The Bangkok Post
Duty-free soybean imports get state nod
The government on November 24 approved a three-year, tariff-free soybean import plan to ease domestic shortages on the condition that importers promote soybean farming and pay more for domestically grown soybeans. Deputy prime minister Prajin Juntong, who chaired the vegetable oil committee meetings, said importers ...
Sepo urges SRT land development
The State Enterprise Policy Office says land development of 39,000 rai held by the debt-ridden State Railway of Thailand could offer a quick solution. Director-general Ekniti Nitithanprapas said SRT, one of the biggest landlords in the country, has holdings that are ideal for commercial development. Some ...
SRT plans high-speed rail talks with Malaysia
Thailand is preparing to sit for talks with Malaysia to discuss an ambitious initiative to build a new high-speed train system linking Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. The planned meeting follows interest expressed earlier by the Malaysian transport minister, which drew an enthusiastic response from Thai ...
Researcher sounds Thai quake alarm
Thailand is at risk of moderate earthquakes following a 7.4-magnitude temblor off northeastern Japan on November 22, an academic warned on November 22. Asst Prof Passakorn Pananont, who is conducting research into seismic risk reduction in Thailand at the Thailand Research Fund, said areas around ...
Lese majeste suspects 'bottled up in Laos'
A number of suspected lese majeste offenders are holed up in Laos and police will work with public prosecutors and Interpol to track them down, the national police chief says. Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda said the Thai and Lao governments have discussed the matter and ...
State spending trusted to boost GDP
Despite muted sentiment in the fourth quarter, the government is highly confident the economy could end this year with an estimated growth of 3.2-3.3%. Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said accelerated state spending on infrastructure projects and growing tourism will shore up economic growth in ...
Three Thai airlines face CAAT clampdown
Three Thai-registered airlines are experiencing a financial crunch after their operations were severely affected by a sharp drop in Chinese tourists. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand ordered the three airlines to devise financial rehabilitation plans in response. The number of tourists from mainland China to ...
Government speeds up EEC projects
The government vows to rev up construction of planned development projects under the Eastern Economic Corridor, which it hopes will form a new engine to drive economic growth. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who chaired meeting of the Committee for Special Development Policy in Special Economic ...
Bids for petroleum blocks face delay
The bidding for the Erawan and Bongkot petroleum blocks in the Gulf of Thailand may be delayed further, from next March to the second quarter of 2017, says Energy Minister Anantaporn Kanjanarat. The Energy Ministry had aimed for the new auction of gas fields to take ...
Miller execs resign amid price slump
Some 30 executive committee members of the Thai Rice Millers Association have stepped down amid criticism that rice millers are behind the recent slump in rice prices. The decision was declared by the the association’s president, Manas Kitprasert, during a news briefing Thursday. Mr Manas ...