The Asian Commercial Sex Scene  

Go Back   The Asian Commercial Sex Scene > For stuff you can't discuss with your Facebook Account > The best of Thailand

Notices

The best of Thailand Serving your Thai Business & Holiday Needs. All Singaporeans in Thailand sign in to show your support and bring your Thai "friends" with you for stuff you can't discuss on Facebook! :)
ประเทศไทยต้อนรับคุณ!

User Tag List

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #796  
Old 02-03-2006, 06:05 PM
U-Need U-Need is offline
Samster (M)
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Asoke
Posts: 666
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
My Reputation: Points: -24 / Power: 0
U-Need is stuck in moderation for some time to come
Elections: big business boon for printing industry

BANGKOK, March 2 (TNA) - Last Update : 2006-03-02 / 14:38:35 (GMT+7:00)

The Senate and House (members of parliament) elections in April will be a great boon for Thailand's printing industry as an estimated Bt2 to Bt3 billion (US$50-75 million) is expected to be spent to wage the election campaigns, according to the Thai Printing Association.

The election of members of parliament will be held April 2 and the Senate election is set for April 19 -- and the two contests are injecting large sum of capital into a normally quieter printing industry.

Kriengkrai Thiennukul, President of the Thai Printing Association, said on Wednesday that at this moment political parties and candidates for the senate are preparing for the upcoming elections.

"They are booking the paper and ordering posters designed for the election campaigns," he said, adding that around Bt2-3 billion will be spent on posters, leaflets and other electioneering promotional materials -- not including billboards.

It's booming business for the printers, who have political candidates as a captive market.

The printing business is now especially bullish because two elections will be held in the same month, he added.

As for the printing business overall this year, Mr. Kriengkrai said he projected it would grow 10-15 per cent which reflected the economic condition and the increased demand of paper consumption under the government policy to encourage a learning society.

He said the government's decision to cut paper import taxes from five per cent to zero and to reduce the import duties of related materials also helps support the industry.

The printing technology in the country has advanced to the extent that Thailand can now compete with Singapore as a centre for printing and packaging in Southeast Asia, he said.

The association had set its printing export target at Bt30 billion (US$750 million) annually by 2008.
(TNA)-E003
  #797  
Old 02-03-2006, 11:06 PM
KatoeyLover69's Avatar
KatoeyLover69 KatoeyLover69 is offline
Samster
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,368
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
My Reputation: Points: 776 / Power: 19
KatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to behold
Siam Paragon given one month to solve wastewater problem

Report from The Nation dated Thursday 2 March 2006 :-

Siam Paragon given one month to solve wastewater problem

Siam Paragon mall has been given one month to solve its wastewater problem, the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (Onep) said Thursday.

The office and other agencies inspected the mall on February 17 after news reports said it had released wastewater into San Saeb canal that had salt levels that were three times higher than those found in seawater.

The mall’s aquarium released 5,000 litres of salt water into its wastewater-treatment system every two weeks and the system could not handle this, said Sonthi Kotchawat, director of Onep’s environmental impact assessment unit.

As a short-term solution, the mall would remove the aquarium’s wastewater pipe from its wastewater-treatment system and General Environmental Conservation Plc (Genco) would handle the salty wastewater, he said.

The mall is in reportedly in talks with Genco over the cost.

A recent test found the mall’s wastewater was slightly more polluted than regulations allowed.

The mall’s wastewater had a biochemical oxygen demand rate that was slightly above the restricted level, Sonthi said. The rate, which is used to determine water pollution levels, is calculated by measuring the uptake of oxygen by micro-organisms in water samples. This rate indicates how much sewage the micro-organisms can decompose.

The rate had improved since the mall opened, he said.
  #798  
Old 02-03-2006, 11:07 PM
KatoeyLover69's Avatar
KatoeyLover69 KatoeyLover69 is offline
Samster
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,368
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
My Reputation: Points: 776 / Power: 19
KatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to behold
Siam Paragon given one month to solve wastewater problem

Report from The Nation dated Thursday 2 March 2006 :-

Siam Paragon given one month to solve wastewater problem

Siam Paragon mall has been given one month to solve its wastewater problem, the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (Onep) said Thursday.

The office and other agencies inspected the mall on February 17 after news reports said it had released wastewater into San Saeb canal that had salt levels that were three times higher than those found in seawater.

The mall’s aquarium released 5,000 litres of salt water into its wastewater-treatment system every two weeks and the system could not handle this, said Sonthi Kotchawat, director of Onep’s environmental impact assessment unit.

As a short-term solution, the mall would remove the aquarium’s wastewater pipe from its wastewater-treatment system and General Environmental Conservation Plc (Genco) would handle the salty wastewater, he said.

The mall is in reportedly in talks with Genco over the cost.

A recent test found the mall’s wastewater was slightly more polluted than regulations allowed.

The mall’s wastewater had a biochemical oxygen demand rate that was slightly above the restricted level, Sonthi said. The rate, which is used to determine water pollution levels, is calculated by measuring the uptake of oxygen by micro-organisms in water samples. This rate indicates how much sewage the micro-organisms can decompose.

The rate had improved since the mall opened, he said.
  #799  
Old 02-03-2006, 11:10 PM
KatoeyLover69's Avatar
KatoeyLover69 KatoeyLover69 is offline
Samster
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,368
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
My Reputation: Points: 776 / Power: 19
KatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to behold
Siam Paragon given one month to solve wastewater problem

Report from The Nation dated Thursday 2 March 2006 :-

Siam Paragon given one month to solve wastewater problem

Siam Paragon mall has been given one month to solve its wastewater problem, the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (Onep) said Thursday.

The office and other agencies inspected the mall on February 17 after news reports said it had released wastewater into San Saeb canal that had salt levels that were three times higher than those found in seawater.

The mall’s aquarium released 5,000 litres of salt water into its wastewater-treatment system every two weeks and the system could not handle this, said Sonthi Kotchawat, director of Onep’s environmental impact assessment unit.

As a short-term solution, the mall would remove the aquarium’s wastewater pipe from its wastewater-treatment system and General Environmental Conservation Plc (Genco) would handle the salty wastewater, he said.

The mall is in reportedly in talks with Genco over the cost.

A recent test found the mall’s wastewater was slightly more polluted than regulations allowed.

The mall’s wastewater had a biochemical oxygen demand rate that was slightly above the restricted level, Sonthi said. The rate, which is used to determine water pollution levels, is calculated by measuring the uptake of oxygen by micro-organisms in water samples. This rate indicates how much sewage the micro-organisms can decompose.

The rate had improved since the mall opened, he said.
  #800  
Old 02-03-2006, 11:11 PM
KatoeyLover69's Avatar
KatoeyLover69 KatoeyLover69 is offline
Samster
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,368
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
My Reputation: Points: 776 / Power: 19
KatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to behold
Siam Paragon given one month to solve wastewater problem

Report from The Nation dated Thursday 2 March 2006 :-

Siam Paragon given one month to solve wastewater problem

Siam Paragon mall has been given one month to solve its wastewater problem, the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (Onep) said Thursday.

The office and other agencies inspected the mall on February 17 after news reports said it had released wastewater into San Saeb canal that had salt levels that were three times higher than those found in seawater.

The mall’s aquarium released 5,000 litres of salt water into its wastewater-treatment system every two weeks and the system could not handle this, said Sonthi Kotchawat, director of Onep’s environmental impact assessment unit.

As a short-term solution, the mall would remove the aquarium’s wastewater pipe from its wastewater-treatment system and General Environmental Conservation Plc (Genco) would handle the salty wastewater, he said.

The mall is in reportedly in talks with Genco over the cost.

A recent test found the mall’s wastewater was slightly more polluted than regulations allowed.

The mall’s wastewater had a biochemical oxygen demand rate that was slightly above the restricted level, Sonthi said. The rate, which is used to determine water pollution levels, is calculated by measuring the uptake of oxygen by micro-organisms in water samples. This rate indicates how much sewage the micro-organisms can decompose.

The rate had improved since the mall opened, he said.
  #801  
Old 03-03-2006, 09:15 AM
KatoeyLover69's Avatar
KatoeyLover69 KatoeyLover69 is offline
Samster
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,368
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
My Reputation: Points: 776 / Power: 19
KatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to behold
Rebels target Songkhla, Pattani in arson spree

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 3 March 2006 :-

Rebels target Songkhla, Pattani in arson spree

Insurgents surprised Fourth Army chief Ongkorn Thongprasom yesterday as they targeted Songkhla in a fresh wave of violence in the deep South which saw the simultaneous torching of more than 20 locations across the province and in neighbouring Pattani. Lt-Gen Ongkorn, also director of the Southern Border Provinces Peace-building Command, conceded he had not expected the attacks to spill over to Songkhla as it is not normally a major target of rebels.

A special border patrol unit in Songkhla would be told to beef up security, he said, warning that more attacks in the southernmost provinces may be in store.

Early yesterday, a number of mobile phone signal towers of DTAC, True and Advanced Info Service, a public phone booth, government offices and a school building were set ablaze.

In Songkhla, Saba Yoi and Thepha districts were the epicentres of the arson attacks early yesterday morning. Four of seven targeted locations were in Saba Yoi district, where some mobile phone signal towers were partly damaged. The attacks took place around 2 am.

In Thepha district, besides two mobile phone signal towers set on fire, a Molotov cocktail was thrown into the electricity office although it caused no damage.

Neighbouring Pattani also suffered 18 arson attacks in seven districts _ Muang, Yaring, Yarang, Sai Buri, Mayo, Nong Chik and Khok Pho over a one-hour period from 1.30 am.

The first blaze was reported at a car park of TOT Corp's Muang district branch, damaging seven cars, five of which belonged to the TOT, and a motorcycle. Security guards helped douse the flames.

Shortly afterwards, a mobile phone signal tower owned by AIS went up in flames in the same district.

In Yaring district, four locations were targeted. Arsonists slipped into Ban Thadan primary school and burned down a one-storey building. Damage was estimated at 1.3 million baht.

Later, three DTAC mobile phone relay stations in the area were torched.

In Yarang district, arsonists hit seven targets. Six mobile phone signal towers of AIS, DTAC and True were set alight almost simultaneously, and a newly-built Yarang municipal building was torched.

A building of the Sai Buri district electricity office was set ablaze. The raging fire wrecked a six-wheel truck, a pick-up and a car parked nearby. The glass entrance door of the building was smashed.

A telephone signal exchange box and a public phone booth also went up in flames. In Nong Chik district, a mobile phone signal tower was targeted.

Lt-Gen Ongkorn said the insurgents perpetrated the coordinated arson attacks to trumpet their ''achievements''.

''We have learned that overseas parties may have come into play, making the southern unrest even more complicated,'' he added, refusing to elaborate
  #802  
Old 03-03-2006, 09:27 AM
KatoeyLover69's Avatar
KatoeyLover69 KatoeyLover69 is offline
Samster
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,368
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
My Reputation: Points: 776 / Power: 19
KatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to behold
Retail chains expect stable sales growth

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 3 March 2006 :-

Retail chains expect stable sales growth : Up to 15% expansion similar to last year

Listed retail chains say they expect their growth this year to range from 12% to 15%, on par with 2005. Executives of the Big C Supercenter, C.P. Seven Eleven and Siam Makro chains all said they would continue to use similar strategies as in 2005, including the addition of new stores and services, renovation of existing stores, cost-saving steps, customer relationship management (CRM) programmes and merchandise adjustment.

Rumpa Kumhomreun, Big C's chief financial officer, said Big C planned to spend three billion baht to open four new stores including outlets in Phrae and Ratchaburi, and to upgrade 11 existing branches this year. With more outlets, the Big C network will number 49 stores by the end of this year.

Praphan Eamrungroj, the company's senior vice-president for properties, said Big C would open new stores in the provinces because the market demand in Bangkok had peaked for the time being.

''Although our business is not particularly vulnerable to changes in the economy, we're more concerned about the unclear policy on retail zoning, which has to date limited our business expansion,'' said Mr Praphan.

However, the company believes its performance this year will be at least on par with last year's thanks to sales from new stores and strategies to build customer loyalty including an improved shopping atmosphere and cross merchandising.

More importantly, the company will reduce its logistics and energy costs to be able to offer cheap products.

Big C's net profit last year rose 17.6% 1.88 billion baht on revenue of 53.19 billion baht, up 12.2%, thanks to the expansion of its chain and cost controls.

Its shares closed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand yesterday at 33 baht, unchanged, in trade worth 459,000 baht.

Meanwhile, Siam Makro Plc, the sole cash-and-carry operator in Thailand, reported a 2.6% rise in net profit to 1.13 billion baht last year on consolidated sales of 50.41 billion baht, up 12.9%.

Suchada Ittijarukul, managing director of Siam Makro Plc, attributed the growth to a new strategy of remodelling its existing outlets by allocating bigger space to fresh food. Additionally, the higher sales revenue also derived from Siam Food Services Limited whose sales were consolidated.

Like Big C, Siam Makro has suspended plans to open new outlets in Bangkok until the zoning law for the retail business is clear.

However, Ms Suchada said it would invest in 2006 the same amount as last year to remodel its two stores in Surin and Ubon Ratchathani. Moreover, it will focus on research and CRM strategies to enhance customer satisfaction.

Shares of Siam Makro closed yesterday at 80 baht, up five baht in trade worth 31.50 million.

Pittaya Jiaravisithkul, chief executive of C.P. Seven-Eleven Plc, forecast that industry-wide 13 discount stores, 30-40 supermarkets, over 200 mini-supermarkets and 100-200 convenience stores would be added this year. For its part, 7-Eleven plans to open 400-500 outlets this year.

Shares of CP7-11 closed at 6.60 baht, up 10 satang, in trade worth 16.07 million baht.
  #803  
Old 03-03-2006, 09:32 AM
KatoeyLover69's Avatar
KatoeyLover69 KatoeyLover69 is offline
Samster
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,368
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
My Reputation: Points: 776 / Power: 19
KatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to behold
Ethan Allen opens in Bangkok

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 3 March 2006 :-

Ethan Allen opens in Bangkok

The American luxury furniture brand Ethan Allen has opened its first showroom in Southeast Asia in Bangkok with a target to generate 60 million baht in sales in its first year and 15% annual growth. Ethan Allen, launched in the United States in 1932, has more than 300 stores worldwide with Asian outlets in China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

Marc Dasilva, general manager of JS Home Interiors Plc, a subsidiary of the Jaspal Group, said the company wanted to bring its products to Thailand a decade ago but the country faced an economic crisis at that time.

He said the Thai economy now had recovered to the point where demand would match Ethan Allen products, especially among affluent buyers.

The company estimates the market value for luxury home furnishings at 500 million baht.

''Thai people have a great fancy for fashion and product style. Numerous high-end real estate projects have recently been completed or will be completed in the near future with many others still in the early stages of development,'' said Mr Dasilva.

''These real estate development projects are a leading indicator for the furnishings industry and we expect to capture a large share of this market.''

The first showroom, representing an investment of 80 million baht, is located on Sukhumvit Road.
  #804  
Old 03-03-2006, 11:00 AM
KatoeyLover69's Avatar
KatoeyLover69 KatoeyLover69 is offline
Samster
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,368
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
My Reputation: Points: 776 / Power: 19
KatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to behold
A2Z starts wholesale hotel website

Report from The Nation dated Friday 3 March 2006 :-

A2Z starts wholesale hotel website

A2Z Professional Travel Co Ltd yesterday introduced an Internet site from which to wholesale hotel rooms in Thailand to travel agencies abroad.

The company expects the move to boost its sales to 90,000 room nights this year from 20,000 in 2005.

Hotels and resorts nationwide can unload their un-booked rooms on the website. Travel agencies abroad can check the site for available rooms and purchase them from the company for resale to their customers.

The website already has a stocks of rooms from 1,500 hotels around the country, most of them located along the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Coast, said Nontana Thanabatchai, managing director. Next year it plans to add 150 more hotels and resorts.

The company targets independent, usually smaller, hotels that can't afford an in-house online reservations system, rather than big chains with their own marketing teams.

Local lodges can save time and money by not installing their own system while they can gain international exposure. Travel agencies save time and money by not having to work separately with each hotel and resort, Nontana said.

With global online bookings growing 30 per cent a year, the company is confident that its website will be a boon for its sales.

Travel agencies that want to access the website need to have either XML web services or a login name and password.

The company plans to build awareness overseas by setting up a booth at the International Travel Berlin, which runs from March 8 to 12. It has already met with a few travel agencies and "grabbed the attention" of some in Spain, India and Finland.

This is the second website the company has launched. The first one focuses on the consumer market both domestically and abroad.

The company's sold 20,000 rooms in 2005 15 per cent more than in 2004, growth it attributed to its original website. This year, the company expects 40,000 room nights from individual sales and 50,000 room nights from bulk sales to travel agencies. Room rates range from Bt2,000 to Bt2,500.

Nitida Asawanipont
The Nation
  #805  
Old 03-03-2006, 11:04 AM
U-Need U-Need is offline
Samster (M)
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Asoke
Posts: 666
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
My Reputation: Points: -24 / Power: 0
U-Need is stuck in moderation for some time to come
Public flock to mail peace-loving messages to government

BANGKOK, March 2 (TNA) - Postal officials claimed Thursday the government has received at least 500,000 letters and postcards sent by the public, bearing peace-loving messages and expressing opposition against violence.

The letters, they said, would be handed to caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra this evening.

Prime Minister Thaksin yesterday opened and announced PO Box 888 and asked the public to write the government that they love democracy, peace and they wish to see no violence and bloodshed.

The prime minister promised to display the letters and postcards in front of Government House.

A TNA reporter said officials have erected tents and a giant metal cage in front of Government House to contain the peace-loving letters and postcards.

Officials said the public could also drop by the tent to hand in their letters in person. (TNA)-E110
  #806  
Old 03-03-2006, 11:20 AM
KatoeyLover69's Avatar
KatoeyLover69 KatoeyLover69 is offline
Samster
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,368
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
My Reputation: Points: 776 / Power: 19
KatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to beholdKatoeyLover69 is a splendid one to behold
Big C to pump Bt2 bn into four new stores

Report from The Nation dated Friday 3 March 2006 :-

Big C to pump Bt2 bn into four new stores

Big C Supercentre Plc will invest more than Bt3 billion this year, with about Bt2 billion to be spent on opening four discount stores.

"We will also allocate Bt1 billion to renovate our existing stores. About 11 Big C branches will enter the renovation process and four to five stores, such as Wong Sawang [in Bangkok], will undergo major work," Praphan Eamrungroj, senior vice president for properties, said yesterday.

Two Big Cs will open in Phrae and Ratchaburi in the middle of the year and two more, also upcountry, by year-end.

The Phrae property will be a compact model with retail space of 5,800 square metres, while Ratchaburi will follow a standard format with 9,000-10,000 square metres.

Casino Group of France owns 63 per cent of Big C Supercentre. Central Retail Corp, Thailand's largest retail conglomerate, owns the rest. The company operates 45 stores, of which 24 are in Bangkok.

The renovated stores will take about three and a half years to show a return on investment.

Chief financial officer Rumpa Kumhomreun said five store launches - in Omyai, Phetkasem, Sukhapiban, Ekamai [all in Bangkok] and Sakon Nakhon - had helped boost revenues by 12.2 per cent to Bt53.1 billion last year.

"Despite the economic downturn and many difficulties such as higher petrol prices, which made consumers more cautious about spending money, Big C was able to meet its profit target for the year," Rumpa said.

Revenue from renting out space to tenants rose 19.6 per cent to Bt6.38 billion.

Net income was up 17.6 per cent to Bt1.8 billion last year, while selling and administration expenses rose by 12.8 per cent to Bt8.6 billion.

This year's focus will be on improving logistics while controlling energy costs.

"We will expand space at our distribution centre in Wang Noi [in Ayutthaya] from 30,000 square metres currently to 40,000 square metres this year, and up to 50,000 next year. The expansion will raise the capacity of the distribution centre to handle dry food products by 70 per cent," she said.

"We would like to reduce our logistics costs by at least 5 per cent this year," she added.

A back-haul system has been implemented to ensure that Big C's delivery trucks pick up suppliers' shipments on the way back to the distribution centre rather than return empty.

The country's second-ranked hypermarket chain will handle transportation of fresh and dry foods with 18-wheel trucks. The trucks will be packed full for every delivery to stores to reduce transport costs.

Big C has created an energy-saving programme aimed at reducing all energy costs. The company would this year spend Bt109 million to install energy-saving equipment at its stores including ozone treatment systems, light-saving controllers and equipment to ensure efficient use of electricity.

"The energy-saving equipment will generate Bt38.5 million of annual return and the payback period will be almost three years," she said.

Jariya Chirathivat, vice president for marketing and communications, said this year's marketing strategy was directed at building brand loyalty to retain long-term customers. The company will continue to concentrate on Big C's core value of being the low-price leader in the marketplace.


Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn
The Nation
  #807  
Old 03-03-2006, 12:43 PM
U-Need U-Need is offline
Samster (M)
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Asoke
Posts: 666
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
My Reputation: Points: -24 / Power: 0
U-Need is stuck in moderation for some time to come
Tourism not yet affected by political woes

BANGKOK, March 3 (TNA) – Thailand's ongoing political tension has not yet affected the country’s tourism since hotel occupations and airplane ticket reserves remain booked at a normal level, according to an industry executive.

Vijit na Ranong, President of the Tourism Industry Council of Thailand, said on Thursday that he viewed the current political situation had dampened tourism climate in some sections of the city because it is a center of rallies for a demand of political change.

However, the hotel occupations and airplane ticket reserves for various tourist destinations are still booked at a normal level.

There is no cancellation of flight or hotel room reserves by tourists.

Still, some government officials had definitely postponed reserves for hotel and seminar rooms following the dissolution of the House Representatives on February 24, he said.

Mr. Vijit conceded hotel room reserves are likely to drop slightly if the political turmoil drags on since tourists might wait to see when the situation would ease.

Organizers of international conferences may hesitate to choose Thailand as a venue for meetings since they give a priority to the safety.

He said the local tourism would be definitely affected if the political situation escalated into violence and led to riots.

So, he wanted officials concerned to give tourists proper understanding of the current political development to ease their concern.

Anyhow, he said he was confident the country’s tourism this year would grow 10 per cent year on year as earlier targeted with money circulation exceeding 400 billion baht. (TNA) – E005
  #808  
Old 03-03-2006, 12:45 PM
U-Need U-Need is offline
Samster (M)
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Asoke
Posts: 666
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
My Reputation: Points: -24 / Power: 0
U-Need is stuck in moderation for some time to come
Local fuel prices likely to further rise, says PTT

BANGKOK, March 3 (TNA) – Last Update : 2006-03-03 / 11:20:41 (GMT+7:00)

Local fuel prices are likely to further increase since global oil prices continue to rise, according to a top executive of PTT Public Company Limited.



PTT’s President Prasert Bunsumpun said the global fuel prices remain very volatile now. Of late, refined oil prices in Singapore have increased for both gasoline and diesel.



The situation has pressed a marketing margin to reduce on a continual basis.



He said PTT had closely monitored the situation and believed local retail oil prices are likely to further edge up due to higher fuel costs, not an ongoing political uncertainty.



On Thursday, crude oil prices in West Texas in the United States edged up US$0.22 to $61.91 per barrel and so did crude prices in Dubai since the unrest in Nigeria had escalated with insurgents attacking energy sources.



Asked whether PTT would postpone its plan to list its subsidiary Rayong Purifier on the Stock Exchange of Thailand before the Songkran (Thai New Year) day, he said executives of the refinery were in a pre-marketing process by meeting with fund managers both locally and overseas.



They found most fund managers were not worried about the current political situation in Thailand.



He said PTT would assess the situation until March 10. Should the company decide to go ahead with the listing plan, it would offer shares to the public in April or May at the latest. (TNA) – E005
  #809  
Old 03-03-2006, 12:47 PM
U-Need U-Need is offline
Samster (M)
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Asoke
Posts: 666
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
My Reputation: Points: -24 / Power: 0
U-Need is stuck in moderation for some time to come
The Day I Became a No. 1 Chef

By Jodi Helmer

It did not take long for us to fall in love with Thailand. The ornate temples with spires reaching toward the sky, the rhythmic chanting of Buddhist monks, and the colorful street markets captured our hearts on Day 1. But our true love was Thai food.

My husband, Jeff, and I spent two weeks eating our way through Thailand, tasting everything from traditional dishes such as pad Thai and green curry to local favorites like fried grasshoppers and custard apples.

Seduced by the scents, we ate several meals a day, choosing skewers from street carts, curry at small, out-of-the-way restaurants, and multicourse meals in fine hotels.

During lunch at an open-air restaurant at Chatuchak, an outdoor market in the heart of Bangkok, we tried to pick out each ingredient in our Tom Ka in the hopes of replicating the sweet-and-sour soup at home. We tried to create a mental shopping list - shrimp, basil, coconut milk, and perhaps lemon grass - and finally decided we should spend an afternoon learning the right way to make Tom Ka (and other Thai specialties) at a cooking school.

Chiang Mai, a city in northern Thailand, is reputed to have some of the best cooking schools in the country. After our arrival, we began wandering through the narrow streets trying to find a class. We walked past dozens of cooking schools with signs that promised an authentic cooking experience. A quick peek in the windows revealed stainless-steel cooking stations piled high with state-of-the-art appliances, shiny knives, and measuring cups. These classrooms looked more like the set of an American television show than an authentic Thai kitchen.

On the way back to our guesthouse, we noticed a handwritten sign above the counter in a local restaurant: "Cooking classes 900 baht." The restaurant was tucked into a tiny alley with a dozen small tables covered in worn plastic tablecloths.

We pointed to the sign and asked about the classes. A few minutes later, a Thai woman came into the restaurant wearing an old floral housedress and flip-flops. She looked at us, pointed at the sign, and said, "You want to cook?"

We told her we did.

"Come, I show you school," she said.

We followed her as she walked out of the restaurant, across a tiny yard, and into a small cement structure. The large square room held a long table fashioned from plywood, a collection of mortars and pestles, cutting boards fashioned from tree trunks, two woks, and an ancient gas stove.

She introduced herself as Kanjana and told us that for 900 baht each (about $25), she would teach us to make five items from the restaurant menu.

We looked over the menu, chose our dishes - sticky rice with mango, glass noodle salad, green curry, Pad Ki Mow, and, of course, Tom Ka - and agreed to meet Kanjana at 8 the next morning.

When we arrived, she had set up two stations with knives, a mortar and pestle, a wok, and a collection of ingredients.

She began by explaining that she had modified the recipes slightly. "Tourists no like too spicy," she said. "For you, we use two chili pepper; Thai person use 10. We like spicy."

The five dishes contained variations of the same ingredients, each chopped into bite-size pieces and mixed in different ratios to create different flavors.

We spent the next few hours preparing one meal at a time and setting it aside to be cooked later.

We pounded hot peppers, sweet basil, lemon grass, and shrimp paste into curry paste using the mortar and pestle. Then we chopped chicken for pad Thai and sliced mangoes for sticky rice.

Kanjana looked over our shoulders as we worked, adjusting the angle of our knives and telling us to chop the ingredients into smaller bits. "You do good job; you No. 1 chef," she said as we attempted to follow her lead.

Eventually we finished chopping, pounding, and mixing - and began cooking. Heating oil in the wok on the gas stove, Kanjana showed us how to cook our dishes. "You do fast, just get hot, and then stop," she instructed.

We did what she said, searing each dish for a few minutes until she told us, "Enough."

One by one, the sticky rice with mango, glass noodle salad, green curry, Pad Ki Mow, and Tom Ka were dished up in clay pots and placed on the table for us to eat. We moved from one dish to the next, taking small bites.

Kanjana left us to finish the food we had spent most of the day making. When she returned a few minutes later, she handed us a cookbook and said, "Now you make at home."

The next morning we left Chiang Mai and made our way to Ko Samet, an island in the Gulf of Thailand. On our first evening, we ate at a restaurant overlooking the water, where I ordered Tom Ka. Every spoonful was a perfect mix of lemon grass, coconut milk, chilies, and lime leaves.

But I knew Tom Ka would never taste as delicious as it did on the afternoon in Chiang Mai when I stood in Kanjana's kitchen and she called me her No. 1 chef.
  #810  
Old 03-03-2006, 12:52 PM
U-Need U-Need is offline
Samster (M)
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Asoke
Posts: 666
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
My Reputation: Points: -24 / Power: 0
U-Need is stuck in moderation for some time to come
軍曹用玩具槍嚇人 被車撞死

本報訊】歹徒乘機車切截在計程車前頭,除了破口大罵外,還取出玩具槍恐嚇。計程車司機嚇得駕車追撞機車,歹 徒從機車上掉下來,當場死亡,騎士則受傷。計程車司機則被警拘押,治以駕車撞死人的罪名。



挽卿警署前天早上7.30時接報,在挽卿縣他能區喃茵他路5巷大老爺宮附近發生車禍,且有人死 傷。



死者是已退役的提拉塞空軍軍曹(45歲)。傷者是乃庵蕾(39歲)。此外有1輛1機車倒在死者附近。在相距 約30米處,有1輛計程車爬上路邊土堆,車頭撞上房屋的圍籬,致使車前的擋板凹陷,前燈破裂。該計程車司機 已被人合力擒住,名叫乃巴碩(50歲)。



乃巴碩供說,肇事前,他駕駛該計程車自車塢出來,開進上述巷子,而該機車自橫裡衝過來,並擠在他車旁超前而 去。後座者轉過頭來送他不文之物。



他盡量控制怒火,因不想惹事,照常駕車。可是該機車還不肯罷休,仍騎來切截在他前頭。後座者指著他臭罵,他 只好低頭以示道歉。



但後座者卻自腰際拔出手槍來,他恐被射殺而駕車追撞。然後,他下車去查看,始知後座者已死亡。 騎士則受傷。



他無意逃逸,只是要回去告訴車塢老板發生意外,可是卻先為居民合力擒住。警於審訊後,已拘押乃巴碩,治以駕 車撞死人的罪名。
Advert Space Available
Bypass censorship with https://1.1.1.1

Cloudflare 1.1.1.1
Reply



Bookmarks

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT +8. The time now is 08:01 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Copywrong © Samuel Leong 2006 ~ 2023 ph