Briefs

The Stock Exchange of Thailand is to suspend share trading in PTT Aromatics and Refining and PTT Chemical upon the request of both companies, which are amalgamating.
The suspension will begin on Tuesday and run until October 20.
In this period, the companies will allocate shares in the merged entity to shareholders of PTTAR and PTTCH, as well as listing the merged entity on the exchange. With the merger, the exchange will need to select a new stock for calculation of the SET50 and SET100 indices.
 
Expanding life cover in first eight months
The Thai Life Assurance Association reported yesterday that the industry’s total premiums grew by 13.1 per cent to Bt209.48 billion during the first eight months this year. Of the total, first-year premiums accounted for Bt63.53 billion and renewal premiums for Bt145.95 billion. The persistency rate reached 87 per cent.
Association president Sutti Rajitrangson said total premiums were expected to reach Bt339 billion by the end of this year, up by 15 per cent from last year. Life insurers are developing new business channels to boost their sales as well as driving the industry’s growth.
 
Advertising appointment
Media agency OMD Thailand has announced the appointment of Neil Mavichak as its engagement planning director, with the task of boosting the agency’s strategic communication-service capabilities.
Mavichak will be responsible for driving excellence and leadership initiatives for OMD’s global clients, lending his expertise to McDonald’s and P.I. Snacks, as well contributing to the overall value proposition of OMD Thailand.
He joins the OMD network from McCann Worldgroup in Thailand, where he worked across all McCann’s business units to provide solutions in strategic channel and consumer engagement, including quantitative studies on consumer behaviour.
Mavichak has built a strong client-servicing record from consulting for the Tourism Authority of Thailand across all 97 of its international feeder markets and managing pan-regional media campaigns.