|
Thailand’s alternative energy use soars in first 10 months
Thailand’s consumption of alternative energy has soared with bio-diesel use
skyrocketing by over 1,000 per cent and natural gas for vehicles (NGV) more
than doubling.
Mettha Bunthuengsuk, director-general of the Energy Business Department,
conceded that NGV is now unavailable for sale in some areas as there is a
shortage of gas cylinders.
Thailand’s state-owned energy giant PTT Plc had already shifted a purchase
order for the cylinders to companies in Brazil from South Korean companies
in order to address the shortage.
It is expected the problem would be solved in a few months.
He said NGV had gained more popularity worldwide. In Thailand, the
consumption of alternative energy including NGV, gasohol (a blend of 90 per
cent gasoline and 10 per cent ethanol) and bio-diesel had increased
considerably in the past several months.
Simultaneously, most oil traders affirmed they would stop distribution of
premium gasoline after the New Year festival. Certain premium types of
gasoline will be available only in major cities.
Mr. Mettha said the local consumption of fuel in the first 10 months of this
year increased at a much slower pace than that in the same period last year.
The daily consumption of premium gasoline totalled 15.7 million litres, down
2.7 per cent, that of diesel 51.1 million litres, up 2.2 per cent, and that
of gasohol 4.5 million litres, up 28.1 per cent.
The daily use of NGV totalled 21.2 million cubic feet, up 107.6 per cent,
that of bio-diesel 1.34 million litres, up 1,393.9 per cent, and that of
cooking gas 9.9 million kilogrammes, up 13.2 per cent.
The daily crude oil imports totalled 814,000 barrels, down 3.3 per cent, and
the value of oil imports totaled Bt576 billion, down 11.2 per cent. (TNA)
Auto production in Thailand to jump to 2.1 million units by 2011
A five-year master plan in Thailand’s Automotive Industry
Development, beginning in 2007, is designed to make Thailand an automotive
production and distribution hub for Asia, according to a senior Thai official.
Thailand Automotive Institute president, Vallop Tiasiri, said the draft master
plan is now awaiting consideration of Kosit Panpiemras, the deputy prime
minister and industry minister.
Under the plan, Thailand’s auto production will be increased from this year’s
1.6 million units to 2.1 million units by 2011, said Mr. Vallop. Thailand will
also manufacture and export one-ton pickup trucks to overseas markets along with
eco-cars.
Car manufacturers are also expected to invest several hundreds of billions of
baht on automotive spare parts production and investment in new technology.
The continued appreciation of Thailand’s baht against the US dollar has impacted
local competitiveness and, according to Mr. Vallop, this country needs to
further develop and boost production efficiency.
Plans to encourage auto spare parts manufacturers to invest overseas, including
Vietnam, Indonesia and India, are being considered seriously as they could be
used as Thai spare parts hubs and to boost competitiveness, he added. (TNA)
Congratulations
to Wanitchaya Bolton
Khun Wanitchaya Bolton of Alan Bolton Property Consultants
has been awarded the prestigious Certificate International Property Expert
(CIPE) following a 4-day workshop held last week at the Novotel hotel in Siam
Square, Bangkok.
 Wanitchaya
Bolton, 2nd left, receives the Certificate International Property Expert (CIPE)
award at a ceremony held at the Novotel hotel in Bangkok.
Key lecturers in attendance were Mr. Nigel j.Cornick, CEO Raimon Land Plc and
Dr. Sopon Pornchokchai, President of the Thai Appraisal Foundation & Thai Real
Estate Business School.
This third international workshop was professionally and expertly arranged by
the Thai Real Estate Business School and Thai Appraisal Foundation.
Following the awards ceremony, Alan Bolton, Managing Director of Alan Bolton
Property Consultants emphasised that his company’s philosophy is always to put
people to the forefront of its business. This, he said, can best be evidenced
through the emergence of a dedicated training department for the continued
development of staff aimed at maintaining the highest possible standards of
skill and knowledge in customer service and the local property market.
Court to give final ruling
on PTT fate December 14
Thailand’s Supreme Administrative Court is set to give a
landmark ruling on the controversial legitimacy of the privatisation and stock
listing of the state-owned energy conglomerate PTT Plc on December 14.
The court last Friday heard testimony by the company’s executives and
representatives of the consumer groups who petitioned against the privatisation
and listing of the country’s largest oil and gas company.
The groups, led by leading activist Rosana Kositrakul, on August 31, 2006
submitted a petition to the court, asking it to nullify two royal decrees that
supported the privatisation of the oil and gas state enterprise in 2001.
The petition named Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, his cabinet and Energy
Minister, Viset Choopiban as defendants.
They demanded a delisting of PTT from the Stock Exchange of Thailand so that the
company regains its status as a state enterprise.
PTT president Prasert Boonsumpun and Rosana both testified before the court for
about 45 minutes. Then, the court informed both persons that the final ruling on
the case would be given at 10.00 am on December 14.
Ms Rosana said the testimony given by PTT’s executives that the delisting of the
company would undermine investor confidence is irrational, arguing that some PTT
stocks are held by nominees of families linked to some politicians.
“Energy Minister Piyasvasti Amranand and the current government are trying to
justify (something that is) wrong and do anything to benefit PTT,” she claimed.
PTT, which has a market capitalisation of more than one trillion baht, has seen
its share price rise dramatically along with global oil prices. (TNA)
|
