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Yesterday, he said he would definitely leave despite calls to stay on.

Wanchai has served in the office for 34 years, including two years as acting director-general and five months as director-general.

He declined to comment on reported conflicts with Finance Ministry permanent secretary Sathit Limpongpan.

Land lease

Beverage Tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi has expressed interest in leasing 10 rai of land from the Sawatayanont family.

The land includes the site of Mahatun Plaza on Ploenchit Road.

Mahatun Plaza Co general manager Koravit Sawatayanont said negotiations were under way. If a deal is concluded, Charoen plans to develop a large property project at the location.

Poor performance at state firms

State enterprises stand poised to show a worse performance than last year, due to the economic slowdown and rising energy and overhead costs, says the State Enterprise Policy Office.

Their remittances to the government this fiscal year could fall to between Bt85 billion and Bt86 billion, well off the target of Bt93 billion.

Director-general Areepong Bhoocha-oom said at best, the combined remittances could reach Bt90 billion.

All state enterprises have been told to improve their efficiency, particularly five with especially significant problems: the National Housing Authority, TOT, CAT Telecom, the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority and Thai Airways International.

More eats at Siam Paragon

Siam Paragon is spending more than Bt15 million on a marketing campaign to introduce its new dining destination, The Cocoon: Cafe Cool Zone, to teenagers, office workers, families and tourists.

CEO Chadatip Chutrakul said company research showed the shopping mall's visitors wanted a wider variety of food and refreshment opportunities. Paragon's ground floor now serves up to 80,000 customers a day.

The new zone, which will include 10 renowned restaurants, will targets "B+" diners. During the soft opening, the zone will welcome up to 10,000 customers a day spending Bt300 each.

Expressway project

The Expressway Authority of Thailand's new governor, Thaweesin Rakkatanyu, will press ahead with the 16-kilometre second-stage Expressway project connecting to the Western Outer Ring Road.

The project will cost Bt18 billion. Thaweesin will ask for approval from the agency's board within three months, so that bidding can start about the middle of next year.

The authority will also raise commercial revenue to achieve its target of at least Bt2 billion in operating profit per annum, he said. - The Nation