Economists lean toward Democrat policies

A recent survey of 73 leading economists found that they thought the Democrat Party's economic policies were generally more feasible than the Pheu Thai Party's policies.

Out of nine selected policies, the Democrats had seven viable policies, while only five policies of Pheu Thai in the same group were considered practical, according to the pollsters at the Research Institute of Bangkok University.

The survey was conducted from June 13 to 20 and the results posted on the university's website today.

The 73 unnamed economists - who work for 26 leading organisations in economic analysis and research - were asked to assess and compare a number of policy areas common to both parties.

In the first cluster of policies, the economists believed seven out of the nine Democrat Party's policies were feasible, and five out of the nine policies of the Pheu Thai Party were realistic.

The seven policies of the Democrat Party seen as being feasible were:
1. A minimum wage increase of at least 25 per cent in two years
2. Increase farmers’ profits by 25 per cent under the income insurance scheme for farmers
3. Curbing the problem of the informal and non-bank debts
4. Using a single identification card to receive health care services under the government's universal health care scheme
5. Turn tambon Laem Chabang in Si Racha district of Chon Buri into a “harbour city” with a high speed train link  to Bangkok and Rayong.
6. Build a 166-kilometre electric rail link connecting Bangkok with Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan within five years
7. Increase the amount of loans in the program providing soft loans for 250,000 students

Two polices of the Democrat Party seen as not viable were the policy to tackle the illegal drug problem by setting up a new 2,500 anti-drug task force and to ensure public access to the Third Generation (3G) internet connection in every tambon nationwide.

The five viable policies of Pheu Thai were:
1. The rice mortgage program guaranteeing between 15,000 and 20,000 baht per 2,000 liters.
2. To suspend debt repayments for individuals for up to 3 years
3. To "bring back" the 30 baht health care scheme
4. To provide free wi-fi access in public places
5. To base students’ government loan repayments on their current incomes

The four policies of Pheu Thai that the economists thought were impractical were:  to raise the daily minimum wage to 300 baht, contain the illegal drug problem within a year, a high-speed train system from Chiang Mai to Rayong (through Nakhon Ratchasima), and expand the Airport Rail Link to Chachoengsao, Chon Buri and Pattaya, as well as to increase the electric rail system’s number of lines to 10 and charge   passengers a fixed rate of 20 baht per trip.

In the second group of policies, three policies of each of the two parties were assessed by the same group of the 73 economists. They gave the thumbs up to all three policies of the Democrat Party and to two out of the three Pheu Thai policies.

In particular, the economists criticised Pheu Thai’s policy to give “energy credit cards” to the taxi drivers (cabs, samlors, vans and motorcycles) for use in refueling.

According to the survey, the economists thought three policies, two of the Democrat Party and one of Pheu Thai, were equally good and practical.

One of the best policies of the Democrat Party in the economists’ perspectives was the policy to link Bangkok with Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan with a 166km long electric rail route within five years.

The other policy of the Democrats seen as one of the best was the policy to provide a pension to people aged 60 and older using the money from the national savings fund to which the government will be required to contribute.

As for the Pheu Thai Party, the economists thought the rice mortgage policy in which the party has guaranteed to buy unmilled ordinary rice for at least 15,000 baht per 2,000 liters and 20,000 baht per 2,000 liters of Hom Mali unmilled rice.

Although regarded as impractical in those economists’ opinions, Pheu Thai’s policy to bring an end to the illegal drug problem within a year was considered a better choice compared with a similar anti-drug policy of the Democrat Party.

The 3G community internet of the Democrats and the free public wi-fi access of Pheu Thai were both seen by the economists as equally impracticable.

Meanwhile, the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) urged voters to consider whether the policies of various political parties can actually be implemented.

NESDB secretary-general Arkhom Termpittyapaisith said on Tuesday that the policies proposed by different parties need massive investment.

"The political parties will experience many budget constraints when they run the administration.

"There is little room for implementing new investment projects because the investment budget accounts about 17 to 18 per cent of the total budget, or 400 billion to 450 billion baht," Mr Arkhom said.

He said the new government should implement a balanced policy among various groups such as the private sector and low income earners.

Political parties should let people know that raising the minimum wage would depend on the role of the tri-party wage committee involving the private and public sectors and employees.

"Various political parties focus their campaigns only on policies that  attract voters without educating their voters on the real implementation.
"They should explain how they would implement them.”

He said that political parties should pay attention to basic policies, such as education, public health and environment.

Regarding education policy, the government needs to consider the quality of child development and the quality of education. When the education system is improved, the industrial sector's demand would be met, he said.

Political parties should also focus on the quality of public health services and people's consumption behaviour  that can lead to illness.

He said some parties did not mention environmental policies, such as ways to reduce pollution in Bangkok and other major cities and ways to reduce fuel consumption in the transport sector.

He also said parties should propose policies on ways to mitigate potential natural disasters. They don't.

KBank corporate loans shine

Kasikornbank (KBank) enjoyed better-than-expected corporate loan growth in the first half of the year thanks to the strong domestic economy and gains in commodity prices.

Executive vice-president Vasin Vanichvoranun said KBank had already met its corporate loan growth goal for the whole year of 20 billion baht or 6%, raising its corporate loan portfolio to 340 billion.

This year it has issued 45.2 billion baht in loans to 33 projects with an investment value of 110 billion, though only raising a total of 72.6 billion.
KBank expects revenue of 15 billion baht for this sector for the entire year, including fee income of 7.14 billion.
The highest loan growth was in the utilities sector, which grew by 20%.
This was followed by petrochemicals at 8.6%, construction 5.7% and automotive and electronic 5.2%.
"Even the agricultural sector, which would usually post a contraction, was able to maintain its lending amount this year, because of the rises in global commodities prices," said Mr Vasin.
Low interest rates and business expansion through mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures are supporting factors.
He said that in the first half, the bank was aggressive in providing comprehensive loan schemes for specific areas that it determined enjoyed great potential.
These were energy-saving investments, public-sector projects and funding for acquisitions.
Another focus was financial solutions for the whole value chain, such as funding for projects that build regional partnerships, as well as hedging instruments for customers.
He added that the bank was working on 31 potential projects requiring 197 billion baht in funding, of which it would likely provide 70 billion.

SET index rises 14.63 points

The Stock Exchange of Thailand main index went up 14.63 points or 1.44% to close at 1,027.72 points at the end of trading session on Tuesday afternoon. The trade value was 22.25 billion baht.

The SET50 index ended at 717.78 points, up 12.16 points or 1.72%, with a total trade value of 16.70 billion baht.
The SET100 index went up 25.26 points or 1.64% to stand at 1,563.25 points, with a total turnover of 19.05 billion baht.
The MAI index went up 2.77 points or 0.95% to close at 295.12 points, with total transaction value of 719.76 million baht.
Top five most active values were as follows;
PTTCH      closed at     150.00 baht, up 5.50 baht (3.81%)
PTT          closed at     334.00 baht, up 5.00 baht (1.52%)
BBL          closed at     151.00 baht, up 2.00 baht (1.34%)
KBANK      closed at     116.00 baht, up 5.00 baht (4.50%)
TOP          closed at       72.50 baht, up 2.50 baht (3.57%)

SCB Life to tap parent bank's strengths

SCB Life Assurance Plc, formerly Siam Commercial New York Life, is gearing up to take full advantage of the strengths of its parent, Siam Commercial Bank, to solidify future business expansion.

Following the recent change in its major shareholding structure in mid-March, the company officially changed its name to SCB Life Assurance Plc on May 25.
SCB in March acquired the 47.33% holding of New York Life and its Thai affiliate to raise the bank's total stake in the insurer to 94.66%.Bundit Jiamanukoonkit, the company's new managing director, said SCB saw life insurance as an important component of its long-term strategy that complements its banking franchise, and sees high opportunity in the Thai life insurance sector.
In the first five months of this year, the insurer reported strong performance with total premiums worth 11.5 billion baht, up 20.37% from a year earlier. Renewal premiums rose 19.6% to 7.69 billion baht and first-year annualised premiums grew 29% to 4.49 billion.
SCB Life is currently ranked fifth in total premiums with a 9.3% market share and fourth in new business premiums with a 10.95% share.
The insurer has also changed its trading symbol on the Stock Exchange of Thailand to SCBLIF. Its shares closed yesterday at 420 baht, unchanged, in thin trade worth 356,000 baht.

Murder inquiry launched over death of British man on Thai island

Police on the Thai island of Koh Samui ruled that Kevin Attew, 57, from Aldershot, Hants, had committed suicide after his Thai girlfriend said that was what he planned to do. Police said he drowned himself in a lake behind the resort area of Chawaeng.

Attew's body was found last Tuesday.

But today a murder inquiry was launched after pictures taken by his best friend showed that he had been beaten to death first. Also, as the man-made lake was less than 30 centimetres deep – it seemed a poor venue for an allegedly suicidal man when the Gulf of Thailand was only yards away.

Londoner Crispin Paton-Smith, a friend of Attew, said: "I was appalled to hear the verdict of drowning. It was a no brainer. Kevin was beaten to death and his body was left on dry land for quite a while before being put in the lake."

Paton-Smith a former gunner in the Royal Artillery said: "I have spoken to his girlfriend and she continues to insist he committed suicide. He did not unless he beat himself to death. He would have had to dig a hole to drown himself.

Luggage stuffed with 431 reptiles found in Bangkok

Customs Department Director-General Prasong Poontaneat says many of the reptiles are endangered and international trade is banned. They were discovered when an Indian traveller arriving from Bangladesh failed to retrieve his bags.

Prasong said the animals would be held for evidence and taken care of by wildlife officials.

Thailand is a hub for the illegal wildlife trade. A smuggling attempt thwarted last month involved two leopards, two panthers, an Asiatic black bear and two macaque monkeys – all juveniles about the size of puppies.

Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra supports clone sister

In a rare television interview at his luxury home in Dubai, he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's "Lateline" programme he was confident his Puea Thai party would win elections due in July.

"According to the polls of many institutions, including our interim report, we are confident that we are winning," said Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and lives abroad to escape a jail term for graft.

 

The polls will pit his sister Yingluck Shinawatra against his arch-foe, current Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of the elite-backed Democrat Party, in what is expected to be a closely fought battle.

Yingluck is politically inexperienced and many in Thailand feel her nomination as the opposition candidate for premier confirms Thaksin's central role in the kingdom's political landscape despite living in exile.

Thaksin, hailed by many rural and working class Thais for his populist policies for the masses but loathed by the Bangkok-based elite, which sees him as corrupt and authoritarian, admitted he still has influence.

Thailand seeks to ban tourists' Buddha tattoos

Culture Minister Niphit Intharasombat said in a statement that his ministry has been receiving complaints from residents that tattoo parlours are etching sacred images of Buddha and other religious images onto the skin of non-Buddhist visitors across the country.

"Foreigners see these tattoos as a fashion," Niphit said in the statement posted on his ministry's website on Thursday. "They do not think of respecting religion, or they may not be aware" that it can be offensive.

Thailand is mostly Buddhist, and Buddha statues and images here are considered sacred objects of worship. Millions of foreigners visit the Southeast Asian nation annually.

Niphit said his ministry had called on tattoo parlours nationwide to halt the activity. According to the country's government news agency, NNT, he also asked provincial governors to "inspect tattoo studios and seek their co-operation".

Sasin to celebrate European quality accreditation

Sasin director Professor Toemsakdi Krishnamra last week received the official certificate for its EQUIS (Euro-pean Quality Improvement System) accreditation granted by the European Foundation for Management Devel-opment, whose headquarters is in Brussels. Sasin is the first, and so far only, business school in Thailand to earn this accreditation. It follows another international accreditation granted early last year by the US-based Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Sasin Alumni Association president Narudee Kiengsiri said: "The association collaborates with The Nation Group to host this celebration event titled 'Pinnacle of Sasin's Pride'."
The event will feature a dinner talk and celebration activities. It is scheduled for July 1 from 5pm to 11pm at the Grand Ballroom, Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, Bangkok. The dinner talk will be conducted in English and open to the public. It is titled "Social Enterprise from Local to Global".
Dr Chirayu Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, director-general of the Crown Property Bureau, will give the keynote speech on "Sufficiency Economy Policy".
A panel discussion will be held by people with reputations and experience in the areas of social enterprise and corporate social responsibility. They are ML Panadda Diskul, chief development officer of Doi Tung Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage; Noppadol Siwabutr, executive director for corporate affairs of Nestle (Thai); and Dr Riaz Khan, director of Yunus Centre Thailand. This will be moderated by Sasin visiting professor Dr Sankar Sen.
Funds raised from this event will support the development of the Sasin International Learning Centre at Phang Nga, 15 minutes from Phuket International Airport. The facility will provide management education for Thai and international executives.

Making the distinction between needs and wants

W. Scott Dixon, executive VP and financial advisor channel manager of SunTrust Investment Services, and Mark Davis, senior VP of Retirement Solutions at the Wealth Solutions Group at SunTrust Wealth & Investment Management help hundreds of advisors keep clients from losing sleep while planning for their later years. On average, retirees might depend on their investments for 20 or more years after the traditional retirement age of 65. And Dixon and Davis advise a slow, steady and rational way of helping clients invest a sufficient amount to meet their post-retirement financial needs.

Rising construction costs to affect infrastructure policies

He noted that all of the political parties competing in the current election campaign had a policy of investing in infrastructure to drive the country's growth.
Meanwhile, the government's current policy of achieving a balanced budget by 2015 means it will have to open up its megaprojects to private firms rather than investing in them by itself, he said. 

 
At the seminar "Decoding Costs" held yesterday by the Home Builder Association, he also suggested that the private sector manage rising costs by pooling bargaining power, joining together to order construction materials.
Saowacon Trantribul of the Commerce Ministry's Bureau of Trade and Economic Indices said the price of construction materials had increased 20.2 per cent since 2005, due especially to rising steel prices in the world market.
In just the first five months of this year, constructionmaterial prices had climbed 5.6 per cent since yearend, largely on steel prices, she said. And prices of steel and cement, which account for more than 50 per cent of her construction cost index, are expected to continue rising.
Petroleummarket expert Manoon Siriwan said the oil price would continue rising for the next two years to about US$120 per barrel even though it looks like dropping to $80-$84 in the third quarter of this year.
"The government has to find alternative energy to replace oil if it wishes to stabilise the country's energy supply in the long term," he said.
Meanwhile, Home Builder Association president Viboon Chantaradilokrat accepted that increased construction costs by 5-10 per cent would force higher home prices by the same percentage this year when compared with 2010.

Banking sector

Based on first quarter performance, CIMB Securities (Thailand) expects banks' shares to continue similar excellence in 2Q11 with an anticipated earnings expansion of 32% yoy and 3% qoq. The strong earnings growth in 2Q11 was likely driven by robust loan and fee income expansion while costs should have remained under control.
CIMB Securities (Thailand) likes SCB and KTB for their aggressive strategies to expand their loan books. Their target price for SCB remains unchanged at THB139, still based on 2.6x CY11 P/BV (GGM with 18% ROE, 12.4% COE, 9% growth), while our target price for KTB is THB25.90, pegged to 2.1x CY11 P/BV (GGM with 14% ROE, 12% COE and 10% growth).

Mega-projects pose huge challenge for parties

The promises of the two main parties - Democrat and Pheu Thai - are not very different. Both are promising mass-transit electric train projects in Bangkok and its vicinities to the provinces and a high-speed train project connecting neighbouring countries. The only difference is their approach to private participation in these projects. Pheu Thai seems to prefer a "turnkey" basis while the Democrats prefer public private participation (PPP). The Democrat approach can lead to higher spending from the government budget.
Pheu Thai has promised to promote the South while the Democrats have vowed to promote the East as a strategic location for the country's transport and logistics hub to facilitate trade and investments. Both are also relying on funding from China, many experts in the industry said.
For those who believe in the Asean Economic Community (AEC) connectivity in 2015, the Democrat policy on logistics development in the East as a hub of marine transport, and promoting Dawei port in Burma as the west gate of Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) South-South Economic Corridor, should be favourable to all.
No more bad pollution is in the country in particular to the Southern part. But, in fact many know it's such risky if the country has no its own breaths even the mega-investment Dawei Port project is led by leading Thai contractor Italian-Thai Development, which was granted the build, operate and transfer concession to develop the project from the Burmese government last November. Moreover, the party's policy to develop Laem Chabang as a Habour City may be unworthy of investment.
" Laem Chabang Port is not located in the world's main shipping lines," Tanit Sorat, vice president of Federation of Thai Industry supported the above argument.
If people believe in transparency and good governance, the Pheu Thai plan for a Land Bridge in the South, including logistics facilities, heavy industry like oil refinery and petrochemical and deep seaport, should be a good choice. Scheduling the bidding and construction process can be speedy as they will be "turnkey" projects - a contract or concession granted as a package, including funds secured, for a long term. Implementing projects in this manner will give the state a one-time vast amount of money. The economy can also grow rapidly, driven by enormous investments.
Pheu Thai tends to prefer the "turnkey" investment model.
However, many contend that the turnkey model is a source of corruption, hurting public benefits in the future due to less bargaining power of consumers.

ICT Ministry to examine CAT's Bt230 bn plan

The Information and Communications Technology Ministry will seek clarification from CAT Telecom's board and its executive team on the state agency's plan to spend Bt229.468 billion in the next 14 years on development of the 3G wireless broadband service project nationwide.



ICT Ministry permanent secretary Jirawan Boonperm said recently that the ministry had to examine the investment plan thoroughly to ensure maximum returns on investment.

CAT plans to spend Bt229.468 billion from this year until 2025 on the project. The sum includes Bt12.911 billion as capital expenditure and another Bt216.557 billion as network leasing payment.

Of the total capital expenditure, Bt10.331 billion will be spent on building telecom towers, Bt1.724 billion on expansion of core network, while Bt856 million will be cash reserve. CAT will use its own cash flow to finance this plan.

Of the Bt216.557 billion for network leasing, Bt139.551 billion will be for leasing 3G-High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) base station equipment from True Group, Bt856 million for leasing a telecom tower from True Group's BFKT (Thailand), and another Bt76.923 billion for leasing telecom towers from other network providers. The network leasing is estimated to yield total revenue of Bt280.125 billion to CAT through the 14 years.

Part of the network lease is in connection with deals CAT signed with True Corp subsidiaries, Real Future and Real Move, in January to develop the 3G-HSPA service nationwide. The deals will see CAT leasing Real Future's BFKT equipment to wholesale 3G service for 14 years. Real Move will lease CAT's 3G capacity to resell the service for 14 years. The state agency will also allocate part of the wholesale capacity to offer its own retail 3G service.

UNDER SCRUTINY

CAT chief executive officer Jirayuth Rungsrithong once said CAT would lease the networks for wholesale service in response to actual demand of resellers. If there is a little demand, it will not have to spend much on leasing the networks.

CAT has submitted this investment plan to be considered by both the ministry and the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB). However, the NESDB has yet to approve the investment, pending the ministry's opinion on the project.

The NESDB was also waiting to find out from the Finance Ministry if the investment had to comply with the 1992 Public-Private Joint Venture Act.

ICT Minister Chuti Krairiksh last month said he was not opposed to CAT's plan.

The CAT-True 3G deals raised questions if they complied with the Public-Private Joint Venture Act and the Frequency Allocation Act. Later the Office of the Auditor-General stepped in to probe the deal's legitimacy. The National Telecommu-nications Commission (NTC) will also examine if the deals contradict its wholesale-resale and market competition regulations.

Ageing Japanese seen as strong prospect for long stays

Worapong Moochaotai, secretary-general of Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association, told The Nation last week that the province was developing tourism plans to promote Chiang Mai as Thailand's premier long-stay destination. The focus will be on Asia, Europe and the US.
"Among those countries, Japan |is the hottest. By 2015, one in four Japanese citizens will be 65 or |older and they will seek a second home to stay peacefully away from the uncertainty of natural disasters," he said. 

 
Chiang Mai expects to welcome at least 10,000 Japanese long-stayers within five years.
According to the Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce, at any time about 4,000 Japanese, 2,000 South Koreans, 2,000 Dutch, 700 Americans and 200 Indians are touring the province.
In recent years, the travel industry in the province has invested in multimillion-baht long-stay facilities, including condominiums and golf courses to get ready for this expanding segment.
The Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce has set aside Bt10 million to promote its long-stay programme, join international roadshows and trade shows and prepare guidebooks for travel agents in those targeted countries.
According to a 2010 survey by the Japan-based Long Stay Foundation, Thailand ranks as the fourth favourite country for long stays after Malaysia, Hawaii and Australia.
Sansern Ngaorangsri, deputy governor for Asia and the South Pacific market at the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said Japan was a very attractive market so TAT made sure it took part in key trade shows in Japan related to long stays.
For example, TAT had invited travel agents and hotels to join Tokyo Golf Fair 2011 and Tokyo Marathon Fair 2010 in February and Tokyo Marine Diving Fair 2011 and Thai Festival 2011 in April. There are also events coming later this year such as JATA World Travel Fair in September and Long Stay Dual Life in November.
The Japanese are known as repeat visitors and high spenders with an average budget of Bt4,521 a day and average length of stay of 7.3 days.

ตัวแทนแท็กซี่ไขก๊อกโครงการใช้แก๊สNGV

นายวิฑูรย์ แนวพาณิชย์ ประธานสหกรณ์แท็กซี่สยามและตัวแทนผู้ประกอบการแท็กซี่ในโครงการเปลี่ยนเชื้อเพลิงจากแอลพีจีเป็นเอ็นจีวี เปิดเผยว่า ตนได้ลาออกจากการเป็นคณะกรรมการทุกชุดที่เกี่ยวกับโครงการเปลี่ยนแท็กซี่ที่ใช้ ก๊าซหุงต้ม(แอลพีจี)เป็นก๊าซธรรมชาติสำหรับรถยนต์(เอ็นจีวี)ทั้งคณะกรรมการร่างทีโออาร์ ตรวจรับงาน ประกวดราคาฯลฯ และจะไม่ขอรับเป็นอีก หลังจากโครงการดังกล่าวมีความล่าช้ามาเกือบ 2 ปี และขณะนี้กระทรวงพลังงานก็ยังไม่มีความคืบหน้าอีกด้วย

"ผมไม่ได้โทษใครเป็นการส่วนตัวแต่ต้องโทษระบบราชการที่ทำให้การดำเนินโครงการล่าช้าและขอลาออกจากการเป็นคณะกรรมการทุกชุดเพื่อมาต่อสู้ข้างถนนจะดีกว่า เพราะก่อนหน้านี้มีแท็กซี่ 3 หมื่นคันรอโครงการนี้มาติดให้ฟรีแต่เมื่อการจัดซื้อจัดจ้างอุปกรณ์ล่าช้าทำ ให้แท็กซี่ที่เป็นแอลพีจีเหลือเพียง 1 หมื่นคันเท่านั้นเพราะไม่สามารถทนรอการดำเนินการของภาครัฐได้ ขณะที่การค่าติดเอ็นจีวีเองไม่สูงมากนักโดยระยะเวลา 2-3 เดือนก็คุ้มทุนแล้ว" นายวิฑูรย์ กล่าว

ทั้งนี้ ราคาน้ำมันแพงส่งผลให้ผู้ขับรถแท็กซี่ต้องการเปลี่ยนมาใช้เอ็นจีวีเพิ่มขึ้น ขณะที่บางส่วนอื่นยังรอหน่วยงานภาครัฐเพราะคาดหวังว่าจะได้เปลี่ยนฟรี แต่ทำให้ผู้ประกอบการต้องเสียโอกาสในการประกอบอาชีพ แม้ว่าจะมีการไปหารือกับกระทรวงพลังงานถึงปัญหาดังกล่าวแล้ว และมีการรับปากจะเร่งรัดดำเนินการให้ แต่เมื่ออยู่ในช่วงของการเลือกตั้ง ฝ่ายการเมืองไม่กล้าตัดสินใจ ขณะที่ฝ่ายราชการก็ใส่เกียร์ว่างแล้วรอ รัฐบาลใหม่ เมื่อถึงจุดนั้นคาดว่าคงเหลือแท็กซี่อีกไม่มากนักที่ยังคงใช้ก๊าซแอลพีจีอยู่

First auto-sale slump in 21 mths, on parts shortage

According to data compiled by the Toyota Motor Thailand, in the month, vehicle sales reached 55,851 units. Toyota attributed the decrease in sales to the lower production at several Japanese auto plants.

Japan's earthquakes and tsunami led to devastating results on many parts and compoenents makers in Japan. Supply disruption forces many plants to cut down production accordingly.

According to the data, of total 55,851 units sold, passenger cars accounted for 23,576 units which showed a drop of 15.2 per cent from the same period last year. Meanwhile, commercial vehicles, which include one-tonne pickup, totalled 32,275 units which was a 6.2 per cent decrease on year.

CPN plans 10 new malls by 2015

The company plans to more than double the number of its shopping malls from 16 currently to between 40 and 50 malls totally within the next decade.

CPN this week celebrated its 30th anniversary. The company has set its growth strategy for the fourth decade, which will be driven by both domestic and regional expansions to be conducted by its own developments as well as mergers and acquiฌsitions.

The company has restructured its organisation to comply with its growth and expansion stage in the future by reducing layers of comฌmand within the company by 50 per cent and giving more power and responsibility to middle executives such as managers.

DTAC asks court to act on all five points in its complaint against CAT

DTAC filed the fivepoint case against CAT and the state agency's board on April 25 in connection with the deals. The court last month accepted for judicial review only the first point, prompting DTAC to petition to the Central Administrative Court to accept the other four points too.

The first point in the complaint is DTAC's request for a court order to terฌminate the resolutions of the CAT board on January 14 allowing CAT to enter the deals for collaboration on 3G service development.

The other four points are its requests for a court order that CAT and the board stop honouring the deals and terminate them, while CAT must provide 3GHSPA (highspeed packet access) service on its 850megahertz spectrum on its own and act in accorฌdance with the 1992 PublicPrivate Joint Venture.

DTAC has said that the deals show CAT's discriminatory treatment against other operators by giving opportunity to only one operator to provide 3G services and has not prescribed the process to allow other operators to parฌticipate. The deals would result in a monopoly of the HSPA market.

Moreover, it says that the deals are not in compliance with Section 46 of the Frequency Act BE 2553, the StatePrivate Participation Act BE 2535 and the competition law.

CAT and True executives have said the deals were developed in compliance with all related law.

Policy rate not too high, insists central bank

The central bank's Monetary Policy Committee has raised the policy rate by 150 basis points since last July to 3.00 per cent.

Fibre-optics deal

Simat Technologies announced that it had signed an operating lease agreement for an optical-fibre system with CAT Telecom for Nakhon Ratchasima province on June 10.

Expected revenue from the project over five years is Bt464 million. A bank on Tuesday approved credit facilities of Bt200 million to finance the project.

'Amazing Moment' winner

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has awarded "The Most Amazing Moment" prize to Marco Steuri of Switzerland for his submission "From the North to the South of Thailand". He will receive a US$10,000 (Bt306,000) cash award and a TAT certificate.

The "Most Amazing Moment" campaign is part of a wider campaign called "The Most Amazing Show on Earth", which invites past visitors to share their stories of Thailand for a chance to win that prize and become the inspiration for a film.

Australia FTA revision talks to target nontariff barriers

The revision will focus on urging Australia to increase the number of goods subject to zero tariffs from the current 224 products, which mainly are textiles and garments, rubber gloves, ornaments and leather goods.

Srirat Rastapana, directorgenฌeral of the Trade Negotiations Department, said Thailand would also ask for greater market opportunities for foods, including pineapple, shrimp and chicken, after they faced a wall of high sanitary standards, despite zero duties.

Australia has retained its import tariff for textiles and garments at 5 per cent and will cut it to zero by 2015. However, Thai exporters have complained of facing access difficulties due to stringent ruleoforigin and nontariff barriers.

On the other hand, the government will also disฌcuss with the Thai private sector proposed reduction of its import tariffs for 475 remaining products under the freetrade agreement with Australia.

Australia will also be asked to allow the import of Thai fireextinguisher balls. Australia considers the product a toy rather than a real fire extinguisher. Srirat said the fireextinguisher company will send a letter to assist with the negotiation explaining that the product has a clear working objective.

The department has found that twoway trade has witnessed significant growth in the past five years since implementation of the ThailandAustralia FTA in 2005. Last year, bilateral trade surged 24.19 per cent to US$15.33 billion (Bt468.9 billion), with $3.39 billion worth of exports from Thailand.

Holding company to control state enterprises stakes being considered

Somchai Sajjapongse, director-general of the State Enterprise Policy Office (SEPO), said the idea was to have the Finance Ministry own the holding company and exercise the major shareholder rights.

It would have a say in the appointment of professional directors as well as chief executives of state enterprises. SEPO would then limit its oversight only to state enterprises involving social services.

Somchai was speaking at a seminar entitled "National Agenda on Thailand's Competitiveness" hosted by Krungthep Turakij, the Federation of Thai Industries and the Thai Chamber of Commerce,

"We're taking a step similar to the one by China, Singapore and Malaysia. Through this, we can have oversight of the appointment of directors. Currently, we're simply a rubber stamp," he said.

"The Bank of Thailand can intervene in distressed financial institutions, but SEPO can do nothing. Now we have no legal tools to allow us to intervene in state enterprises prior to their demise."

He envisioned a more efficient and smaller group of state enterprises, of which today there are 57. Aside from establishing the holding company, SEPO plans to reduce stakes in six listed firms to the minimum levels prescribed by Cabinet resolutions, such as 50 per cent in Thai Airways and 70 per cent in MCOT. Somchai said the cuts in holding levels depended on market prices.

A SEPO proposal on the qualification of a director should also help improve state enterprises' efficiency. Under the proposal, directors should complete their terms and this should result in higher efficiency for state enterprise investment. Somchai admitted that state enterprises involved in transport, energy and infrastructure showed huge potential in terms of investment.

State enterprises will also shrink as part of a process of "privatisation", which will not involve listing on the bourse, but rather the relinquishing of government power to the private sector. In this regard, the public-private partnership draft law awaiting parliamentary approval could help.

"Listing will involve only state enterprise subsidiaries. Privatisation is, however, the means to improve efficiency, which could involve more private investment or management contracts," he said. "The fewer state enterprises, the better. It's better to leave this to private companies."

SEPO is also ready to help state enterprises work round regulatory obstacles and increase efficiency through their own methods, including a THAI proposal to have the Finance Ministry lower its stake to below 50 per cent and relinquish state enterprise status.

Nitinai Sirismatthakarn, senior executive vice president of business development and marketing at Airports of Thailand (AOT), noted that state enterprises were conflicting by nature. Constitutionally, they are allowed to compete against private companies only in some areas, but commercially they are required to make profits while shouldering some social burden.

He suggested the government take full control of public services while letting state enterprises compete freely in terms of commercial operations.

finance

It’s All White at New Look This Summer

Step away from your old faithful LBD (Little Black Dress) this summer, as there’s a new frock on the block. The Little White Dress is where it’s at this year, and New Look is the place to head for your brighter than bright whites.

White has always been a hot choice for summer as it’s cool, fresh and showcases tanned limbs a treat. However, this season the fashion world is going even more gaga for dazzling dresses than usual.


Perhaps it was seeing Pippa Middleton sashay down the aisle of Westminster Abbey in her tight white floor-sweeper, or perhaps the early sunshine has gone to the designer’s heads. Whatever the reason, white has hit the catwalks and the high street in a big way.

New Look’s sweet little Te Amo Sleeveless Pleated Dress is a simple design that can be dressed up with heels or down with sandals. Similar to a style recently rocked by Disney’s Ashley Tisdale, it’s the perfect ‘day to evening’ dress.

Ashley wore hers with metallic Louboutin peep-toes, but New Look’s super-versatile version would also look great with tan wedges, black heeled pumps, sandals, or even a cute pair of ballet flats.

Another perfect day to night garment by New Look is the Pussycat Shimmer Peter Pan Dress. A sleeveless shirt style dress with a peter pan collar and metallic gold trim detailing, it can be worn with tights and pumps to the office, with leggings to hit the shops, or with bare legs and heels on a night out on the town.

If you want to go all out glam then white is sure to get you noticed. New Look’s Te Amo Jersey Cutout Dress is a real showstopper, and very similar to the dress that red hot diva J.Lo rocked at the launch of her new album ‘LOVE?’ at Hollywood’s Hard Rock Café. So hunt out your inner goddess and get ready to be a little bit naughty in your cheeky, white, peek-a-boo dress; Just watch the red wine!

Those angelic types who would rather go down the demure route can rock three hot trends at once in the New Look Diamante Lace Shift Dress. The simple, white, scoop neck design lets the elegant white lace dotted with twinkling diamantes steal the show. Beware, this is a look to be worn with minimal accessories!

Before you swoop on the New Look website to pick up your perfect LWD, be sure to arm yourself with a New Look Voucher Code. Shopping deals website 5hop5.ie has some great New Look Discount Codes to use to save yourself some pennies on your on-trend purchases.

White gets a bit of a bad rep as being difficult to wear, but it’s actually very versatile. It provides the perfect blank canvas for all manner of shoes and accessories, letting you really go to town with expressing your individuality.
Here’s how some of our favourite celebs are rocking their Little White Dresses this season;

The Cute

T4’s Jameela Jamil added the kitsch factor to her LWD with a red pout and cute, black and white, polka dot heels.

The most angelic Saturday Mollie King looks like butter wouldn’t melt in a sparkly, white smock, accessorised with golden waves, tan heels, and the cutest little tan mini-bag.

Molly looked as if she might share hairdressers with Fearne Cotton who has sported an identical ethereal look, complete with curls, floaty LWD and tasteful jewellery.

Across the channel, film star Rachel McAdams showed Cannes that spring has sprung in a flower adorned Little White (shift) Dress, nude heels and a sweet, bubblegum pink smile.

The Monochrome

New fashionista in town and face of Miu Miu, Hailee Steinfeld, wears her sweet, pleated LWD with a black clutch and a chunky side plait complete with cute black bow.

Another young designer’s muse working the monochrome trend is face of Chanel and Lancome ambassador Emma Watson, who toughens up her flouncy Little White (mini) Dress with a black biker jacket and chunky shoe boots.

The Sexy

New Transformers babe Rosie Huntington Whitely rocks a leopard print clutch, beige peep-toe sandals and a killer pout with her long-sleeved bright white cutout dress.

Meanwhile, Miley Cyrus sported a sexy skin-tight Little White (sun) Dress with lace-up bustier detail and flowing mermaid waves.

The Quirky

Notoriously quirky Elizabeth Olsen lets her frock do the talking in floor length white lace, accessorised only with flat, black bow sandals and natural makeup.
Florence Welch wears her floaty floor-length blouse dress with nothing but her shock of red hair for company.

The Indecisive

Style icon Alexa Chung couldn’t decide what to put with her long-sleeved, white satin LWD, and so went with a silver clutch, black velvet pumps, and a pearl and crystal drop necklace. It shouldn’t work but, as is always the case with Miss Chung, it does.

The Emo

Don’t try Taylor Momsen’s look at home, unless off to a heavy metal concert. The grungy gossip girl dragged her LWD kicking and screaming into goth territory with a black biker jacket, choker, heavy eyes and knee-high patent multi-buckle boots.
The Floor Sweeper

Perhaps inspired by our very own Miss Middleton (Pippa, of course) we’ve seen a glut of celebs channelling their inner royal bridesmaid in the big sister of the LWD, the Long White Dress.

Glee’s Lea Michelle took to the red carpet in a white, floor-length, textured spot print number, accessorised with nothing but nude peep-toes and a slick of lipgloss.

Whereas star of Scream 4 Emma Roberts went for old school Hollywood glamour in her Long White (column) Dress, vamped up with elegant drop earrings, a black patent clutch, red nails and soft, full curls.

Finally, our very own 'down on her luck' Geordie Cheryl Cole caused a stir in Cannes in a plunging white floor-sweeper, accessorised with slicked back hair and an unusual golden pear adorned belt.

The perfect shade to brighten your mood this summer, white is the ultimate on-trend choice, so head to New Look armed with your 5hop5.ie New Look Discount Code and get angelic.

LinkedIn Marketing Question

Lots of people are "different" these days. But are they really thought leaders?
1. In most cases, you can't tell one coach, consultant or expert in a particular industry from another. They practically use the same language to describe themselves and what they do.
2. If you look at the articles on their blog and those they distribute within the different groups – you'll notice that they provide the same old information as everyone else.
Now, look at your profile. Look at the content you provide. Now, take an even closer look. Then go into LinkedIn and view others in your industry.
So how different are you? Are you ready to differentiate yourself?
5 Ways to Differentiate Yourself On LinkedIn
1. Create a headline that... a) Grabs instant attention b) Proves to me your value c) Makes me want to know more about you.
For example, check out these headlines...
* From Skip Weisman's profile: Client Admits Losing 5 Million Dollars Because of Poor Workplace Communication! Could You Be Making the Same Mistakes? Notice how this headline makes you stop and think – "Wow, if Skip uncovered the reason why a client lost 5 million dollars, I wonder how much money he could stop me from obliviously losing."
* From Judith Lindenberger's profile - Discover why Bristol Myers Squib, American Express & AstraZeneca invest in this WSJ featured HR expert, & Consultant – Notice how Judith sets herself apart by mentioning the large company names she works with and by showing that she is a Wall Street Journal featured expert. She is adding credibility elements.
2. Stop making your summary sound like "An About the Author" section. For example, I recently completed a Live Video Profile Review for an immigration lawyer and this was his summary...
Carlos Batara is an attorney who specializes in immigration law. A large percentage of his practice is focused on immigration trials and appeals.
Carlos was the former chairperson for the American Bar Association Solo and Small Firm Division, Immigration Law Committee. Throughout his career, he has served on many local, state, and federal government boards and commissions. He speaks professionally on a variety of immigration and political issues.
This sounds like it should be on the back of a hardcover book in an about the author section. The only thing missing is "Carlos lives in New York City with his wife and two dogs." It does not make me want to learn anything more about him as an individual or businessman. It's even in third person which does nothing to help the reader relate to him on a human level. How can you make a connection with some like that?
3. Stop making your experience section sound like a resume. Use this area as a way to show prospects exactly what you can do for them. For example instead of just saying HR Consultant (which resembles a boring resume that no one wants to read), here are some of the positions we created for Judith Lindenberger...
* HR Expert Specializing in Helping Companies & Global Corporations Avoid Million Dollar Lawsuits
* HR Expert, Consultant and Trainer Now Offers 25+ Training Solutions for HR Executives & Leaders
We didn't just put a listing of current and past jobs along with a basic description of some accomplishments. We made sure that the position headline and the copy that followed it drew in the reader and enticed them to read more about her. We focused on what Judith is doing right now to help clients – because that's what your prospects want to know.
4. Get testimonials that show specific results – Yes, you should get happy when you get testimonials like:
"You guys are my secret weapon and you deliver BIG results which is why I keep coming back." -- Robert Smith, Author of "Million Dollar Press Releases: Guide To Boosting Profits Using Free Publicity"
However, does a testimonial like this differentiate you? No! It doesn't describe the big results. It doesn't get specific. When you get testimonials and LinkedIn recommendations like the one above, you need thank the client and then ask questions that lead them to a more specific recommendation. This way, you can get testimonial like this:
"150 New Subscribers, Four New Coaching Clients, $6,259 In Immediate Profits, And Two Media Interviews!" Leveraging the full power of LinkedIn® has been the "secret ingredient" that has, in just the past 5 months, taken me further toward achieving "authority" status as a website conversions expert than I moved in three years PRIOR." Adam Hommey - Founder, Help My Website Sell
5. Create content that sets you apart. For example, you'll find controversial articles on Skip's LinkedIn profile and blog like:
Debate 1: Teamwork Is A Myth And That There Must Be A Focus On "I" In Team
Debate 2: The Communication Model Taught During The Last 40 Years Is A Bunch Of Crock!
Notice how Skip is not following the generally accepted model. He's differentiating himself. If you want to be a thought leader then you need to stop following every one else and make yourself stand out from the rest. You cannot be afraid to do something different or go against common thoughts, philosophies or mindsets. You have to let loose and share information that others keep hidden from others unless they pay thousands of dollars.

There’s an App For That!

There’s an app for that!’ has to be the catchphrase of a generation, but nine times out of ten it’s actually true. When you explore the range of fantastic smartphones at Vodafone.ie you’ll find a whole new world of apps just waiting to make your life easier and more enjoyable.

The ‘big daddy’ of all smartphones is the mighty iPhone by Apple. The original app innovator Apple is still the best, and releases a dazzling array of useful, clever, entertaining or just plain weird apps daily.



At Vodafone.ie you can get a shiny new iPhone 4 free on certain pay monthly plans, meaning that you can have access to over 200,000 apps at the touch of a button.

As well as the Apple App Store, iPhone 4 owners can also enjoy the benefits of HD video recording, a 5 megapixel camera, and Apple’s inimitable FaceTime video calling function.

If you’re lusting after a sleek and supremely functional iPhone 4 then make sure that you arm yourself with a Vodaphone.ie Voucher Code from 5hop5.ie, to ensure that you get yours at the best price possible.

A modern day status symbol, the iPhone 4 needn’t leave you mourning the contents of your wallet when you use a Vodafone.ie Discount Code from shopping deals website 5hop5.ie.

Once you have your shiny new toy it’s time to get hard at play exploring the amazing world of apps that you now have at your fingertips. Most apps cost a few pounds to download; but some cost more, and thousands are absolutely free.

Smartphones are perfect for killing time playing a maddeningly addictive game, and it’s the games that dominate the Ireland’s Top 10 Paid Apps chart.

The popular puzzle game Heist is currently hogging the top spot, with the cute yet addictive Angry Birds at number three, and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire at in at four.

Football fans have put FIFA 11 by EA Sports at number five, and the latest Angry Birds edition ‘Rio’, themed around one of the latest kid’s movie releases, is at number six.

With Where’s Wally? At number seven and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 at 10, the only non-game apps in the Irish Top 10 Paid App chart are the WhatsApp Messenger facility at number two, Living Earth HD (world clock and weather app) at eight, and Spanish for Dummies (possibly for summer holiday preparation) at number nine.

The free apps chart tells a similar story, with Extreme Moto Rally, Super Stickman Golf, and Spot the Difference! 2 taking up three of the top five spots. At number five is the Nike GPS app, whereas taking the top spot at number one is the Top 100 Music app.

The beauty of the free apps is their disposable nature. Have fun with the latest free apps and then move onto the latest thing once bored. With free apps you can also afford to try a variety of apps to see which you get on with best.

In fact, many paid apps offer ‘lite’ versions with reduced functionality for free. This means that you can see if it’s the app for you, before you buy.

Of course, while Apple is undoubtedly the app King, the smartphone alternative Android Apps is an eager pretender to the throne. Available on HTC and Sony Ericsson smartphones at Vodaphone.ie, Android Apps offers a similar amount of apps to Apple, with one for every use imaginable.

Among the best new Android app releases are Hound, a song lyric search app, the cute and addictive Nano Panda games, and Facebash Lite, which lets you play-fight your friends though your phone.

Whether you want an app to amuse you at the bus stop, organise your life for you, wake you up, help you lose weight, find great night spots, hunt down that perfect dress, or for any one of the other million possible usesFind Article, a smartphone from Vodafone will make it possible.

Use a Vodafone Discount Code from 5hop5.ie and get the best deals on the sleekest and smartest new phones. Before you know it you’ll be telling anyone who’ll listen that ‘there’s an app for that’ as a fully paid up member of the app obsessive’s club.

Generate Substantial Income from Your North Cyprus Luxury House

There are a lot of beneficial proposals for individuals willing to become lucky owners of North Cyprus property. Pieces of real estate here include North Cyprus villas, North Cyprus flats, holiday homes, city homes, condominiums, luxurious homes as well as underdeveloped, first-class property.
The process of buying North Cyprus real estate is impossible without a property agent and a solicitor that make the bargain lawful. Traditionally the solicitor takes care of all legal items ascribed to the obtainment: documentation, transfer of real estate to the new owner, and so forth. A property manager in North Cyprus will facilitate the individual in singling out the North Cyprus property that he wishes to purchase. Whether the customer prefers to acquire North Cyprus villas, North Cyprus apartments or even North Cyprus real estate land, the process will be completed so that it's facile, stress-free and competent.
In order not to make unsubstantiated assertions, let's exemplify the 3 basic causes for purchasing real estate specifically in North Cyprus. First of all, the isle is growing in reputation, with investors, travelers, retirees and work seekers. To go on, the location is a big appeal for travelers and people willing to revel in the continual warmth and uniqueness of nature. It will be feasible to get substantial income from your North Cyprus villas which is more than advantageous. In the third place, the cost of the real estate is going to grow within several years and the assets might as well serve as a resource of regular profit if rented out to businessmenFind Article, tourists and work seekers.
Entrance visa is a document which permits people to travel or live in Cyprus. It is feasible to take a visa for 14 to 90 days of continuous sojourn. The visas may be restored or reissued if the necessity arises. Depositors have the feasibility to obtain permanent resident as well as temporary residential visas. Those who select to invest in North Cyprus will make a sensible investment and are bound to gain substantial income.

The Domino Effect of complaints handling

Have you read the complaints theory about how complaints can be turned into business success? Rather than treat complaints as problems, forward thinking organisations are working out new products and services based on the feedback that complaints give them. This can drive up sales.

If you think this is too good to be true thing again. Does your organisation really understand what the complaints are about? Is the data mined to find out what people are complaining about so something can be done about it? Here is a great example of one business that has done just that.

Domino’s Pizzas have turned complaints into more sales. They had some complaints about their pizzas and put them right. Then they communicated through their advertising what they had done. They even had a sales campaign based on what they had done to improve. And it was successful.

This is just one example but there are many more we’ve come across. So if you have complaints management responsibility make sure you are digging into those complaints to see what could be done about them. Once you have found out what your customers are telling you, then you need to act. Publicise what you are doing. It sounds a bold and courageous strategy, but as we have seen the Domino effect works!

Activities carried out by commercial cleaners under lunchroom cleaning services

Maintaining the lunchrooms in spic and span condition is of imperative importance as it’s a place where people not just eat but relax amidst their busy work schedules. Yes, it is a social/civic responsibility to keep these areas clean at all times, but it is also a major responsibility of the companies which provide professional Office Cleaning services. These companies hold proficiency in executing the lunchroom cleaning services at offices and institutes, and ensure that the requisite jobs are carried out in a timely and efficient manner. Various companies and educational facilities avail the services of these professional office cleaners who know exactly what kind and what level of services are required to clean these special areas customize their services according to customer’s requirements.

To ensure that the lunchroom seems inviting and relaxing to the work force, it is important that the cleaning job is all-encompassing and thorough. For the Commercial/Office Cleaning specialist this job would entail tidying up of the floors, counters, tables, chairs, ovens, coffee-machines, ice makers and vending machines etc. All these constituents of the lunchroom need to be taken care of in the best possible manner, so that the highest hygiene standards are adhered to at all times.


The office cleaning services commissioned by contract cleaners typically include the lunchroom cleaning aspect. The jobs executed by them in this regard are listed below:

1. Tables: The tables placed in the dining area must be buffed with the help of non-toxic cleaning agents before the lunch hour on a daily basis and wiped after the occupants of the table have finished their meals. Further, the table tops should be subject to proper treatment on a periodic basis to ensure that healthy standards are maintained as much as possible.

2. Counters: The counters where cutlery is placed should always be in spick & span condition, and the knives, plates, bowls, spoons etc. used for eating should be cleaned with the help of high quality soaps and detergents.

3. Ovens: The ovens used for heating the food or at least keeping it warm must be cleaned in accordance with the standards placed for cleaning this type of electronic appliance. It is necessary to make sure that the appropriate agents are used for neatening it, since the wrong material used for this purpose can result in electric fires and associated hazards.

4. Vending Machines: The vending machines placed in the lunchroom are used by numerous employees during the day, and it is the job of the professional who executes the Commercial Cleaning Services to make sure that it is germ free. Wiping and buffing should be carried out on a regular basis, and neatening with reagents must be done on a monthly basis.

5. Coffee Machines: Coffee-machines are an integral part of any office in Australia. These should be maintained on a very regular basis as this is a highly used piece of machine. For the Office Cleaners/Commercial Cleaners, it is one of the most important tasks to regularly check the wastes and fluid trays of these expensive coffee machines carry out checks for de-scaling etc and inform the relevant office personnel about the maintenance checks from time to time.

Free Credit Score Reports

Consumer credit scoring in Britain is tightly governed by the Financial Services Authority. It will be very difficult for a person to grasp ahead of time if they have a high enough status to be approved for credit with a specific lender. This is on account of the complexity and structure associated with credit scoring, which varies from one bank to the next. The only way to determine financial credibility will be to make an application for a card and see what are the results ( may be harmful if you are rejected) or to sign up for Free Credit Score Reports first just to check.


Because of the growing and worrying menace regarding online crime at the moment, people who are trying to find a credit check service will also be seeking a service provider which safeguards them by watching their credit report and sending out notifications the moment dubious activity takes place. This way you can be specially safe and secure. Identity theft is a dreadful matter and can hit anyone suddenly. Credit score services which offer such additional safeguards are in growing demand, consequently if you search for Free Credit Score Reports then you'll be more than happy with a service like this.

Identity robbery is a kind of fraud or cheating of another individual's legal identity in which someone pretends to be someone else simply by assuming the other person's name, usually so as to access assets or attain credit and other benefits in their name. The victim of such activity may endure undesirable consequences if he or she is held accountable for the perpetrator's behaviour. Companies and individuals that are misled or abused by the identity thief may also endure negative repercussions and losses, and can also be victims. An answer to the problem is Free Credit Score Reports.

It really is occasionally useful to know what your own credit rating is, for a variety of reasons, and presently there are several companies who specialise in presenting Free Credit Score Reports that might help you make choices based upon your financial status, and might be able to offer associated assistance to help you later on when your credit account is more established. A few of those processes may take a long time, thus a good profile may well take some time to become established. This is why it's best to start sooner rather than later.

Save Money When You Shop

If you think about cutting back on your expenses when you are shopping, you should avail from the online coupons that help you save a considerable amount of money. Online coupons help you get discount on various items at online as well as actual stores.


When heard free coupons, I thought of the good old days when we used to cut them out of the newspapers or magazines and take them to the stores to cut back a few bucks. But in the recent times, free coupons are usually addressed to the Internet coupon codes that are to be used while shopping at online stores. Online coupons work the same way as the traditional paper ones. The coupons offered by websites are codes that help you get discount on many items such as groceries, clothes, shoes, gadgets, jewelery and many other products. Some of these codes are numeric or alphabetic whereas others are alphanumeric.

You can purchase many items online and get good discounts with the help of these coupons. All you have to do is search for a website that offers free coupons to get discount on a varied range of items. When you find such website, you can get all the great discounts offered by numerous online stores. You can choose the ones that give you the most suitable deals. Many of the discounts expire unexpectedly, so you should ensure that you are entering a coupon code that is valid at the time. You can find coupons at these websites along with the relevant information such as the actual discount available on products, the store where it can be redeemed and the date it expires.

Finding The Best Tattooing Kits

When you’re a tattoo artist and are beginning to locate and buy the tattoo supply needs required to make it in the business, you’ll want to make sure you’re buying and making choices about the tattooing kits you’ll be using, beginning with if you want to learn, as well as tattooing kits that will get you started and more comfortable with doing tattoos.

Even if your business is going to be a full or part time business or just a goal you want to try, or if you’re just doing it for fun, you’ll want to find the tattooing kits from a tattoo supply company that you can trust, is reliable, and that still maintains low prices. You’ll appreciate the options though when it comes to tattooing kits, and you’ll be able to choose what you think is best for your particular needs. Many tattoo supply companies will offer you several choices of what comes in each one and how each one costs compared to the other.

Beginning the process of trying to find the appropriate tools as an artist when starting out can become an overwhelming job. With so many options in front of you, it’s easy to give up and order one just because you’re tired of looking at it. Remember that if you don’t want spend a ton of money on tattoo supplies, the best route to try, moreso for beginners, then tattooing kits will probably be best for you since they’re inclusive of everything you’ll need to get started, and will help you learn how it feels in your hand and how well it works once you start testing it, for instance, if you were to test it on fatback, as many tattoo artists do when first trying to learn.

When shopping for the supplies and products you’ll need, check and see if there are any additional products that you may qualify for free with your kit, or if there is some kind of ‘loyal’ customer program you can become involved in so that you can get future deals and discounts. Often with tattooing kits companies will also include things like rubber gloves or rubber bands just as an extra bonus feature. Additionally, some flash sheets may be included for free, and offers a great way to begin tattooing with a wide variety of techniques and design.

Manage Small Projects

Some people think that managing small projects is easier than managing big projects. They are right, unless the economies of the scale require you to managing a number of these small projects at the same time. In that case, handling a small project is lot harder than handling a big project.

Small projects even though mostly overlooked, can make up the bulk of the portfolio and are crucial to a company’s success. They might not involve large sums of money, but the fact remains that if managed properly, these small projects can add up to some major costs in the long run.

The good news is that project managers need only apply standard best practices to these smaller projects in order to manage them more effectively. Here we discuss some of the best methods to be applied in a small project in order to make them success.

All in all, planning and handling a small project requires planning just like planning a big project.

Visibility in resource allocation:

The project manager has to be able to manage the allocation of project work in accordance with the available resources. The project manager must know who in the team is available to work before they assign tasks to people. The team member’s current work and future allocations has to be taken into account while determining how much work has to be given to a particular member. Even though the goal is to complete the work on time, it might not happen at all if the resources are not available and the available resources are not used judicially.


Not only should resources be available to do the work but they must also be the right resources. The project manager must have the skill of choosing the right team members and resources in order to complete a project.

Effective communication:

Another important practice to apply to smaller projects is to open the lines of communication between the team members and the project manager. This will only help in producing better results. Only with increased communication could the project manager come to know about the difficulties faced by the members in completing the project.

It is also important to let team members communicate with the project manager while the project is in progress. Small issues or holdups can snowball very quickly if they are not addressed in time. Everyone on a project team must know what is going on, and changes and adjustments like these should roll up to the general project timelines.

Project time tracking:

Projects are executed in order to bring in a positive return on investment. This cannot be easily determined unless the project mangers know what the full investment was in the first place. Tracking time to projects is necessary in order to measure project ROI.

This is also important in monitoring project status at all times. Tracking is important it helps the project manager time to identify the mistakes and nip it in the bud. This will also give the project manager to analyze the different risks arising at different stages of progress of the project. He can then take necessary steps to counter the risks.

Hence, managing a small business could yield positive result if the project management involves detailed planning by the project manager and whole hearted commitment of the team members.

Researching the Market for Good Home Loan Refinancing Rates

If you start experiencing problems repaying your FHA mortgages among other bills or loans, or if you just want a lower mortgage payment it may be time to look at FHA home loan refinancing. This will allow you to either lower your mortgage payment, help you avoid any chances of being declared bankrupt or worse lose your home due to foreclosure.

Your income may have dwindled down causing you to struggle with the now high home mortgage rate. Refinancing your loan will offset your remaining balance in your present mortgage and give you another that is payable in a fixed rates which are consistent with your current earnings and spread over a period of ten, fifteen or thirty years.

Types of FHA Loans

There are plenty of FHA home loan refinancing options but all are centered on you obtaining a friendly home mortgage rate. Some options can absorb your other unpaid bills and have them paid at the mortgage closing. This relief however comes with paperwork which is meant to fulfill the minimum requirements of the FHA loan refinancing program.

Borrowers stand a better chance of refinancing if they have an impeccable record of repaying their initial FHA loan or conventional loan; a middle ground can however be achieved for late payments since the income drop. While applying for refinancing the client may also have to present all the other unpaid debts that he or she may have. It is advisable not to seek credit from other sources during this time.

FHA Guidelines

The FHA guidelines dictate that the house to be refinanced be the current home you live in. The same rules for particular situations may require that the current property to be appraised. Homes that may have appreciated in value since their purchase will bring you a very competitive home mortgage rate. It thus good to have your home spruced up and maintained as such for the appraisal. This may also affect different lenders decisions to offer a home loan refinancing or not.

All these processes require a refinance specialist firm which may provide the loan itself or arrange for the closing of the loan at a FHA-approved refinancing office. It is possible to achieve all these through the online option without the risk of compromising the entire process. Identifying a competent and well established FHA home loan refinancing lender is very important.

Learning More About Restaurant Invoices

If you think restaurant bills are not too significant to your business, think again. Everything that has something to do with your business is relevant. Even the small details or the seemingly trivial aspects must be considered with importance. For instance, menu covers can give a good impression of your inn if they look elegant. Even your receipts can throw a good image for your business, whether you own a flower shop or a cafeteria. However, many store owners and entrepreneurs don't pay much attention to these small details.

Now, taking into consideration the appearance of your restaurant bill can have a great impact on your business. Beginners and even seasoned restaurant owners may fail to see the importance of formatting a bill properly. You have to depart from this error in thinking. When planning your food business, or any business, you have to look at the details and make sure these elements are well taken care of. It may sound funny that you have to spend time to plan how your receipts and invoice should look like. The truth is, strategically designing your restaurant bills can create a good impression on your customers.

A good looking restaurant invoice or bill can give customers an idea that you are a serious businessman and that you treat your customers decently. Some restaurant owners ignore formatting of bills, invoices, and receipts during business planning. This practice could prove to be detrimental to the business. Seasoned business owners know better than that. If you spend a good time planning your company logo or designing your company garbs, you cannot miss out on planning how your receipts and bills should appear. Bear in mind that these items can be used as marketing tools. A good restaurant bill can serve as a promotional item for your establishment. A shoddy bill is nothing but a piece of paper with figures on it. It's not worth anything after a quick glance and usually ends up being thrown into the trash bin.

The style of your bills may vary depending on the type of restaurant you are running. Typically, you may go for classic looking receipts or bills if you run a middle-class café. Fine dining restaurant owners should contemplate on elegant looking bills, considering majority of their customers would come from high-earning class who are fastidious and are easily put off by slipshod bills. The quality of paper used for bills should also be considered well. Good quality paper also throws a good impression for your business. Customers tend to keep bills made of high quality paper for various reasons. Of course, the size of your bill is another important thing to think about but you don't necessarily have to think much about it. Your supplier can give you bills of standard sizes and you only have to choose the size that suits your business.

Let's talk a bit about the format. There is really no fuss about format. You only have to keep in mind that your bill or receipt should be easily understood by your customers. Standard restaurant bills should contain the name, address, and contact information of your restaurant at the top portion. You should have a detailed itemization of food and drinks ordered on the bill. The bill should also indicate the date as well as the payment mode.

There are professionals that can help you with the format and style of your bills, so you won't have to deal with this irksome little task alone. Call printing companies that specialize in printing receipts, invoices, and other forms. These companies typically provide or supply NCR paper and other business stationery pieces. You can also ask about standard formats for bills and statements.

Take Control of Your Finances with Professional Car Loan Advice

It is now easier than ever before to take out a loan to boost your finances. In fact there are so many products on the market the choice can be a little overwhelming. It is a good idea to seek professional car loan advice before you sign up to any deals. Understanding the market and knowing what to look for are essential to finding the best deals.

Where to get Professional Car Loan Advice

There are a number of ways to get professional car loan advice:

- Lenders – you can go directly to the lender to find out more about the products they offer. Lenders will have experienced sales agents working for them who will be able to help you work out which type of car loan is best for your needs. However it is important to remember that these agents will be interested in selling you their products. This means the information they provide will be influenced by their sales targets to some degree.

- Independent Financial Advisors – this type of advisor is not tied to any single lender or product. This means they can provide you with more objective advice on the types of car loans available. Getting professional car loan advice from an independent advisor can be a very practical way of making sure you get the best loan for your circumstances.

- Online Advisors – one of the fastest and easiest ways to get professional car loan advice is to go online. There are some great websites available that can provide you with lots of useful information on car loans. They can help you find out what loans are available and which ones could suit your needs best. This online advice is free and available 24/7. You will also be able to contact specialist advisors directly by email and telephone if you have any more questions.

Investment from South Korea stakes in Thailand to double as links grow

Hong Ji-hee, vice president of the Korean-Thai Chamber of Commerce and the consultant in Thailand for the South Korean president, said yesterday that his country's direct investment here had grown significantly in the past few years thanks to closer cooperation in both the cultural and economic areas.
Korean investment in the Kingdom should double this year from last year, when it skyrocketed by 382 per cent, she said.
In the first four months of the year, the Board of Investment approved privileges for 12 companies with a combined initial capital investment worth US$99 million (Bt3 billion).
Hong said direct investment from her country had grown by at least 30 per cent annually in recent years. Many Korean firms are interested in expanding their businesses here due to closer cooperation between the two countries in many fields.

Thai Wing to use 11 new aircraft

Thai Wing, which is to be pressed into service in May or June next year, is positioned differently from budget airlines Nok Air and Thai Tiger Airways. Thai Tiger also has not yet been launched.
All the 11 narrow-body Airbus A320 aircraft are fit for short-haul destinations. They would also be used to service some routes under THAI, which has to run connecting flights to short-distance destinations like Chiang Mai.
Last Saturday, the company's board of directors approved the acquisition of 37 aircraft through purchase and leasing at a cost of Bt118.6 billion. The eight-year delivery schedule will add six Boeing B777-300ER, 12 Airbus A350, 11 Airbus A320 and eight Boeing B787 aircraft to the fleet.

The 37 aircraft are part of a plan to acquire 75 new aircraft. The criteria for the procurement of the remaining 38 aircraft over 2018-22 will be proposed to the board for approval later.

Tourism sector not happy with party vows

Charoen Wanganaond, spokesman of the Federation of Thai Tourism Associations (FETTA), expressed disappointment with the policies.
"I rated them at only 50 per cent, as nobody offered new hope to the industry," he said.
Five parties - the Democrats, Pheu Thai, Bhum Jai Thai, Chart Pattana Puea Pandin and the Civil Peace Party - participated in a seminar on "Tourism Policy ... with New Government" organised by FETTA and Post Today newspaper.
Chart Thai Pattana, which currently oversees the tourism sector, was absent from the panel.
Charoen called for the new government that comes to power after the July 3 election to focus on the tourism sector by working more closely with the private sector to drive tourism and solve current problems.
He said private businesses wanted to see the new government continue the National Tourism Agenda to enhance and develop the entire sector.

Ex-Saha director becomes entrepreneur

Named Pens Marketing and Distribution, the trading firm was set up last July with Bt50 million registered capital. It started operations in January this year.
Pennapha herself and other executives hold a 50-per-cent stake altogether in Pens Marketing and Distribution, while Saha Group, led by its subsidiaries ICC International, Saha Pathana Inter Holding, and IDF, owns another 20 per cent. ISA Value has 20 per cent and Nuboon 10 per cent of the trading firm.
"We want to be a newcomer with a lean organisation in the marketplace and to provide vendors - especially small and medium-sized companies - professional distribution and marketing services and knowledge in penetrating local and Asean markets," said Pennapha, who is chief executive officer of the new company.

DTAC: It's not True

A new round in the legal dispute between TrueMove and Total Access Communication (DTAC) has erupted following TrueMove's filing of a complaint yesterday with the Crime Suppression Division against DTAC, alleging that its rival is a foreign-owned entity running a business in Thailand in circumvention of the Foreign Business Act.
The police said they would examine the details and decide whether there were grounds for prosecution.

Norway's Telenor and its local strategic partner DTAC both released statements countering the complaint, affirming that Telenor's ownership in DTAC complies with Thai laws and regulations.
A source at the Business Development Department of the Commerce Ministry, which is responsible for matters concerning the Foreign Business Act, said the department needed time to study details of the complaint. If it were to comment prematurely, it could backfire legally and/or affect related parties, it said.
A telecom industrialist said he hoped the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission would get off the ground soon to grant new spectrum licences and promote genuine and fair competition in the telecoms sector. This would enable the industry to move forward, instead of getting bogged down in legal cases such as this.
A telecom analyst said foreign stock investors might pay less attention to the legal cases than to which of the political parties will form the next government, and more importantly whether the new administration's telecom policy would benefit the whole industry or favour particular telecom operators.

Online adverts forecast to soar in Kingdom

Advertising and marketing company Omnicom Media Group's platforms director, Tiwa York, said Thailand was a growing market for online advertising in the region. Within the next four years, it would become a top-three market in terms of growth rate after China and India.
"I strongly believe that online advert spending will represent 5 per cent of total adverts, up from 2 per cent now," he said, though from January to May advertising expenditure via television, according to a Nielsen survey, accounted for 61 per cent of total advertising spending.
Russel Conrad, regional director for Southeast Asia of Effective Measure, a Melbourne-based online measurement company, said the rise would result from the growing number of Internet users in the Kingdom. This year the company found that there were 24.5 million users, a 33-per-cent penetration rate, double that of three years ago.
The company's survey also found that Thailand was No 1 in terms of number of online early adopters - people who start using a technology as soon as it comes available - in the region, followed by the Philippines and Indonesia. The Kingdom was ranked as third in terms of the number of online-service users who access the Internet via mobile phones, behind Indonesia and Singapore. In addition, John Pradithavanij, sales director of Admax Network, a leading digital-advertising network in Southeast Asia, said this trend would result in a big change in the online advertising industry, especially the way to measure success of online campaigns.

Thai chicken

Group president and chief executive Manoonsri Chotitawan said the investment aimed to increase chicken production to meet its export plans next year. Export volumes went up from 70,000 tonnes in 2009 to 110,000 tonnes last year.
"Export volume is expected to grow continuously this year so we have to increase production to serve rising market demand," she said.
Manoonsri added that the government should persuade importing countries to open more markets for Thai chicken. The share of Thai chicken exports in the world market can be doubled from 2 per cent currently to 4 per cent, or 800,000 tonnes, annually. In particular, Thailand has lost market share for frozen chicken in Japan to Brazil and China.
Thai frozen-chicken exports had been banned for five years after the bird-flu outbreak. Consequently, the country has exported only processed chicken, whose volume has dropped to 400,000 tonnes a year. The export price of the product has increased from US$3,800 a tonne to $5,000 (Bt152,000) now, thanks to high-quality production.

No plan to sell E20

Chairwoman Pissawan Achanapornkul said yesterday that Shell was ready to sell E20 in its fuel stations around the country as it was able to produce E100 and sell it commercially in Brazil.
However, the Netherlands-based oil company has no such plan at present because demand for E20 is not sufficient to justify switching some of its tanks to distribute E20. Besides, the government's policy is not sufficiently attractive to persuade oil companies to switch to E20. At present, the price gaps between E20 and gasohol 95 and gasohol 91, both E10 blends, are Bt3.40 and 90 satang per litre, respectively.
"All new cars in the market are compatible with E20, but do all car users want to use such biofuels? We don't think that demand is big enough. We have our internal target for demand for E20. Once demand reaches that target, it is possible that Shell will begin to distribute that biofuel," she said.
Pissawan pointed out that the price gap between gasohol 91 and E20 was less than Bt1 per litre. An appropriate gap would be more than Bt1 per litre to attract people to use E20.

KLeasing in aggressive push for automobile refinance, car-to-cash

KLeasing managing director Isara Wongrung yesterday said that auto hire-purchase had helped expand the asset size of medium-sized banks. Kasikornbank, which is one of the country's largest financial institutions, is therefore determined not to lose overall market share to its smaller competitors and is focusing on auto refinance and car-to-cash loans to increase its own asset size as well as its hire-purchase loan portfolio.
Bank of Ayudhya's Krungsri Auto is the market leader in lending via auto refinance and car-to-cash loans, with a 2011 new-loans target of Bt18 billion, followed by Thanachart Bank with a target of Bt16 billion.
KLeasing's goal for the year in this segment stood at Bt3 billion, but the company has now revised this to Bt6.6 billion as a result of innovative programmes that were launched yesterday.

Biogas taking bigger role in energy solutions

Suthep Liumsirijarern, director-general of the Energy Policy and Planning Office, said yesterday that the office had promoted biogas production from the wastes of the agricultural industry, wastewater from factories, and dung since 1995.
Developing alternative energy became part of the national policy spanning 2008-17.
So far 543 livestock farms and 107 industrial factories have joined the project, saving the country Bt3.746 billion in crude-oil imports a year.
The policy also includes the promotion of energy plants to produce biogas and compressed biogas (CBG) to replace natural gas for vehicles (NGV) used in the transport industry.
The office has assigned the Energy Research and Development Institute-Nakornping at Chiang Mai University to research plants in Thailand and find those with potential to produce biogas.
One discovery was bana grass, which resembles sugar cane. The Lampang Elephant Conservation Centre purchases the grass from farmers at Bt1.20 per kilogram for elephant feed.
The research project can make CBG from bana grass at a cost of Bt16.50 a kilogram, which is higher than the Bt15 cost of making NGV.
If the government focused more on promoting CBG, it could lower the cost. Then jobs could be generated in rural communities and the occasional problem of a low supply of NGV in some areas in the upper North could be partially relieved, Suthep said.
One tonne of bana grass can yield 160-190 cubic metres of biogas. A planting area of 438 rai (70 hectares) is needed to produce enough biogas to generate 1 megawatt.

NTC urged to expand probe into CAT-True deals

In a letter sent to the board of the National Telecommunications Commission on June 7, Sudharma Yoonaidharma said the NTC had full authority to examine the deals in their entirety. The NTC should not limit the probe by citing that some parts of the transaction were civil deals.
His letter recommended that the board examine how the deals could affect NTC measures of promoting fair competition and the regulations governing significant players in the market, mergers, and cross-shareholding.
Last month the NTC board announced that it would conduct a probe as allowed by its regulatory authority, including examining whether the CAT-True deals had breached the commission's measures governing wholesale and resale businesses.
Its other key focus is to review two parts of the deals to see if they contradict Article 46 of the Frequency Allocation Act. Article 46 requires licence holders to provide services on their spectra on their own, instead of allowing other parties to do if for them.

LNG Terminal starts trial operations

The first lot of 60,000 tonnes imports of LNG from Qatar was delivered late last month. LNG Terminal is under the case of subsidiary PTT LNG Co Ltd. The test run is expected to be finished and the commercial operations is expected in July.
The import of LNG is aimed to ensure sufficient supply of natural gas, as demand has expanded every year.
Natural gas demand has risen about 6-7 per cent per annum, said PTT President Prasert Bunsumpun. PTT has secured the short-term supply of 1 million tonnes of LNG from sellers in Europe, South America and Asia.
The LNG Receiving Terminal, located on 755-rai area, is capable of accommodating 5 million tonnes in the first phase. The terminal is planned to be a regional LNG trade centre.

Private sector, academics criticise major parties' plans

Representatives of the leading parties debated at a seminar last week held by Thai business daily Krungthep Turakij on "The Party's Policies vs Thailand's Competitiveness". Each outlined the policies of their parties to enhance national competitiveness.
Academics and representatives from the private sector criticised the policies of both parties, saying that they seldom touched on education reform or tourism or improving water transport. They also warned people who might be part of a new government they should be aware of some weak laws in regard to the special economic zones that have been proposed and policies to raise the minimum wage.

GH Bank ready to fulfil poll pledges

The Democrat Party is promising voters that it will extend more than Bt25 billion to support its first-time home-buyer scheme.
Home-buyers will enjoy zero interest rate in the first two years, but the home must not be priced higher than Bt3 million.
GH Bank has launched the first phase of the project worth Bt25 billion and expects to fully extend the loans to applicants this week. The average loan is Bt1.4 million-Bt1.5 million

Probe into SEC chief's role in TTA case

         Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij has ordered a probe into the alleged involvement of financial bigwig Vijit Supinit in the attempted hostile takeover of a major shipping company.
         Following instructions from Korn, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Stock Exchange of Thailand will jointly investigate the alleged role of Vijit - the chairman of the exchange watchdog - in the attempted takeover of TTA.

Thailand's ranking slips one place

Under the data provided by Thailand Management Association, Thailand faces a number of challenges in 2011 including higher commodity prices, labour shortages in the manufacturing sector, infrastructure investment, and political division.
Among 59 economies, Thailand's best place lies in the labour market (2nd). Its worst weakness is in health and environment (54th). It was also poor in terms of education (51st) and technology infrastructure (52nd).
While Thailand's ranking dropped from the 26th last year, several Asian economies witnessed an improvement in the ranking. Notably, Hong Kong's overall competitiveness ranking moved up from the 2nd place to the first place, tied with the US which last year was in the third place.
In the top 10 list, Hong Kong and the US were followed by Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Canada, Qatar, Australia and Germany.

Tougher times for developers

        Financial reports filed with the Stock Exchange of Thailand reveal that first-quarter net-profit margins of all listed property firms fell below those of last year's first quarter.
       A survey by The Nation has shown that this is due to rising costs of construction, as raw-materials prices escalate, and increasing financial costs as a result of higher interest rates.      
     The first quarter of this year is also compared with the first quarter of 2010, when government tax incentives were encouraging growth in the property market. The incentives expired at the end of March last year.
       In some cases, property firms have also reported lower revenue and net-profit figures from the first quarter, compared with the first three months of 2010.

UK bribery law expected to boost Thai business

The Bribery Act 2010, which comes into force on July 1, prohibits UK firms from offering bribes to foreign public officials.
"Such laws imposed by developed countries will help developing countries like Thailand to get rid of corruption problems," Banyong Pongpanich, chairman of Phatra Capital, said at the "How new foreign bribery law affects companies in Thailand" seminar, hosted by the Thai Institute of Directors (IOD).
Banyong said he believed that widespread corruption in Thailand was a fundamental cause of political violence and the widening income gap between the rich and the poor.
However, while the United States, the UK and Germany have anti-corruption laws prohibiting their firms from offering bribes to foreign politicians and officials, other major countries have not yet made similar moves, he said.

Korn on IMF vacancy

Andrew Stevens, anchor : It's not officially on the agenda but the vacancy at the top of the International Monetary Fund is sure to come up at the G-8 summit, as well. A point of contention we've been discussing is where the next managing director should come from. Until now, the position has always gone to a European but calls have been growing for a managing director who represents emerging economies. Well, Thailand's Finance Minister has been vocal about that. Korn Chatikavanij joins us now from our Tokyo.

Minister, thanks very much for joining is. Is now the time to have a leader of the IMF from an emerging economy?


Korn : I think so. The world has changed substantially since Dominique Strauss-Kahn was appointed back in 2007, and even then the European nations were saying that next time around it would be the turn of somebody else. And, as I said, with the collapse of the global economy in between time and the emerging status of the Asian economies in particular, I think it's not time to review old traditions.

Stevens : Now, what we have been seeing is European leaders coalescing around the French finance minister. There are two firm nominations from emerging markets, from Kazakhstan and from Mexico. Does the emerging economies need to put a common candidate up now to have a chance at changing the status quo?

Korn : Well, first of all, I'd like to say Madame Lagarde is certainly highly qualified and she has said she shouldn't be barred from the job just because she is a European and I can sympathize with that. I've got no problem with that issue at all.

Our perspective is the IMF is a global institution. It's tasked to look after all countries and shouldn't be limiting its choice simply from one area or just one nation. Now, in regard to your question regarding whether there should be a common consensus behind a single name, well, we do have until June the 10th to put forward a name. But in reality, it shouldn't, in itself, be necessary for blocks of countries to have to rally around any particular name. The IMF itself should have a transparency process to asses the best possible candidate, whoever and wherever that -- he or she is from around the world.