Anything & Everything About Thailand

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Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 11 August 2006 :-

Suvarnabhumi maps growth plan : Budget and domestic terminals in pipeline

Although Suvarnabhumi Airport has yet to open for business, Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) has begun mapping out an expansion plan that includes a second terminal for low-cost carriers and a dedicated terminal for domestic flights.

AoT president Chotisak Asapaviriya is seeking board approval next Wednesday to proceed immediately with construction of the first dedicated terminal for no-frills airlines.

Also on the drawing board is a second low-cost carrier (LCC) terminal that would be located next to the proposed first facility at concourse A of the existing passenger terminal.

A self-contained terminal for domestic flights, which could start operating within five years, is another part of AoT's strategy to maintain Bangkok as a key air hub of Southeast Asia.

The new terminals would be able to handle a total of up to 45 million passengers a year, double the capacity currently designed for the facility that is scheduled to start operation on Sept 28.

AoT is adopting a micro approach to enlarging capacity to accommodate soaring air traffic demand through Suvarnabhumi, at which capacity is projected to be used up a few years after its opening.

The approach would also spread out the financial burden that would otherwise be required under the original phase-one master plan to expand Suvarnabhumi's capacity to 54 million passengers a year in one go.

That original expansion plan, which caretaker prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra ordered shelved earlier this year, was estimated to cost 48 billion baht, much of which would go towards enlarging the main terminal, with the remainder for constructing a third runway.

Mr Chotisak told the Bangkok Post that AoT would approach the projects in a modular pattern, meaning that the three proposed terminals would have about the same size, with usable space of 15,000 to 20,000 square metres, and capacity to handle up to 15 million passengers a year.

It would result in lower capital costs for AoT as well, he noted.

The first LCC terminal, with a simple but functional design, is estimated to cost nearly 700 million baht to build, while the second terminal, being identical, may cost another 400 million baht.

The dedicated domestic terminal would cost more as it was geared towards serving conventional carriers and passengers who expected more services, he said, noting that the officials had yet to come up with the cost estimate, although it would be ''cost-effective''.

Perhaps a more important fact is that the three proposed terminals would reduce the traffic stress on Suvarnabhumi's main terminal, which would focus on international flights and passengers, he explained.

In fact, rising LCC traffic has contributed to congestion at the existing Bangkok International Airport (BIA) or Don Muang, which is stretched beyond its annual capacity of 37 million passengers.

The number of domestic passengers, including those flying LCCs on domestic routes through Don Muang, is forecast at slightly over 10 million this year. The same number are expected to pass through Suvarnabhumi in its first year.

International passengers through Don Muang would total about 28 million this year, according to AoT.

Mr Chotisak said construction of the first LCC terminal, with its own car park (four storeys with capacity for 1,000 cars) at Suvarnabhumi could be completed in the next 16 months.

In terms of capacity, it is much larger than Malaysia's LCC terminal and Singapore's budget terminal, both opened earlier this year, which can handle 10 million and 2.7 million passengers a year, respectively.

The second LCC terminal at Suvarnabhumi could emerge a couple of years afterward as the number of passengers on budget carriers through Bangkok soars to 10 million a year, from about seven million now.

Mr Chotisak said budget carriers had expressed full support for AoT to build a dedicated LCC terminal because it offers ''win-win'' benefits for all parties.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from THe Nation dated Friday 11 August 2006 :-

Thai cities are voted 'best in Asia'

International tourists have voted Bangkok and Chiang Mai the two best cities in Asia this year in an Internet survey conducted by Travel and Leisure magazine, a publication of the American Express Publishing Corp.

Bangkok was named the third-best city in the world, while Chiang Mai cam in fifth.

The survey's criteria for judging the cities included sights, culture and the arts, restaurants and food, people, shopping and value for money.

In other awards, Phuket was ranked No 2 of Asia's top three island destinations and 10th on the list of the world's best islands.

Thailand also has six hotels among the best 100 in the world: the Peninsula Bangkok, The Oriental Bangkok, the Four Seasons Resort in Chiang Mai, the Banyan Tree Phuket, the Amanpuri Phuket and The Sukhothai Bangkok.

Standing out is Chiang Mai's Four Seasons Resort, which is not only among the world's top 100, but also ranked seventh on the list of the world's top 15 small hotels and named the best hotel spa in the Asia-Pacific, Africa and Middle East regions.

Thai Airways came fifth on the list of the world's best airlines, and the Chiva-som International Health Resort was judged the world's best destination spa.

Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Juthamas Siriwan said the awards were testimony to the hard work, professionalism and creativity of the tourism industry.

"I compliment all of the award winners and urge everyone to continue efforts to reap more such awards in the future," she said.

Juthamas said the criteria by which Bangkok and Chiang Mai were voted best cities showed not only how they had changed, but also how adept they had become in product development and marketing.

Later this year, Chiang Mai will gain more prominence when it hosts the international horticultural exposition Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006. Running for three months from November 1, it is designed to celebrate the King's passion for agriculture and nature.

A total of 32 countries have so far confirmed their participation.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

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Report from The Nation dated Wednesday 16 August 2006 :-

Major Cineplex expands : 30 theatres, flagship site to be built - '4-D' cinemas in up to four complexes

The Major Cineplex Group, Thailand's largest operator of multiplex theatres, plans to spend more than Bt800 million next year to open 30 new cinemas in four major locations, including Pattaya.

The group, which currently operates 281 theatre screens in 33 locations, will also introduce its new "4-D" theatres at three or four existing Bangkok complexes, including in Siam Discovery Centre and Seacon Square.

Group CEO Kittsanan Ngamphathipong said the introduction of 4-D theatres would coincide with renovations at some Major Cineplexes in Bangkok.

Chairman Vicha Poolvaraluck said the group recently purchased nearly 2 hectares of land near its Ratchayothin complex for a total of Bt700 million. The land will be developed next year as Major Cineplex's flagship centre - an open-air mall complex - in partnership with Siam Future Development Plc.

He said new entertainment attractions would be featured in the complex, including a supermarket and a library, to suit consumers' trendy lifestyles.

"Despite worries over politics and economic uncertainty, as well as having to share our viewers with the World Cup, we [Major] achieved good results in the second quarter, with ticket sales up 35 per cent from the same quarter last year," said Vicha.

The group achieved total second-quarter revenues of Bt1.38 billion, with a net profit of Bt243 million. First-half revenues were recorded at Bt2.5 billion for a net profit of Bt389 million.

Vicha said the group suffered a "flat period" in ticket sales in the first quarter, particularly in February and March, when consumers were worried about political risks. However, April saw a turn-round. He said the group opened 23 screens at three new locations in the first half of the year, in Bangkok's Siam Paragon shopping complex, on Koh Samui and in Hua Hin.

The company will also open another three new theatre complexes in the second half, in the Esplanade complex on Ratchadaphisek Road, on Chaeng Wattana Road and in Phitsanulok, for a total of 22 screens.

The group will also expand some existing complexes, such as Imperial World Samrong, where the number of screens will be increased from five to 12.

Kittsanan said the group, which currently boasts more than 70,000 theatre seats and serves 400,000-500,000 movie-goers each week, will launch a comprehensive online ticketing service next month, allowing customers to buy their movie tickets online or through their mobile phones. Movie-goers will also be able to make online payments through M-Cash prepaid cards, as well as by credit cards or bank debit cards. He said the new service would cater to nearly 12 million Internet surfers in the Kingdom.

"Our new online service will reshape the behaviour of Thai cinema-goers," said Kittsanan. "In South Korea, about 25 per cent of people buy movie tickets through their mobile phones, while in the US about 40 per cent of movie-goers book tickets through the Internet."

He said the online ticketing service would also increase ticket sales.

Vicha said the group expected ticket sales to grow another 15-20 per cent next year, driven by a good line-up of blockbusters, including "Pirates of the Caribbean 3", "Spider-Man 3", "300", "Rocky", "Ocean's 13", "Fantastic Four 2", "Die Hard: Reset", "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", "10,000 BC" and "Alien versus Predator 2".
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Wednesday 16 August 2006 :-

Imminent legislation : Local retail firms to be protected - More restrictions on big foreign players

The caretaker government is about to enact long-awaited legislation to control the retail sector, under which multinational retailers would face more stringent restrictions when expanding their networks around the country.

The draft bill is ready for the Cabinet's consideration next week, said caretaker Deputy Commerce Minister Preecha Laohapongchana.

The aim of the law, which was drafted many years ago but has had its enactment postponed due to political intervention, is to protect local retailers and promise more revenue to local administrations where giant retailers open branches.

Under the draft legislation, retailers such as Tesco Lotus, Big C and Carrefour - which operate large networks with strong bargaining power over suppliers - would be forced to set up subsidiaries in the provinces where they intend to move. The subsidiaries would then be required to pay taxes to local authorities.

At present, all revenues are sent to the parent companies, which are obliged to pay the one-time corporate tax.

The requirement is expected to add complications to and hence slow down the big retailers as they expand their branches, while indirectly protecting local retailers which have been intimidated by the rapid expansion and the strength of the overseas operators.

"Local Thai retailers cannot compete with foreign enterprises," said Preecha.

Local retailers have launched complaints whenever retail giants announce a plan to set up a big branch near their area. Many said the rapid expansion had undermined their competitiveness and forced them to reduce their operations, or shut down completely.

To protect local retailers, Preecha said the government planned four measures.

First, the ministry will come up with operating guidelines for manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. Second, the retail business law will be enacted.

Third, foreign companies will be asked to inform the ministry before expanding into provinces, and they could be asked to delay their expansion. Finally, the government will set up restricted areas where new branches cannot be established.

According to a ministry survey, in five years the size of the modern retail trade business rose by 119.6 per cent, from 1,821 outlets to 3,999. Total retail market value rose by 60 per cent, from Bt208 billion in 2001 to Bt335.39 billion in 2004.

Among them, Tesco Lotus has the highest number of branches. It has hypermarkets in nearly all provinces, aside from its 154 smaller Testo Lotus Express outlets. Threatening local retailers is also 7-Eleven, which has more than 3,000 outlets.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 18 August 2006 :-

Thai retailers threatened by foreign influx

Local retailers have called for the government to establish a national retail law to curb the expansion of foreign retailers. Town planning regulations have failed to stem the rapid growth of modern trade operators, estimated to average 10-20% over the next few years, according to the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

The growth of hypermarts, while benefiting consumers attracted to low prices and convenient shopping, has damaged many smaller Thai retailers.

Boonchai Chokwatana, the chairman of the chamber's committee on wholesale and retail business, said small retail shops had lodged numerous complaints about the failure of the government to protect their communities from competition from foreign operators.

''Local regulations have benefited these foreign retail chains that are armed with huge funds and advanced know-how to help them easily expand outlets,'' he said.

Based on a study by the chamber, there are about 400 foreign retail outlets operating in Thailand, including Tesco Lotus, Carrefour, Big C and Makro, plus about 3,000 convenience stores, compared with the departure of about 300,000 small local shops in the past decade.

He said that although the government had limited the expansion of these stores by imposing retail zoning laws, drafted by the Public Works and Town and Country Planning Department two years ago, there were still loopholes.

The zoning laws allowed local administrations to approve new store establishments, said Somchai Pornratanacharoen, the president of the Thai Retailers' Association at a seminar yesterday.

Several Thai-owned department stores have gone out of business in the past decade, including Merry Kings and Asean.

Vatchari Vimooktayon, deputy director-general of the Internal Trade Department, said it had drafted a retail business act in 2002, but it was suspended by the then commerce minister, Watana Muangsook. The minister cited that there were several legislations to control the retail business.

Mrs Vatchari said the department had planned next week to propose guidelines for the retail business, which would be enforced by the Trade Competition Board.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Monday 21 August 2006 :-

Higher fares on the cards from Thai budget carriers after airport move

Local low-cost airlines may have to increase fares after they move to Suvarnabhumi Airport as operational costs will be as much as 30 per cent higher than at Don Muang.

Thai AirAsia, One-Two-Go and Nok Air all said they were considering increasing ticket prices as well as other options, like surcharges.

The airlines said that on top of rising fuel prices, they faced higher charges at the new airport, including hikes in landing fees, parking fees, and ground-service charges.

Industry experts estimate that low-cost airline operational costs will increase by between 15 to 30 per cent.

Arak Choltharnond, executive chairman of Thai AirAsia Co, said the company would adjust airfares by the end of this year. The company is also considering an increase in the fuel surcharge.

"Budget airlines, I believe, will incur higher operational costs at the new airport than at Bangkok International Airport [Don Muang]," Arak said.

He added they also had to invest more to accommodate the increase in flights at Suvarnabhumi.

Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) earlier planned to increase the international passenger service charge from Bt500 per person to Bt700. The domestic-flight levy was to rise from Bt50 to between Bt100 and Bt150. However, AOT said it would increase airport taxes in February 2007 and not October this year, as initially planned.

Arak explained the airline would spend between Bt20 million and Bt30 million on offices and computer systems and human resources for the new airport. A similar amount was invested when it commenced operations at Don Muang.

"We are facing higher costs with the opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport," he said.

Udom Tantiprasongchai, chief executive officer of One-Two-Go, said the airline was considering a fare hike or a higher surcharge to cover the rise in fuel prices.

Like the others, Nok Air, the sister airline of national carrier Thai Airways International Plc, is also reviewing operational costs.

All the budget airlines have gradually increased surcharges as fuel steadily become more expensive.

This year, Nok Air and One-Two-Go spent money on improved facilities at Don Muang after they were told they could continue flying out of the airport.

They were then informed that was no longer an option and they would have to spend again at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

AOT projected it would inject an additional Bt100 million to expand space at the low-cost terminal at Suvarnabhumi to cope with the rapidly-rising demand for those carriers.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Tuesday 29 August 2006 :-

Tops Daily planned at Caltex petrol stations in Thailand

Tops, one of Thailand's largest supermarket chains, is expanding its sales territory by setting up outlets at Caltex petrol stations.

The agreement with the major oil company Chevron (Thailand) Ltd will make it the second supermarket chain, following Tesco Lotus, to tap the service-station channel.

Tesco Lotus has more than 100 Express outlets at Esso stations nationwide.

Ian Pye, the president of Central Food Retail Co, a subsidiary of Central Retail Corporation which operates Tops, said the first Tops Daily mini-supermarket, on 300 square metres, would opened at a Caltex station on Phetkasem Road in October and about 40 others would follow.

Earlier, Tos Chirathivat, the CEO of Central Retail Corp, said it aimed to open around 500 Tops Daily outlets in all channels nationwide.

Tops Daily is the fourth format for Tops, which also has conventional Tops supermarkets, the Central Food Hall at Chidlom, and Tops Market Place.

Tops Daily was introduced in May and three outlets are now open in department stores in Ang Thong, Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

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Report from The Nation dated Tuesday 29 August 2006 :-

Thailand airport fees to go up

Air passengers will be asked to pay heavier departure taxes from early next year, Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) said yesterday.

The international departure tax would be increased by Bt200 to Bt700 and domestic passengers would incur a Bt100 fee, up from a current Bt50. The increase would be effective from February 1.

AOT operates Suvarnabhumi Airport. It had planned to introduce the new taxes upon the opening of the new airport on September 28. Meanwhile, new landing fees levied on aircraft using the airport would be imposed from April 1, 2007. That is a six-month delay from the original schedule.

AOT said it was postponing the new fee to attract airlines to Suvarnabhumi. The new landing fee is a 15-per-cent increase on that charged at Don Muang airport.

AOT explained earlier that fees at Suvarnabhumi Airport needed to be raised due to the greater amenities and facilities that would be provided. After 40 years in the making Suvarnabhumi has cost Bt150 billion. It is scheduled to start operations on September 28.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Thursday 31 August 2006 :-

All airlines prepared for the big move to Suvarnabhumi Airport :
Some budget carriers may switch early

All local and international airlines have announced they are ready to relocate to the new Suvarnabhumi Airport on the official opening date of September 28, while three budget carriers - keen to avoid road congestion caused by the transfer of equipment - have opted to move their fleets up to three days ahead of schedule.

In a meeting held by airline operators yesterday to discuss their readiness to make the move, Air France said it would be ready to divert its aircraft to Suvarnabhumi on September 28.

Contrary to a recent report, no airline has to date said it plans to shift flights to other countries in the region.

All major airlines, including Thai Airways International (THAI), Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas and other international carriers, told the panel they had no problem with the opening date of the new airport.

The government has said all flights must move to the new airport on September 28, when the existing Don Muang Airport will close to commercial traffic.

In a bid to woo airlines to Suvarnabhumi, Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) has postponed its plan to increase service fees by six months until April 2007. The fees includes a landing and parking fee and passenger airport tax.

Tassapon Bijleveld, chief executive of Thai AirAsia, said all its flights would move to the new airport on September 25, three days ahead of the official opening. The final 10 flights, both domestic and international, on September 24 will also fly to the new airport.

"Even though our facilities there, including the office at the new airport, are not complete we are confident everything will be ready in time," Tassapon said.

"The early move is an attempt to avoid traffic congestion at the new airport the night before the opening date," he said.

The airline has already informed passengers about the move. Ticket prices will not be increased, as the costs are the same now that the airport authorities have agreed to delay the landing-fee hike.

Thai AirAsia, a joint venture between Shin Corp and Malaysia's AirAsia, said its 70 daily flights would shift from Don Muang to Suvarnabhumi on September 25.

One Two Go, the low-cost unit of Orient Thai, said it would transfer all its flights to the new airport on September 26, two days before the opening date.

One of the company's officers said the firm was keen to have a two-day head start to learn more about the airport.

Nok Air, another budget carrier and THAI's sister airline, confirmed it would transfer all its flights to Suvarnabhumi Airport on September 27, one day ahead of the official opening.

THAI's own local flights will be using the new airport from September 15, as required by the government.

Jetstar Asia will be the first foreign airline to use Suvarnabhumi Airport, flying from Singapore three times a day - also from September 15.

The new airport, which can serve up to 45 million passengers per year, will relieve congestion at the overstretched Don Muang, which is currently handling about two million passengers above its capacity.

The government hopes Suvarnabhumi will help Thailand compete against rival airports in Malaysia and Singapore to become the region's most important aviation hub.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

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Report from The Nation dated Thursday 31 August 2006 :-

Most young mums still schoolgirls

Almost 78 per cent of young mothers in Bangkok became pregnant while they were school students, research has found.

Passanant Assawarak, of King Mongkut's University of Technology Thon Buri, carried out an in-depth study subsidised by the National Culture Commission of mothers in several emergency homes for girls in the capital.

It found 43 per cent were aged between 14 and 20 and got pregnant after sex with high-school boyfriends. A further 34.7 per cent were under 14 and in primary education, while others were vocational students, university students, or uneducated.

Some 70 per cent were first-time mothers, while 14 per cent were victims of sexual assault.

Prisana Pongthadsirikul, secretary-general of the Commission, told a press conference yesterday that 34.7 per cent of their partners were high-school boys, 24 per cent were in primary education, 10 per cent were vocational students.

Most of the mothers said they did not dare to have an abortion, but 21 per cent admitted they had attempted to abort the babies but failed.

The poll also found 3,200 out of 10,373 people calling a Child Protection Foundation hotline were pregnant students. Some said they wanted to commit suicide.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Thursday 31 August 2006 :-

New Malaysian low-cost carrier to fly to Hatyai and Phuket from 6 Sept 2006

Newcomer Asmara Airlines to bring in more Malaysian visitors. Thailand hopes next month's launch of Malaysia's new low-cost carrier, Asmara Airlines, will boost its target of attracting 1.6 million Malaysian tourists next year, reported the Bernama News Agency.

Wiwatchai Boonsak, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office in Kuala Lumpur, said he was told the airline would begin operating next Wednesday.

"The airline is expected to fly to Hat Yai from Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

"We hope the number of Malaysian tourists visiting Thailand, especially to Hat Yai and Phuket, will increase with the new airline," he said at a recent briefing in Kuala Lumpur on TAT plans for next year.

Little is known about Asmara, which is said to be backed by a young corporate figure from Perak in peninsular Malaysia, except that it will fly international routes.

Wiwatchai said the number of Malaysian tourists, currently the largest group visiting Thailand, had increased in the past few years, thanks to the emergence of AirAsia, which flies to Bangkok and Chiang Mai from Kuala Lumpur
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 1 September 2006 :-

First-ever Thai university rankings published : Credibility doubts as Thammasat opts out

The Higher Education Commission yesterday published the first-ever rankings of the top 49 Thai universities, amid questions over the credibility of the initiative after the withdrawal of Thammasat and opposition by some institutions. The long-awaiting rankings were based on assessments of 49 out of 138 public and private universities across the country.

The main aim is to use them for universities to improve their performances and budget allocations.

The information can be used by high school students in making decisions when they apply to study for undergraduate degrees.

There was controversy, however, after Thammasat University decided not to join the initiative.

The university had not accepted the ranking results and the Higher Education Commission had to take responsibility for any problems which might result, rector Surapol Nitikraipoj said.The research and teaching ranking indicators were not credible and were inadequate, he added.

The ranking of universities should be entrusted to the Office of Academic Accreditation and Educational Evaluation, Mr Surapol said.

But Pavich Tongroach, secretary-general of the Higher Education Commission, ignored the criticism and said he would not give up the effort.

He vowed to continue evaluations of all universities in the future and improve the rankings.

''It's okay if someone does or doesn't recognise these rankings. They are subject to debate for academics,'' he said, and insisted the assessment was based on information supplied by universities.

Mr Pavich said even the rankings made by overseas agencies were not accepted by universities in Thailand.

Some companies in Thailand had even rated universities as a basis for recruitment of new employees, he said.

What concerned the commission more than criticism from universities was that private firms might not get the right information to judge universities, he added.

The rankings are categorised into research and teaching, and 60 universities and colleges gave information to the commission for assessment.

But the HEC counted only 49 participating institutions which had sufficient data for calculating their performances.

Each area has five levels on a scale from outstanding to excellent, good, fairly good and needing improvement.

Chulalongkorn, Chiang Mai University and Mahidol are the only three universities in the top group for their teaching and research performances.

Rajabhat and small private universities fall largely into the ''needing improvement'' category.

The criteria in the teaching category included the numbers of students and lecturers, the qualifications of lecturers, university budgets, the number of foreign lecturers and alumnis' international awards.

In the research category, the criteria focused on the amount of research funds, the number of researchers, the number of research textbooks published in foreign languages and the number of doctorate students and doctorate graduates.

Universities have also been graded according to disciplines taught.

In science, Mahidol University's science faculty ranks first. Chulalongkorn University comes top in technology, while Ramathibodi Hospital's faculty of medical sciences ranks first in biomedical science.

In humanities and liberal arts, Silpakorn University's faculty of decorative arts tops the list.

Ranking first in social science is the Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration of Chulalongkorn University. Kasetsart University's faculty of agriculture is placed top of the agricultural category, while its faculty of education was judged outstanding in its field
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Friday 1 September 2006 :-

Top 50 Thai universities : Mahidol, Chula take top 2 spots
- Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen also do well in inaugural rankings

Mahidol, Chulalongkorn and Chiang Mai were ranked as the top national universities for teaching and research, the Higher Edu-cation Commission announced yesterday.

The commission conducted rankings of the top 50 universities for the first time, and while some rectors disagreed with the criteria, it announced the results by dividing the universities into five levels.

The first group of teaching universities, that scored 75 or more marks from a possible 80, were Mahidol, Chulalongkorn, Chiang Mai and Khon Kaen.

The second group, with 70-74 marks, included Kasetsart, Suranaree, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thon Buri and Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep.

Those in the last group, with fewer than 60 marks, were mostly provincial Rajabhat universities.

The criteria used to rank the universities with excellent teaching were student ratios, faculty resources, financial resources, "internationality" and quality of education.

Universities ranked best for research work included Mahidol, Chulalongkorn, Chiang Mai, King Mongkut's and Suranaree.

The second group included Kasetsart, Khon Kaen, Naresuan and the National Institute of Development Administration.

Those in the last group were campuses of Rajamangala and Rajabhat universities.

The commission also ranked the top 50 faculties, divided into seven fields: science, technology, biomedical sciences, humanities and arts, social science, agriculture and education.

Mahidol's Faculty of Science ranked first in the science field and its Faculty of Medicine at Ramathibodi Hospital topped the biomedical sciences sector. Chulalongkorn's Faculty of Engineering was ranked first for technology.

For the first year of rankings, only 51 out of Thailand's 138 universities sent information for the commission to consider.

Thammasat sent information but was not in the list because the rector did not want it to be graded, said Pavich Tongroach, the commission's secretary-general.

Asked about some universities vowing to reject the rankings, Pavich said: "No problem. I can say the results are reliable. Even if we didn't do the rankings, other countries have always ranked for us. Isn't it better that we conduct the rankings ourselves?"

Pavich said the ranking would reveal information about universities to the public. It would also help high-school students choose a university.

Professor Pornchai Matangkasombat, president of Mahidol University, said he had been confident for a long time that it was the top national university.

"The ranking is not for competition but aimed at the improvement of all the universities in Thailand," he said.

Prof Dr Virun Tungcharoen, rector of Srinakharinwirot University, which was in the fourth group for teaching standards, said he found it hard to believe all the results.

"If the information considered by those who conducted the rankings is accurate, the university shouldn't be in this group," he said.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

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Report from The Nation dated Friday 1 September 2006 :-

Tesco Lotus to press on with expansion

Despite complaints from groups of small retailers, particularly in rural centres, retailing giant Tesco Lotus is committed to spending a further Bt7 billion next year on new store openings, including 100 of its compact Tesco Lotus Express outlets, to be located in villages and sub-district communities.

Small retailers have complained about the opening of modern retail stores in their communities and called for stricter control by local authorities, because they say they cannot compete with them.

"Our plan for investment and store openings in Thailand has not changed," said Tesco Lotus CEO Jeff Adams.

"We have received small numbers of complaints against our new store openings, but the voices of consumers are still quiet. Most consumers are quite comfortable with what we bring to their communities, including employment, taxes and other contributions," said Adams.

He said the competition created by new Tesco Lotus stores was good, because it provided consumer benefits. Consumers have the right to voice their opinions and choose where they shop.

Tesco Lotus currently operates 55 hypermarkets, 20 "Talad Lotus" centres, two or three Value stores and 140 Express outlets. Together, they made more than 18 million shopper transactions last month.

Adams said this year had seen Tesco Lotus spend about Bt7 billion to open three or four hypermarkets, 20 "Talad Lotus" centres, a few Value stores and 100 Express outlets.

Today, it opens its 56th hypermarket, in Pathum Thani's Lam Luk Ka district.

The Commerce Ministry recently revealed plans to revamp a draft of the long-awaited Retail Business Act, which will help local retailers resist aggressive expansion by giant foreign chains. One amended section will require retailers to report their expansion plans on a quarterly basis, allowing the ministry to keep closer tabs on multinational companies.

"We have not yet been informed by the ministry about this request," said Adams, adding that the Thai Retailers' Association was discussing the issue and trying to reach a consensus reaction from its members.

Jariya Chirathivat, vice president for marketing and communications at Big C Super Centre Plc, said that as a listed company, Big C usually disclosed its investment plans to its shareholders on a quarterly basis, because it required new investment capital from them to make new investments.

"We have not yet been informed by the Commerce Ministry about their request that we reveal our investment plans for new stores on a quarterly basis. Anyway, we are ready to make a quick response to their request," said Jariya.

Meanwhile, Tesco Lotus was awarded "Q Mark" certification by the Agriculture Ministry yesterday, complementing the Gold Food Safety logos awarded by the Public Health Ministry earlier this year.

Together, the logos will ensure that all fresh food sold in Tesco Lotus has passed rigorous checks at all stages of production, from farm to table, with full traceability of any fresh-food product to its original source.

"We are very pleased and proud to have received this certification," said Adams. "It gives our customers an assurance that our fresh food is legal, safe and of high quality. We are delighted to work with the government to maintain food safety standards, where we both have the same objectives."

The Q Mark was created by the Agriculture Ministry as part of government policy to make Thailand the "kitchen of the world".

Adams said the sign ensured that Tesco Lotus' suppliers followed good agricultural practices on the farm, a policy that not only met Tesco Lotus' requirements, but also gave Thai farmers greater opportunities to sell their products in other demanding markets.

As part of the process of awarding the Q Mark, Agriculture Ministry inspectors recently visited and certified the Tesco Lotus "fresh hub" in Ratchaburi, which supplies the company with 15 per cent of its fresh fruits and vegetables.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Friday 1 September 2006 :-

New phone numbering system for Thai handphones takes effect from 1 Sept 2006

Callers to mobile phones now should start dialling "08", followed by the existing eight-digit number, as the new national numbering plan takes effect today.
Fixed-line telephone numbers remain the same.

For example, mobile phone numbers that start with "01" should be switched to an "081" prefix. The number (01) 234 5678 becomes (081) 234 5678.

Callers from abroad will have to add "8" after Thailand's "66" country code. For example, +668-1234 5678 would replace +66-1234 5678.

However, callers have until November 30 to get used to the new cellular dialling scheme. From December 1, only the 10-digit mobile-phone numbers will be valid.

All mobile-phone operators are now offering a free service at shops nationwide to convert numbers stored in handsets to the 10-digit format, regardless of the customer's service operator.

They will also send teams to busy shopping areas, such at Victory Monument and Silom as well as the offices of their customers to offer the conversion service.

Users also have to reconfigure the code of the short message function in their devices, which they can do by themselves or at operators' shops, to enable them to send and receive short messages. But they have a grace period until March 30.

Sigve Brekke, CEO of Total Access Communication (DTAC), said he would join more than 300 of his employees in spending the day in the Silom, Sathorn and Victory Monument areas to help people update their numbers.

The numbering plan aims to increase the total of phone numbers to 300 million from the present 90 million, which is expected to be enough to serve surging demand for 30 years.

Cellular-service providers have spent a combined Bt400 million upgrading their systems to comply with the new numbering plan.

The National Telecommunications Commission spent Bt30 million to publicise its new policy.
--- KatoeyNewsNetwork