The bureau said in a statement that it had made an offer to P Con Development (Thai), the developer and operator of the shopping centre, to sign a written confirmation that P Con would vacate the site of the former Pre-Cadet School and follow all arrangements by April 1. But P Con did not sign the letter, and the offer was revoked.

The bureau was concerned that small tenants might not have understood that they were not legally authorised to be on the site, so it offered occupants of the site a rent-free grace period for them to peacefully vacate by April 1.

The bureau understands that P Con has continued to improperly collect rent from the site occupants, so it will take all necessary lawful measures to clear the site, the statement said.

P Con signed a three-year lease to develop the former Pre-Cadet School site. It expired at the end of 2004 and was extended until March 2006. - The Nation.

Rice auction

The Commerce Ministry will on Tuesday open bidding for 400,000 tonnes of jasmine and white rice.

Out of the total stock for sale, 200,000 tonnes of jasmine rice will be for both export and domestic markets, while 200,000 tonnes of white rice from the 2005-06 harvest will be for export only.

Commerce Minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet said yesterday the auction would not only help clear its rice inventory, but also serve global demand because Vietnam has suspended its rice exports until February. - The Nation.

Cambodia bid

Thai Charoen Commercial group is considering entering Cambodia's beverage industry after the neighbouring country opened up a special economic zone to facilitate foreign investors.

Winichai Chaemchang, deputy director-general of the Trade Negotiations Department, said yesterday that many leading local firms were interested in setting up shop in Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos because part of the government's policy to promote offshore business to help develop neighbouring countries.

Other companies that are looking at outsourcing production to Cambodia are Khon Kaen Sugar and Siam Kubota.

The department will soon lead a trade and investment mission to Cambodia. - The Nation.

Bangkok office

4Life Research's 11th international office is to open in Thailand.

4Life will mark the occasion on Sunday with a ribbon-cutting recognition ceremony and the launch of five products at the company's new office in Bangkok.

Several 4Life executives and distributors will be present, including president Steve Tew, vice president for international Steve Apple, regional director of Southeast Asia Michael Seet, Thailand general manager Ivan Sua, senior manager of Southeast Asia Richard Decker and Platinum International Diamond's Jeff Altgilbers.

The five immune-support products products debuting at the ceremony are 4Life Transfer Factor Plus Advanced Formula, 4Life Transfer Factor Advanced Formula, 4Life Transfer Factor RenewAll, 4Life Transfer Factor Chewable and 4Life Transfer Factor Toothpaste.

4Life continues to post growth in more than 40 countries. - The Nation.