briefs

TOT radio relays to beam digital TV to remote spots

Public-television broadcasters yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with TOT to transmit digital signals through the state telecom agency's infrastructure after digital terrestrial TV service is fully launched.

Under this MoU, the Royal Army's TV5, MCOT's Modernine TV and Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS) will be allowed to use more than 100,000 of TOT's radio relay sites to fill gaps in areas main transmission towers cannot reach, particularly in remote zones.

MCOT executive vice president Sura Gaintanasilp said the use of TOT's radio relay sites would help infrastructure and network providers cut investment costs while being able to broadcast to most of the country.

Disabled access sought

The broadcasting committee at the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission has called for assertive technology for disabled and elderly people as a minimum required standard of digital TV converters.

The basic features of this technology would include audio descriptions, spoken subtitling, closed captions and sign language, and emergency warnings.

NBTC commissioner Supinya Klangnarong said yesterday that the broadcasting panel would hold an industry forum next Thursday to hear opinions on this matter from manufacturers of digital TV set-top boxes.

Solar power project for Government Centre

The Treasury Department is teaming up with PTT to study the possibility of supplying solar power to the Chalermprakiat Government Centre on Chaeng Wattana Road.

Subsidiaries of both parties will jointly study the feasibility of such a project, which will require the installation of solar panels on the roof. The panels are expected to generate 2.3 megawatt of power for the building that encompasses more than 26,000 square metres. Excess supply will be sold to the Metropolitan Electricity Authority. The feasibility study is expected to take six months to complete.

While this project is in line with PTT's view to reduce energy imports, the Treasury Department aims to set a good example for other public and private organisations interested in installing solar power.



PTTEP signs up new petroleum JV

PTT Exploration and Production announced yesterday that it had set up a new joint venture, UAQ Petroleum Ltd, for petroleum exploration and production with Canemir Petroleum Corp.

UAQ Petroleum is registered with 10,000 Hong Kong dollars (Bt40,000) capital. PTTEP holds a 30-per-cent stake through its subsidiary PTTEP FLNG Holding and the rest is owned by Canemir Petroleum.



China's ambassador to address businessmen

China's Ambassador to Thailand Guan Mu on March 2 will deliver a speech to members of the association of Thai-Chinese businessmen in Chiang Mai, which would also include former Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan.

Songwit Itthipatanakul, president of the association that celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, said that aside from the speeches to update members about the AEC and Thai-Sino trade connection, there will be an exhibition to promote investment and trade in Chiang Mai and nearby provinces.

The association has more than 10,000 members, representing various Chinese ethnic families who have settled down in Thailand. It is now a major trade liaison centre for overseas Chinese businessmen mainly in Yunnan and Taiwan.



Central buys out Karon hotel stake

Central Plaza Hotel is investing Bt120 million to buy out the stake in Karon Phuket Hotel Co.

In a filing to the stock exchange, Central said it bought the remaining 31-per-cent stake from Kata Phuket Hotel Co. This increases its direct holding in Karon Phuket Hotel to 99.31 per cent.