HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]: 

PM reassures investors

THAI considers aircraft replacement options

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PM reassures investors

Despite a decline in exports due to a sluggish global economy, the country’s economy is projected to grow 4 to 4.5 per cent this year, while government spending and investment by state enterprises are expected to continue rising, Prime Minister Gen. Surayud Chulanont said to a group of local and foreign investors attending the Third Thailand Focus in Bangkok.
He added that his interim government continued to support tourism and projected that about 14.8 million tourists would visit Thailand in 2007.
The government is also exploring trade and investment opportunities with other countries through bilateral and multilateral systems, he said.
The forum, organized by the Stock Exchange of Thailand, was designed to serve as a venue for investors to be kept informed of Thailand’s political direction and policies of the new government in the future.
Thailand will embark on sustainable development, in both politics and economy, and efforts by the government this year will make the country an attractive place for investment and doing business, the prime minister reaffirmed.
Touching on local politics, Gen. Surayud emphasized to investors that his interim government and the Council for National Security had agreed to hold a free and fair general election before the year end and the newly-elected government should be formed in January.
The coming three months will be considered as vital for the future political development of Thailand, he added. TNA
 

THAI considers aircraft replacement options

Thai Airways International (THAI) is mulling over three options for the second-phase of its 10-year fleet expansion plan, set to roll out from next year to 2017.
President, Mr. Apinan Sumanaseni, said the first phase, from next year to 2011, had already been approved and would see THAI adding 15 new Airbuses - eight A330-300s, six A380s and one A340-600. The airline is expected to take delivery of two A330-300s and one A340-600 next year.
Mr. Apinan said the second phase would be finalised by end-September or early next month at the latest.
The three options, which involve replacing all 20-year-old aircraft, are: buying 65 new aircraft at a budget of 390 billion baht (US$12 billion); buying 53 new aircraft for 320 billion baht; and buying 61 new aircraft for 340 billion baht. The last two options will see the airline releasing all its Boeing 747-400s at 25 years of utilisation instead of 20 years.
Mr. Apinan said the first two options were expected to yield growth of 4.9 per cent per year, which was lower than the average market growth. He added option three would generate 5.6 per cent growth annually and would allow THAI to maintain a market share of 40 per cent in Asia.
By 2017, the airline will have a fleet of 117 aircraft if it opts for option one or two and 126 aircraft for option three. (TTG)

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