MOBILE PHONES
Nokia bets the future will be simple
Handset-maker unveils new models, forecasts leap in worldwide demand
|
|
|
IN BRIEF
Sink-maker exports
Star Sanitaryware Plc expects sales growth of 10 per cent this year due to expanding exports especially to Europe and Japan.
|
|
|
Nokia sees a time with phones doubling as TVs
During the next World Cup, you will still watch your favourite teams on television, but not long after that, Nokia envisions people tuning into games on their mobile phones instead.
|
|
|
DTAC promotion makes minutes last longer
Total Access Communication (DTAC) has introduced a new prepaid call package featuring a one-year validity period, in response to the impending telecom rules issued by the national telecom regulator.
|
|
|
Biznews round-up
- The Cabinet has approved an investment budget for public enterprises totalling Bt346.50 billion for fiscal 2006-07, marking a more than 30-per-cent rise on-year, government spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee said yesterday.
|
|
|
KRC sees lending slowdown
Kasikorn Research Centre is forecasting that loan growth this year will rise a mere 3 to 4 per cent, far below the 6-to-8-per-cent growth targeted by the country's big banks.
|
|
|
Asian banks still stable, says S&P
Banking systems in Asia have achieved a good measure of stability although China's is facing increasing vulnerability from rapid credit expansion, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services stated yesterday in two separate commentaries.
|
|
|
PTT CONSOLIDATION
Tax rule shuts door on merger
Instead of merging its two subsidiaries Rayong Refinery Plc and Aromatics (Thailand), PTT Plc will have one firm acquire the other in order to retain tax privileges for newly listed firms.
|
|
|
RS finance chief airs strategy
RS Plc's new chief financial officer, Chattaphum Khantiviriya, plans to raise the entertainment company's market capitalisation to at least Bt5 billion.
|
|
|
LATE NEWS
Toshiba to build new Thai plant
Toshiba Corporation and Toshiba Semiconductor (Thailand) Co Ltd (TST) announced yesterday they would construct a new 2-billion Japanese yen (Bt600 million) semiconductor factory in the Bangkadi Industrial Park, some 35km north of Bangkok.
|
|
|
Thai AirAsia's low fares keep coming
Thai AirAsia has launched another low fare campaign with domestic flights starting at Bt299 and international routes going for Bt499 and the company expects to sell 300,000 tickets as a result.
|
|
|
Index sends staff back to school
Local furniture manufacturer Index Living Mall Co Ltd has embarked on a corporate revamp aimed at improving customer service as it strives to maintain performance during the economic slowdown.
|
|
|
Honda launches new automatic bike
AP Honda yesterday launched the Air Blade, the latest addition to the company's automatic motorcycle line-up following the Click.
|
|
|
Retailer hopes sales will zip with new jeans
Lumyock (Millennium 2002) Co Ltd, the exclusive importer of Playboy Jeans, expects sales to rise 40 per cent to Bt117 million by year-end as a result of adding seven American jean brands to its line-up.
|
|
|
Large firms set to win rice auction
The country's two largest rice exporters - President Agri Trading and Chia Meng - look likely to win the biggest lot of jasmine rice in a Commerce Ministry tender after the pair offered to buy whole stocks yesterday.
|
|
|
Superman goes 3D at Imax
Krungsri Imax, the only theatre in Thailand that shows three-dimensional films, expects to double the number its patrons over the next year after relocating to the Siam Paragon shopping complex and the screening of mainstream Hollywood blockbusters that have been re-mastered into the Imax format.
|
|
|
LAMINATION BUSINESS
Polyplex to build two factories
Increased demand from five firms in the United States spurs expansion
|
|
|
US blacklists 10 Thai firms for re-exporting Chinese garments
The United States has blacklisted 10 Thai garment exporters for re-exporting products made in China to the US, according to an official at tge Commerce Ministry.
|
|
|
STREET WISE
Sawasdi and the wheel of fate
Prior to the economic crisis in 1997, many Thai business tycoons lived an extravagant life. They gave interviews only when they wished and they were often only seen at private clubs.
|
|
|
Cost keeps Thais from following prince charming
An expensive destination, Bhutan attracted only 95 Thai travellers last year, while 1,500 Bhutanese came to Thailand, mainly to shop.
|
|
|
Egat near to striking deal for plant in Burma
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) is close to striking a deal on a joint venture with Sinohydro Corporation, a Chinese state-run enterprise, to construct a hydroelectric station in Burma which should begin supplying power to Thailand by 2013.
|
|
|
SET's 'tough nut' Sopawadee may be demoted today
The Board of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is expected to approve a major surprise reshuffle today in which Sopawadee Lertmanaschai, the executive vice president, is likely to be transferred to a more junior role.
|
|
|
