General News

BoI sees encouraging numbers

Applications from electronics, automotive and parts industries for Board of Investment (BoI) privileges rose by 36% in the first 10 months of this year from the same period last year. According to Sudjit Inthaiwong, the BoI deputy secretary-general, investors in

Agriculture to grow 4.6%

Despite the many negative economic factors, Thailand's agricultural sector is expected to grow 4.6 per cent next year, thanks to high demand for food supplies and increasing demand for fuel crops, due to exorbitant oil prices. The Office of Agricultural Economics

2008 growth could top 5%

Economic growth will exceed 4.5% this year and rise to at least 5% in 2008, according to Finance Minister Chalongphob Sussangkarn. Increased investment and steady export growth would help boost economic growth for next year, he said. The National Economic

Four new power plants awarded

Glow Energy, Thai Oil and Japan's Electric Power were named the winners of the Energy Ministry's closely watched contest to award new power plant licenses yesterday. The three groups will build four new power plants to supply the country's electricity grid

Road map for rubber

The Agriculture Department has joined hands with the Federation of Thai Industries to draw up a development plan for the rubber industry. The road map aims to encourage domestic consumption as well as create alternative marketing channels for rubber

Export to grow by 10 to 12.5 per cent next year

Commerce Ministry expects its official export target will grow by 10-12.5 per cent to US$165-168.75 billion next year. Also, it is confident to achieve export growth of 16.1 per cent to US$150 billion this year, from its previous target of 12.5 per cent. Commerce

Thailand plans $40M bridge to Laos

Thailand's cabinet Tuesday approved a $40-million project to build a third bridge across the Mekong River to neighboring Laos, a spokesman said. "The cabinet approved 1.347 billion baht for the Thai highway department to build the bridge connecting the

Business News

Ticon starts third logistics project

With construction and leasing of its first two logistics developments well under way, Ticon Logistics Park, a subsidiary of Ticon Industrial Connection, has commenced its third development in Ayutthaya's Wang Noi district. The new development will be called

Kosan sales expected to jump as prices slashed

Kosan Electronics (Thailand) expects sales of its electronic air purifiers to grow 185% to 20,000 units in 2008 from 7,000 units this year due to aggressive price discounts. Kosan has sold air purifiers under the Scana brand in Thailand since 2005. Last year, it sold

Samsung to invest more in Sri Racha

S Korean giant sees Thailand as its No-1 centre in the region. Korean electronics giant Samsung will next year spend as much as Bt100 million to increase manufacture of liquid-crystal-display television sets at its Sri Racha plant in Chon Buri Province. It will transfer

Automotive

Tata foresees Thailand as pickup hub

Eco-car approvals

Parts maker expects sales to double B700m

Investment on component production jumps

Thai Honda stepping up its R&D ahead of celebrations