THAI insists shortfall below Bt80 bn

 The national carrier said that as part of the overall plan to ease liquidity, it has completed a private placement debenture offering totalling Bt5 billion. Meanwhile, it also plans to raise Bt15 billion to replace existing short-term borrowings and another Bt19 billion to bridge the liquidity shortage for 2009.

 "However, the liquidity shortfall maybe reduced if travel demand is back to normal sooner than forecast," the company said in a statement.

  The airliner contributed the tight liquidity to volatile jet fuel price, domestic political conflict leading to the closure of Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports and the global economic crisis.