briefs

A total of 143 foreign enterprises have established new service businesses in Thailand so far this year, with a combined initial capital worth Bt8.92 billion and creating about 2,300 jobs, according to the Business Development Department.

Ittipol Changlum, deputy director-general of the department, said the number of new foreign businesses was 8 per cent higher than in the same period last year, while combined initial investment surged 122 per cent. 

He put the increase down to the strong Thai economy and foreign companies wanting to serve the expansion of manufacturing and service industries in the Kingdom. This month alone, the department has allowed 15 new foreign enterprises to operate service business in the country, bringing in Bt198 million as initial capital investment and creating 236 jobs. 

The most popular businesses for foreign investors are general services, representative offices, wholesale and retail.

 

Saloon Tham appointed chief executive of AIA Thailand

AIA yesterday announced the appointment of Saloon Tham as the new chief executive officer of AIA Thailand, subject to regulatory approval.

Ng Keng Hooi, regional chief executive of AIA Group, said: “Over a career spanning more than 25 years in the life-insurance sector, Saloon has built up an outstanding track record working in senior roles around the world. We are truly delighted to have Saloon leading our business in Thailand, one of our most important markets.” Saloon joins AIA from Allianz SE, where he was regional general manager, Asia-Pacific, responsible for Allianz’s life-insurance operations in the region. 

 

Mileage Communications joins GLOBALHealth PR grouping

Mileage Communications Group announced yesterday that it had become the 17th member of GLOBALHealthPR, the largest independent public-relations organisation dedicated to health and medical communications worldwide. Singapore-based Mileage will add 12 offices in seven Asian countries to the GLOBALHealthPR network of 16 agencies, spanning five continents, said John Seng, president of Washington, DC-headquartered Spectrum and chair of GLOBALHealthPR. Besides Singapore, Mileage office locations include China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, complementing current GLOBALHealthPR partners in India (MediaMedic), Australia (VIVA! Communications) and Japan (LBS).

 

Dubai roadshow lands Bt420m sales at Ritz-Carlton Residences 

Pace Development Corp, the property developer behind the landmark Bt19-billion MahaNakhon mixed-use development rising in the centre of Bangkok, has firmed up sales exceeding Bt420 million for 10 luxury condominiums at the complex’s Ritz-Carlton Residences as a result of a three-day roadshow conducted in Dubai at the end of April. 

The roadshow was the first ever conducted by a Bangkok luxury property developer in Dubai to tap into the Middle Eastern market and European expatriates located there. CEO Sorapoj Techakraisri said that of the 10 luxury condominiums sold, seven were larger two-bedroom residences, and three were three-bedroom units.

 

New 3G-2.1GHz service fees come into effect

The fees for 3G-2.1GHz services, which are 15 per cent lower than the average 2G cellular service fees, took effect on Monday.

According to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission’s announcement, voice calls will be charged at 82 satang per minute, while short messages will cost Bt1.33 each. For every megabyte of data service, consumers will be charged 28 satang. All licence-holders will have to charge their clients in accordance with the reference rates, said Takorn Tantasit, the watchdog’s secretary-general. The three 3G-2.1GHz licence-holders are Advanced Wireless Service, DTAC TriNet and Real Future. 

 

Change to capital flow statement 

The Finance Ministry plans to amend its announcement regarding measures to cope with capital movement. 

   The proposed ministerial announcement was forwarded to the Secretariat of the Prime Minister before being declared in the Royal Gazette,” said Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong.

 

3 in running for top job at Egat 

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand’s three deputy governors are the top candidates to become governor that will select on June 7.

   They are Soonchai Kumnoonsate, Pongdith Potchana, and Thana Putarungsri.