Briefs

The Department of Export Promotion is upbeat on the prospects for the upcoming "Thaifex - World of Food Asia 2009", which is designed to demonstrate to the world Thailand's capability to become the premier centre of interna¬tional expositions on foodrelated products, services and tech¬nologies in Asia Pacific.

The event will run from May 1317 at Impact Muang Thong Thani, featuring 2,100 booths and 1,100 exhibitors.

Thailand's food exports to key markets including the United States, the European Union and Japan enjoyed 2.63percent growth last year. This was achieved despite the fact that the country's overall exports to the three important markets contracted by 26.27 per cent. This indicates that there is still room for Thai food exports to grow.

Overall food exports from Thailand are estimated to reach US$20.3 billion (Bt720 billion) this year.

DTAC traffic up

More than 25 million short messages were sent through Total Access Communication's (DTAC) mobilephone network during April 1315, up 35 per cent from the same period last year.

The company also reported that multimedia messages had risen 11 per cent to 370,000.

DTAC has 18 million subscribers.

Hotelier Bridi dies

The hospitality industry in Thailand and beyond has been saddened by the death of hotelier William Bridi, who passed away at his home in Bangkok on Monday.

The US national held senior executive positions at The Rayavadee in Krabi, Oberoi Hotels and Resorts in India and Egypt, The Cascade Club in Bangkok, Starwood, and Beacon Lifestyle Management Group.

He is survived by his wife Rudee and two stepchildren.

Buddhist rites are being held at Wat Kampeng in Charan Sanitwong Soi 13 in Bangkok . The cremation takes place at 5pm tomorrow. For further information, call (081) 931 2753.