ELECTRICITY
Ratch plans joint venture for power bid
Move to get round restrictions on Egat
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HIGH-RETURN ACCOUNTS
GHB takes lead in trimming interest rates
The Government Housing Bank has emerged as the first bank to reduce interest on its three-month fixed-deposit accounts, by 50 basis points, indicating the likely end to the intense competition to attract deposits by offering relatively high returns.
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Kbank keeps close tabs on borrowers
With higher interest rates and costlier fuel driving up the cost of living, Kasikornbank has been closely monitoring the spending behaviour of its retail-loan customers, Kattiya Indaravijiaya, a senior vice president of Kbank, said yesterday.
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Seminar fever grips Money Expo
Apart from scores of special offers for loan-seekers at the 6th Money Expo, a wide range of financial experts will be lining up to offer investment strategies for the second half of this year.
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'No recovery until 2007'
The economy is expected to begin to recover early next year rather than in the middle of this year as previously expected, due mainly to the persistence of high oil prices and adjustment to a weaker baht, said Phatra Securities.
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South does better in tourist arrivals
Tourism in the southern provinces picked up significantly in the first quarter of the year despite political turmoil and surging oil prices, but the industry took a turn for the worse in the North, according to a Bank of Thailand report.
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IN BRIEF
'Special tariff' sparks concern
Thailand has asked the World Trade Organisation to provide a precise definition of "special products" (SPs), which members of the global trade body are allowed to protect by imposing import tariffs.
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GMM Grammy expands into fitness
GMM Grammy, the country's largest entertainment conglomerate, has diversified into fitness complexes aimed at the health-conscious in Bangkok.
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Boeing sees sales taking off in Asia
Boeing expects to sell 500 medium-sized jets in the Asia Pacific region over the next two decades.
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TOT TAKES
on True in low-cost broadband
TOT Plc kicks off a low-cost broadband package next month aimed at converting dial-up users into faster surfers.
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Swatch chief upbeat despite slowdown
In spite of the economic slowdown, The Swatch Group Trading (Thailand) Co Ltd yesterday launched three new watch brands into the local market: the Blanpain, Jaquet Droz and Leon Hatot.
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Herbalife raises prices as rising fuel costs shrink margins
In an attempt to sustain its business amid continually increasing oil prices, the American direct-sales company Herbalife International recently increased its prices by 2 per cent to 3 per cent in many countries, including Thailand.
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STREET WISE
Get well soon Khun Paiboon
Paiboon Damrongchai-tham, chairman of GMM Grammy Plc, disappointed the press corps yesterday by calling in sick and failing to turn up at the press conference to launch GMM Grammy's first fitness club.
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More firms seek price hikes
More than 60 manufacturers supplying over 40 products have applied to the Commerce Ministry for permission to increase their retail prices as the rising price of oil has escalated their costs.
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CELL-PHONE TRAFFIC JAMS
Operators promise to up capacity
Pledge to NTC to increase direct network links
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Kingdom slips down the IMD's rankings
Thailand has slipped five places in the World Competitiveness Yearbook, compiled annually by the Swiss business foundation, IMD International.
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POTASH INDUSTRY
ITD reveals Bt20-bn mine plan
Buys controversial Udon Thani site
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