briefs

RS looks for foreign investors as it raises funds to bid for digital TV licence

RS, a leading music and entertainment company, is seeking overseas investors as it raises funds to participate in the upcoming spectrum auction for commercial digital terrestrial TV channels.

President and chief executive officer Surachai Chetchotisak said yesterday that during roadshows in Hong Kong and Singapore, investors expressed interest in the move towards digital television in the Kingdom. The company has also been invited to an investor roadshow in Malaysia soon.

RS wants to take part in the bidding for commercial digital-TV licences scheduled for July or August.

Knight Frank broadens service

Knight Frank Thailand enters its 15th year with the aim of becoming the best real-estate service provider or the finest real-estate consultancy in the market, managing director Phanom Kanjanathiemthao said.

The company is expanding into new lines of service, such as international project marketing; Premier Homes, a specialised integrated unit that handles the purchase and sale of high-end condominiums and houses; and the expansion of its commercial-property agency, with added expertise from Newmark Grubb Knight Frank in the United States.

The company is also pursuing an "Employer of Choice" programme, granting management the opportunity to become partners in the firm, he said.

Business travellers social, poll finds

Today's business travellers are quite social on the road, according to a recent survey by Four Points by Sheraton, a brand of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide.

Aside from sleeping, for instance, survey respondents indicated that enjoying the hotel bar or restaurant with colleagues or business partners was their No 1 activity during free time, outpacing time spent in the gym, in the spa, shopping or catching up with local acquaintances.

In addition, business travellers are good networkers, with nearly two-thirds of those surveyed reporting that that they had kept in contact with someone they met on the plane or at the hotel. However, more than 60 per cent indicate that they would prefer to fly alone than with a business associate.

Honda launches Civic Hybrid

Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co has launched the Civic Hybrid to meet the demand for petrol/electric cars in the compact-sedan segment.

Honda says the new model offers eco-friendly technology with an exclusive design featuring a body-coloured base grille with a clear blue front grille lens; clear blue lenses for the projector headlights and LED (light-emitting diode) rear lights; a body-coloured rear spoiler; and newly designed alloy wheels.

The Civic Hybrid features smart technology and comprehensive safety features and is the first hybrid car produced in Thailand to come with a lithium-ion battery.

It is available in two models: the standard Hybrid at Bt1.03 million and the Hybrid Navi at Bt1.09 million. There are three colour choices: Orchid White (pearl), Frosty White (metallic), and Alabaster Silver (metallic).

GHB offers zero-interest mortgages

Government Housing Bank is offering zero interest for the first 10 months of a mortgage for those who apply for a housing loan at "Money Expo Pattaya 2013", running until tomorrow.

GHB also offers 3-per-cent interest for four months in deposits agreed during the event at Royal Cliff Beach Resort Pattaya.

CAT told to be ready for spectrum return

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission has told CAT Telecom to make urgent preparations for the transfer of the bands of the 1,800-megahertz spectrum the state agency granted to TrueMove and Digital Phone Co (DPC) for NBTC reallocation by means of an auction.

The two concessions will expire on September 15. The regulator also asked CAT to submit to it measures to prevent customers of these two cellular operators from being affected from the concession expirations. The NBTC also appointed a subcommittee on the 1,800MHz spectrum.



SET tightens rules

To reduce irregularities in the speculative buying and selling of shares, the Stock Exchange of Thailand will force players to use their own cash for trading activity for six weeks, up from only three weeks currently.

This condition will become effective on March 1.

Since the beginning of the year, 44 stocks have been subject to cash trading, compared with only 50 in all of 2012. Stocks outside the SET50 have shown turnover of more than 50 per cent of total value, compared with 36 per cent last year. Meanwhile, more than 100 stocks have price-to-earnings ratios of more than 40.



Impact freshens up

Impact is refreshing its brand image with a new corporate logo aimed at showing that it is a modern, confident and progressive organisation.

The leading exhibition and convention venue in Thailand wants to be ranked among the top five venues in Asia.

"Impact has been focusing on its mission to be among the top five venues in Asia," said managing director Paul Kanjanapas. "Rebranding our image is part of the strategy to project our key attributes internationally by highlighting Impact as a proficient partner, passionate professional, progressive platform and personalised solution."



Deals for NZ travel

Tourism New Zealand, Thai Airways International and Auckland Airport have launched an initiative offering special deals to families travelling from Thailand to New Zealand.

The campaign aims to encourage Thai families to explore New Zealand's stunning landscapes and experience the golden season of autumn by road, the tourism agency says.

Themed "Explore 100 per Cent Pure New Zealand Autumn Colour by Road", this strategic collaboration offers Thais the chance to visit and experience international attractions like the geothermal city of Rotorua for its unique Maori culture, The Hobbit Movie Set & Farm Tours in Matamata, and New Zealand's largest freshwater body, Lake Taupo.