Briefs

Narongsak Sangapong, acting president of Thai Airways International (THAI), plans to reduce sponsorships, saying it could be done without hurting the company's financial performance.

In line with Transport Minister Sophon Saram's policy of cutting expenses and raising revenue, THAI could also dismiss agents with unimpressive sales records. THAI's board will meet today to discuss cutting expenses, with their plans forwarded to the committee on air transport rehabilitation and development on Thursday.

Anti-NGV petition

More than 200 people representing bus assemblers in Ratchaburi province on Monday started a joint petition against Transport Ministry bidding for 4,000 natural-gas-for-vehicle buses for the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority.

The assemblers alleged the bidding would lead to bus imports that would severely affect the local industry. They said more than 5,000 workers could lose their jobs and suggested only engines and chassis be imported.

More motorcycles

The number of registered motorcycles in Thailand reached 1.7 million last year, up 6.5 per cent from 2007, said AP Honda, which enjoys a 67.5-per-cent market share.

However, the consensus among motorcycle manufacturers is that the global economic turmoil will cause the market to shrink 20-25 per cent this year to between 1.35 million and 1.4 million units.

Hotel development

Real-estate developer Baan Rock Garden this year will proceed with hotel construction that was postponed from last year, says chairman Virat Chinprapinporn.

The company delayed Bt100 million worth of hotel projects last year after its foreign partner in Sweden expressed concern about the political chaos.