Briefs

Bangkok Commercial Asset Management’s board has appointed Banyoung Visetmongkolchai and Sompan Aemrungruj to be its new directors, effective from July 6.

The appointments are seen as part of a move to drive business growth and BAM’s application to be listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

Telecom excise eyed

The Customs Department is prepared to revive the telecom excise tax, initially at 3 per cent of revenue, which remains under the 10-per-cent ceiling.

Benja Luicharoen, director-general of the Excise Depart-ment, said it would soon discuss this with the finance minister and the prime minister.

"The department believes that we should impose the telecom excise tax, but the tax rate would be kept low," she said, adding that the rate should not have a negative effect on telecom companies or consumers.

Somchai Sajjapongse, director of the Fiscal Policy Office, said that any business that is operating on state infrastructure should pay taxes, and this includes those in telecoms.

New Raimon options

Property firm Raimon Land has launched two new products at The River – River Serviced Residences and River Home Offices.

The River Serviced Residences will offer furnished units for expatriates, as well as leisure and business travellers on an extended-stay basis. It will be managed by a leading five-star hospitality operator. The River Home Offices is designed to fulfil a demand from professionals, consultants, businesspeople and artists interested in maximising their real-estate investments in both work and private life.

Colliers condo agents

Focus Development and Construction has appointed Colliers International Thailand as sole agent for Focus@|Ploenchit, a condominium in Sukhumvit Soi 2, Bangkok. The Bt800-million project is due to be launched in the current third quarter of the year.

Yoghurt comeback

Danone Dairy (Thailand) is returning to the yoghurt market after a long break due to the floods in late 2011. An improved Activia yoghurt recipe, an innovative cup, and its partnership with Berli Jucker are seen as keys to build its leadership in the market, company general manager Laurent Boissier said.

"The fresh dairy product (FDP) market in Thailand is more dynamic after the floods. We expect the total FDP market will grow by 10 per cent this year. The fastest growing segments will be cup and pasteurised yoghurt," he said. At present, the value of Thailand’s yoghurt market is Bt12 billion.

Ananda-KTC campaign

Ananda Development is partnering with Krungthai Card after the success of its Bt999 instalment plan to launch a special marketing campaign.

KTC card members will be awarded extra points by signing up and making contract payments on four Ideo Mobi projects with the cards. The campaign runs until September 15.

AEC preparations

The Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) will promote in the Asean market more than 100 SMEs producing herbal medicines and healthcare products in preparation for the Asean Economic Community by 2015.

Under the plan, the DFT will educate businesses to develop products and study market opportunities and trade rules in Asean.

KTB net profit jumps

Krung Thai Bank’s net profit in the second quarter soared by 37.23 per cent to Bt7.22 billion year on year and its non-performing loans dropped to 1.96 per cent.

Net earnings for the first half were Bt13.30 billion, up by 27.33 per cent from the same period last year.

The Nation