Briefs

The Transport Ministry is expediting its amendment of the Navigation Act BE 2497 (1954) as suggested by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and now expects to have a legal draft ready for consideration within two months and the process completed by the year’s end.
Chartchai Tipsunave, permanent secretary at the ministry, said yesterday that the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand had proposed the drawing up of a model law and regulations, in line with the ICAO’s suggestions, for the legal amendment.
 The ministry has set up a working group to move forward quickly on this issue, with a view to finalising the process by the end of the year.
 The model law – a legal prototype written by the ICAO – mainly defines the establishment of an aviation organisation, empowerment for its chief, and aviation regulations and licensing.
Other related issues will be contained in model regulations, he added.
“This legal drafting is estimated to take one to two months and reach a conclusion by the end of this year, before being forward to the Cabinet and the Council of State, respectively,” the official said.

GUNKUL UPBEAT ON GROWTH
Gunkul Engineering Plc (GUNKUL) expects to post a revenue growth of at least 30 per cent, or Bt5.8 billion this year, said Managing Director Dr. Somboon Aueatchasai
The firm plans to bid for state and private sector projects in the second half of this year in addition to the Bt2 billion backlog projects in hand, he said.