Briefs

Serm Suk enjoyed a 199-per-cent spurt in net profit to Bt361.5 million in the first quarter of the year, buoyed by sales of its Crystal bottled water, which grew almost 30 per cent.

President Dhitivute Bulsook said in a press release yesterday that revenue also rose by Bt481.7 million or 8.5 per cent compared with the same quarter of last year.

The increase was mainly due to significant growth in sales volume across all beverage lines, he said. – The Nation

BBC to feature Thailand

BBC World News will feature Thailand on its "Direct" programme, which will be broadcast globally from August 27 to September 7.

This is the first international season of programmes by the British Broadcasting Corporation on Thailand.

BBC World News will take a more focused look at this destination, focusing on the economic, social, cultural and political aspects of the country.

In a statement, BBC noted that Thailand was now the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia after Indonesia. It also has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world.

Its economy has been strengthened by exports, especially of automobiles.

Experts predict that by 2015, Thailand will be one of the top 10 motor-vehicle-producing countries. – The Nation

Vinythai buys into China

Vinythai, a maker of polyvinyl chloride, will spend about Bt1 billion to acquire Solvay Biochemicals (Taixing) in China, according to a regulatory filing. Solvay Biochemicals will invest Bt7.2 billion in a new plant in China, it said. |– Bloomberg

Land & Houses wins

Land & Houses has won the Trusted Brand Platinum award from Reader’s Digest magazine this year. This is the seventh time it has received this award, which is based on customer votes. – The Nation