's conservative leadership.

 Healthcare provider Bumrungrad has positioned itself as a hub for medical tourism, the magazine said. About 35 per cent of the 1.2 million patients that the private hospital annually treats are foreigners.

 The hospital reportedly invested US$1 million on the pharmacy robot, as the first in Asia incorporate the technology that eliminates human error in drug dispensing.

 "They've paid down most debt and successfully developed an international reputation for acceptable levels of health care at very competitive prices - from basic medical health check-ups to serious operations," said Ian Gisbourne, head of equity research at Phatra Securities.