Briefs

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has announced plans for two more dual-track rail lines with 1-metre gauge in the North and Northeast worth Bt1.43 billion.
SRT governor Wuthichart Kalyanamitr said yesterday that one of the projects would be the 326-kilometre route from Den Chai, Phrae, to Chiang Khong, Chiang Rai, worth Bt77 billion.
The other would be the 347km route from Ban Phai, Khon Kaen, to Nakhon Phanom worth Bt66 billion.

CURBS ON CHILLI IMPORTS
The Commerce Ministry is cooperating with the Customs Department to put strict controls on the import of dried chilli, as well as smuggling of the product, amid concerns over impacts to domestic prices, Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said.

FINANCING FOR BIG C STAKE
Berli Jucker has secured a US$6.2-billion short-term financing deal with 15 banks to fund the acquisition of Big C Supercenter from France’s Casino Group, people with direct knowledge of the deal said. – Reuters
Berli, the core retail business of Thai tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi’s TCC Group, won a hotly contested auction for Casino’s 58.6-per-cent stake in Big C. – Reuters

4 EYE FLIGHTS TO CITY
Hasadin Suwatanapongched, chairman of the Nakhon Ratchasima Chamber of Commerce, said yesterday that four airlines were interested in operating flights to the city. The airlines have asked the Department of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Transport to waive airport charges for three years.
The airport currently is waiving charges for only three months.