Speculators believed to be responsible for offshore demand for Thai currency. Singapore banks are doubling their baht deposit interest rates over those quoted by Thai banks, reflecting high demand for baht in the offshore market, possibly by currency speculators. In a telephone interview with The Nation, OCBC Bank, the number-three bank in Singapore, said it was offering between 4.25 per cent and 4.5 per cent on baht time deposits with a minimum initial deposit of Bt500,000.

Small retailers fear the end if superstores let back in cities

Current city zoning regulations will expire next May, and the country’s “mom and pop” retailers are preparing for another fight against giant superstores invading their territory. At present large stores with retail space of between 300 and 4,000 square metres are restricted to sites at least 15 kilometres from city areas. The government is known to be considering revising this down to just five kilometres.

CITY CONDOMINIUMS: Hemaraj upbeat on Chidlom

Developer expects buyers to occupy luxury units by October next year

CITY CONDOMINIUMS: Hemaraj upbeat on Chidlom

Developer expects buyers to occupy luxury units by October next year

Ravipa builds onUdomsuk

Metro Star diversifies to fringe Sukhumvit suburbs to offer four-storey townhouses

‘Masked Riders Live Show’ a big challenge

Pichet Chewsarikit is the man behind the Masked Riders Live Show in Bangkok.

Thanong to set off on another road show to sell mega-projects

Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya will hit the road one more time this year to woo foreign investors into starting joint ventures with Thai firms and investing in mega-projects.

STREET WISE: March of the boardroom gurus

There was a time when the place for top executives was believed to be the boardroom, where they made key decisions on how their businesses should grow.

NEW SERVICE: Trinity becomes a derivatives player

Group establishes a joint venture between its subsidiary Trinity

Pattaya to host big MICE, travel shows

Asia’s largest travel shows for business travel and MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) will be held in Pattaya from October 11 to 13.

Thai hopes up ahead of WTO talks

Thailand foresees a successful outcome to the upcoming World Trade Organisation (WTO) conference in Hong Kong as the United States and the European Union have proposed cutting their subsidies in the farm sector.

Banks expect good Q3 results

The banking sector is likely to show better results in the third quarter despite the country’s economic slowdown, bankers say.

BOT to boost liquidity in local bond market

The Bank of Thailand is implementing a five-part plan to solve the lack of liquidity in the Thai fixed-income market, according to deputy governor Bandid Nijathaworn.

State-run AMCs to lead in reducing NPAs

Thai Asset Management Corp (TAMC) and stateowned asset-management companies are expected to be key tools to clean up non-performing assets (NPAs) of Bt260 billion from the banking system over the next few years, according to the Bank of Thailand governor.

SME: Water hyacinth moves from the river to the home – and lands an award

Discarded water hyacinth plants are getting a new lease on life in luxury furniture showrooms at Gaysorn and The Emporium, and as far-flung destinations as France and Italy.

FREE TRADE: Chile next in line for FTA

Bangkok, Santiago to conduct feasibility study

Now, La Costa del Sushi

Two newly opened theme parks in Japan, Edo Wonderland and Parque Espa, are attracting visitors wanting to explore a new travelling concept, looking at traditional Japanese and Spanish lifestyles.

Mid East tourists lured by Thai hospitality

“In the four years I’ve been in Thailand, I’ve seen a big increase in Middle Eastern tourists to this country, ever since the September 11 incident,” said Ayman Naguib, an executive of Egypt Thai Co Ltd.

LONG-TERM FUNDS: Smallest player jumps highest

Almost one year after its launch, the LTF from Aberdeen Asset Management has gained nearly 25 per cent in net asset value