IN BRIEF
Boots Retail: Health and beauty store starts Bt10-million marketing drive
Boots Retail (Thailand) Ltd will spend Bt10 million on a new health campaign aimed at reinforcing its position in the beauty supplies and achieving double-digit sales growth this year.
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Toys 'R' Us has big Asian ambitions
After it opens a 2,300-square metre Toys "R" Us store at Central World Plaza this summer, Toys Retailing (Thailand) plans to open at least two more branches in Bangkok before 2007.
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TELECOMS
NTC to draft standard contract for operators
Part of regulator's plan to protect consumers
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Quick-approval personal loans from Siam City Bank
Siam City Bank has launched two new personal-loan products, each offering a one-hour approval process and charging interest of between 17.75 per cent and 21.75 per cent.
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PROPERTY
Housing fairs set to boost sales
Home-builders hope to avert slowdown
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FRIDAY BUG
Absent-minded financial wizard
Since Wiwan Tharahirunchote announced her resignation as president of One Asset Management in December last year, the company has been caught in the glare of reporters.
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Kbank shrugs off reranking
Kasikornbank has shrugged off its slide to fourth-largest bank after Siam Commercial Bank passed it in terms of assets.
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Northern economy in step with nationwide growth
While the economy in the South recovered in February, the northern economy expanded at a slower pace on par with nationwide growth, according to the Bank of Thailand.
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Banks' hunt for deposits predicted to ease
The rush by Thai banks to attract depositors by offering special accounts will probably taper off in the second half of the year on anticipation that the Bank of Thailand's 14-day repurchase rate will start to peak around that period, according to Kasikorn Research Centre.
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INVESTMENT OUTLOOK
Auto sector tipped as best performer
Tisco Research has picked the auto sector as one of the most potentially attractive performers this year due to its lucrative margins.
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THE PINCH OF MORTGAGE LOANS
Rising rates hit home-owners
Repayments now going more into interest than paring principle
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STREET WISE
Glasnost from Singapore govt
Following the release of an article by Agence France-Presse about Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's speech in parliament on Monday, editors here were left wondering what was behind the story.
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Songkran revellers go overseas
Unsettled by the political turmoil in the past three months, more domestic travellers will spend their Songkran holidays overseas, leading to a significant drop in domestic hotel bookings.
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Firms encouraged to look at India
The Commerce Ministry plans to encourage Thai exports to, and investments in India, whose burgeoning economy is currently the focus of world business attention.
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ANALYSIS
Temasek reaps Bt3.9-bn Shin dividend
On May 9, Temasek Holdings and its partners will receive Bt3.92 billion as a dividend from Shin Corp Plc, the first big return it will reap from its costly investment in the Thai telecom holding company.
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