Briefs:

Transport Minister Sophon Saram said airports under Airports of Thailand supervision would cut landing fees in half for charter flights and by 15-20 per cent for scheduled flights.

Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Hat Yai airports have already reduced landing fees for charter flights and are considering how much to cut them for scheduled flights. Suvarnabhumi and Phuket airports are also run by AOT. - The Nation

More Thai products

Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai said her ministry would soon sign a memorandum of understanding with Carrefour and Tesco Lotus to sell more Thai products in their outlets worldwide, said.

So far, Tesco Lotus stocks Bt8 billion to Bt9 billion worth of Thai products annually. The ministry will also soon meet with multinational retailers from Japan to convince them to increase the number of Thai products on their shelves. - The Nation

Cold retards crops

A cold spell may force farmers to delay their harvest by two weeks, because adverse weather thwarts crop development.

"Normally, it takes 110 days to plant rice, but with the weather like this it may take 125 days," said Rice Department director-general Prasert Gosalvitra. "Output may be delayed but not damaged." - Bloomberg

Meeting on prices

The Commerce Ministry next Thursday will hold a meeting with consumer-goods makers in an attempt to ask for their cooperation in reducing prices, to relieve the high cost of living.

Moreover, Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai will soon meet with Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu and Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij to persuade the Cabinet to allocate a bigger budget for her ministry to use in boosting growth in exports and the domestic economy. - The Nation