General News

Ministry to propose B150bn deep-sea port

The Transport Ministry plans to propose to the cabinet next week a 150-billion-baht plan to develop a deep-sea port in the Deep South on the Andaman Sea in a bid to reduce logistics costs. The port, planned

Thailand climbs competitiveness table

Thailand has moved up six places, to 27th from 33rd, in the annual competitiveness rankings compiled by the Swiss-based Institute of Management Development (IMD). The World Competitiveness 

Investment Years will build strong foundation

Foreign investors should have confidence in Thailand's economy, because even though any changes in politics could happen, they would not affect the overall economy, according to Deputy Prime

Thai-Korean free trade pact almost completed

Thailand looks set to sign a free trade agreement with South Korea under the ASEAN-South Korea free trade framework over the next three months, according to the Trade Negotiations Department.

Suwit says steel smelter a necessity

Thailand should establish an upstream steel smelter to accommodate increasing local demand, despite strong opposition from environmentalists, said Industry Minister Suwit Khunkitti. Domestic

Government launching organic food action plan

The cabinet yesterday approved an action plan for organic farming with a budget of 4.8 billion baht to be spent from 2008-11. The plan developed by the National Economic and Social Development Board

Business News

Cartier eyes strong growth in Thailand

The French jewellery maker Cartier sees Thailand is one of the top five markets in Asia that could enjoy a double-digit growth rate or more this year. ''Asia is doing well with a sustained momentum over the next 

Accor plans big expansion, 12 new hotels to be added in Thailand

Accor, Europe's biggest hotelier, aims to launch a new hotel brand, MGallery, in Thailand this year as part of its plan to add 12 hotels in the kingdom by 2010. The new boutique hotel with 154 rooms, located

Roche opens regional training centre

Roche, one of the world's top research-focused health-care groups, yesterday opened its new Asia Pacific Regional Training Center in Bangkok with an investment of more than 50 million baht. The

Call centres rise by 15%

TalkTime Asia, a Bangkok-based call-centre consultancy and training provider, forecasts the number of call centres in Thailand will increase to 397 this year, up 15% up from 317 last year. Managing director

Thai Roong Ruang sees sugar exports rising 20%

The Thai Roong Ruang Sugar Group, the country's second-biggest sugar producer, expects exports to grow 20% this year helped by abundant crops, strong demand and an expansion in output, according

Siemens submits public rail proposal

The German engineering giant Siemens has submitted its proposal to the government to build electric trains in Thailand to serve the government's plan to develop Bangkok's rail network. Siemens filed a

Energy

Government preparing energy-saving tax measures

The government is preparing tax measures to encourage people to use more alternative energy to reduce oil consumption. According to Surapong Suebwonglee, the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance

Alternative fuel use surging

Consumption of new fuels including gasohol surged dramatically in April, as consumers continued to seek ways to reduce the impact of high oil prices. The use of alternative fuels reduced gasoline and diesel

Automotive

German firm invests B5bn in Rayong

Low-cost Nissan launched

Toyota leads pickup sales in year to April

Honda building Thailand R&D centre

TATA see big growth in Thailand

Mitsubishi invests 5 billion baht

Honda throws in 600 million baht for bid bike production