Biz Buzz

It would be hardly surprising if last year, the press seldom came across Settapong Malisuwan, chairman of the telecom committee of the National Telecommunica-tions Commission (NBTC), and broadcasting committee member Peerapong Manakit, in their offices. A document from the Office of the Auditor-General shows they spent more than one-third of their time last year on overseas study trips.

According to the Office, Peerapong made 20 overseas study trips last year, equivalent to 129 days in total, for which the NBTC incurred Bt12.03 million expenditure. Settapong made 18 overseas study trips last year, equivalent to 122 days in total, for which the NBTC spent Bt13.1 million. Settapong and Peerapong are the top two commissioners in the NBTC.

The report showed that expenses of the NBTC’s 11 commissioners totalled Bt117.5 million last year – Bt61.5 million for overseas study trips, Bt36.31 million for remuneration, Bt11.21 million car allowance; and nearly Bt8 million for other perks. 

Peerapong has maintained his title of the most travelled NBTC commissioner for two consecutive years. He made 17 trips in 2012. And don’t call him yet – he is currently in Germany. 

 

Returning happiness with eggs

As part of a national campaign to raise the per capita egg con-sumption of Thais to 300 eggs a year, the Ministry of Agriculture has booked up a venue at Siam Square One, a new shopping mall in Bangkok’s fashion district, to hold a “Mr & Miss Ambassador Egg 2014” contest on October 12. The winners will become “am-

bassadors” for state agencies to help promote more egg consumption. The contestants must be 17-26 years old single with a minimum height of 170 centimetres for males and 160cm for females. The male contestants must have a white vest and jeans and contemporary fashion dresses. Female contestants must also have a white vest and jeans skirt or short jeans trouser, and contemporary fashion dresses. 

The winners, chosen for their appearance, character and wit in answering questions, will receive a Bt10,000 prize.

Notably, the Finance Ministry is also promoting egg consumption at its “Return Happiness to Thais … from the Heart of the Finance Ministry” event that it will hold in four regions nationwide until next month, with 400,000 eggs to be sold at Bt1 each. Winners of lucky draws will receive golden eggs as prizes.

Besides assisting farmers, these campaigns also address the nutrition issue. A recent Commerce Ministry study showed that each Thai was eating only 150 eggs per year, half of the per capita egg consumption in Japan and China. Egg consumption per capita in the United States and Europe are higher than 200 eggs per year. This is due to a misperception among Thais that eggs cause high cholesterol problems. 

 

Contributed by Petchanet Pratruangkrai and Erich Parpart.