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Transport Minister Sophon Saram is negotiating with CKTC Joint Venture, which won the bidding for the Purple Line running from Bang Yai to Bang Sue, to reduce costs to Bt14 billion. The move follows the success of Mass Rapid Transit Authority deputy governor Chukiart Phothayanuwat in negotiating a reduction from Bt16.7 billion to Bt15.5 billion.

"We believe the company can reduce the price further, because even at Bt14 billion the company will make a profit, since the price of construction materials has dropped significantly since last year," Sophon said.

AOT urged to dump TAGS

An Airports of Thailand (AOT) subcommittee will propose at its March 26 board meeting that it terminate its luggage-trolley concession to Thai Airports Ground Services (TAGS) following the firm's failure to provide 9,034 trolleys as stipulated in its contract, says an AOT source.

The subcommittee said termination would minimise future damage. Under the concession, TAGS was supposed to have met the requirement by mid last year or else face penalties of Bt2,000 per trolley per day. So far, the combined penalties have exceeded Bt1 billion.

The subcommittee said if the TAGS concession remained intact, AOT could face a loss and possibly be considered negligent.

Thai-German hit by labour dispute

Thai-German Products has halted temporarily production at its Rayong plant, due to a dispute between management and the labour union. Managing director Apinun Ratchatasombat yesterday told the Stock Exchange of Thailand that the company had more than 4,000 tonnes of finished goods and raw material, enabling it to meet its sales orders for four to six months. Some items need to be produced at short notice, but Apinun said that should not affect more than 5-7 per cent of sales.

Business matching by BoI

The Board of Investment will use the BOI Unit for Industrial Linkage Development (Build) as a middleman in support of business matching, says board secretary-general Atchaka Sibunruang Brimble.

She said Build would host Subcon Thailand 2009 from May 13-16. It will be an opportunity for Thai operators to show their potential in each industry to foreign buyers. The BOI expects revenue of Bt2.55 billion from the event.

Honda hosts racing event

Honda Automobile (Thailand) yesterday kicked off the Honda Racing Fest 2009, showcasing Honda's high-performance cars with qualified racers. Taking place at the new circuit in Phetchaburi's Kaeng Krachan district, the festival will feature the all-new Jazz, replacing the first-generation model used in the Jazz One-Make Race. The modified new Jazz racing cars will be displayed at the 30th Bangkok International Motor Show from March 26 to April 6.

The racing fest will be held in five rounds this year: two at Pattaya's Bira International Circuit, and the remaining three in Phetchaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima and Chiang Mai. - The Nation