PTT Plc has outlined an investment programme worth US$125.6 billion from now to 2020 as it moves to strengthen its competitiveness among the world's major oil and gas players.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Plans by DTAC and True Move to offer third-generation (3G) mobile services have been delayed pending further clarification of technical issues by CAT Telecom, which oversees the two mobile operators' concessions.
After becoming the new owner of Koh Raet in Phuket, Dilokpol Sundaravej and his Canadian partner plan to develop luxury villas, a hotel and marina on the island with an investment totalling five billion baht.
On paper at least, the results have been anything but rosy. Since the beginning of the year, shares of TMB Bank have dropped nearly 20%, compared with an 11% fall in the main share index.
SECURITIES
The Securities and Exchange Commission plans to offer new licences for companies to offer securities depository, clearing and registrar services to create competition for the Thailand Securities Depository, the country's central clearing house.
ECONOMY
Policymakers face limited options in wrestling with rising inflationary pressures, analysts agree.
Bridging THE GAP
James was in an executive coaching session when he told me, "Khun Kriengsak, I want you to coach my personal assistant (PA) as well because I read your column that shared points from the book Tales from the Top by Graham Alexander."
AGRIBUSINESS
Egg producers are crying foul after being hard hit by operating losses from rising oil prices, higher production costs, a sluggish economy and oversupply.
With the support of foreign partners, Thailand's leading organic shrimp producer and exporter, Sureerath Farm, is ready to expand and process shrimp for the overseas and domestic markets.
AUTOMOBILES
Thailand's vehicle exports grew 27.5% year-on-year to 320,880 units in the five months to May 31, with the value rising 30% to 144.82 billion baht equivalent in foreign exchange, according to Suraphong Phaisitpattanaphong, spokesman for the Federation of Thai Industries' industry automobile club.
NETWorth
Africa and India were often referred to as "the jewels in the crown" during the days of the British Empire because of their natural resource wealth and the abundance of precious gems and industrial diamonds. But are frontier market investments right for cautious investors, or are they best left to rough diamonds with a wild-west attitude for adventurous trading?
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) prices hit new record highs in almost every session last week, passing $145 a barrel on Thursday amid a weak dollar and ongoing supply concerns.
The days of ultra long-haul air services _ those non-stop flights lasting more than 15 hours _ may be over for several carriers.
Travel MONITOR
Sustained demand from Brazil, Russia, India and China - the so-called BRIC markets - is helping to keep the meetings industry outlook optimistic despite economic uncertainty, according to a trade show survey.
TOURISM
It doesn't matter how much stock markets fall or what the gross domestic product growth rate is this year. Thailand's homestay tourism operators say they will be fine as long as they stick to the sufficiency economy concept.
BY Invitation
Industrial estates first appeared in Thailand in the 1970s, after the government introduced plans to raise standards of living by increasing agricultural, industrial and power production. Infrastructure was still poor but these measures improved living standards and brought new roads, irrigation and land reform to the Bangkok region. The growing income gap caused an influx of rural workers into the capital. The government responded by promoting industrial development outside Bangkok and also began to promote export-oriented industries to leverage the nation's cheap labour.
The upmarket residential brokerage Engel & Volkers (Thailand) Co plans aggressive expansion within this year by opening about 10 new outlets in Thailand, including seven in the competitive Bangkok market.
After a decade-long absence from the property market, A&J Land Co, owned by Araya Apisit-amornkul, will reinvest in the property market over the next two years to diversify its business risk.
The property developer Siamnuwat Co Ltd is delaying the launch of a new condominium in the Phaya Thai area pending new planning regulations for the areas surrounding Sa Prathum Palace, according to general manager Tharathorn Aksaranuwat.
TCC Capital Land is focusing on Vietnam, which it sees as a very promising market, while scaling back launches in Thailand from four to two a year.
