briefs

THAI-SAS code shares expand to 3 Scandinavia routes

Thai Airways International and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) will expand their current

code-share agreement by offering non-stop round-trip flights operated by THAI on three routes from Bangkok to Scandinavian destinations: Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen.

"The expanded code-share agreement between THAI and SAS will offer passengers to and from Bangkok and Scandinavia the opportunity to experience THAI's renowned

service on direct non-stop flights, as well as strengthen the current code-share with SAS to destinations in Asia, Scandinavia, and [elsewhere in] Europe," THAI president Sorajak Kasemsuvan said.

The extension will take effect at the end of this month.

On the Copenhagen and Stockholm routes, THAI will operate the new Boeing 777-300ER Dreamliner equipped with a new cabin and entertainment system.

BBL fixed deposits

Bangkok Bank has introduced 10-month and four-month fixed-deposit accounts, offering an interest rate of 3 per cent for the first one and 2.5 per cent on the second.

Bangkok Bank executive vice president Thaweelap Rittapirom said the minimum deposit was Bt200,000. The special campaigns started yesterday.

"The special 10-month and four-month fixed-deposit initiative reflects Bangkok Bank's ongoing consumer-banking expansion strategy," he said.

"The fixed accounts include an attractive high interest rate, a shorter deposit term compared with similar deposit products in the market, and a low initial deposit of Bt200,000.

The account is well suited for customer needs, with returns appropriate to the current environment of rising inflation and uncertain interest rates."

KTB marks 47th

Krungthai Bank is launching three fixed-deposit products with high interest rates to celebrate its 47th anniversary.

Chanarong Eursithichai, a senior vice president of KTB's retail business and network group, said the first product was KTB Birthday, a 47-month term deposit account offering 3.47 per cent per annum. KTB Birthday @ Netbank is also for a 47-month term, offering 3.77 per cent per annum. For these two accounts, the minimum deposit is Bt50,000.

The third product is KTB Precious Plus Invite for a seven-month term, offering 3 per cent per annum. The minimum deposit is Bt1 million and the maximum Bt10 million. Depositors will be granted KTB Precious Plus and KTC-KTB Precious Plus Visa Infinite credit cards. The product is available until March 31.

ITD condo contracts

Italian-Thai Development has secured three contracts with Bright Development Bangkok Co to construct three I-Condo projects with total value of Bt660.42 million.

Both of the first two consist of two buildings of eight storeys each. The I-Condo Phetkasem 39 will have a total of 404 units, with a contract value of Bt282.83 million, and The I-Condo Ngarmwongwan 2 will have 389 units, and the contract value is Bt238.22 million.

The third contract, The I-Condo Kaset-Navamin, is a single eight-storey building with 181 units worth Bt139.37 million.

New OBG team

Oxford Business Group (OBG), a global publishing, research and consultancy firm,

has appointed a new team to lead its operations in Thailand as work gets under way on its forthcoming project. "The Report: Thailand 2014" will be produced with research assistance from the Board of Investment.

Mariana Brilhante takes on the role of country director, working alongside Brett Twaits, who is the group's new editorial manager in Thailand. The appointment marks a promotion for Brilhante, who previously worked as OBG's project director in Oman, while Twaits comes across from Oman, where he was the group's editorial manager on the most recent report.

"The Report: Thailand 2014" will mark the culmination of more than six months of on-the-ground research. It will provide information on opportunities for foreign direct investment into Thailand's economy and will be a guide to the many facets of the country, including its macroeconomics, infrastructure, banking and sectoral developments.

The report will be available in print form or online.

Electrolux offers 'Inspiration'

Electrolux Thailand has introduced "The Inspiration" range of appliances.

The new product line is meant to reinforce the company's leading position in the European appliance market.

Electrolux Thailand announced that its revenue growth last year doubled that of the overall market, for its highest sales record in eight years.

Independent research company GFK reported that Electrolux achieved No 1 market position

for front-load washing machines with 35 per cent market share, while also holding 22 per cent of the vacuum-cleaner market.

TOT, CAT hired for Wi-Fi at schools

The Information and Communications Technology Ministry has contracted TOT and CAT Telecom for Bt1.76 billion to provide Wi-Fi infrastructure at 27,231 schools nationwide under the One Tablet Per Child project, starting in June.

The ministry also plans to spend Bt4 billion to provide network infrastructure for 43,253 schools next year.



Shop Channel here

Sumitomo Corp, producer of the TV home-shopping channel called "Shop Channel" from Japan, has expanded into Thailand in partnership with ICC International, a unit of Saha Group, and Central Department Store.

The new joint venture named Shop Global (Thailand) was formed with Bt600 million in registered capital. Sumitomo holds 40 per cent, while ICC International and Central Department Store each contributed 30 per cent.

The Shop expects Bt300 million in sales in the first 12 months and up to Bt3 billion in five years.



Asean Police

Thailand will propose that Asean set up a regional police force to crack down on violations of intellectual-property rights.

The Intellectual Property Department will make the suggestion to the Asean Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation this month.



PEA budget raised

The Cabinet yesterday approved the request of the Provincial Electricity Authority to raise its capital-expenditure budget by Bt23.86 billion from Bt67.12 billion, which was approved in line with the National Economic and Social Development Plan (2007-11).



New GHB head

The Cabinet approved the appointment of Angkana Chaimanat as president of the Government Housing Bank effective March 22.

She is the bank's first female president since it was formed 60 years ago.