TFEX derivatives trading soars 120%

In 2011, SET50 Index Futures took the biggest share of trading volume at 43 per cent, followed by gold futures at 40 per cent and Single Stock Futures at 16 per cent.

Compared with 2010 trading volumes of 4.52 million contracts, an average of 18,676 contracts per day, TFEX showed solid growth in terms of trading and investors with the valuation of daily average derivatives trading of Bt23.81 billion. The main driver was gold futures trading, which soared threefold to 3.99 million contracts from 971,423 contracts a year earlier, helped by the leap of gold prices past US$1,900 in the third quarter of 2011, said TFEX managing director Kesara Manchusree.

New AMCHAM president

The American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand announced that Joe Mannix, United Airlines’ country manager for Thailand and Vietnam, had been elected the AMCHAM president for 2012.

Mannix joined AMCHAM Thailand in 2008 and later that year was elected to the its board of governors.

"In 2012, AMCHAM Thailand will continue to focus on improving Thailand’s competitiveness," Mannix said. "Working with the Royal Thai Government and the Board of Trade, AMCHAM will help Thailand to remain an attractive country for US investment."

Marriott bows out

Marriott International and Destination Properties Thailand have parted ways over the management of four hotels in Thailand, three of which are in Phuket and the fourth in Hua Hin.

The properties in Phuket are the Courtyard by Marriott hotels in Patong, in Kamala and at Surin Beach. The fourth hotel to cease operating as a Marriott brand is the Courtyard by Marriott in Hua Hin.

Another international management company is expected to take over the running of the hotels before April 1, the first day of the tax year in Thailand.

Local staff say they have been informed of the change of operator and that employees will be retained.

Niches to be featured

Four of Thailand’s top niche-market tourism segments will be featured prominently at the 2012 Thailand Travel Mart Plus Amazing Gateway to the Greater Mekong Subregion to be held from June 6-8 at Impact Muang Thong Thani Exhibition Centre.

Organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand together with the Thai tourism industry, the TTM will feature products and services related to eco-tourism, golf, health and wellness, and weddings and honeymoons in a dedicated pavilion. In addition to those four categories, which have always been Thailand’s strong points, there will be a category focusing on general leisure. – The Nation