Anything & Everything About Thailand

[U-Need]

606 words
26 January 2006
English

BANGKOK POST:

- A Senate committee has accused the Securities and Exchange Commission of failing in its regulatory duties for not taking action against alleged disclosure violations by Siri Jirapongphan, a member of the plan administrator's team for Thai Petrochemical Industry (TPI).

- The urgency for telecom reform has become greater than ever before, following this week's historic Shin Corp deal, according to local operators.

- Siam Cement Plc (SCC) expects its total sales to grow between 5 per cent and 10 per cent, driven by petrochemical operations, despite rising costs, according to the group's president, Kan Trakulhoon.

- Thai Charoen Commercial Group (TCC) is set to take a significant stake in the country's largest green-tea producer, Oishi Group Plc, according to sources.

- Bangkok Bank expects to double net profits from its international branches to four billion baht this year, thanks to its rapid expansion in China.

- Sicco Securities expects to re-invest in the stock market this year with a 200-million-baht budget, confident of an improving economy and positive market sentiment.

- Thai Asset Management Corp is prepared to take the lead role in managing the 39-billion-baht debt owed by skytrain operator Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS).

- Between 5% and 10% fewer real estate units are likely to be launched this year, amounting to a 10% to 15% drop in value, according to the independent consulting firm Agency for Real Estate Affairs (AREA).

- Listed constructor Syntec Construction Plc has joined with Mivan (Thailand) Co Ltd to build 50,000 units of low-priced houses worth 21 billion baht under the Baan Ua-arthorn project for the national housing authority.

- G Steel Plc made a disappointing debut on the market with its share prices falling 16.8% from its initial public offering of 1.60 baht despite the market rally.

- Thai Airways International (THAI) is spearheading the formation of an alliance with the national carriers of Laos, Cambodia and Burma to tap the air traffic potential in the Greater Mekhong subregion.

- Shipping agencies and the private sector plan to meet by the middle of next month to work out an action plan to develop and promote shipbuilding in Thailand.

THE NATION:

- The laissez-faire approach of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) over the past two months in the face of the impending takeover of Shin Corp have benefited the shareholders of Shin and battered the regulatory reputation of the two agencies.

- Thai Asset Management Corp (TAMC) says it wants to play a greater role in restructuring the debts of the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS), operator of the Skytrain, and plans to ask local creditors to allow it to become lead debt-restructuring manager.

- The Thai Chamber of Commerce is sticking with its 2006 economic growth forecast of 4.5 per cent made last year as it sees some adverse trends souring investment appetite.

- The Oishi Group, operator of a Japanese-restaurant chain and manufacturer of green-tea beverages, announced it would spend more than Bt500 million this year to bolster both of those operations.

- LG Mitr Electronics has announced a 50-per-cent increase in its marketing and advertising budget to Bt80 million as it bids to counter an estimated 5-per-cent drop this year in the local audio-visual market.

- The Siam Cement Group (SCG) yesterday reported a 46-per-cent drop in its net profit for last years fourth quarter, because of higher energy costs and a maintenance shutdown of its major petrochemical plant.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 27 January 2006 :-

Bangkok top holiday spot on S'pore online portal

Bangkok, Hong Kong and Jakarta are the top three destinations over the Chinese New Year holidays booked for local flights through an online travel portal, Zuji Singapore said on Friday.

While 15.6 per cent of total purchases on Zuji.com.sg for flights over the festive period were to Bangkok, 14.7 per cent were for Hong Kong, and 13.7 per cent to Indonesia's capital.

"Bangkok is a perennial favourite, an affordible holiday destination steeped in culture, shopping and entertainment," Zuji said.

Festive packages to second-place Hong Kong were sold out two weeks before the New Year is ushered in on January 29.

Jakarta offers museums, galleries, lively nightlife and spicy cuisine, Ziji added.

The Malaysian resort island of Penang emerged in fourth place with 11.9 per cent of purchases and Kuala Lumpur fifth with 11.2 per cent.

The next five destinations were, in order, the Indonesian island of Bali, Colombo, Ho Chi Minh City, New Delhi and Perth.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 27 January 2006 :-

Chuwit stripped of MP status

By Surasak Tumcharoen & Supawadee Inthawong

The Constitution Court revoked the MP status of political maverick and ex-massage parlour tycoon Chuwit Kamolvisit yesterday on the grounds he had spent too short a time with the Chart Thai party before contesting the general election.

Unfazed by the verdict, Mr Chuwit vowed to continue blowing the whistle on Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, especially in regard to the mega sell-off of Shin Corp shares.

''I shall return,'' he announced in English after hearing the verdict.

Paiboon Varahapaiboon, the Constitution Court secretary-general, said the judges voted 9 to 5 in favour of stripping Mr Chuwit of lower house membership.

The majority of judges agreed with the petition filed by 118 Thai Rak Thai party MPs alleging the time Mr Chuwit had been with Chart Thai up until the general election on Feb 6 last year had fallen short of 90 days, the legal minimum.

Mr Chuwit dissolved the First Thai Nation party, which he headed, and merged with Chart Thai.

The court felt Mr Chuwit did not satisfy the 90-day requirement and so was not qualified to run for an MP seat under the Chart Thai ticket in the first place.

The minority of judges, however, thought everything including Mr Chuwit's ''right'' was transferred to Chart Thai. That right should entitle him to carry over his stint at First Thai Nation.

The other judges, however, deemed such a right as belonging to a party and not the individual.

Mr Chuwit said he could not tell at the moment where his political destiny lay.

It has been speculated he will either run for Bangkok senator in April or join the New Alternative party, founded by veteran politician Chalerm Yubamrung.

''It's a pity I won't have the [House] floor to do a censure debate against the government as earlier planned. But I'll keep track of Mr Thaksin's performance, including the tax-free, 73-billion-baht sell-off of Shin Corp shares,'' he said.

Mr Chuwit added that he will today give a press conference exposing the government's alleged involvement in the ''robbery of the country's wealth'' and the historic Shin Corp share offload.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has not yet decided whether Mr Chuwit must return the MP salary along with position allowances that he had received during the past year.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 27 January 2006 :-

Bus service to Laos seen as boosting tourism, trade ties

By Anucha Charoenpo

Trat - Thailand and Laos have sealed an agreement to launch a bus service between Ubon Ratchathani city and Pakse town in the southern Lao province of Champassak next month to promote tourism and cross-border ties. The agreement was signed on Wednesday by Chaiyanant Thammasutjarit, manager of Thailand's Transportation Co and Sisang Pommajan, chairman of the Champassak Bus Company at the closing of the 14th Thai-Lao bilateral meeting held on Koh Chang in this eastern province.

The signing of the agreement was witnessed by Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon and his Lao counterpart Somsavat Lengsavad.

The two transport companies will each provide four daily trips on 40-seat air-conditioned buses on the 138-km route. The one-way fare is 200 baht. ''We believe people from the two countries will benefit from the international bus service project,'' said Mr Chaiyanant, adding the two countries also planned to operate another route from the provincial capital of Mukdahan in Thailand and Savannakhet province of Laos next year after construction of the second Thai-Lao Friendship bridge there is completed.The Ubon Ratchathani-Pakse line is the second bus service between the two countries after the operation beginning two years ago between Udon Thani and Nong Khai and the Lao capital of Vientiane.

The countries also agreed at the meeting to open eight more border liaison offices to suppress drug trafficking.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 27 January 2006 :-

Carabao heads for Malaysia : Initial response better than expected

By Pitsinee Jitpleecheep

Having established its presence in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, the maker of Carabao Dang energy drinks is expanding into Malaysia this year and aims to be in Brunei, Singapore and Indonesia at some point in the future. Carabao Tawandang Co Ltd this week signed an agreement appointing Mofaz Dagang Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the Mofaz group of companies, as its sole distributor in Malaysia, where the drinks will be sold under the Carabao brand.

Mohamed Fauzy Abdul Hamid (second from left), president of Mofaz Dagang Sdn Bhd, and Kamoldist Smuthkochorn, marketing director of Carabao Tawandang, try out Carabao energy drinks at a briefing yesterday. The company is expanding into Malaysia this year, with plans to target foreign workers.

Kamoldist Smuthkochorn, marketing director of Carabao Tawandang Co, said there was huge potential for the energy drink business in Malaysia. He estimated that 10 million of the country's 24 million people were potential Carabao Dang customers.

''The economy of Malaysia has grown rapidly over the past five years. Many foreign workers, who are expected to be our core target, are hired to work there,'' he said.

''Based on our market survey, the consumption of energy drinks in the market is not high at present. Though there are many local brands available in the market, product positioning is still unclear.''

Carabao is positioned as a Thai premium energy-drink brand in terms of international quality, design, packaging and taste.

''The response to the first three shipments of Carabao products to Malaysia was better than our expectation. Thai-made products, both food and beverages, are well accepted by people in this region,'' said Mr Kamoldist.

One advantage the product has is that its name is similar to ''Karabao'', the Malay word for buffalo.

Mofaz Dagang is one of the pioneering companies in Malaysia in distributing fast-moving consumer goods, with a network of 30,000 outlets.

Currently, Carabao is available in 7-Eleven convenience stores throughout Malaysia and will later to be distributed at petrol stations and at rest areas along highways.

Carabao's main rivals in the Malaysian market are the local brand Livita and Red Bull, the top-selling international brand of Thailand's Krating Dang.

Mr Kamoldist said the company would promote its products in Malaysia with below-the-line marketing activities including product free samples. Carabao is available in cans and glass bottles.

The Malaysian distributor is aiming for annual sales of eight million ringgit (82 million baht) in the first year from Carabao products.

Apart from Malaysia, Carabao products have been exported to international markets since 2003. They are available in the US, Canada, the Middle East, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. However, exports still account for less than 10% of total sales.

Mohamed Fauzy Abdul Hamid, president of Mofaz Dagang, said he hoped the Carabao products would contribute at least 8-10% of its total sales of fast-moving consumer goods.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 27 January 2006 :-

Hotel investors avoid US chains

By Somporn Thapanachai

Asian hotel brands are likely to grow at a stronger pace in the international market as investors shy away from American chains over fears about terrorism, according to the director of a Thai hotel chain. Pornsarin Meathivacharanondh, director of property development and investment at the Dusit Group, said Asian brands such as Banyan Tree, Shangri-La, Macro Polo and Dusit Thani had performed well over the past five to 10 years.

She said several investors, particularly those from Middle Eastern countries, had refused to sign contracts with American hotel chains in order to protect their investments from terrorist attacks.

The trend stemmed from the bombing of several American hotel chains in Jordan last year.

However, Ms Pornsarin said, ''There is nothing wrong with American chains, as they can manage hotels well and generate benefits to investors.''

She added that the Dusit Group was in discussions with investors about opening more hotels under the Dusit brand in Thailand and overseas.

The group has three brands: Dusit Thani for five-star hotels; Royal Princess for three-to- four-star hotels; and its latest brand, D2 for four-star lifestyle hotels.

At present, it owns and operates 20 hotels, 15 of which are in Thailand, with the rest in Indonesia, Burma, the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates.The company plans to persuade at least three more new hotels to use its brands in Thailand and other countries this year.

Ms Pornsarin said the company aimed to have at least five D2 hotels in Thailand and abroad in the next five years.

The Dusit Group is also looking at buying existing, compact hotels in tourist destinations and renovating them to become part of its company.

Ms Pornsarin was speaking about investing in the hotel business at a training event yesterday in Bangkok, organised by the Thai Appraisal Foundation.

She said the challenges for hoteliers lay in diversifying risk, customer loyalty, and expanding into new customer bases.

Aongorn Somprasong, Corporate Manager of Rajadamri Hotel Plc, which owns The Four Seasons Hotel in Bangkok, warned investors that hotel operating costs would be affected by rising interest rates, inflation and oil prices.

Though the hotel business can generate high yields for investors, he said it was a long-term investment and should be held for a minimum of 10 years.

Ms Aongorn said the outlook for investment in the hotel business in Thailand was upbeat because the country attracted a large number of tourists.

Statistics have shown that the number of international tourists has grown by eight percent annually on average over the past 10 years.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 27 January 2006 :-

Best Western brand explodes into region

By Bamrung Amnatcharoenrit

The US hotel chain Best Western International is expanding its portfolio in Thailand and Asia to capitalise on the rapid growth in tourism. The Phoenix-based company plans to become the biggest hotel chain in Asia in 2010, lending its name to more than 200 hotels, up from 75 at present in 15 nations.

The company also operates booking services by phone and online, which has increased rapidly in recent years.

The hotelier is focusing on extending its brand to hotels in countries such as China, India, Japan, Vietnam and Malaysia, according to David Kong, president and CEO of Best Western International Inc.

The company got a foothold in Thailand when it established offices here three years ago. Now it intends to increase the number of Best Western hotels in the country to 30 in 2010 from what will be 20 by the end of this year. At present, it has 14 member hotels in the kingdom with another six to open in the remainder of 2006, in Kanchanaburi, Cha-am, Chiang Mai, Koh Kut, Koh Chang and Bangkok.

The chain will have two brand names in Thailand: three-star hotels can use the Best Western brand and four-star plus hotels can use Best Western Premiere.

Mr Kong said the outlook for Thailand's tourism industry was upbeat, largely due to economic and political stabilities. Also signs of foreign tourists coming back to the country this year following the 2004 tsunami was a good sign.

Furthermore, he expected the number of people using the Internet to rise in Thailand, which would encourage more tourism-related portals and double its hotel-bookings each year.

Worldwide, Best Western operates more than 4,200 hotels in 80 countries in two ways: through signing agreements with local hoteliers to use the brand, and by managing certain tasks for operators who have no past experience in the hospitality sector.

The service consists of training, and providing sales and marketing assistance. The company does not provide accounting and purchasing services.

The company has no plans to finance the construction of its own hotels. Local hoteliers have to finance becoming part of the Best Western chain, and meet company standards before being able to use the brand.

The minimum contract with the company is five years.

Payment to Best Western depends on the number of rooms a hotel has and the way clients book, whether it be online or by telephone.

Worldwide in 2005, 41% of its bookings were carried out online. During this period, the company claimed to have earned more than US million per day from online bookings across the globe.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 27 January 2006 :-

Milk firms pool resources

By Pitsinee Jitpleecheep

Two long established brands of milk in Thailand and the Netherlands - Thai Dairy Industry and Campina International - have formed a joint venture to share facilities, increase economies of scale and strengthen business. The pair have also got together to prepare for the entry of new dairy products, especially from Australia and New Zealand, to Thailand through free trade agreements that came into force last year.

The venture is also intended to help Campina International fulfil an ambition to branch out into Asia, which now generates only 3% of its US.4 billion worth of worldwide sales.

Campina International entered the Thai market in 2004 when it took over Chokechai brand dairy products from a local firm and took the distribution of its sweetened condensed milk brand, Alaska, back in-house.

Thais and shareholders from the Netherlands would hold equal stakes in the new joint venture firm, TDI Campina Co, which will be based in Ayutthaya province.

Campina has moved equipment from its Pak Chong factory in Nakhon Ratchasima to Ayutthaya. Both companies' UHT and pasteurised products will be produced at the factory by the new venture by March.

The result will increase the combined capacity of Campina and TDI to 131 million litres per year, up from 80 million litres, and help reduce operational costs by 20%.

''It is the first time Campina has gone into a joint venture in the area of production,'' said Rob Nieuwendijk, managing director of Campina Asia and the Middle East.

''We saw huge potential to expand our business in this region because dairy consumption has more than tripled from 15 years ago. In Thailand, alone, consumption is only 20 million litres, compared to 58 million in Singapore and 140 million in European countries.''

Mr Nieuwendijk said that Campina would focus on expanding its three dairy products - Chokechai, Alaska and Campina - with sales of 1.3 billion baht predicted this year.

Apart from sharing a factory with TDI, the firms will also co-operate in marketing and distributing in the future.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 27 January 2006 :-

Singapore brings True Fitness to Thailand

By Chadamas Chinmaneevong

A Singapore-based business plans to open the largest fitness complex in Thailand this June, according to Patrick Wee, the founder and CEO of True Fitness. Covering 6,000 square metres, the True Fitness centre will be a one-stop shop offering activities including yoga, and comprising a spa and aesthetic centre.

''We expect to have 6,000 members by year end and are confident to break even in the next two years,'' Mr Wee said.

The complex, in the Exchange Tower on Sukhumvit Road, will require a capital investment of 200 million baht for decoration and equipment. Monthly memberships will start at 1,299 baht.

The company plans only one branch for now but will look at other potential prime locations.

True Fitness expects the Thailand branch to contribute 15% to its total revenues this year, while the majority of revenue would come from Singapore and Malaysia, said Mr Wee.

He said the fitness business in Thailand still had growth potential. At present, Bangkok has a population of around 10 million, only about 2% or around 200,000 people exercise regularly. This figure is likely to increase in the future in line with health trends in Europe and the US.

Also, this year, the company plans to invest 700 million baht to create another five branches internationally. He declined to reveal targeted countries.

Currently, the company operates three branches in Singapore and two branches in Malaysia. It plans to open 20 additional branches within the next three years.

Mr Wee said True Fitness would be positioned as a premium brand in Thailand, and believed that providing different facilities and better services would separate it from competitors.

Mr Wee also holds a 10% stake in California WOW Xperience, the fitness chain that recently listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

[U-Need]

524 words
27 January 2006
The Nation (Thailand)
English

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday slammed critics of the Bt73.3-billion Shin Corp share sale, saying they were motivated by envy of his wealth. "I say this to my critics: Try to use your right brain instead of your left lobe," he said, criticising them for attacking him over bits and pieces rather than seeing the whole picture of the Shin Corp transaction. Thaksin said the critics were one step behind his legal and tax advisers, who had already replied to every question raised.

"Regarding the issue of [alleged] tax evasion, stock market regulations have been enforced for more than 20 years. They state that individual investors are exempt from tax on sales of shares as well as the premium price on their stocks," he said.

"I follow established rules. In my position, I am so visible that I could not have escaped detection [if I had done something wrong]," he said, denying any attempt to avoid tax responsibilities.

"The hue and cry about the deal boils down to this: envy for my money," he said.

He also said his critics weren't justified in linking the deal with past transfers of shares made by him and his wife Pojaman to his sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, and his brother-in-law, Bhanapot Damapong.

Issues relating to past transfers were resolved and had no bearing on whether Monday's deal was taxable, he said.

Wang Nam Yen faction MP Pramuan Ruchanaseree said Thaksin had paved the way for Singapore investors to take over Thailand and not just the telecom giant Shin Corp.

"I call on my fellow government MPs to try and safeguard the national interest rather than blindly follow the government's orders," he said.

Pramuan said he was concerned Thaksin had given Singapore control over mobile-phone services and communication satellites that have security and military applications.

"I am worried that Singaporean investors have stakes in many commercial banks," he said. "The next thing I hear might be 'Made In Thailand but from Singapore'."

PM's Office Minister Suranand Vejjajiva said Pramuan had unfairly picked on his boss.

"The sale of Shin shares was a private decision and Thai Rak Thai members should not try to portray it as a national issue," he said.

"The prime minister was entitled to deal with his family's business and that is of no concern to the government or Thai Rak Thai Party," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam yesterday defended the premier's family by saying that trading shares on the stock market was not taxable. "The law doesn't say you need to pay tax on profits made from share sales. This is aimed at encouraging transactions in the stock market," he said.

Democrat and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said that the party would set up a working group to "track the traces behind the Shin share sell-off". He said the focus would be on the impact the deal would have on the country's economic structure.

The group would also try to determine if the interest of small investors had been properly protected, he said.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Friday 27 January 2006 :-

The Public Health Ministry is going all out in its effort to discourage smoking with comprehensive plans ranging from a ban on packets of slim cigarettes to declaring pubs and bars smoke-free.

In future, non-smokers may also be allowed to seek compensation from cigarette companies if they fall ill because of exposure to smoke.

“We have prepared short and long-term measures to curb smoking,” Public Health Minister Pinij Charusombat said yesterday.

One short-term measure to be implemented before the end of this year will be banning packs of slims and selling cigarettes individually instead of in packs.

“We are urgently pushing for the legal amendment,” he said.

Pinij said he believed the measure should reduce the number of women and youth smokers because the slim cigarettes, with special favours like strawberry and chocolate, appealed to these segments.

He added that his ministry would also change the pictures and warning messages on cigarette packs in the next one or two years.

“The change is necessary because studies have shown that people get accustomed to the warnings after some time and might just ignore them,” Pinij said.

He said his ministry also planned to require cigarette packs to list their toxic ingredients.

By 2008, Pinij said, all pubs, bars and entertainment venues will be declared smoke-free areas. “We will push for legislation,” he said.

He said his ministry would also open a legal channel for people to sue cigarette companies for damaging their health.

Duangkamon Sajirawattanakul
The Nation

[U-Need]

426 words
27 January 2006

BANGKOK POST:

- The Revenue Department acknowledges growing concern that Thai people will no longer pay taxes after a storm of criticism over the tax-free sell-off of Shin Corp shares by the Shinawatra and Damapong families.

- Local contractors say they expect to get only a tiny share of the work on megaprojects worth a total of 1.8 trillion baht, as it seems the government is favouring foreign investors.

- Liquor tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi and a low-profile Hong Kong investor yesterday confirmed their acquisition of a 55% stake in the green tea maker Oishi Group Plc.

- Franchising is becoming a popular business format in Thailand, among both consumers and entrepreneurs.

- TMB Bank's existing capital fund is adequate for the redemption of five billion baht worth of capital-increase preferred shares and for lending growth in this year, according to president Subhak Sivaraks.

- Krung Thai Bank plans to set aside more provisions and sell non-performing loans this year to improve its financial position, according to president Apisak Tantivorawong.

- PTT Plc has signed an agreement to purchase crude oil from the Jasmine field operated by Pearl Oil (Thailand) Co for 20 years, in a bid to reduce its reliance on imported oil.

THE NATION:

- Hong Kong telecom giant Hutchison Telecom has indicated it might bow out of the market here by proposing that local partner CAT Telecom Plc take over its cellular network.

- Liquor tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi has led a group of investors to acquire a 55-per-cent stake in green-tea maker Oishi Group Plc, for a total investment of Bt3.3 billion.

- Singapore-based True Fitness is leaping into the fast-growing fitness market here by opening the largest centre in the capital, boasting a total area of 6,000 square metres.

- Top executives of PTT Plc are considering whether to split the par value of shares for its subsidiary, PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP), after overwhelming interest from foreign investors pushed PTTEP's share price past the Bt500 mark.

- The baht appreciated to Bt38.80 to the US dollar yesterday in intra-day trading, a level not seen since January 14, 2005, with about US$3 billion (Bt116.8 billion) in capital having flowed into the stock market since the start of the year, according to the Bank of Thailand (BOT).

- Krung Thai Bank aims to reduce its non-performing loans (NPLs) by Bt20 billion-Bt30 billion this year, said its president Apisak Tantivorawong.

[U-Need]

259 words
27 January 2006
English

Bangkok Post:

-- Many of the nearly 1,300 foreign investors who gathered Thursday at Government House for a briefing on the state's 1.8- trillion-baht megaprojects expressed bewilderment at the lack of clarity of the massive plan. Lothar Herrmann, president and chief executive officer of Siemens Limited in Thailand, said the government failed to clearly describe its proposals or identify the framework and specifications of the project development.

The Nation:

-- The Securities and Exchange Commis-sion (SEC) is investigating why big-lot share transactions between Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's son and daughter, Panthongtae and Pinthongta, and Ample Rich Investment Co Ltd, a company owned by Thaksin, did not appear on the main trading board of the stock exchange on the day of the transactions, when they might have given the public advance knowledge of the Temasek Holdings-Shin Corp deal.

Sing Sian Yit Pao:

-- China expressed concern about the current situation of Iran' s nuclear issue and calls for all relevant parties to assert greater diplomatic effort and restraint to avoid escalation of the situation.

When meeting with visiting Iranian chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani in Beijing, Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan expressed the wish that all parties concerned should step up diplomatic effort to create favorable conditions for the resumption of talks before the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) holds a special session of its board of governors in February.

[U-Need]

BANGKOK, Jan 27 (TNA) - Last Update : 2006-01-27 / 12:31:12 (GMT+7:00)

Boosted by people spending for traditional worships, the circulation of cash during this year's Chinese New Year festival is expected to reach Bt11.2 billion, according to a leading economist.

Director of the Economic and Business Forecasting Centre of University of Thai Chamber of Commerce Thanawat Polvichai said here on Thursday this year's structural spending of consumers for the Chinese New Year remain unchange from last year.

Most of the people's spending, particularty those of Chinese origin, are for ceremonial worships to Gods and anchestors.

However, the total amount of money spent is higher than last year due to rising prices of consumer products caused by increased fuel costs, he said.

Dr. Thanawat projected that the total amount of cash circulation in the Thai economy during the Chinese New Year celebrations this year would reach Bt11.2 billion, a 6 per cent increase from last year--in line with this year's influation rate.

A survey on consumers' behaviours during the Chinese New Year conducted by the university during January 10-22 also found that most of the 1,300 interviewed on the random basis, or 67.6 per cent, said they spent more this year due to rising prices of products.

Asked what they want from the government as a Chinese New Year present, the city respondents said they want the government to help address the problems of fuel price hikes, rising living costs of living, poverty and crime.

Meanwhile, Deputy Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul urged the public to purchase only food products verified their safety by the Ministry of Public Health.

"People should buy food labelled either 'clean food, good taste', or 'safe food' of the Ministry of Public Health and should have some exercises after enjoying the food for their Chinese New Year celebrations for the sake of their good health," suggested the minister. (TNA)--E002

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Friday 27 January 2006 :-

BizBits: Is it lucky 23 for Thaksin?

Numerology is really important for Thais as propitious licence plate and cell-phone numbers can fetch more than Bt100,000. So the question immediately arises whether there are any “good” numbers involved in the Bt73-billion Shin deal in which PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s family agreed to sell their stake to Singapore’s Temasek.

Nation TV moderator Krissana Chaiyarat figured the lucky number was “23” since the deal was announced on January 23.

Moreover, he said, Thaksin is the 23rd prime minister of the country, and Shin was set up 23 years ago.

True or not, all this talk about numbers doesn’t amount to much, unless Thaksin agrees to discount his price to Bt23 billion or pay that much in taxes on the deal.

lSpeaking of numbers, 2006 will be a year of “good number” celebrations for many businesses. The oldest is the Oriental Hotel which celebrates its 130th year, followed by Siam Commercial Bank and Deithelm marking their centennials. The Thai Chamber of Commerce will be 72. Television’s channel 5 has reached its fourth cycle (48 years) while the Nation Group plans to celebrate its 35th anniversary.

But the most important will be the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King’s coronation on May 5. Public and private bodies are planning a series of great celebrations.