TOKYO : Japanese investors still see Thailand as a strong destination for investment despite the political tension, according to Akao Nobutoshi, the secretary-general of the Asean-Japan Centre.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Bangkok's new mass-transit routes could be delayed due to political uncertainties, acknowledged a senior Finance Ministry official.
FINANCE
The Finance Ministry stands ready to implement ''new measures'' to help spur growth and check inflation if monetary policies fail to show results, said Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee yesterday.
INSURANCE
Soon Hua Seng Group, one of the country's leading agro-industrial conglomerates, is expected to exit the insurance business by selling its stake in Advance Insurance to the Japanese investment fund Asia Partnership Fund (APF) Group.
AUTOMOBILES
While local automobile sales fell in June for the first time this year, total value for the first six months of 2008 was still nearly 10% ahead of the same period last year.
STOCKS
With Thai stocks down 22% from the start of the year, listed companies should consider treasury stock programmes to help support share valuations.
American companies in Thailand plan various forms of inflation adjustments for their employees before January, according to a survey conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand (AmCham).
INVESTING
BFIT Securities is hopeful that it can boost its market share to 4% by the end of the year through a strong push in the online trading segment.
CORPORATECounsellor
Most foreigners working in Thailand are well aware that they need a visa and work permit to stay and work in the country.
Thai textile and garment exporters are committed to raising export revenue to US$20 billion baht in 2012 and shifting their focus on producing more fashion and design products.
The long-delayed proposal to construct a 2.3-billion-baht convention hall in Chiang Mai will be sent to the cabinet for approval next week.
HOTELS
Small hotels need to differentiate themselves to survive tough competition and the price war with big hotel chains, says the general manager of a small boutique hotel in Bangkok.
After switching from condominiums for sale, Noble Development Plc has launched the Tenface hotel and serviced apartments on Soi Ruam Rudi 2 in order to establish a rental-income business in the long term, says president Thongchai Busarapun.
ENTERTAINMENT
Rose Media & Entertainment Co, the country's largest importer of animation and distributor of VCDs and DVDs, will delay its listing on the stock market due to political uncertainties, according to Jirath Pavaravadhana, vice-president for business development and marketing.
MOBILE PHONES
Newtel Corporation, the producer and distributor of Wellcom mobile handsets, is bullish on the local household phone market and expects sales to grow by at least 400% this year.
DTAC is asking CAT Telecom to separate its request to offer third-generation (3G) mobile services from that of True Move in order to save time and effort.
CREATIVITY Un-Ltd
What do your organisation's committee meeting and the movies Psycho, Jaws and Silence of the Lambs have in common? The truth is quite a bit. They all are dominated by male lead actors.
AUTO PARTS
Lenso Wheel Co, a major local alloy wheel producer, is confident in its performance this year despite of the uncertain political and economic environment.
TRADE
Thai businesses are being urged to make more use of Asean Free Trade Area (Afta) privileges, as the 10 country members prepare to introduce a flexible regime pertaining to rules of origin early next month.
INBrief
PETROLEUM :Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's proposal to import high-sulphur diesel from Russia would violate current standards for the fuel, according to Anusorn Sangnimnuan, the president of Bangchak Petroleum Plc.
