Bt10-bn for Bangkok Bank's Green-Loan scheme

The loans will also be offered to companies that have been granted the Green Label from the Thailand Environment Institute or those with waste-management projects. Customers can take out a loan for Bt1 million or more, liable to the minimum lending rate of 7.25 per cent. - The Nation

LPG suppliers want price hike

The LPG Traders' Association will soon ask for a price increase of Bt5 per kilogram on cooking gas to offset higher transportation costs, association chairman Chitsanupong Rungrojngamcharoen said.

He said traders have been affected by rising oil prices. Moreover, the Internal Trade Department is sending out teams to inspect all traders after consumers complained that some had increased their retail price of cooking gas from Bt290 to Bt315-Bt320 a tank. - The Nation

Divided opinion on rate hike

The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry, and Banking is divided over increasing the interest rate to control inflation.

Apisak Tantivorawong, chairman of Thai Bankers' Association, said increasing the interest rate will help soften the inflation gradually. "I am not opposed to it. However, the timing should be correct," he said.

Santi Vilassakdanont, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said the banks should postpone the interest rate hike for three months. - The Nation