PDMO signs MoU with Japanese ministry

They are Suvarnabhumi Airport's second phase, Pak Bara Port in Satun province and improvements in railroads and electric-train routes.

Acting PDMO director Chakkrit Parapuntakul said the MoU would lead to Japanese cooperation in mega-project investment, because private companies and financial institutions in that country had been seeking joint studies into the mega-projects.

To speed up investment, the office is now finalising the PPP guidelines for implementation early next year following a public hearing and Cabinet approval.

Under the Thai Khemkhaeng package, investment in PPP programme is targeted at Bt23 billion.

Brisk Mazda sales

Mazda Sales (Thailand) has received orders for more than 2,000 of its new B-segment car, the Mazda2, since its official launch on November 14.

Managing Director John Ray said the orders came through 104 dealers nationwide.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Thai Industries' Automotive Industry Club said that in the first 10 months of the year, 419,755 pickups and passenger cars were sold in the Kingdom, down 17.7 per cent year on year. Higher domestic demand boosted production last month to 53,271 units, up 8.8 per cent year on year and 9.5 per cent month on month.

But exports remained murky, with the 10-month figure showing 423,298 units, down 36.54 per cent year on year. For last month alone, domestic motorbike sales also declined 13.33 per cent year on year and 7.12 per cent month on month.

EVA deal to London

EVA Airways has introduced a new promotion for its direct route between Bangkok and London's Heathrow airport, with fares starting at Bt9,500 for one-way and Bt22,000 for round trip.

The fares, excluding airport tax and fuel surcharge, are applicable for the rest of the year. EVA flies the route six days a week using the latest B777-300ER aircraft, with a capacity for 316 passengers. - The Nation