AUTO EXPORTS JUMP NEARLY 14% IN AUGUST

The FTI’s automotive industry club reported that the country shipped 101,982 motor vehicles last month, up 13.88 per cent from August 2014. The increase was attributed to a commencement of exports of new pickup-truck models and continued good export performance of eco-cars. By value, last month exports grew by 23.44 per cent to Bt52.86 billion.

FTI chairman Supant Mongkolsuthree said the Thai Industries Sentiment Index dropped to 82.4 in August, from 83.0 in the previous month, its eighth consecutive monthly decline. However, the sub-index on expectations on the next three months edged up to 102.0 from 101.2 in July. Scores above 100 indicate positive sentiment.

 

THAI SMILE GOES UPSCALE

Thai Smile is upgrading itself to a premium full-service airline. 

Voranate Laprabang, acting chief executive officer, said the subsidiary of Thai Airways International (THAI) would reposition from light premium airline to premium full-service carrier. 

He said the airline would work more closely on business planning and marketing with THAI to strengthen competitiveness on existing routes and new networks. 

By next month, Thai Smile plans to operate to five more destinations: Mandalay, Hyderabad, Nanning, Chongqing and Changsha. 

The airline has just introduced new crew uniforms and more on-board meals. 

Voranate said the airline expected revenue of Bt6.3 billion this year and to carry 2.3 million passengers. 

 

MOU FOR WIND POWER 

Myanmar has signed memoranda of understanding for wind-power projects for 2030-2031. 

These are a 1,000-megawatt plant under an MoU with Gunkul Engineering in Tanintharyi region and Mon and Kayin states; a 1,900MW Gunkul plant in Shan and Kayah states; and a 1,100MW plant with Three Gorges in Chin and Rakhine states and Ayeyawady and Yangon regions, according to Myanmar’s Ministry of Electric Power. – Myanmar Eleven