Briefs

ICT Minister Gp Captain Anudith Nakornthap said yesterday that he has already sent the list of the ministry’s nominations for directors of the boards of state telecom enterprises to the Finance Ministry for approval and appointment.
The Finance Ministry owns 100 per cent of the state telecoms.
Panthep Chamrasromran, who reportedly has close ties to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has been tipped as TOT chairman, while Somchai Tienanant, former president of Aeronautical Radio of Thailand, has the inside track to become CAT Telecom chairman.

Rice for flood victims
The government will start distributing 7.5 million packs of 5percent white rice to flood victims next Monday.
The National Rice Policy Committee has approved the release of up to 30,000 tonnes of rice from the government’s stocks to aid flood victims.
Deputy Commerce Minister Poom Sarapol said yesterday that the government would spend Bt91.50 million on the packages, which cost Bt12.50 per fourkilogram bag.

630,000 visit expo
The fourday Thailand Mobile Expo 2011 Showcase, which ended last Sunday, welcomed 630,000 visitors, the same attendance as last year.
However, spending at the fair reached Bt1.48 billion, a little higher than estimated, according to fair organiser M Vision.

ONYX runs hotel
Thailandbased ONYX Hospitality Group was set last Saturday to assume the management of a 105room hotel on Hainan island, China’s leading leisure destination.
Owned by leading local developer Sanya Daxing Group, the landmark property will continue to operate as an upscale boutique while undergoing rebranding before debuting as the Amari Sanya Bay on March 1.