Economic growth of 6% remains possible for 2008, thanks to strong exports, according to the Fiscal Policy Office.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand will be transformed into a public company and list itself on the exchange by 2011 under a plan accepted yesterday by SET directors.
Toranong Studio, once touted as Asia's largest movie studio, was a mess. The heavy rain had just stopped and it was soaked everywhere and many of the tents were covered in mud or destroyed.
The numbers alone seem bad enough, with inflation hitting a 10-year high in May at 7.6%.
BankThai yesterday finalised an agreement to sell its non-performing loan portfolio to Bangkok Commercial Asset Management (BAM).
AEROSPACE
Imai-Aero Equipment Manufacturing Ltd (IAC), a leading regional aerospace parts maker, plans to invest in Thailand to create a manufacturing base, according to Industry Minister Suwit Khunkitti.
Kanjanadit Palm Oil Co (KPO) is investing 250 million baht to expand its palm oil capacity and develop a renewable energy facility at its palm oil factory in Surat Thani.
INFANT NUTRITION
The infant nutrition supplier Mead Johnson Nutritionals Thailand is confident that its sales will continue to grow at a double-digit rate this year, boosted by strong demand.
MEDIA
CVD Entertainment Plc, the media and event-organising company, expects to turn its balance sheet to the black this year after restructing its organisation and cutting non-performing businesses.
PROPERTY & BUILDING
Rising construction costs have caused a slowdown in self-built housing demand for units priced at 3-5 million baht a unit, says Panthep Thanchitikul, president of the Home Builder Association.
Central Plaza Hotel Plc (Centel) plans to set up a new property fund for its Central Samui Beach Resort.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
A consortium of leading code division multiple access (CDMA) suppliers is seeking a role in third-generation (3G) CDMA mobile broadband in Thailand, now that CAT Telecom is moving to promote its nationwide commercial service.
AUTOMOBILES
Unperturbed by expensive diesel fuel, Yontrakit Kia Motor Co has increased its sales target for Kia's K2900 light trucks this year due to continued strong demand.
INBrief
FINANCE: The Bank of Thailand posted an audited loss of 10.47 billion baht for 2007, largely from foreign-exchange losses of 14.4 billion.
Rice prices are expected to fall next month as the second June-July crops from Thailand and Vietnam are har_dhvested and brought to market, warn traders.
INBrief
Tris Rating has upgraded the ratings of Banpu Plc and its debentures to AA- from A+ with a stable outlook.
