Thai Oil Plc, the country's largest oil-refining company, plans to delay its cassava-based ethanol investment plan on rising cassava prices, according to an executive.
For anyone looking for a prime example of the government's inability to get its message across, the prime minister's own weekly talk show, Sonthana Prasa Samak, is a good place to start, says a communication strategist.
FUEL
The shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) will ease next week as the second shipment of 20,000 tonnes will arrive on Wednesday, according to Chitsanupong Rungrojngamchareon, president of the LPG Traders Association.
STOCKS
The Stock Exchange of Thailand is considering opening a new trading session for online investors from 7 to 9 pm.
COMMUNICATIONS
Advanced Info Service says telecom regulators should be careful about allowing rivals DTAC and True Move to provide broadband mobile services on the 850 Megahertz band because it may breach concession terms and bring about legal disputes.
BRIDGING THE GAP
I was having lunch during a conference with Mike and John, CEOs with two multinational corporations (MNCs) in Thailand. The talk turned to recruiting talent.
Rising fuel costs have done great damage to the earnings of shrimp farmers but Kulkanya Greemontri hopes her participation in an energy-efficiency programme will help cut her expenses substantially in the future.
ECONOMY
Thai businesses are being hit harder by the current oil crisis than the financial crisis in 1997 as global oil prices have hit all-time highs while consumer purchasing power is dropping sharply, according to the Saha Group, the country's biggest consumer goods conglomerate.
ENERGY
The role and responsibilities of PTT Plc, the largest company on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, have returned to the spotlight following last week's censure debates in Parliament.
The Government Savings Bank will introduce a new home mortgage product offering interest rates of just 3.5% for the first year and 5% for the second under a programme to help prospective homeowners.
TRAVEL MONITOR
Calls for a review of travel advisories have won support from an unexpected source and opened a window of opportunity to resolve of a long-standing controversy plaguing tourism relations between developed and developing countries.
Bangkok Weaving Mills Ltd expects to achieve total revenue of about two billion baht this year by cutting energy costs and squeezing benefits from brand creation.
INSURANCE
ThaiSri Insurance, formerly known as Thai Zurich Insurance, is preparing to expand its investments in domestic and offshore market to increase its earnings.
ENERGY
Professional Waste Technology (PRO) hopes its shift to the renewable energy sector will improve the company's profitability in coming years.
International reserves totalled $105.5 billion as of June 20, compared with $104.5 billion the week before, the Bank of Thailand said on Friday. The net forward position was $18.9 billion as of June 20, compared with $19.1 billion the week before. Net claims on government were 17.4 billion baht, compared with 300 million. Net policy credits were -1,961.1 billion baht, compared with -1,943.4 billion. Reserve money was 860.9 billion baht, compared with 858.7 billion.
TOURISM
Tourism prospects in the approaching high season in Phuket and Phangnga may not be as brisk as anticipated earlier, as continued rising oil prices are expected to deter some travellers.
The State Enterprise Policy Office is reviewing a number of laws to help improve efficiency in overseeing state enterprises.
PROPERTY INSIGHTS
Branded residences are finally finding their way into Thailand's real estate portfolio, and they are quickly attracting the attention of overseas investors due to the high levels of confidence they inspire and the elite status they provide.
CHON BURI : Index Living Mall Co, the country's largest furniture and decorative product retail chain, is targeting the small and medium enterprise market as a new customer base.
GARMENTS
Thai Wacoal Plc, the manufacturer and distributor of Wacoal lingerie, will shed the old-fashioned image of its Young Wacoal teenage line by replacing it with a new brand.
Thainox Stainless Plc, the country's largest stainless steel producer, is hosting the Thainox Design Award Contest 2008 (TDA) to promote stainless steel product designs and wider use of the product.
NET WORTH
Diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but they do not always offer sparkling returns for an investor. Although smaller and more portable as a hard asset than gold ingots, they cannot be acquired via tax-efficient portfolio bonds alongside other precious assets.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) prices spiked to a new intraday high of $142.99 a barrel on Friday amid continuing supply concerns, a weak dollar, and Opec's expectations of crude prices reaching $170 a barrel in the coming months. The benchmark contract later eased back in New York to end the week at $140.21.
BY INVITATION
Modern Thai retailing began in the days of middlemen who would offer commodities in nearby neighbourhoods, often through their own small shops, known as cho huay. This was followed by clusters of shops in certain areas known for shopping, such as Sampheng, Banglamphu, Wang Burapha and Yaowarat. Bargaining between buyers and sellers was expected, as fixed prices were not yet common.
Anyone thinking of selling a condominium should do so soon because prices are likely to drop in six to 12 months due to political uncertainty and oversupply, says Ian Soo, managing director of Hamptons Property.
