The rating company also affirmed a rating of "AAA" for Honda Leasing's Bt2-billion guaranteed debentures. It said the rating outlook remained stable.

The debentures are guaranteed by the issuer's parent company, Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co Ltd, which is a subsidiary of Honda Motor Co Ltd.

The rating reflects an unconditional and irrevocable guarantee given by Honda Automobile, whose creditworthiness is enhanced by a keep-well agreement provided by the parent company. However, Tris said Honda Automobile's strengths were partially offset by its limited product line, because of its strategy of focusing on passenger cars and sport utility vehicles. - The Nation.

Tourism: Chinese tour groups start to return

With the situation in Thailand stabilising after the coup, tours from China have resumed.

The Xinhua News Agency says the first group of 21 travellers left Guangzhou on Monday, and major travel agencies there predict tours will be back to normal by today.

However, travel-agency statistics show that 30-50 per cent of people planning to visit Thailand have changed their minds. Twenty per cent have deferred their departure date, and 10-20 per cent have cancelled. - The Nation.

Suvarnabhumi Airport : Thai Airways makes the change

From the wee hours of this morning, Thai Airways International (THAI) began using Suvarnabhumi Airport for all of its domestic and international services. The national carrier said for international flights, first- and business-class passengers should enter the terminal at entrance 1, while premium-economy and economy passengers should go to entrance 4. Domestic passengers should go to entrance 2. All THAI check-in counters are on the fourth floor of the terminal. - The Nation.