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TOT predicts revenue of Bt76.94 billion next year, up 5.3 per cent from this year's estimate, and a pretax profit of Bt7.5 billion, down Bt1.6 billion.

Of the forecast revenue, Bt24 billion will come from concessions. TOT owns the concessions of Advanced Info Service, True Corp and TT&T.

KTB, TMB receive banknote awards

Krung Thai Bank and TMB Bank yesterday received the first awards for banknote management from the central bank after a poll showed the highest customer satisfaction.

Bank of Thailand (BOT) governor Tarisa Watanagase said the award was introduced to encourage commercial banks to improve the condition of the banknotes distributed to customers.

The awards are aimed at raising banknote management to BOT standards, thereby better satisfying customers.

The BOT has cooperated with banks to provide banknote-management services since 2004. It wants Thais to trust the banknotes that are in circulation.

Asco president returned for third term

Trinity Securities president Kampanart Lohacharoenvanich was named president of the Association of Securities Companies (Asco) for a third term.

He said after an Asco meeting yesterday that he had been selected again because all three candidates had withdrawn from the race. They were Suthep Peetakanont, chairman of Capital Nomura Securities' executive board; Asvini Tailanga, managing director of Thanachart Securities; and Pattera Dilokrungthirapop, chief executive of DBS Vickers Securities.

"The priority will be postponing liberalisation of brokerage fees, which is scheduled to start next year," said Kampanart.

Handout cheques good for motorbikes

Thai Yamaha Motor has joined the government's Bt2,000-cheque handout scheme by adding Bt500 in value for purchases in its shops.

Guy Nanthana, director of operations for sales and network management, said customers could use their cheques as a motorcycle down payment or instalment payment, as well as for parts and other goods in its Yamaha Square showrooms.

The Bt2,500 value for the cheques will be good until the end of next month.

Thai Olympic rebrands products

Thai Olympic Fibre-Cement is spending Bt80 million to rebrand its Shera wood-board and Ha Huang concrete-roof products.

Madee Sriwattana, senior manager for fibre-cement products, yesterday said the strategy would help the company achieve this year's sales target of Bt1 billion.

The company is also offering a 50-year guarantee on its Shera wood-substitute and -board products.

Reference prices for gas-engine installation

The Internal Trade Department yesterday released reference prices for gas-engine installation, which will move in line with hot-rolled steel demand and promotions.

The reference prices were released even though installation of gas engines is proving less popular, due to falling oil prices. Prices range from Bt16,600 to Bt58,000, depending on the system.

Unemployment down in Lamphun

The Lamphun chapter of the Thai Federation of Industries yesterday reported an electronics manufacturer in the Northern Region Industrial Estate had hired 500 temporary staff to meet new orders.

President Manus Kiatcharoenwat said 10,000 workers had been laid off in Lamphun since the end of last year but that Lanna Thai Electronic Components' temporary hiring had eased the situation somewhat. Other electronics manufacturers in the province have chosen to cut work hours instead of laying off staff.

In addition, Lamphun's labour office reported 10,000 unemployed workers had moved to work in garment factories in Chiang Mai. - The Nation