Anything & Everything About Thailand

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Wednesday 15 February 2006 :-

AirAsia's aviation licence assured

Thailand's Transport Minister confirmed on Wednesday that the budget airline Thai AirAsia's aviation licence would not be revoked, following its belated compliance with Thai law regarding foreign ownership.

Pongsak Raktapongpaisal said he was informed by the Aviation Department that ThaiAirAsia has altered its shareholding structure in accordance with the foreign ownership law which states that Thai-registered airline must be at least 51 per cent Thai-owned.

The new company registered with the Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday and its registration was communicated to the Aviation Department.

The move means that the airline's aviation licence has been assured and its aviation service is immediately authorised to operate, Mr. Pongsak said.

The new business partner under the company's new shareholding structure is Asia Aviation, a registered Thai company which now owns a 50 per cent stake of the shares, replacing telecommunications giant Shin Corp, while 49 per cent is held by Malaysia's AirAsia and the remaining one per cent is held by Thai AirAsia CEO Tassapon Bijleveld.

Asia Aviation has Shin Corp holding 49 per cent of its shares while the rest are held by Thai investor Sittichai Veerathammanoon.

Last month's sale of shares in Shin Corp by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's family to Singapore's Temasek Holdings caused a major shake-up in Thai AirAsia's shareholding structure. It had become a
majority foreign-owned business.

As such, it was disqualified from holding a licence to operate aviation services in Thailand, according to regulations governing the commercial airline business.

Temasek's 49.6 per cent stake in Shin Corp pushed Thai AirAsia's foreign ownership above the 49 per cent limit under the Foreign Business Act.

Earlier, Aviation Department director general Chaisak Angkasuwan warned Thai AirAsia to make the necessary correction to its shareholding composition, or face the loss of its licence and the immediate termination of its services.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Wednesday 15 February 2006 :-

AirAsia's aviation licence assured

Thailand's Transport Minister confirmed on Wednesday that the budget airline Thai AirAsia's aviation licence would not be revoked, following its belated compliance with Thai law regarding foreign ownership.

Pongsak Raktapongpaisal said he was informed by the Aviation Department that ThaiAirAsia has altered its shareholding structure in accordance with the foreign ownership law which states that Thai-registered airline must be at least 51 per cent Thai-owned.

The new company registered with the Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday and its registration was communicated to the Aviation Department.

The move means that the airline's aviation licence has been assured and its aviation service is immediately authorised to operate, Mr. Pongsak said.

The new business partner under the company's new shareholding structure is Asia Aviation, a registered Thai company which now owns a 50 per cent stake of the shares, replacing telecommunications giant Shin Corp, while 49 per cent is held by Malaysia's AirAsia and the remaining one per cent is held by Thai AirAsia CEO Tassapon Bijleveld.

Asia Aviation has Shin Corp holding 49 per cent of its shares while the rest are held by Thai investor Sittichai Veerathammanoon.

Last month's sale of shares in Shin Corp by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's family to Singapore's Temasek Holdings caused a major shake-up in Thai AirAsia's shareholding structure. It had become a
majority foreign-owned business.

As such, it was disqualified from holding a licence to operate aviation services in Thailand, according to regulations governing the commercial airline business.

Temasek's 49.6 per cent stake in Shin Corp pushed Thai AirAsia's foreign ownership above the 49 per cent limit under the Foreign Business Act.

Earlier, Aviation Department director general Chaisak Angkasuwan warned Thai AirAsia to make the necessary correction to its shareholding composition, or face the loss of its licence and the immediate termination of its services.

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Last Update : 2006-02-16 / 07:43:12 (GMT+7:00)

BANGKOK, Feb 16 (TNA) – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s Secretary-General Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala on Wednesday revealed that Panthongtae and Pinthongta, son and daughter of Prime Minster Thaksin Shinawatra, are likely to be fined for failure to report their holding of Shin Corporation Public Company Limited’s shares in a particular period.

Speaking after a meeting of SEC, he said both persons had already submitted relevant international documents as instructed by SEC to affirm the transfer of Shin Corp shares in Ample Rich Investment Ltd. from Mr. Thaksin to them.

Upon consideration of the information, SEC viewed both persons might do something wrong about the report on equity holding, which is subject to a fine.

He said SEC would accelerate deliberating the case and forwarding it to the committee in charge of fining whose members come from the Royal Thai Police and state agencies concerned.

Whether the fine would be considerable or not depends on a discretion of the committee.

On other Shin deal-related cases, he said, SEC is in a process of gathering evidence.

Mr. Thirachai reiterated that SEC would examine various issues, including doubts about the origin of Ample Rich in a concrete manner, and make a conclusion soon.

He said the gathering of the evidence and relevant documents is expected to be complete next week.

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BANGKOK, Feb 16 (TNA) - Last Update : 2006-02-16 / 08:45:49 (GMT+7:00)

Daimler-Chrysler, a major US automobile manufacturer, is sending staff from the company's operational and production branches across the world to visit Thailand, saying it is confident in the kingdom's bird flu control measures.

Public Health Minister Pinij Jarusombat told journalists here on Wednesday after meeting with chief of Daimler-Chrysler's medical team that he discussed the Thai government's measures to prevent and control avian flu and human influenza with the American doctor.

"She expressed satisfaction with the measures, saying she's received similar information from the company's branch office in Thailand," said the minister.

"The doctor said the company is now confident in Thailand's efficiency in controlling the disease and will send its staff from across the world to visit Thailand as planned," Mr. Pinij revealed. (TNA)--E002

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598 words
16 February 2006
The Nation (Thailand)

Bangkok's first major rock festival is a staggering undertaking

The City of Angels plays host to some of Britain's best-known rock acts this weekend as the Bt150-million Bangkok 100 Rock Festival gets underway in Muang Thong Thani.Thailand's first two-day rock festival features a mega-sized stage, 60 metres long and 15 metres high equipped with international standard lighting and sound systems, covering a 60,000-square-metre space at Lakeside in Muang Thong Thani. Some 100,000 spectators from Thailand as well as from Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Hong Kong and Singapore are expected to turn up.Security is being ensured by 350 professionals and 1,000 staff who'll be on-site throughout the fest.Parking is available for more than 1,000 cars, shuttle buses will run from Mor Chit BTS Skytrain station to the event and 1,000 taxis will also be available."Once we demonstrate that our standards are top-notch, foreigners will change their minds about Thailand's ability to organise an international festival, and then the government will support us and let us make the music festivals bigger and Thailand's image brighter," says Boonperm Intanapasat, general manager of organiser Matching Entertainment.And despite a few hiccups in the programme, planning has gone smoothly.A few months ago, Matching announcing a gargantuan Brit-rock-heavy bill featuring Oasis, Franz Ferdinand, Ian Brown, Maximo Park, Placebo and Korn. Not long after, Korn disappeared from the list and were replaced by Stereophonics. They later pulled out and in came Futureheads along with dEUS and Snow Patrol.Joining the international rock stars are such top Thai names as Bodyslam, Big Ass, Moderndog, Ebola and Flure plus 50 rookie indie bands including Contempostic, Salad, Summer Winter, Desktop Error, Peanuty, Sangrawee, Lucy Suicide, Hys 3 Ral and Disorder."We'll be doing songs that we've never played in public before," says Bodyslam's singer Toon."I want to catch Franz Ferdinand and Placebo on stage. Those two bands put on really striking performances. I'm really impressed with the singer of Placebo. He has great vocal expression.""Very few Thais have the possibility of going to Japan for Fuji Rock or to England for Glastonbury, so this festival is such a fantastic opportunity for us," says Moderndog's Pod. "We want to see the festival becoming an annual event."Professional disc jockey Norasate "Seed" Mudkong, who has been to music festivals all over the globe, says he's surprised at the ticketing system. "I don't know why there has to be so big a difference in costs. Many festivals charge a set fee and it's up to spectators to get there first and make their way to the front of the stage for their favourite act," he complains."It's quite expensive for a first time festival, although it is cheap compared to Singapore or Hong Kong. "Other than Oasis, the line-up is not that much of a magnet either. Franz Ferdinand is very popular in England and America but not here. Futureheads' albums are not even on sale in Thailand."But I'm sure that at least 60 per cent of the Thai spectators are fans of Moderndog, Big Ass and Bodyslam," he adds."I'll be interested in the atmosphere at this festival."

Tickets cost Bt3,000, Bt2,000, Bt1,000 for one day and Bt5,000, Bt3,500, Bt1,700 for two days and are on sale at Thaiticketmaster.

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321 words
16 February 2006
09:27
Reuters News
English

TOP STORIES

- The Constitution Court is bound by law and precedent to accept a petition from senators seeking the disqualification of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for conflicts of interest, a former judge, academics and senators said (BANGKOK POST)

- As the Securities and Exchagne Commission pieces together puzzle of who really owned Shin Corp PCL shares moved around by offshore agents, the finger increasing points to violations of disclosure laws by Thaksin's children (THE NATION)

- Consumer groups petitioned the National Telecommunications Commission, demanding it revoke all telecoms concessions granted to Shin Corp's subsidiaries (BANGKOK POST)

BUSINESS

- Questions continue to plague the Shin Group on whether further shareholding changes will be required within its subsidiaries in the wake of last month's Temasek takeover (BANGKOK POST)

- The speedy creation of a new holding firm purportedly with majority Thai ownership to enable Thai AirAsia to keep its flying licence has raised questions once again whether a nominee mechanism has been exploited to take advantage of loopholes in Thai law (BANGKOK POST)

- The failure of the Office of Traffic and Transport Policy and Planning to deliver the terms of reference for the 500-billion baht mass transit expansion to interested bidders threatened to derail the development timetable (THE NATION)

- EGAT PCL is considering whether to buy back shares from subsidiaries Electricity Generating PCL and Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding PCL as an option to make way for the two companies to take part in bidding for projects from independent power producers, a company source says. (THE NATION)

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390 words
16 February 2006
Asia Pulse
English

BANGKOK POST:

- The current political tension is likely to affect investment and tourism in Thailand, according to the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB).

- Questions continue to plague the Shin Group on whether further shareholding changes will be required within its subsidiaries in the wake of last month's Temasek takeover.

- The speedy creation of a new holding firm purportedly with majority Thai ownership to enable Thai AirAsia to keep its flying licence has raised questions once again whether a nominee mechanism has been exploited to take advantage of loopholes in Thai law.

- Egat Plc may reduce its shareholdings to avoid regulatory restrictions that prevent its 20 per cent-held subsidiaries from bidding for independent power production projects (IPPs) next year.

- Thai shares closed 0.3 per cent down yesterday as a technical rebound on the back of solid overnight rally on Wall Street and weakening oil prices failed to push the index in the positive territory.

- TMB Asset Management wants to diversify its investor base to reduce its reliance on parent TMB Bank and help lessen volatility in its asset portfolio.

- Dutch-based ING Group is set to inject 300 million baht in new capital into ING Life Limited, its local life-insurance unit, to boost its growth, with the aim of breaking even next year.

- Raimon Land Plc plans to launch two high-end condominium projects worth a combined 10.5 billion baht in Bangkok and Pattaya this year.

THE NATION:

- Airports of Thailand reported a consolidated net profit of Bt3.3 billion for 2005, compared to Bt1.83 billion in 2004.

- In a press statement yesterday, Shin Corp Plc said that thanks to a new partner, Thai AirAsia remained a Thai company and in compliance with the Aviation Department regulations.

- The failure of the Office of Traffic and Transport Policy and Planning to deliver the terms of reference for the Bt500-billion mass-transit expansion to interested bidders yesterday threatened to derail the development timetable, which is already shaky from a looming political crisis.

- Tougher competition, more complicated trade rules andhigher quality standards demanded by consumers have forced the local textile industry to come up with a restructuring plan to sharpen its competitive edge and stay on the growth path.

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BANGKOK, Feb 16 (TNA) - Last Update : 2006-02-16 / 10:37:17 (GMT+7:00)

The government plans to develop "Suvarnabhumi Maha Nakhon", consisting of the Suvarnabhumi International Airport and its surrounding areas into a new province within this year, according to Deputy Interior Minister Somchai Sunthornvut.

Mr. Somchai told journalists here on Wednesday that he expected the new province would be fully developed by May or June 2006, in time for the opening of the Suvarnabhumi Airport for commercial services in late June.

"Both the House of Representatives and the Senate are expected to deliberate and pass a legislation on the establishment of the new province, as proposed by the government, after they convene in the second quarter of this year," he said.

The province may be initially ruled by a state committee, headed by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra himself or a senior official authorized by the prime minister, according to the minister.

The administrative body will then appoint the new province's first governor.

"Elections of the mayor and members of the new province's local legislative body will be held within four years thereafter," said the minister.

The Suvarnabhumi Airport is located in Nong Ngu-hao area on Bangkok's suburb. (TNA)--E002

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Thursday 16 February 2006 :-

World Cup footballs kick off in Thailand

Chonburi, Thailand - When this year's World Cup kicks off in Germany, hundreds of Thai factory workers will have a special reason for keeping their eyes on the ball.

The official "Teamgeist" (Team Spirit) ball to be used in the 2006 games was purchased by Germany's Adidas sporting goods company from a Japanese-Thai joint venture factory in Sriracha, Chonburi province, on Thailand's eastern seaboard, employing about 1,000 Thai workers, most of them women.

Tuk Samathi, 21, part of the production team that bonds the Teamgeist balls together, said she would ask for the day shifts during the World Cup so she can stay up late watching the games.

"I've always enjoyed watching football. This time it will be more fun because they will be using our balls," said a smiling Tuk, whose monthly salary amounts to slightly more than what one Teamgeist ball retails for in German - about 130 dollars.

Adidas began sourcing thermal bonded footballs from Molten (Thailand) Company, a joint venture between Molten Japan and a Thai partner, in 2003.

The factory uses a special glueing and heat treatment process to bond together the outside leather pieces of the football without the need of stitches.

"This is new technology," said William Anderson, Adidas' head of Social and Environmental for Asia/Pacific. "The World Cup on this occasion is using this thermal bonded ball for the first time."

The new technology took three years to develop through close collaboration between Molten's technical expertise and Adidas's product development skills, said Anderson.

Adidas claims the "Teamgeist" is its best performing ball ever, using a "revolutionary" 14-panel ball configuration that guarantees near perfect roundness and fewer seams.

The thermal bonding production process has also done away with the need for stitching on the ball's surface, making it more waterproof.

"Usually when you play football in the rain the water will get into the ball, but these thermal balls are made to keep the moisture out," said Molten (Thailand) Director Masami Sakamoto.

Adidas and Molten have been working together for more than two decades. Molten, which also manufactures basketballs, volleyballs and handballs, is a well-known sports brand name on the Japanese market. It has a licensee agreement with Adidas to sell Adidas balls in Japan and is a major supplier of soccer balls to the global sports goods marketer.

In 2005, Molten (Thailand) manufactured 440,000 thermal bonded footballs for Adidas that were sold worldwide, primarily to the soccer-crazed markets of Europe.

Molten, like hundreds of other Japanese companies, moved its main production base from Japan to Thailand in 1989 to escape rising costs at home.

Japan was forced to appreciate the yen currency in the late 1980s, raising production costs in Japan and automatically hiking its product prices abroad in foreign markets.

To keep their products competitive, thousands of Japanese firms migrated to Southeast Asia and other cheaper production bases.

"We made a survey of every country is Asia and decided that Thailand was the most interesting," said Sakamoto.

The Japanese management at Molten (Thailand) claims to be as proud as the Thai labourers that their product will be on international display in Germany this year.

"When Japan and South Korea hosted the last World Cup we bought our footballs from Adidas," said Molten director Mikio Nakayama. "This time Adidas is buying from us."

Asked if he planned to stay up nights to watch the games, Nakayama replied, "I'd like to but we are too busy making the balls."

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Thursday 16 February 2006 :-

Constitution Court gets Thaksin off the hook

The Constitution Court today decided not to review the petition submitted by 28 senators seeking to impeach Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on ground that the senators lacked enough evidences to back up the charges.

The court voted 8 to 6 to reject the petition of the 28 senators, said Paiboon Warahapaiboon, secretary-general of the Office of the Constitution Court.

Pro-democracy movements cried foul over the court’s decision and vowed to campaign for the ouster of the eight judges who voted in favour of Thaksin.

The court said the senators did not provide evidences and documents to prove that Thaksin used to have over 5 per cent of shares in Shin Corp before it was sale to Temasek Holdings and did not show evidences to prove how Thaksin had got involved in the sale of Shin Corp.

The eight judges, who voted to reject the petition were, Phan Jantharaparn, Jumpol na Songkhla, Noppadol Hengcharoen, Manit Witthayatem, Sak Techacharn, Suthee Suthisomboon, Suwan Suwanwecho and Ura Wang-omklang.

On Tuesday, the Constitution Court took delivery of the petition and the senators said on Wednesday that the court was obliged by the Constitution to go ahead with the review.

The 28 senators alleged that Thaksin had an illegal conflict of interest because he still had influence over Shin Corp while making national policy. They said the premier had violated Article 209 of the Constitution and was no longer qualified to hold public office. The article stipulates that a minister must not have influence over the management of any companies.

In mid 2001, the Constitution Court acquitted Thaksin of an assets-concealment charge. The prime minister escaped a five-year ban from politics by an 8-7 vote.

Weng Tojitrakarn, president of the Federation for Democracy, said it was regretful and unacceptable for the court to reach a decision not to review the case.

He said the Constitution Court denied responsibility to prove the allegations against Thaksin.
“It’s unacceptable as the petition is clear. It’s the duty of the court to seek evidences instead of waiting for senators to find evidences,” Weng said.

He said an interview by Thaksin’s son, Panthongtae Shinawatra, that the sale of Shin Corp was an affairs of puyai or senior people was a strong evidence that Thaksin had a decision over the sale.

Weng said he had protested the court by laying black wreath at the court and his group would campaign to pressure the eight judges to resign.

Sunthree Hatthisengkin, a leader of the Network of Khon Kaen People for Democracy, said she was very disappointed in the Constitution Court.

“The people’s section placed a lot of hope on the Constitution Court. It was unbelievable that the court would reject the case,” Suntree said.

“This shows that the state has dominance power over independent organisations. We have been saying all alogn that this government interfered in the works of independent organisations.”
Sujit Boonbonkarn, a former Constitution Court judge, said he did not undestnad why the court refused to review the case.

“It would have done good for both sides had the court agreed to proceed with the review as both sides would have chance to present their information. The people will understand what have happened. Without the review in the court the people will not understand the issue,”Sujit said.

“I would not like to say that this will cause the problem to explode but since the constitutional mechanisms are blocked from being used, the people will increasingly turn to non-Parlaiment mechanisms.”

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Friday 17 February 2006 :-

Traffic police could face charges of extortion : Flood of complaints from motorists prompts probe into widespread misconduct

After being deluged with complaints from the public, the Royal Thai Police has ordered a probe into the widespread allegations that traffic police collect illegal tolls from motorists, a deputy police inspector said yesterday.

The roads where most of the illegal tolls are allegedly collected are Vibhavadi-Rangsit and Bang Na-Trat, said Maj-General Somyos Phumphanmoung who is in charge of the probe.

Officers will monitor the locations identified in complaints and take photographs and videos to use as evidence of any misconduct they uncover, he said.

If no misconduct is found, the traffic checkpoints will be inspected to ensure they are official.

Public complaints indicate that there are many unauthorised checkpoints set up by rogue officers throughout the city.

Officers found guilty of collecting illegal tolls face charges of extortion and abuse of authority, Somyos said.

Initial investigations found that the illegal tolls were being collected in the same way a criminal network extorts money, he said.

“The national police chief wants traffic police to do stick to the job of directing traffic flows and advising motorists about routes, and not try to gain illegal benefits or bribes from traffic tickets,” Somyos said.

He urged the public to file complaints of police corruption at the website www.jaray.police.go.th, or by calling the hotline 1299, or (02) 205 1148 and (02) 205 1299. The lines are open 24 hours a day.

Somyos also identified 14 places where illegal tolls are allegedly collected, including Vibhavadi-Rangsit, Rama IV, Kanchanapisek, Phaholyothin and Rachapreuk roads. Checkpoints have been set up near areas where minor traffic infractions are common.

For example, for the inbound lanes of Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road, a checkpoint was set up about 100 metres from the passenger pick-up spot in front of Jae Leng Plaza.

Rather than directing traffic and helping motorists, officers at the checkpoint were focused on collecting money from taxi drivers who picked up passengers outside the authorised zone, he said.

Police at three other checkpoints – near a police housing compound on Ratchayothin, the entrance of Din Daeng tollway and in front of Don Muang Airforce Base – spend much of their time ticketing drivers for illegally switching lanes.

Illegal tolls are also allegedly collected at Soi Charan Sanitwong 13, and Tripetch, Ngarmwongwan, Sathorn Nua and Phetburi roads, as well as at the Surawong and Urupong intersections.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Friday 17 February 2006 :-

Chat lines continue to pose threat to teens

Although this was not the first time that a girl had been lured into premature sex via a telephone chat line, the lines are still widely available to teenagers and the authorities don’t seem to be interested in taking action.


When the parents of a missing girl recently asked a high school in Bangkok to help to find their daughter, police later discovered that the girl had been with a boy she had met on a chat line.

One of the teachers helping with the girl’s case said the girl had reported that her female schoolmates had introduced her to the line called “Chat Sanook” where she met a group of boys who lured her into having sex.

These kinds of chat lines have been made even more accessible since the numbers were changed, replacing the previous 1900 numbers where calls are charged at Bt9 a minute, with 02 numbers charged at the local rate. Chat Sanook with its 02 prefix became an instant hit with students.

Callers are asked to briefly introduce themselves and are then invited to listen to the others’ introductions to choose a match.

Those who are not paying-members are only allowed five minutes to chat, so participants often exchange mobile phone numbers within that time in order to continue the conversation.

In a trial conducted by The Nation, a number of participants used their introductions to invite others to talk about sex.

“In this recent case, the first girl went to meet a boy she had chatted with and ended up having sex with him. She then invited her schoolfriend to try the line who introduced herself to the boy who also brought his friends along.

“It is very worrying,” the teacher said.

Police said that they could not press charges in this case as the girls had consented to sex.

Police Maj-General Khamronwit Thoopkrajang, commander of the Division for Suppression of Crimes Against Children, Juveniles and Women, said it was difficult for the police to take action against chat-line providers until it can be proved that the lines have been set up with a sexual objective in mind.

He said in the case of chat-line operators who obviously offer phone-sex services – most of which have 1900 numbers - the police always press charges.

“Chat Sanook’s operator can claim that it only offers youths a place to chat and has no responsibility for what happens after they exchange phone-numbers,” he said. “And in this case, police don’t have the power to do anything.”

A source from TOT Public Company Ltd, which provides the number, said telephone numbers with the prefix 02 are normally only issued for home or company use. Chat lines are usually required to formally apply for a number with a 1900 prefix so that the TOT is able to monitor the line.

“In this case, it might be that the operator applied for a general home number and then used it for the chat line service,” she said. “But it is beyond the TOT’s authority now and it should be the National Telecom Commission who deals with the case.”

Calls to 1900 numbers are normally charged at Bt9 per minute which the operators receive a share of, while 02 numbers are charged at Bt3 per call which goes directly to TOT.

Chat Sanook’s income comes from the users’ memberships, which can be applied for on a website and paid for via mobile phone or prepaid True Corporation cards sold at 7-Eleven stores.

Senator Montri Sintawichai, chairman of the Child Protection Foundation, said there have been a number of cases where girls have been deceived and sexually assaulted or raped by men they have met through chat lines, but the cases are too quickly forgotten.

He said that chat-line businesses are aimed at making money out of vulnerable teenagers and the operators lure teenagers into calling the lines then leave them open to all kinds of risks.

He said that as well as encouraging young people to deceive their parents, the lines also offer a channel for potential abusers to approach young people.

“We have to ask the TOT why it allowed this phone number to be used for this kind of business. Maybe they prioritise profit over the social ramifications,” said Montri.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Friday 17 February 2006 :-

2006 to be a Grand year for tourism industry

The Tourism Authority of Thailand yesterday launched its Thailand Grand Invitation 2006 campaign, which is expected to result in an extra 13.8 million international visitor arrivals and 79.3 million domestic journeys.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, TAT governor Juthamas Siriwan and Tourism and Sports Minister Pracha Maleenont presided over the campaign’s opening ceremony at Government House.

The campaign will include a series of grand events scheduled for throughout the year.

It begins today with the opening of the Grand Bangkok International Film Festival, which runs to February 27. The Grand Music Festival will be held next month, followed by Grand Songkran in April. The Grand 60th-Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne will be held in June.

Grand Loi Krathong is scheduled for November, and the Grand Jazz Festival Grand New Year will appear in December.

TAT deputy governor for international marketing Pornsiri Manoharn said 2006 would be a very important year for the industry, which is still recovering from the 2004 tsunami.

Pornsiri said royalty from 22 countries had accepted invitations to participate in Thailand’s royal celebrations. They include the emperor and empress of Japan, the king and queen of Sweden, the king of Jordan, the prince of Monaco, and Prince Andrew of the United Kingdom.

The campaign is expected to generate Bt486 billion in revenues from 13.8 million international visitors and Bt378 billion from 79.3 million domestic travellers.

Meanwhile, intensive promotions will be targeted mainly at Europe, the Asia-Pacific and East Asia, including China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

The TAT will also focus on the “short-haul market”, which includes people travelling to Thailand only for short periods, such as Malaysians and Singaporeans.

Emerging markets to be focused on more heavily include Russia, Ukraine, India, the Middle East and Africa.

Suchat Sritama
The Nation

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Friday 17 February 2006 :-

Asia Aviation just a proxy, MP says

An opposition MP yesterday accused the new investor in Thai AirAsia of being simply a nominee.

He claimed the company, Asia Aviation Co Ltd, had no office and urged the Commerce Department to trace the source of its money because Asia Aviation has only Bt5 million in registered capital.

Kiat Sitthee-amorn, a Democrat party-list MP, said he had checked out the address Asia Aviation gave the Commerce Ministry as the location of its office: 15th floor, 408/60 Phaholyothin Place.

“We found nobody working there. There’s only left-over wood and trash sacks,” he said. “The building’s guards told us the office belonged to E Dotcom Internetwork, which moved out sometime before. Now, it’s a deserted office.

“Therefore, we question why the Commerce Ministry accepted the registration of this company, especially in this case, which has received high media attention,” Kiat said. “The ministry should have checked more thoroughly.”

Thai AirAsia had to find new local partners to maintain its Thai-majority ownership in order to keep its aviation licence. The Aviation Department wrote to the airline asking it to review its shareholding structure after Singapore’s Temasek Holdings became the largest shareholder in Shin Corp, which owned a 50-per-cent stake in Thai AirAsia.

Shin later announced a new shareholding structure for Thai AirAsia, including Asia Aviation as a new Thai-owned majority shareholder. Under the new structure, AirAsia Bhd of Malaysia holds 49 per cent, Thai AirAsia chief executive Tassapon Bijleveld 1 per cent and Asia Aviation, 50 per cent. Asia Aviation is 51 per cent owned by Sittichai Veerathummnoon, and the rest is held by Shin Corp.

However, Kiat asked yesterday how a company with a registered capital of only Bt5 million had managed to take over Thai AirAsia, whose registered capital is Bt400 million.

“Half of that would be Bt200 million,” he said, “but the real book value should be higher than that. Where did the company get the money from? No bank would have lent such a huge amount of money to a small company.”

Kiat said the authorities should trace the source of the money to find out how the new shareholder got the funds to buy Thai AirAsia, to prevent a nominee shareholding.

At a separate press conference, Tassapon said he had known Sitthichai for some time because both are alumni of Assumption University.

However, he declined to comment on whether the new investor was acting as a nominee for another investor, as claimed by the Democrat MP.

“As far as I know, Khun Sitthichai used his personal money and loans to finance the investment of around Bt200 million,” Tassapon said. “But from whom he borrowed the money, or whether he holds shares on other person’s behalf, I don’t know.”

He said Sitthichai would become a director of Thai AirAsia. “Sitthichai will not be involved in management. He will only advise on the air transport business based on his experience as an executive at DHL.”

Tassapon added that after the Aviation Department’s request 14 days ago that Thai AirAsia review its shareholding structure, a number of investors had expressed interest in co-investing in the carrier. Finally, the company selected Sitthichai. He said Asia Aviation had registered with the Commerce Ministry on Tuesday.

He also said that although Shin was a shareholder of Thai AirAsia, the airline had never received any privileges – not even a parking bay. Moreover, Thai AirAsia has never replaced Thai Airways International on any routes. “We got all the rights as a result of our negotiations,” he said.

Tassapon said Thai AirAsia would not change its management plan in spite of Temasek’s takeover of Shin.

The airline will receive another three aircraft this year, giving it a fleet of 12 aircraft. It is expecting to carry three million passengers this year, and is planning to launch more international services from Bangkok to Kunming, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh City, Dhaka, Rangoon, and some cities in India.

Yosawadee Hongthong &
Suchat Sritama
The Nation

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Friday 17 February 2006 :-

Major soft drink firms sip on World Cup fever : To feed off the FIFA World Cup fever, beverage businesses are kicking off a number of marketing campaigns.

Coca-Cola last month announced its sponsorship of the world’s largest football tournament, which will get underway in the middle of the year. It has launched a series of campaigns including the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour, the Flag Bearers’ programme and limited-edition collectible Coke cans.

Pepsi-Cola, not one to be caught offside, is striking back with an ad campaign that includes a soccer team’s worth of popular playmakers.

“Under the campaign ‘Pepsi Football 2006’, we have brought together 11 of the world’s greatest football players to attract Thai fans with full-scale advertising and spectacular outdoor media, as well as special promotional activities with exciting prizes,” said Charlie Jitcharoongphorn, marketing director of Pepsi-Cola (Thai) Trading Co Ltd.

He said that as World Cup fever reaches a fevered pitch Pepsi will air ads with the footballers dribbling their way through four exciting missions. It will air television commercials and buy outdoor advertising on the BTS, wrap buildings in banners and advertise on roadside billboards. Promotions include the “Pepsi Footballer Packaging Design Collection” and “Drink Pepsi, Win 7 Gold Medals”.

The players include Ronaldinho, two-time winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year award, and David Beckham, captain of the English National team, along with new faces like Hernan Crespo and Frank Lampard.

“Competition in the soft drink market will build to a boil this year, triggered by the World Cup. We have been preparing for the competition since the end of last year while our competitor Coca-Cola kicked off their own World Cup campaign last month,” said Charlie.

Charlie said that as the official sponsor of the World Cup, Coca-Cola can make use of items related to the football event such as the World Cup logo and trophy. But Pepsi-Cola has to find other ways to suckle on the tournament.

Pornwut Sarasin, vice chairman of Thai Pure Drinks Co Ltd, Coca-Cola’s local bottler, said as a FIFA partner, Coke can bring all of the excitement of the World Cup to mainline take the football passions of Thai fans to new heights.

Coca-Cola has launched the “Coke Fan for Life” promotion, providing one lucky fan in Thailand with the chance to attend the next five FIFA World Cup final matches, the first two being in Germany this year and in South Africa four years from now. The FIFA World Cup Trophy will be showcased in Thailand on March 12, as part of a 100-day world tour to 28 countries.

“By giving Thai people the chance to win tickets to the next five World Cup finals, Coke will build on the fun and excitement of the World Cup while definitely making one very lucky fan’s football dreams come true,” said Pornwut.

Other beverage purveyors are also getting into the action.

Milk company Foremost yesterday announced that it would spend more than Bt10 million this year to launch its largest-ever sports-marketing campaign, “Foremost Thailand Cup 2006”. The company hopes to build on its 50 per cent market share in the country’s Bt26 billion milk market.

Consisting of two major competitions – ”Foremost Street Soccer” and “Foremost Cheerleader” – the marketing campaign is expected to attract more than 128 schools to participate in a tournament. The sport events will run together with the company’s “Drinking 3 Glasses of Foremost Everyday” campaign.

“Football is popular all the time. The link is quite clear between milk and sports,” said Ian Gearing, managing director of Friesland Foods Foremost (Thailand) Co Ltd.

“With the campaign, we would like to encourage Thais, particularly young consumers, to drink more milk to enjoy a healthy life.”

Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn
The Nation