Briefs

The Board of Investment yesterday granted tax incentives for 32 projects valued at Bt107.738 billion, mostly renewable-energy projects, said Industry Minister Prasert Boonchaisuk.The renewable-energy projects include wind and solar farms. Meanwhile Thai Airways International has been granted privileges for the lease of seven Airbus aircraft worth more than Bt33 billion, and Bangkok Airways for the lease of 13 planes in a contract worth more than Bt14 billion.
Auto-parts companies were another industry receiving tax incentives from the BoI.

Bangkokians spend for holiday
Bangkok residents are expected to spend Bt5.8 billion on travel during the New Year holidays, while those opting to stay in the city should spend Bt4.3 billion, according to Kasikorn Research Centre.
While Cha-am and Hua Hin top the list of domestic destinations, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, mainland China and Myanmar are the top overseas destinations.
The survey, covering 533 respondents, indicated that most Bangkokians are cheered by the bright economic conditions and encouraged to travel between December 29 and January 1.
From the survey, 38.9 per cent of the respondents chose to stay in the capital city during the period, against 50.8 per cent in last year’s survey, and 31.7 per cent planned domestic or overseas trips.

New advert rules planned
Advertisers and broadcasters will soon be liable to fines of at least Bt500,000 and/or imprisonment for exaggerated food or drug commercials under revised regulations, said the Food and Drug Administration. The amendment is aimed particularly at cable and satellite TV.
FDA deputy secretary Srinuan Korrakuchakorn said the amendment was in the final stage of public hearings but had not been completed yet as some parties opposed the draft. She expects it to become law next year.
According to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, there are more than 1,000 cable and satellite TV operators. The NBTC said it had received a number of complaints about false advertising, particularly related to pharmaceutical products.

Superjumbo promo
Thai Airways International is offering promotional fares to welcome the new year with travel on its Airbus A380-800, the national carrier’s newest and largest aircraft, to three popular destinations.
It quotes a round-trip fare of Bt8,935 to Hong Kong, Bt18,450 to Narita and Bt39,810 to Frankfurt. The prices are applicable for booking in January, for travel during January and March.
There will be a limited number of special-fare tickets available per flight, and the cost of tickets includes taxes and surcharges. Taxes and surcharges for international air tickets may change according to the foreign-exchange rates on the date of ticket issuance.

AIA-Phyathai deal
AIA Thailand and Phyathai Hospital Group have entered a partnership to bring their respective customers an enhanced privilege programme.
The memorandum of understanding was signed by Ron Van Oijen, AIA Thailand’s CEO, and Att Thongtaeng, CEO of Phyathai Hospital Group and Paolo Memorial Hospital Group.