Malaysia's Neighbour - THAILAND! [Archive]

choon

March 19th, 2005, 05:32 PM

All the pics taken on 14.03.2005 - 17.03.2005 during my trip to Bangkok.

Bangkok BTS
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150020.jpg

BTS station
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150019.jpg

Skyscrapers
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150018.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150017.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150016.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150015.jpg

Empire Tower
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150014.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150013.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150012.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150011.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3140008.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3140007.jpg

MRT station - Much better and bigger than Singapore one
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3140006.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3140005.jpg

Huge bridge across Menam Chao Phraya - under construction
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3160049.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3160044.jpg

Lumpini Park
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150038.jpg

Gaysorn Plaza - like our KLCC, a lot of brands not found in KL yet like Emilo Pucci, Longchamp...etc

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150035.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150034.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150032.jpg

Bayoke Tower
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150031.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150029.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150028.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150027.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150026.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150025.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150024.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150023.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150022.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150021.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3160045.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3160048.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3160047.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150036.jpg

http://us.f3.yahoofs.com/users/420f5a15z5df39ed1/5748/__sr_/3ee3.jpg?phcPEPCBjno9sslg

Wisarut

March 19th, 2005, 07:23 PM

Khun szehoong,

http://pwp.maxis.net.my/szehoong/pix/bangkok/nice_street_scenes/IMG_2428sm.JPG

This photo is at Narathiwat Ratchanakharin Intersection of Sathon Road ... It also shows Sathon Thani Building ....

The Pyramid Building is "Diamond Tower" - a service apartment in Silom - Sathon area
and there ais a seafood restaurant (Lek Seafood) not far from Chogn Nonsee road ... This one has very tasty seafood cuisine which I could reccommend since I have tried eating with my friends before ....

http://pwp.maxis.net.my/szehoong/pix/bangkok/nice_street_scenes/IMG_2412sm.JPG

The area nearby this intersection is Sathon area ....

http://pwp.maxis.net.my/szehoong/pix/bangkok/nice_street_scenes/IMG_2415sm.JPG
This is Sathon Nuea Road (North Sathon Road) and Sathon Tai Road (South Sathon road) ... Sathon used to have lots of trees like Wireless road but they have been cut down for Sathon road expansion in 1979 though ... :(

For the case of the golden pagoda (Phra Sri Ratttana Chedi) inside Wat Prakaeo, it is Ceylon style (Sri Lanka style) though

http://ftp.maxis.net.my/szehoong/pix/bangkok/grand%20palace/img_1521sm.jpg

Wisarut

March 19th, 2005, 07:38 PM

That undercontrcuted bridge across Chao Phraya at Phra padaeng is a part of Industrial Ring road though .... This one is considered the first bridge that connect
Phra Padaeng side of Chao Phraya with the rest of Samut Prakarn province (Southern Suburb of BKK) and the connection Phra Padaeng with Rama 3 Road area (Rama 3 Road is a part of innter ring road though)

For the case of Rama 9 Bridge, it quite huge but that bridge in Prapadaeng could dwaft Rama 9 Bridge after opened the bridge on December 5, 2005.

Well, Rama 9 Bridge needs a new parallel bridge due to the traffic congestion within the expressway across Chao Phraya ... Rama 3 Bridge (the bridge parallel with Krungthep Bridge) is NOT for the faint of the heart since the bridge is so steep that there werre a few accident that the cars and buses have been fallen from the bridge into the bead of Chao Phraya river .... :grin:

Wisarut

March 19th, 2005, 07:56 PM

Well, Silom Subway station is quite SMALL comparing wih Chatuchak Park Subway station though ... but it is the DEEPEST Subway station (30 meter deep from the groudn level .... and Saladaeng station is 12 meter above teh ground ... so you can imaging how tough they are going to interchange the system at Silom-Saladaeng interchange :)

Therfore, most of interchanges between both system have been done at
Asok-Sukhumvit Interchange due to the good facility to interchange ...
Mochit-Chatuchak park is also another good place to inerchange ... even though
FEW people have done so ...

Wait until the bridge across Chao Phraya has been done and ther will be a boat service from Sathon Pier to Samut Prakarn via Lad Pho shortcut canal (a canal
that cut through Bang Krachao area near that giant bridge)

At the time being, the best way to take a photo of Rama 9 Bridge is to ride the
ferry between Sathupradit - Lad Luang pier (3 Baht ferry run by long tail boat)....
but the best way to take a photo of Rama 8 Bridge is to go to Thewet Pier of
Chaphraya Express Boat

Wisarut

March 19th, 2005, 08:08 PM

For the abandoned building in the middle between Penninsula Hotel and Sheraton Hotel, it used to be Sofitel ... but the building has some problem so they decided to
joint with central Pattana PCL to dela with Central Hotel at Lad Phrao and Hua Hin instead ...

Now, Hilton has purchased that abandoned bulding and they are going to renovated that building as "Millenium Hilton Hotel" ....

The market nearby that abandoned building (Millenium Hilton Hotel) used to be Klong Sarn railway terminal for Mahachai railway until the decree by Strongman Sarit whcih forced SRT to set up the new terminal at Wongwian Yai .... :( :bash: :wallbash:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/Bangkok/P3150025.jpg

Wisarut

March 21st, 2005, 05:00 AM

Well, It seems to me that this thread is quite right now ... Please add some more and I'll be very happy to give you some explanation :)

szehoong

March 21st, 2005, 05:18 AM

Thanks for the explanation Khun Wisarut! :okay:

I tried to dig out lotsa information from my rusted memory of BKK of 2 years back :D

ANyway I'll try to get somemore pictures if I am not too occupied ;)

Wisarut

April 5th, 2005, 06:39 AM

Some Thai locos + Scene to Show

Steam Loco Smoke at Ayutthaya - March 26, 2005 :lol: :grin:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/rotfaithai/DSC00705.jpg

Royal pavillion at bang Pa In station
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/rotfaithai/DSC00680.jpg

Commuter 304 (Lopburi - BKK -> 133 km!) at bang Pa In
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/rotfaithai/DSC00689.jpg

C56 in Action at Kanchanaburi
http://www.yimsiam.com/cgi-bin/data/fanrotfaithai/pic/00075316.jpg

Sunset at Pasak Jolasit Dam
http://www.rotfaithai.com/files/pasak08.jpg

Alstom at pasak Jolasit Dam
http://www.thai.to/uranusnat/Dsc02592a.jpg

Wisarut

April 5th, 2005, 06:43 AM

A little bit off topic but This the way to reactivate the articles relating to the scene in Thailand :lol:

szehoong

April 5th, 2005, 06:53 AM

Thanks a lot Khun Wisarut for reviving this thread! :okay:

It is great to see the railway scenes of Thailand :) How I wish one day I would be able to ride on a steam loco! ;)

Wisarut

April 7th, 2005, 05:25 AM

Well, If you purchase the steam loco tickets (stat selling 1 month boefore the actual steam loco riding) at Hat Yai (NOT so sure abotu Padan besar), you can raid those loco from BKK to Ayutthaya though :wink: :grin: 100 Baht (10 Ringgits) for Steam Loco trip is a good deal for you though .....

Wisarut

April 21st, 2005, 06:37 AM

Now, my Eastern Railway Trip has been Splitted into 2 sections

Plutaluang Trip
http://www.rotfaithai.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2751

Old Chachongsao Station
http://www.rotfaithai.com/files/chachoengsaoold.jpg

Bang pakong Curve
http://www.rotfaithai.com/files/bridgebangpakong.jpg

Phan Thong Station
http://www.rotfaithai.com/files/phanthongstation.jpg

Aranyaprathet Trip
http://www.rotfaithai.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2776

E Class 182
http://www.rotfaithai.com/files/chachongsaoplint.jpg

New Chachongsao Station
http://www.rotfaithai.com/files/chachongsaoflag.jpg

Yothaka Station
http://www.rotfaithai.com/files/yothakastation.jpg

Ban Dong Bang Station
http://www.rotfaithai.com/files/bandongbangstation2.jpg

Tha Kasem Stop
http://www.rotfaithai.com/files/thakasemstop.jpg

Aranyaprathet Station
http://www.rotfaithai.com/files/aranyaprathetstation.jpg

Klong Luek Stop
http://www.rotfaithai.com/files/klongluek2.jpg

Thai Stop
http://www.rotfaithai.com/files/thaistopnite.jpg

Railway to Cambodia
http://www.rotfaithai.com/files/railkhmerbarbwire.jpg

Wisarut

June 15th, 2005, 02:29 PM

Challenger - Impact Convention Center - Muang Thong Thani with 120,000 sq-m
space within the single dome (!)
Planned:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/conspirecy186.jpg
The current State:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/impact-pan.jpg
Look! how Big the Challenger is!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/DSC02117.jpg
Panoramaview of Challenger!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/chady/veranda/pan-cha.jpg

nazrey

June 15th, 2005, 04:54 PM

Wisarut

June 16th, 2005, 06:38 AM

Bung Nazrey,

Impact and Challenger are so closed to my home that icould ride a bicycle across Prapa canal to be there ... at any time I want :grin:

Wisarut

December 28th, 2005, 02:30 PM

Now, Ah Wang Teh Tarik Teashop (whcihsell allotehr tarik drink such as Kopi Tarik, Koko Tarikor so) is Opened at Siam paragon, afgter the successful business in Hat Yai

http://www.gotomanager.com/news/details.aspx?id=42785

cooltemper

March 10th, 2007, 06:34 AM

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/2165/189948244annxpofskd6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

cooltemper

March 10th, 2007, 06:36 AM

Resizehttp://img225.imageshack.us/img225/1341/189948244annxpofsmn5.jpg (http://imageshack.us) version:

TYW

March 10th, 2007, 06:40 AM

HUGE!!!!!

AhChuan

March 10th, 2007, 06:41 AM

^^ Is not huge la...is VERY huge.

TYW

March 10th, 2007, 06:56 AM

^^ ok

VERY HUGE!!!

Wisarut

March 10th, 2007, 01:21 PM

At least, you can see rama 8 Bridge and Pinklao Bridge Sanam Luang, Grand palace and the old Thonburi Station

Blue_Sky

March 10th, 2007, 02:13 PM

Huge and Urban...!!!

Wisarut

March 10th, 2007, 03:02 PM

The area you have seen is just Rattanakosin Island (8 out of 1100 sq. km of Bangkok side).

Thonburi side oif BKK is 450 sq. km.

aBe

March 11th, 2007, 06:02 AM

cooltemper

March 11th, 2007, 08:29 AM

I think Bangkok has the most dense skyline in South East Asia.

TYW

March 11th, 2007, 11:14 AM

^^ is bangkok's skyline that dense?? from all the pics i've seen, Bangkok's skyline is one of the most spread out in SEA

baqthier

March 11th, 2007, 11:36 AM

^ Most dense would be Singapore. In fact the 3rd densest city in the world. KL is just slightly more dense than Bangkok.

TYW

March 11th, 2007, 11:50 AM

^^ how about manila?? the whole city as a whole is not dense but it's clusters of scrapers are very dense!!

aBe

March 13th, 2007, 03:06 PM

^ Most dense would be Singapore. In fact the 3rd densest city in the world. KL is just slightly more dense than Bangkok.

Baq...ye ke Singapore the 3rd densest?

Tokyo is mega dense, so is New York, Hong Kong etc
I don't think any SEA cities could even rival the dense-like-crazy South American cities such as Sao Paolo [Skyline as far as they sight goes... man], Buenos Aires, Rio etc.

venntro

March 23rd, 2007, 09:48 AM

Manila has several Central Business Districts and most of its skyscrapers are located in these CBDs hence making them very dense. Bangkok's buildings are more widespread unlike Manila's concentrated areas.

Wisarut

April 7th, 2007, 09:41 AM

Sukhumvit - New Phetburi Road Area
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/200/444141562_da390d3b10_o.jpg
Sanam Luang
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/9122/r0011115xs6.jpg
Sanam Luang & National Museum
http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/5576/r0011244hp2.jpg

Wisarut

April 7th, 2007, 09:49 AM

Lumphini park - the first Public park in BKK
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/63/194286364_ff599f9c42_b.jpg
Rare Angle of Lumphini Park
http://images.29feb.multiply.com/image/9/photos/43/orig/6/DSC_3178-RE1.jpg?et=E3eu5W%2BFM%2Ct3Ti8ZbySuTg
Benjakiti Park and lake, Central Bangkok
Queen Sirikit Exhibition Center on the bottom left.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/100/256795853_8c1ee57ced_b.jpg
Queen Sirikit National Convention center
http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/6356/picture025kh1.jpg
Rama 9 Bridge & Kasikorn Thai Bank
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/3125/76139111yn3.jpg
Chao Phraya river and Taksin Extension of Skytrain
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/7457/76139117kn8.jpg
Sunset in Bangkok anf Taksin Extension of Skytrain
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/5024/76139114fa5.jpg

Wisarut

April 7th, 2007, 09:57 AM

Democracy Monument - Opened June 24, 1940
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/75/200421223_03a704a08a_o.jpg
Silom Road at Night
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/72/194072493_cb6c4d0a26_o.jpg
Makkasan Interchange
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/117/301958451_9cab8e9219_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/121/301958454_fa0051f06c_b.jpg

Wisarut

April 7th, 2007, 10:03 AM

It will be very nice to you travel by boat at Night alogn Chao Phraya river
Wat Arun
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/4163/55353river04rt2.jpg
Orientel Hotel
http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/6694/70654river09dc4.jpg
Sheraton Hotel
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/8074/59974river07ua5.jpg
Memorial Bridge
http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/3029/81103river06li7.jpg
Kasikorn Thai Bank HQ & Rama 9 Bridge
http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/3754/62025river11bm2.jpg
Hotel Barge (old Rice Barge) at Wat Arun
http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/2589/64339river05ze9.jpg

TYW

April 7th, 2007, 10:06 AM

nice pics of Krung Thep ;)

Wisarut

April 7th, 2007, 10:11 AM

Erawan Shrine - built by the late Lek Viriyaphan (the founder of Muang Boran)

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/1516/100946img2834mk2.jpg
http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/6012/96949img2857zs3.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/9687/101544img2854zb7.jpg
http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/6904/101696img2845vi9.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/6483/101796img2787tk0.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/9016/102115img2785nf0.jpg
http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/4241/98646img2817em8.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3805/101714img2824ga0.jpg
http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/5310/101982img2822is7.jpg
http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/7842/101874img2825cg8.jpg

cooltemper

April 7th, 2007, 10:40 AM

Bangkok Is Impressive!

skyscraperboy

April 7th, 2007, 10:44 AM

Bangkok is soooooooo beautiful!!!!

TYW

April 7th, 2007, 12:43 PM

Erawan Shrine is awesome :eek2::eek2::eek2::eek2::eek2::eek2:

do you have more pics of it?

AhChuan

April 7th, 2007, 02:32 PM

Erawan Shrine is super!!!! Is it a temple??

TYW

April 7th, 2007, 03:08 PM

Erawan Shrine is super!!!! Is it a temple??

shrine=temple ;)

AhChuan

April 7th, 2007, 03:23 PM

^^ Oh thx for the info!! I had learnt new word today!! Shrine = Tokong. :D

Wisarut

April 7th, 2007, 06:17 PM

Okay, for the case of Erawan Shrine (Official name is Erawan Museum) at Samrong Tai (Southern Suburb of Bangkok), you can go to see them here:

http://2bangkok.com/Erawan.shtml
http://www.paknam.com/photoalbum/thumbnails.php?album=14
http://www.at-bangkok.com/place_erawan-museum.php
http://www.paknam.com/erawan.html
http://thailandforvisitors.com/central/bangkok/bkkmuseums/erawan/index.html
http://thailandforvisitors.com/central/bangkok/bkkmuseums/erawan/erawan_gal.html

The Official Website of Erawan Museum is:
http://www.erawan-museum.com/

Wisarut

April 7th, 2007, 06:29 PM

The BKK Through the Lens by Khun Phitha Tanphairoj
Wat Phrakaeo must be something like this!
http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/8189/g49753691am9.jpg
Road to Thai Democracy Stated at Ratchadamnoen Avenue
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/6717/g49753693fm0.jpg
Wat Arun of Thonburi (Western side of BKK)
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/9726/g49753695nf9.jpg
The Giant New Industrial Ringroad bridge
http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/4380/g49753694du8.jpg
Dove Flying at sanam Luang
http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/7558/15uxb691zi8.jpg

Wisarut

April 7th, 2007, 06:38 PM

New Crown of BKK Skyscrapers
http://www.pantip.com/cafe/gallery/topic/G4841788/G4841788-16.jpg
Traffic at MBK Center, Pathumwan Intersection
http://img471.imageshack.us/img471/6861/g48562320zo2.jpg
Traffic at Victory Monument
http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/8256/g48562321kx8.jpghttp://img471.imageshack.us/img471/7613/g48562323ek4.jpg
Giant bridge at Day (industrial Ringroad bridge)
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/5420/pict4519resize8967wf7.jpg
Flying Flag of His majesty
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/4341/img8828xv0.jpg

ncon

April 7th, 2007, 06:39 PM

incredible pic guys :applause: :applause: :drool: :drool:

Wisarut

April 7th, 2007, 06:50 PM

The Gate of BKK China Town
http://img424.imageshack.us/img424/7466/0512052181uc.jpg
L'arc en Ciel (Rainbow) in BKK
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/8021/rainbowzv2.jpg
Holy Rosary Catholic Church: Sri Phraya
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/mosaic_tu/P9100044.jpg
Fast & Fury at Bangkok railway Station at Hua Lamphong
http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/3131/hunglumdt8.jpg

Mosaic

April 7th, 2007, 06:55 PM

OMG!!!! so many great shots!!

Wisarut

April 10th, 2007, 05:36 AM

Skytrain during Rush Hour (everyday) at Siam Station :eek2:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v515/joprb/06/b9eadada.jpg
Panorama at Sofitel bangkok (Opposite to Chatuchak Park and PTT HQ
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g27/perfect_loop/thailand/viewfromSofitelCentrallookingEast2.jpg
Rama 9 Park at Sri Nakharin
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3780/92892t1cf7.jpg

AhChuan

April 10th, 2007, 09:19 AM

^^ I love the second pics!! I din noe Bangkok has the double storey highways!! I saw the big screen on the building too!! Outrageous!!!

Wisarut

April 10th, 2007, 10:50 AM

The first level is just Lad Phrao flyover and the 2nd level whcih you have seen is Donmaung Tollway linking Donmaung Airport with CBDs.

Soi Thong Lor (Sukhumvit 55) - a trendy Soi in BKK
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a372/kiku9999/DSC00106.jpg
Inexpensive Dining in BKK
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v515/joprb/06/bbdde39b.jpg

Sao Chingcha (Gaint Swing) - near BKK City Hall
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/344/70346038pg.jpg

DreamWorld - Thailand's Disneyland at Rangsit
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/344/70346038pg.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c61/sirinya33/Dream11.jpg

Wisarut

April 10th, 2007, 10:56 AM

Now, Let's see the frist Beach resort town in Thailand - Hua Hin

Phra Mongkut pavillion, Hua Hin station
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/HuahinPavillion.jpg

Another side of Phra Mongkut pavillion, Hua Hin station
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/HuahinPavillion2.jpg

Purajat Jaiyakorn Pavillion, Royal Hua Hin Golf Club, Hua Hin station
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/HuahinPJPavillion.jpg

Baldwin Mikado No. 305 in front of Royal Hua Hin Golf Club, Hua Hin station
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/HuahinMikado305Side.jpg

Phon Kingphet statue, Hua Hin
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/PhonStatueHuahin.jpg

Brass Board of Sofitel Hua Hin
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/SifitelHuahinSign.jpg

Front gate of Sofitel Hua Hin
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/SofitelHuahinGate.jpg

Two elephant Greeting n front of Sofitel Hua Hin
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/ElephantTwoSofitel.jpg

One elephant Greeting at Sofitel Hua Hin
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/ElephantOneSofitel.jpg

The front of Sofitel Hua Hin
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/SofitelHuahinFront.jpg

Hua Hin Hotel Silverware circa 1923-24
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/HuahinHotel2.jpg

Hua Hin Hotel Utensil circa 1923-1924
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/HuahinHotel1.jpg

After Lunch, I go around the garden within Hotel complex -
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/SofitelHuahinGarden.jpg

Facade of Sofitel Hua Hin - Not so good renovation cpomparign to the original one
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/SofitelFacade.jpg

Chess at Sofitel Hua Hin
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/SofitelChess.jpg

Thai pavillion at Sofitel Hua Hin
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/SofitelThaipavillion.jpg

Huahin Museum Coffeeshop
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/HuahinCoffeeshop.jpg

Huahin Belle of 1940
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/HuahinBelle.jpg

Riding Horse at Hua Hin Beach
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/HuahinHorse.jpg

Hua Hin Beach
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/HuahinBeach1.jpg

Beach and Mountain - Hua Hin Beach
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/HuahinBeachMountain.jpg

Hua Hin Beacon
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/HuahinBeacon.jpg

Rocky Beach at Hua Hin
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/HuahinRockyBeach.jpg
Side Gateway to Sofitel
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/SofitelCentralHahin.jpg

Central Village Bangalow
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/Thai%20Railways/South/CentralVIllageHahin2.jpg

ntly1

April 10th, 2007, 10:59 AM

Skytrain during Rush Hour (everyday) at Siam Station :eek2:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v515/joprb/06/b9eadada.jpg
Panorama at Sofitel bangkok (Opposite to Chatuchak Park and PTT HQ

:applause: nice pics indeed ! but ^^ Bangkok seems very crowded to me :nuts:

cooltemper

April 10th, 2007, 12:16 PM

[QUOTE=Wisarut;12544671]Sukhumvit - New Phetburi Road Area
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/200/444141562_da390d3b10_o.jpg

Awesome!

Pablo

April 11th, 2007, 01:41 AM

thanks for sharing all these pics :applause:

TYW

April 13th, 2007, 05:27 AM

thanks again for the pics, Wisarut :okay:

Lastresorter

April 13th, 2007, 05:48 AM

Thanks for the pics... any pics of the Songkran in BKK now? :D

Wisarut

April 14th, 2007, 05:56 PM

Songkran in BKK - Year 2006
http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/songkran/songk2006-07.jpg

Songkran at Khao San road - BKK
http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/songkran/songk2006-06.jpg

Usual even during Songkjran Festival - Mortorcycle Accident
http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/songkran/songk2006-13.jpg

Are they edible? :lol: :hilarious
http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/songkran/songk2006-14.jpg

Twin Naga (Giant serpents) for Songkran at Democracy Monument
http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/songkran/naga-big.jpg

Songkran at Khaosarn road - 2004
http://2bangkok.com/2bangkok/songkran/songk2004-33.jpg

Cartoon for Songkran Festival 2007
http://2bangkok.com/07/songkran02.jpg

Wisarut

April 14th, 2007, 06:17 PM

More SOngkran Photo from Thailand
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/27/69234708_55628c3b11_o.jpg
Songkran at Khaosarn Road http://f0nt.com/forum/Smileys/iannnnn/02.jpghttp://f0nt.com/forum/Smileys/iannnnn/04.jpghttp://f0nt.com/forum/Smileys/iannnnn/10.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/47/129573793_39b3c936a9_o.jpg

BKK Metro Cops are joining Songkran Festival
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/50/129577626_8fac98a576_o.jpg

Songkran at Ratchaburi
http://i11.tinypic.com/34ya0au.jpg

Songkran War at tesco Lotus Ratchaburi - 116 km from BKK
http://i17.tinypic.com/4c9thuh.jpg

OshHisham

April 14th, 2007, 07:59 PM

Songkran in BKK - Year 2006
http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/songkran/songk2006-07.jpg

this girl is damn cute..!!:master: hopefully she's not your gf, wisarut:D

TYW

April 15th, 2007, 09:46 AM

i wonder how the camera survive the water he he...

Wisarut

April 16th, 2007, 11:14 AM

i wonder how the camera survive the water he he...

In such a case, put your camera inside a BIG condom. :eek2:

baqthier

April 21st, 2007, 12:53 PM

Pics I took at Ocean World at Siam Paragon

http://i12.tinypic.com/2u8ysk3.jpg

http://i19.tinypic.com/2ztlwub.jpg

http://i19.tinypic.com/43ophdv.jpg

http://i11.tinypic.com/2a0jklf.jpg

http://i13.tinypic.com/485uq90.jpg

http://i19.tinypic.com/311x2wy.jpg

http://i12.tinypic.com/2rwt4kn.jpg

Pablo

April 21st, 2007, 12:58 PM

In such a case, put your camera inside a BIG condom. :eek2:

u get this idea from a clip right :D:lol:

baqthier

April 21st, 2007, 02:02 PM

Video I took :D Can hear my voice(and my friend's) or not? :lol:

akt8vrIWQD0

alsen

April 21st, 2007, 02:04 PM

nice video :D

baqthier

April 29th, 2007, 12:45 PM

Siam Paragon

http://i15.tinypic.com/2vwsqds.jpg

http://i12.tinypic.com/4dlxcau.jpg

http://i19.tinypic.com/48wgf14.jpg

http://i16.tinypic.com/4905rvo.jpg

http://i19.tinypic.com/2r7rn6v.jpg

http://i10.tinypic.com/2h5loit.jpg

http://i11.tinypic.com/4ca9n3r.jpg

http://i17.tinypic.com/2dv0787.jpg

TYW

April 29th, 2007, 01:06 PM

Baq should be kept out of his home so that he'll take more pics for us to see :D

Wisarut

April 29th, 2007, 04:04 PM

Industrial Ring Bridge & anf lad Pho Bypass Canal
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/231/463184417_763071df35_b.jpg

Aviation view of Industrial Ring Bridge & Rama 9 Bridge at Rama 3 & bang Krajao (Phrapadaeng)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/254/444128886_05e47b53ce_o.jpg

Aviation View of Southern Ring Bridge Expressway
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a307/cHemon2/2007-04%20Update/IMG_0094.jpg

condopup

May 1st, 2007, 12:28 PM

Great shot of the bridges!

cooltemper

May 4th, 2007, 11:32 AM

NICE VIEW!

aon1212

July 8th, 2007, 11:02 PM

Skylines View Of Bangkokok,Thailand

http://img.2indy.com/pic/1/800px-Bangkok_skytrain_sunset.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40641386454126)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/1/Bangkok.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40641744096324)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/1/bangkok-river-view-2-1024.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40642101738522)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/1/bangkok-river-view-1-1024.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40642459380720)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/1/bangkok2002_21.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40642817022918)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/1/thaicity.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40643174665116)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/1/pic_29.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40643532307314)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/1/pic_28.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40643889949512)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/1/pic_27.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40644247591710)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/1/pic_26.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40644605233908)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/1/pic_25.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40644962876106)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/1/pic_23.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40645320518304)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/1/pic_22.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40645678160502)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/1/pic_21.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40646035802700)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/1/pic_20.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40646393444898)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/1/pic_19.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40646751087096)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/1/pic_18.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40647108729294)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/1/pic_12.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40647466371492)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/2/pic_6.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40647824013690)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/4/pic_5.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40648181655888)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/3/pic_4.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40648539298086)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/3/pic_2.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40648896940284)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/3/pic_1.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40649254582482)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/1/out0223.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40649612224680)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/1/DSC_0191.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40649969866878)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/1/2XeCnqEee8UHkVish6xw.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40650327509076)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/1/jvv2073VxpsmKzBj8ou2.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40650685151274)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/1/bangkok-river-view-4-1024.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40651042793472)
http://img.2indy.com/pic/1/bangkok-river-view-3-1024.jpg (http://img.2indy.com/show.php?id=40651400435670)

teckkang

July 9th, 2007, 01:46 AM

This thread is created for Malaysia skyline and skyscrapers, not Thailand!!!
If u want to share ur travelling experience with us, please kindly do it in the Mamak thread. cheers.

Imperfect Ending

July 9th, 2007, 09:19 AM

I have to appologize for him. He posted this in every single section on SSC

myf282828

July 9th, 2007, 09:43 AM

Bangkok is nice indeed.:)

cooltemper

July 10th, 2007, 10:31 AM

Bangkok is Rock!
But hope not Rock with Bomb.

cooltemper

July 10th, 2007, 10:32 AM

I have to appologize for him. He posted this in every single section on SSC

No problem and i understand his feeling. Just like me, i wish to post Penang photos every single section too.

Wisarut

October 31st, 2007, 02:20 PM

Now, look at the rural Thailand here from my own photo collection:

Paknampho Stesen
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/rotfaithai/Paknampho_Wiz/Paknamphostation.jpg

Maenam Nan (the source of Chaophraya river) on the High Tide
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/rotfaithai/Paknampho_Wiz/NanRIverHightide2.jpg

OMG - The High Tide had flooded the school alogn the shore ! :eek2:
Expect Crocodiles, Alligators, phythons, and cobras sharing the same space as huamn beings! :eek2:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/rotfaithai/Paknampho_Wiz/PaknamphoSchoolFlooded.jpg

Sun Dawn at Klong Plakot
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/rotfaithai/Paknampho_Wiz/KlongPlakotSunrise.jpg

Sun Rise at Thub Krit
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/rotfaithai/Paknampho_Wiz/ThubkritSunrise.jpg

Flood at Chumsaeng
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/rotfaithai/Paknampho_Wiz/Chumsaengflood.jpg

Bueng Boraphet (Boraphet lake) during high tide
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/rotfaithai/Paknampho_Wiz/Buengboraphetflood.jpg

This watergate is the place to create Bueng Boraphet out of the canal
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/rotfaithai/Paknampho_Wiz/BuengBoraphetwatergate.jpg

The ONLY thing that move durign flood time - oil train
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/rotfaithai/Paknampho_Wiz/ALS4406RefienOilPaknampho.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/rotfaithai/Paknampho_Wiz/AHK4205CrudeOilPaknampho.jpg

How to move aroudn Paknam Pho during flood time if not using boat
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/rotfaithai/Paknampho_Wiz/Pkanamphorottok1.jpg

Skyprince

October 31st, 2007, 03:20 PM

I will be in Thai in 50 days --Bangkok and the muslim region of Trat. Any tips for Trat ? :D My Thai fren lives in Trat and he invites me to stay in his house.

adiyon84

October 31st, 2007, 05:02 PM

Nice pics of Bangkok.. I've never thought before that the city are so densiest and so many skyscrapers building... very interesting... :)

Wisarut

November 7th, 2007, 01:03 PM

I will be in Thai in 50 days --Bangkok and the muslim region of Trat. Any tips for Trat ? :D My Thai fren lives in Trat and he invites me to stay in his house.

For teh case of Trat, it is about 300 km from BKK ... Hat Lek checkpoint is about 89 km from downtown Trat.

Trat Provincial Hall
http://www.trat.go.th/

For the case of Trat, first on the lien would be Koh Chang .. Next would be Koh Kood

BTW, which district where your Thai friend live?

More to be seen about Trat here:
http://travel.sanook.com/east/trad/index.php

Koh Chang National Park
http://travel.sanook.com/east/trad/trad_03317.php

Koh Kood National Park
http://travel.sanook.com/east/trad/trad_03328.php

Ban Hat Lek checkpoint
http://travel.sanook.com/east/trad/trad_03339.php
http://www.mapculture.org/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=104&page=3&sort=nd

And Of course, the ttranquil beaches around Trat from Laem Ngob to Ban Hat Lek checkpoint ...

More about Trat from Pantip dot com
http://www.pantip.com/cafe/blueplanet/topic/E5363205/E5363205.html

alsen

November 9th, 2007, 01:51 PM

this one looks kinda fun. :D

How to move aroudn Paknam Pho during flood time if not using boat
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/rotfaithai/Paknampho_Wiz/Pkanamphorottok1.jpg

Skyprince

November 10th, 2007, 09:26 AM

Thanks Wisarut :banana: :banana:

Do you have pics of Trat beaches ??

Wisarut

November 23rd, 2007, 04:33 PM

Larn Sai Beach - Laem Krad Commune, Mueang District of Trat (31 km from downtown Trat on Highway 318)
http://travel.sanook.com/user_picture/b/03304_004.jpg

Klong Phrao Beach - Kochang District
http://travel.sanook.com/user_picture/b/03313_062.jpg

Beach in Koh Kood - the last island before reachign the border
http://travel.sanook.com/story_picture/b/03328_002.jpg
Ref:
http://travel.sanook.com/east/trad/trad_03304.php
http://travel.sanook.com/east/trad/trad_03328.php
http://travel.sanook.com/east/trad/trad_03313.php

nazrey

December 1st, 2007, 07:18 AM

Second bridge to Thailand costing RM2m to be opened on Dec 21
Saturday December 1, 2007

BANGKOK: The second Thai-Malaysian bridge linking Narathiwat and Kelantan will be jointly opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his Thai counterpart Surayud Chulanont on Dec 21.

Thai Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Virasakdi Futrakul said the bridge would enhance bilateral relations and facilitate people-to-people contact in the area.

The US$2mil (RM4.7mil) bridge links Bukit Bunga in Jeli, Kelantan and Buketa in Thailand’s southern border district of Waeng in Narathiwat. The construction cost was shared by the two countries.

Malaysian ambassador to Thailand Datuk Shaarani Ibrahim said major works on the bridge had been completed and would be ready for use by Dec 21.

He was speaking at the launching of the commemorative book titled Rajaphruek and Bunga Raya: 50 Years Of Everlasting Friendship Between Thailand and Malaysia 1957-2007 at the Thai Foreign Ministry here on Thursday night.

The first bridge links Rantau Panjang in Kelantan and Sungai Golok district in Narathiwat.

Virasakdi said the Thai Foreign Ministry published the book to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Thailand-Malaysia diplomatic ties. A total of 3,000 copies of the book in both Thai and English have been printed.

In his message, Abdullah said the book would be a valuable reference that reflected the close relations between the two countries and provided readers with a chronology of the development of bilateral ties.

Surayud said Thailand and Malaysia had become more than neighbours, bound together by strong historical ties and mutually beneficial responsibilities. – Bernama

skyscraperboy

December 8th, 2007, 06:01 AM

Malaysia's biggest builder to develop Thai resort

UALA LUMPUR, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's biggest builder, YTL Corp Bhd, and Lehman Brothers Investments Pte Ltd (LBI) have agreed to jointly develop a 270 million ringgit (79 million U.S. dollar) luxury resort in Thailand's Koh Samui island, local media reported on Friday.

The two may team up again for more such projects across Southeast Asia, YTL managing director Francis Yeoh Sock Ping said after signing the agreement with LBI in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

YTL is looking for properties in Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines. In Malaysia, it is keen on eastern states of Sabah and Sarawak, and central state of Pahang, he said.

LBI, meanwhile, which has a strong property portfolio in Thailand, hopes to announce some investments in Malaysia in the coming months, said Charles Rubin, Lehman Brothers' head of global real estate group in Southeast Asia.

LBI is also interested in getting into Indonesia, he added.

"We're looking forward to more joint ventures with Lehman. Independently, we're both moving in the same direction," the New Straits Times quoted Yeoh as saying.

He strongly believes that real estate in Asia has yet to realize its full potential.

"Whilst the Mediterranean and the Caribbean took 25 years to develop to realize their full potential - and property prices did indeed appreciate by 15,000 percent over the period - I foresee Southeast Asia will take only 10 to 15 years to realize its potential," he said.

Aside from Malaysia, YTL has luxury hotels in regional tourist top spots such as Phuket and Bali in Thailand and Indonesia respectively.

nazrey

December 17th, 2007, 08:01 AM

RM1.7b in projects to prevent floods
Monday December 17, 2007
TheStar

MACHANG: A whopping RM1.7bil in flood mitigation projects along Sungai Kelantan and Sungai Golok will start next year.

Natural Resources and Environment Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Sazmi Miah said that the projects entailed construction of the Lebir Dam in Ulu Kelantan to reduce the speed of water currents in the two rivers.

Creating new river diversions and building higher embankments to reduce water overflowing into low-lying areas are among the projects, he said.

A new river would be created either in Ketereh or Pulai Chondong to divert excess water from Sungai Kelantan directly into the South China Sea, he told reporters after visiting flood evacuees in Temangan here.

He said the Sungai Golok flood mitigation projects include stabilising river walls to withstand erosion during the monsoon season.

The project was hatched by the Federal Government, drawing from the experiences of the massive floods that lashed Kelantan in 2004 and 2005, in which many houses were swept away.

nazrey

December 18th, 2007, 09:41 AM

Second Thai-Malaysian bridge to open Friday
Tuesday December 18, 2007
MYT 3:38:20 PM
TheStar

KUALA LUMPUR: A second Thai-Malaysian bridge, linking Narathiwat and Kelantan, will be officially opened on Friday.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his Thai counterpart, General Surayud Chulanont, will open the RM9.2mil bridge.

Situated in Bukit Bunga in Jeli, Kelantan on the Malaysian side and Ban-Buke-Ta in Thailand’s southern border district of Waeng in Narathiwat, the 120m bridge took one year to construct.

According to a statement by the East Coast Economic Region secretariat, the new bridge is the only structure that crosses over Sungai Golok.

“Previously, crossing Sungai Golok was only possible on foot during the dry season. When the moonsoon rains come, the river swelled to become impassable.

“The bridge will encourage cross border economic activities and support the Bukit Bunga area as a growth centre," the statement read.

Wisarut

January 28th, 2009, 11:56 AM

Yup...Krung Thep is HUGE!!
Last time it took me 3 days on foot & BTS just to discover the scattered CBDs of Silom, Pratunam, sukhumvit..etc

Jakarta is Huge too but I still prefer the skyline of Bangkok.
The whitish highrises around Sukhumvit is just awesome..it's so dense!
Take the Sukhumvit line and enjoy the view from inside the train.

About 70-80 years ago, Sukhumvit area consisted of ONLY paddy fields while Huay kwang, Victory Monument, and Ari area were garbage dump of Bangkok Municiple (established in 1936)... even though Pathumwan area still had lots of tranquil and Saensaeb canal was cleaned ...

Wisarut

March 2nd, 2009, 07:13 PM

Manam Nan river - a tribulation of Chao Phraya taken at paramin Bridge
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/IMG_7895.jpg

Cock and Hen at pang Tone Phueng station
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/IMG_7722.jpg

Pang Tone Phueng station - Northern line
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/IMG_7745.jpg

Huay Rai station - Northern line
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/IMG_7720.jpg

paddy Field near Ban Dara junction
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/IMG_7909.jpg

Pang Toob Khob tunnel
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/IMG_7670.jpg

Khao Pleung tunnel
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/IMG_7676.jpg

Corn fields alogn Railway line to Denchai
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/IMG_7681.jpg

Rai Kled Dao stop - one of the latest stop in Thai railway - for Rai Klad Dao plantation
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/IMG_7685.jpg

Denchai curve durign the foggy morning
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/IMG_7687.jpg

Denchai stration - major station who wish to be the new junction by the construction of Denchai - Chaign Rai route
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f139/Wisarut/IMG_7704.jpg

silverian86

September 7th, 2009, 09:18 AM

Yala Islamic University, Pattani

from Panoramio
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/15084826.jpg

silverian86

September 7th, 2009, 09:40 AM

Pattani river port

from Panoramio
by Jayamee
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/8511926.jpg

silverian86

September 7th, 2009, 09:45 AM

Pattani central mosque

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/9777251.jpg

khosim

September 7th, 2009, 02:35 PM

Naz, more pics please..huhuhu..

nazrey

September 10th, 2009, 08:53 PM

Taken from Thai forum
Brand new airport rail link @ SBIA, Bangkok
OPEN 5 December 2009 :cheers:

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h34/arm-on/IMG_1727copy.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h34/arm-on/IMG_1986.jpg

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/3663/img2539u.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h34/arm-on/IMG_1969.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h34/arm-on/IMG_1970.jpg

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nazrey

September 10th, 2009, 09:01 PM

Malaysia-Thai venture to build 400 hi-tech silos
Published: 2009/09/11

BANGKOK: GGF Group, a Malaysia-Thai joint venture company, has secured a US$200 million (RM698 million) contract to build, own and operate 400 high-tech silos in 10 provinces.

Managing director, Datuk Dr Ronald Heng, said the silos, expected to be ready within two years, would have the capacity to store two million metric tonnes of Thai rice.

"We are building 40 silos in each province, with a 30-year guarantee lease by the government.

"Each silo, with a height of nine-storeys, can hold 5,000 tonnes of rice," he said in an interview here.

The companys signed a concession with the Thai Ministry of Commerce's Public Warehouse Organisation which buys agriculture products from farmers and stores them in their warehouse before selling them to millers and exporters.

GGF Thailand was appointed by the ministry as the authorised representative to sell up to two million tonnes of rice yearly from the warehouse.

Heng is confident the project, the company's first in Thailand, is viable as rice was a staple food with an ever growing market.

In fact, he said GGF, with vast experiences in worldwide marketing in products such as palm olein and gold, had already secured contracts worth US$150 million (RM523.5 million), including supplying 300,000 tonnes of rice to Guinea.

For next year, the company is negotiating to export two million tonnes of rice to several countries in Africa, adding that contracts have also been signed with oil-rich Nigeria.

Thailand, the world's largest rice exporter, sold 9.56 million tonnes in 2007 and 10.01 million tonnes last year.

In the first six months of 2009, Thailand sold 4.72 million tonnes of rice to overseas buyers, with about 31.4 million tonnes of paddy expected for sale from farmers this year.

Heng said the company was also setting up rice mills in Cambodia and Vietnam. - Bernama

kitti

September 15th, 2009, 01:09 PM

just have been to BKK last 2 weeks ago

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kitti

September 15th, 2009, 01:14 PM

New tallest building in Thailand

MAHA NAKHON-The Ritz Carlton Residences+Edition Hotel, 75+8 Storey-313.40 M : @Sathorn Road

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nazrey

September 15th, 2009, 08:42 PM

Thai government to borrow 801b baht
Published: 2009/09/16
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20090916000456/Article/

BANGKOK:Thailand’s government plans to borrow about 801 billion baht (100 baht = RM11.16) in the next fiscal year starting Oct.

1, up from 683 billion baht planned for the current year, a Finance Ministry official said yesterday.

Of the total, 380 billion baht will be raised from government bond issues, including straight bonds of five to 30 years in maturity and 40 billion of floating and inflation-linked bonds.

On top of that, it will raise 170 billion baht in savings bonds aimed at small investors and the rest will be financed by bank loans and promissory notes. — Reuters

nazrey

September 23rd, 2009, 03:50 PM

Kilang tenusu terbaik ASEAN
Oleh WAN NAJIB WAN DAUD 23 September 2009 / 4 Syawal 1430
najib.daud@utusan.com.my
(Yang mengikuti perasmian kilang F&N di Rojana, Thailand)
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2009&dt=0923&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Korporat&pg=ko_01.htm

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Ahli lembaga pengarah Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd. dan F&N Dairies Thailand
melihat proses membuat produk tenusu di kilang baru syarikat itu di Rojana,
Thailand baru-baru ini.

kuala lumpur 22 Sept – Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd., menerusi F&N Dairies Thailand (FNDT) yang membuka kilang baru bernilai RM250 juta di sini bakal menjadi kilang terbaik di dalam kelasnya bagi operasi tenusu di rantau ini.

Kilang yang terletak di Taman Perindustrian Rojana dekat sini didirikan di atas tanah berkeluasan 9.2 hektar berkonsepkan ala resort serta dilengkapi dengan peralatan serba canggih mampu mengeluarkan 3.5 juta tin sehari atau 900 juta setahun - jika kesemua tin itu disambung ia mampu mengelilingi dunia sebanyak dua kali.

Selain itu kilang tersebut juga bakal menjadi contoh kepada pembinaan kilang terbaru F&N di Pulau Indah, Klang yang berharga RM350 juta tidak lama lagi.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya Tan Ang Meng berkata, pelaburan bagi kedua-dua kilang di Pulau Indah dan Rojana adalah RM600 juta dengan sasaran menjadikan kilang terbaru di Rojana sebagai permulaan untuk ke pasaran IndoChina.

“Kami menguasai 45 peratus pasaran tenusu di Thailand selepas menguasai beberapa jenama yang dibeli dari Nestle selain melihat lebih banyak potensi kerana terdapat pasaran besar kira-kira 200 juta pengguna di Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Kemboja dan Vietnam,” katanya kepada media Malaysia selepas perasmian ke kilang tersebut di Rojana baru-baru ini.

FNDT membeli perniagaan susu dalam tin Nestle di Thailand dan Malaysia pada 2007, menguasai bahagian besar segmen susu pekat manis, susu sejat sejati, susu disteril dan UHT (suhu tinggi).

Kilang baru ini didirikan dalam tempoh 12 bulan dengan 1,500 pekerja sepenuh masa dan tiada bekalan stok disimpan di situ kerana ia dibawa masuk berkonsepkan hanya bila perlu, cukup untuk tempoh kegunaan selama dua hari.

Selain itu, kesemua bekalan tin pula diperoleh dari kilang bersebelahan yang membekalkan tin-tin diperlukan menerusi terowong khas yang dibina terus masuk ke bahagian pengetinan.

Manakala, bahan mentah yang diperlukan bagi tempoh sehari operasi ialah 200 tan metrik gula, 150 tan metrik minyak sayuran serta 120,000 susu segar yang diperoleh dari pengeluaran purata 12,000 ekor lembu dari 1,500 ladang tenusu di seluruh Thailand.

Menurut Ang Meng, bekalan tenusu yang diperoleh itu adalah bagi menyokong usaha kerajaan Thailand yang mahu membangunkan ladang ternakan tenusu di negara tersebut.

nazrey

October 5th, 2009, 01:53 PM

Notion Vtec expands into Thailand
Published: 2009/10/05

NOTION Vtec Bhd (Notion) is expanding into Thailand with the acquisition of a production facility in Ayutthaya province to support its camera business initially and other customers in the disk drive space, eventually.

The new facility is set over about five acres and cost RM5.05 million.

It is expected to start production in the first quarter of 2010, according to Kenaga Research in a statement today.

"We are very positive on the announcement of Notion's acquisition, given that existing facilities in Malaysia are already operating to the brim, on the back of rising demand," Kenanga stated.

The hard disk drive business which accounts for 44 per cent of the company's revenue, is seeing continuous strong demand from key customers namely Western Digital, the research house said.

Kenanga also said that the camera segment is seeing an uptick in demand. The segment contributed 46 per cent to the company's revenue.

PlanetNova

October 6th, 2009, 03:57 AM

New tallest building in Thailand

MAHA NAKHON-The Ritz Carlton Residences+Edition Hotel, 75+8 Storey-313.40 M : @Sathorn Road
So excited for Bangkok, Great city btw!

nazrey

October 12th, 2009, 02:07 PM

Thai Wants Malaysia To Continue To Help Bring Peace To South
October 12, 2009 19:13 PM
By D.Arul Rajoo

BANGKOK, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- Thailand has requested Malaysia to continue its programmes to help the kingdom bring peace, stability and prosperity to the restive southern provinces.

Defence Minister Pravit Wongsuwan told visiting Chief of Defence Force Gen Tan Sri Azizan Ariffin that Thailand appreciated the 3E" (Education, Entrepreneurship, and Employment) initiatives carried out by Malaysia.

Thai and Malaysian officials said Pravit was happy with the commitment and assistance shown by the Malaysian government and defence forces in the past 50 years in their relationship with their Thai counterparts.

During the meeting, Pravit also told Azizan that he hoped that cooperation in the southern provinces would be further strengthened when Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his counterpart, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, visit the area in December.

"The minister hopes the visit will show both governments' commitment to help reduce the violence there and bring more confidence among the people," one official said.

Azizan, who was the Chief of Air Force in the past three years, became the Defence Forces Chief last September.

During his visit here, he also met his counterpart, Gen Songkitti Jakabatra and Air Force Chief ACM Itthaporn Subhawong.

According to the officials, Azizan told Pravit that despite the collaboration on the southern issue, Malaysia had no intention to get involved in Thailand's internal matters.

"Tan Sri told the minister and high-ranking military officials that Malaysia would continue with the 3E programmes, such as the Mara training programmes," a Malaysian official said.

Azizan also proposed to Songkitti that both of them make a visit to the southern region bordering Malaysia prior to the visit by the two prime ministers.

More than 3,600 people had died in daily violence in the Muslim majority provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani since separatist groups resumed their armed campaign in January, 2004, to seek independence.

-- BERNAMA

nazrey

October 12th, 2009, 09:17 PM

---

nazrey

October 12th, 2009, 09:18 PM

Group aims to have 20 hotels under its wings by 2015
Published: 2009/10/13

MALAYSIAN owned and operated Impiana Hotels & Resorts hopes to have 20 hotels under its ambit by 2015, says its top official.

It plans to either own, manage or do a combination of both for these hotels that could be in Malaysia or abroad.

The group, with a hotel presence in Malaysia and Thailand, hopes to make inroads into the Middle East market by end-2010.

"We hope that in the next two to three years we are able to sign 10 management contracts," chairman Datuk Seri Farouk Abdullah said.

"Businessmen from the Middle East have approached us, we should be there (in the Middle East) next year to manage hotels," he told Business Times.

There are five hotels under the Impiana brand now, and a sixth - Impiana Kota Noi will open in December 2009.

On where else it would like to see the Impiana hotel brand, Farouk said that it would also like to be in Krabi and Bangkok in Thailand.

The group's hotel operation now enjoys a gross operating profit (GOP) of 30 per cent with its hotels in Thailand enjoying between 43 per cent and 45 per cent in GOP.

GOP is gross revenue (from rooms, food and beverage, laundry or business centre) minus the cost of operations.

The five hotels contributed some RM80 million in revenue last year.

Given the current economic environment and the Influenza A (H1N1) flu, Impiana projects that its performance in 2009 will be the same as in 2008.

In 2010, revenue from hotel operations is expected to improve by a tenth.

The Impiana group is part of the KAB Group. Hotel operations and property development each contribute 40 per cent to total group revenue.

nazrey

October 13th, 2009, 05:21 AM

Impiana to invest RM200m in new Malaysian, Thai hotels
By Vasantha Ganesan Published: 2009/10/13

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/iimpia/Article/Current_News/BTIMES/Images/btgraph10/impiana.jpg

HOTELIER Impiana Hotels & Resorts will invest some RM200 million over the next three years for new hotels in Malaysia and Thailand.

The hotels will be within the Klang Valley, in Tioman, Pahang, and in Phuket, Thailand.

Chairman Datuk Seri Farouk Abdullah, in a recent interview with Business Times, said it is now building 12 luxury private villas with individual pools, in Kata Noi, Phuket at a cost of RM40 million.

To be ready by end-2009, the Kata Noi hotel is expected to garner between RM3,700 per night for a 1,200 sq ft villa to RM5,500 per night for a 2,500 sq ft suite.

In Malaysia, Impiana group is keen to run a four-star or five-star hotel in Petaling Jaya, Selangor or in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur and it has budgeted RM100 million for this.

"We are in talks with a few people, but it is still preliminary," he said.

And if it cannot find a suitable property, it will look at building a hotel at one of the two locations it has identified.

He expects to fund the purchase of building with internal funds and borrowings.

"We are working towards raising the funds," he said.

Meanwhile, Farouk said Impiana may also develop up-market villas in Tioman island.

"We are looking at Tioman. We have 10 ha of land there. We are looking at 30 to 40 units of luxury villas," Farouk said, adding that this could cost between RM50 million and RM60 million, excluding land.

Hotels under the group with the Impiana brand are Impiana Resort Cherating, Impiana KLCC Hotel & Spa, Impiana Koh Samui and Impiana Phuket Cabana Resort.

Impiana is also buying the Impiana Casuarina Ipoh, which it has been managing for two years, for RM44 million from Perak Corp Bhd.

The hotel, now rated as a three-star, will undergo a RM5 million makeover to be upgraded to a four-star property and help garner a higher room rate of RM230 and occupancy of 75 per cent.

Meanwhile, Farouk said that is still in talks to buy between 20 per cent and 25 per cent stake in Impiana KLCC from its owners Heritage Lane Sdn Bhd.

nazrey

October 14th, 2009, 08:58 PM

Samart i-Mobile unjur 54 kedai konsep
Published Date : 07 October 2009
Source : it@Metro, Harian Metro

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RASMI...kedai konsep Samart i-Mobile ke-19 dilancarkan, baru-baru ini.

SAMART i-Mobile (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, baru-baru ini melancarkan kedai konsep ke-19 di pusat membeli-belah The Mines sejak ia memulakan operasi di negara ini lima tahun lalu dari Thailand.

Syarikat itu mengunjurkan untuk membuka 35 lagi kedai konsep di seluruh negara menjelang akhir 2009 untuk menjadikan keseluruhannya 54 kedai konsep, 17 pusat servis dan 50 lokasi kutipan perkakasan untuk diservis.

Faktor itu sekali gus memudahkan orang ramai mendapatkan produk dan perkhidmatan di sekitar tempat mereka tinggal dan tempoh servis telefon bimbit dari satu jam hingga tiga hari.

Pengurus Besar, Samart i-Mobile International Co Ltd, Phanthep Chatnarat, berkata sejajar dengan kempen terbaru All You Need Is Real akan menumpukan kepada produk, perkhidmatan tambah nilai dan perkhidmatan lepas jualan yang mana ia meliputi keseluruhan sokongan kepada pelanggan i-Mobile.

Kekuatan produk i-Mobile bukan bergantung kepada kualiti telefon bimbit itu dengan komponen bertaraf dunia semata-mata, malah diperkaya dengan ciri unik dan istimewa termasuk TV Phone, skrin 180 FFS, menu peribadi, dwiSIM dan kamera 8 megapiksel dengan pengesan muka/senyuman.

Menurut Phanthep, i-Mobile akan menyediakan perkhidmatan tambah nilai kepada pelanggan menerusi pelancaran aplikasi i-Link bulan depan untuk penyediaan kandungan mudah alih percuma serta kandungan pindah turun pada kadar caj rendah.

Sejajar dengan pelancaran kedai konsep baru itu, wakil negara Samart i-Mobile (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Tedd Chua, berkata lima model baru telefon bimbit diperkenalkan dari siri 6 iaitu i-Mobile TV 620, i-Mobile TV 628, i-Mobile 640 dan i-Mobile 650 TOUCH.

nazrey

October 16th, 2009, 10:40 PM

Malaysian corporate leaders have 'face-off' with Thai PM
From Zuraimi Abdullah
Published: 2009/10/16

BANGKOK: Some of Malaysia's top corporate personalities had a "face-off" with Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as they began a hectic two-day visit here yesterday.

The likes of Sapura Group president Datuk Seri Shahril Shamsuddin, K&N Kenanga Holdings Bhd group director Tengku Zafrul Tengku Aziz, Berjaya Sports Toto Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Robin Tan and Ethos & Co managing partner Omar Mustapha formed part of the Kuala Lumpur Business Club (KLBC) delegation visiting the kingdom.

The delegation - led by its president Rohana Mahmood who is also Ethos Capital chairman - and Abhisit had exchanged views for about half an hour at the Thai Parliament House.

Abhisit fielded questions on social, political and economic affairs of both Thailand and Malaysia.

Among thorny issues, he said he was frustrated on the lack of pace among Asean countries to deepen bilateral trade, allowing new economic forces like China and India to widen the gap in terms of attracting investments and developing their domestic market.

On a lighter note, Abhisit said Oxford graduates appeared to have an edge over their peers from the Cambridge University when it comes to managing Thailand. Besides himself, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij and the current Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Baribatra graduated from Pembroke College, Oxford University, the UK.

Rohana, meanwhile, said this was the first time KLBC had organised a business trip to Thailand. Since its inception in 2003, KLBC has gone to Singapore, Hanoi, Jakarta, New York, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Manila.

"The objective of this visit is to touch base with some of Thai senior government and private sector officials, to network and share information while showcasing Malaysian companies and industries," Rohana said.

Other members in the trip are PricewaterhouseCoopers executive chairman Datuk Johan Raslan, Kuok Brothers Sdn Bhd chairman Kuok Khoon Ho, Westports Malaysia Sdn Bhd executive director Ruben Emir Gnanalingam and Brunsfield Corp

nazrey

October 21st, 2009, 03:44 PM

CIMB Thai Bank sells office block for RM100mil
Published: 2009/10/21

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PETALING JAYA: CIMB Thai Bank plc, a 94% subsidiary of the CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, is selling its office block in Sathorn, Bangkok for RM100mil as part of its rationalisation plan to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

The deal was anticipated to be completed by December, CIMB Group said in a filing on Bursa Malaysia.

“Currently we are operating with excess space, as the bank’s office operations in Bangkok are spread between its buildings in Sathorn and Langsuan. By early next year we will all be operating from one site at Langsuan building,” said CIMB Thai president and chief executive officer Subhak Siwaraksa in the statement.

The Sathorn property consists of a 26-storey tower block and a three-storey building with a land area of 2,706 sq metres. The sale is in line with the bank’s policy of remaining asset-light and to use its capital more effectively.

CIMB Thai is a commercial bank with 147 branches in Thailand, offering a wide range of financial products like stockbroking and corporate advisory, mutual funds, wealth management and insurance. As of end June, its total assets and shareholders’ funds stood at THB134bil and THB7.1bil respectively.

nazrey

October 28th, 2009, 08:32 PM

Mustapa admits Thailand trumped Malaysia in auto sector
October 28, 2009
By Lee Wei Lian

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 — Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Mustapa Mohamed admitted today that the Thai auto industry had surpassed Malaysia’s despite entering the game at a later stage.

He also urged national carmaker Proton to find a strategic partner without which he said, it would find it “almost impossible” to survive in the global market.

“It is true that Thailand has done better and started later,” he replied at a press conference when asked to compare Malaysia to Thailand.

“We are mindful of that. I admit that they have done better. We would like to do better.”

Malaysia has a chance however to carve a niche for itself in the green auto industry following the announcement of several incentives for manufacturers of hybrid and electric vehicles and components in the National Automotive Policy (NAP) review announced by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) today.

These include 100 per cent investment tax allowance or pioneer status for a period of ten years and a choice of either an exemption of 50 per cent on excise duty or a grant from the Industrial Adjustment Fund.

Mustapa added that incentives would also be extended to those who invest in the roll out of infrastructure needed to support the charging of electric vehicles and that the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water would be drawing up a roadmap to develop the infrastructure for electric vehicles, which are seen as the wave of the future.

The country however, has to be aggressive in developing the green sector as other countries such as US, Japan, Australia, Singapore and even China are drawing up long term plans to become leaders in non-carbon emitting vehicles such as those powered by electricity or hydrogen.

The NAP review unveiled today is aimed at promoting Malaysia as an automotive hub but it faces an uphill battle.

MITI secretary general Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Mamat pointed out today that Malaysia is the world’s smallest producer of cars, and that by 2020, the number of global vehicle manufacturers would shrink from 15 to just ten.

Malaysia signalled its ambitions to be a player in the auto industry in the mid-1980s starting with the launch of Proton and later Perodua.

Since then however, the two marques have failed to make significant headway in the international market, and is glaringly absent from the world’s most sought after car market — US. It also has only a limited presence in the China market, which is on track to overtake the US as the world’s largest.

Meanwhile, protective measures aimed at making foreign cars more expensive meant that brands like Volkswagon, Honda and Toyota that are commonplace in other countries are out of reach for most ordinary Malaysians who have had to settle for local brands that often had their quality questioned.

Among the steps the government took to boost the local auto industry in the NAP review include 100 per cent pioneer status and investment tax allowances for the design and production of critical and high value components such as transmission systems, brake systems and airbag systems.

It is also aiming to enforce mandatory standards. Out of 156 Malaysian standards that have been developed, only six — involving seatbelts, helmets, tyres and lighting and signalling — are mandatory.

It was announced that the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation would be formulating the roadmap on the enforcement of mandatory standards.

The government would also phase out the import of used parts effective June 2011 and used commercial vehicles from January 2016.

Apart from incentives for green technology, the more environmentally friendly Euro 4M fuel standard will be implemented by 2011 and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will draw up a roadmap for fuel standards and safety.

Rahman lamented that the current low standard of fuel has meant that foreign car makers send vehicles that have lower specifications to Malaysia.

“Right now we are using under-specd cars,” he said

Vice president of the Malaysian Automotive Component Parts Manufacturers, Peter Chan Kok Heng said that the NAP review will boost the local parts industry, now valued at about RM6 billion annually, by preventing the import of used parts and by allowing foreign luxury car makers to setup wholly owned car manufacturing operations for vehicles above 1,800 cc.

He added that the car parts industry currently exported about RM1.3 billion per year.

OSK auto analyst Ahmad Maghfur said that he found the NAP review generally positive, transparent, and open compared to the previous review in 2006.

“Thailand still gives better incentives but the new measures will upgrade the standards of the local supply chain,” he said.

According to statistics given by MITI, the Malaysian car industry has 4 manufacturers and 9 assemblers. They are supported by 690 parts manufacturers which produce 5,000 different parts.

The national car projects are Proton, Perodua, Inokom, Naza Kia and Isuzu Hicom.

To quality for national status, companies must prove that they have invested at least RM500 million, create employment, undertake research and development and have brand ownership.

silverian86

November 8th, 2009, 08:41 AM

Pattaya city

from photo forum
by Hartfried Schmid

Pattaya city,Chonburi province

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by hn.

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silverian86

November 8th, 2009, 09:02 AM

Phuket

[B][FONT="Arial Black"][SIZE="2"][COLOR="RoyalBlue"]8. Phuket

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Hatyai, Songkhla

Hatyai city Heaven!

by mahacanon

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nazrey

November 16th, 2009, 11:34 AM

CIMB plans US$136m Thai listing by mid-2010
Published: 2009/11/16

BANGKOK: Malaysia’s CIMB Group Holdings plans to raise about 4.5 billion baht ($136 million) from a public offering in the Thai market by the middle of 2010, the Thai bourse said on Monday.

Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) President Patareeya Benjapolchai told reporters that was part of a push to get more foreign companies to list on Southeast Asia’s fourth-largest bourse.

CIMB, Malaysia’s second biggest bank, which owns 94 percent in CIMB Thai Bank, would be the first foreign company to have a dual listing in Bangkok after the bourse and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved new guidelines in October.

“The listing will enhance our profile to investors and the general public in Thailand and make it easy for them to be able to invest in the growth of a regional bank,” CIMB Chief Executive Nazir Razak said in a statement.

CIMB, with a market value of $13.7 billion, would be among the top three companies listed on the SET and the largest financial group. Thailand’s top lender, Bangkok Bank, is valued at $6.5 billion.

The Malaysian bank planned to sell up to 35 million shares in the initial public offering to retail and institutional investors in Thailand. The plan is subject to approval by CIMB shareholders and authorities in the two countries.

At 0715 GMT, CIMB shares were up 2.6 percent, outperforming a 0.5 percent rise in the Malaysian index.

The Thai unit of CIMB rose 2.3 percent to 1.78 baht at the midsession break, outperforming a 1.1 percent gain in the overall Thai market.

Thailand is trying to encourage high-profile foreign firms to list in Bangkok to make it more attractive to foreign investors.

The Thai market’s value of $166 billion puts it behind Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia in Southeast Asia.

Under new rules effective from Dec. 1, foreign companies that are already listed in a country where its SEC cooperates with Thailand’s SEC will be allowed to list in Thailand without a lengthy filing process.

Thailand’s benchmark SET index has risen 57 percent this year, but it is still the second-worst performer after Kuala Lumpur.

Several small Thai companies have launched IPOs in the third quarter after sentiment on the stock market improved.

Reuters

nazrey

November 16th, 2009, 10:12 PM

CIMB shares hit new high
By Chong Pooi Koon Published: 2009/11/17

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/mbtai/pix_topright

CIMB Group plans for a dual listing in Thailand next year that will boost its profile to investors and the public in the region

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (1023) shares rose to a new record yesterday after it announced plans for a dual listing in Thailand next year that will boost its regional profile.

The stock rose 2.8 per cent to close at RM13.28, which led the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI to end 0.6 per cent higher at 1,278.31 points.

CIMB is set to become the first foreign company to float shares on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) after regulators there approved last month a set of new guidelines for foreign listings that will take effect on December 1.

CIMB plans to offer 35 million shares to retail and institutional investors in an initial public offering that may raise up to RM452.2 million based on its current share price.
The listing is expected to be completed by the end of June next year, subject to approvals from its shareholders and regulators in both countries.

"This move amplifies our commitment to Thailand," CIMB group chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Seri Nazir Razak said in a joint press statement with the SET in Bangkok yesterday.

"The listing will enhance our profile to investors and the public in Thailand, making it easy for them to invest in the growth of a regional bank," Nazir said.

The SET has 476 listed companies worth a combined RM555.2 billion, compared with Bursa Malaysia's RM865.4 billion market value.

CIMB, with a market value of RM47.6 billion, will be among the top three companies on the SET and the largest financial services group when it is listed next year.

"The SET truly welcomes CIMB Group as our first foreign listing," the exchange's president Patareeya Benjapolchai said.

"The listing offers Thai investors a worthy alternative and will raise the profile of the Thai market in the eyes of global fund managers.

"We are ready to support the company in the listing process to realise its intention," she added.

CIMB already owns 93.2 per cent of the SET-listed CIMB Thai Bank plc after a purchase last year.

The Thai lender will stay listed on the exchange for now, its president and CEO Subhak Siwaraksa said.

"However, the group's proposed listing would be an opportune time for us to reconsider this in consultation with our shareholders."

nazrey

November 18th, 2009, 12:51 PM

CIMB Thai shares hit 3-year high
Published: 2009/11/18

SHARES in CIMB Thai Bank soared 26 per cent at the opening today, extending yesterday’s 30 per cent surge after its parent, Malaysia’s CIMB Group, announced a plan to list in Bangkok.

At 0309 GMT, the stock was up 26.7 per cent at 2.94 baht, the highest since August 2006. The main Thai index was up nearly 1 per cent.

The Malaysian bank, which owns 94 per cent in CIMB Thai Bank, plans to sell up to 35 million shares in an initial public offering. - Reuters

nazrey

November 19th, 2009, 07:22 AM

CIMB Thai soars
Published: 2009/11/19
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/cimthai/Article/

BANGKOK: Shares in CIMB Thai Bank soared as much as 26 per cent yesterday, extending Tuesday's surge after its parent, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, announced plans to list here.

The stock rose 30 per cent on Tuesday - the maximum permitted daily rise - as the listing plan stoked speculation the Thai unit might delist, putting a premium on its stock.

By 0401 GMT, the stock was up 24.14 per cent at 2.88 baht (28.8 sen), coming off its highest since August 2006 of 2.96 baht (29.6 sen) in early trade.

The main Thai index was up 0.39 per cent.

The low liquidity of CIMB Thai stock exaggerated its rise, analysts said. CIMB Thai said yesterday that 6.85 per cent of its paid-up registered capital, or 914 million shares, was free to trade and that CIMB Group owned 93.15 per cent.

Some analysts felt that the stock would not go much higher.

"It's already too expensive as the price is now at five times book value. I see no point snapping up the stock again. There's no fundamental drive," said Worawat Saisuphatphol, a banking analyst at KGI Securities (Thailand).

CIMB Group, which owns 94 per cent of the Thai unit, plans to raise about 4.5 billion baht (RM452 million) by selling up to 35 million of its own shares in an initial public offering in Thailand by the middle of next year. - Reu-ters

nazrey

November 19th, 2009, 08:21 PM

AirAsia sets its sights on listing in Thailand
By Jeeva Arulampalam Published: 2009/11/20

Low-Cost carrier AirAsia Bhd has plans for a dual listing in Thailand to achieve its vision of becoming a full-fledged Asean airline.

The airline has harboured plans of listing abroad since the inception of its Thai and Indonesian associate airlines some five years ago, AirAsia group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes said.

"The plan is to list AirAsia group in Thailand and later on in Indonesia. The performance of both associates is dramatically improving and we are working on a suitable structure to inject them into a common share," Fernandes told Business Times in an exclusive interview yesterday.

AirAsia is the second Malaysian company to announce intentions of listing in Thailand, following CIMB Group Holdings Bhd's announcement on Monday.

"It's so crucial that more liquidity is created in the Asean economies and we applaud the regulators from both countries for taking proactive measures to do so. The Asia growth story should not just be about China and India," said Fernandes.
He said that by focusing on a single Asean airline identity, AirAsia will have a common identity among the 600 million people in the region and strengthen its brand.

The airline is currently in discussions with lead arranger CIMB Group to map out its listing details. Both CIMB Investment Bank Bhd and CIMB Thai Bank are actively engaging regulators from Malaysia and Thailand on AirAsia's behalf.

"It's still too early to provide details on when and how many shares will be floated. But we are looking at issuing new shares," Fernandes said.

He said the listing structure would be similar to CIMB Group's dual listing in Thailand.

CIMB Group plans to offer 35 million shares to retail and institutional investors in an initial public offering that could raise some RM452.2 million based on its current share price.

It will be the first foreign company to float shares on the Stock
Exchange of Thailand (SET) after regulators there approved last month a set of new guidelines for foreign listings that will take effect on December 1.

AirAsia's current market value on Bursa Malaysia is RM3.61 billion.

Its share price rose 3 per cent to end at RM1.31 yesterday.

Although there were plans to privatise AirAsia Bhd last year, Fernandes said the airline was committed to remaining listed on the local stock exchange.

AirAsia, which will release its third quarter results today, expects its associate airlines to turn profitable by the end of this fiscal year.

This will be achieved as the associates grow their routes and replace their ageing fleet of Boeing 737s with new Airbus 320s.

AirAsia has a 49 per cent stake each in Indonesia AirAsia and Thai AirAsia.

nazrey

November 20th, 2009, 03:16 PM

Thailand may invoke ISA: Deputy PM
Published: Friday November 20, 2009 MYT 2:36:00 PM
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/20/nation/20091120144035&sec=nation

BANGKOK: Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the Thai government may invoke the Internal Security Act in response to the announced rally of the anti-government “Red Shirt” United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) at the end of this month, the Thailand News Agency (TNA) reported.

Prospective marchers have pledged to bring down the government.

The government will assess the situation with prudence, Suthep said, and will consider which locations need to use the security act to avoid causing any disturbance to the public.

The plan to apply the security act will be proposed to the Cabinet next week, said the deputy prime minister.

The UDD announced their planned movements Thursday, saying they would continue rallying to oust the Abhisit Vejjajiva government until it leaves office, beginning Nov 28, but will recess for several days from Dec 2, during the king’s birthday observances.

UDD leader Nattawut Saikua said the rally will begin at the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Road and that the participants will then march to Suan Misakawan intersection.

The protest will continue through Dec 2, with the organisers promising that more than one million Red Shirt activists will call for the end of the Democrat-led coalition government. -- Bernama

nazrey

November 27th, 2009, 05:14 PM

Proton Exora To Hit Thai Market Next Week
November 27, 2009 16:03 PM
By D. Arul Rajoo

BANGKOK, Nov 27 (Bernama) -- With over 7,000 of its cars already on the road, Proton is set to launch its maiden multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) Exora in the Thai market at the Thailand International Motor Expo next week.

Based on initial feedback from the media and industry experts, Phranakorn Auto Sales general manager (operations) Apichart Wangsatorntanakhun said they were expecting a good response from Thai buyers.

"We took more than a dozen journalists to test the Exora in Malaysia. Exora received excellent reviews from the media, as well as those who came for discussion with us and saw the car at our showroom," he said in an interview here.

The Nation daily, in its review Friday said that Exora, with good handling and ride balance for its class, combined with versatile interior, was a good value as a family-mover against the smaller Toyota Avanza and the pricey Honda Freed.

Proton made its entry into the Japanese manufacturers-dominated Thai market at the end of 2007 to take advantage of the low five per cent import duty imposed under the Asean Free Trade Area agreement. Phranakorn was appointed as its official distributor.

According to Apichart, Exora's competitive pricing matched with quality, interior design and various accessories like leather seats and DVD player would enable it to compete with other MPVs in the market.

"It's value for money...it's similar to what Japanese manufacturers have been doing and is their secret for success. But now, their cars are a bit over priced," he said, adding that Honda Freed launched here two weeks ago was priced at between 894,000 Baht and 1,074,500 Baht (RM1 = 10 Baht).

Apichart said the 1.6-litre engine with five-speed manual or four-speed automatic Exora in five colours would hit the market in the price range between 699,000 Baht to 799,000 Baht.

Launched on April 15 in Malaysia, the Exora model has received 26,000 bookings todate, and 17,000 units were already registered in the domestic market there, as well as making its debut in Indonesia and Singapore.

Apichart said since its entry into the highly-competive market, Proton had sold more than 7,000 cars, with the top model being Savvy.

Asked on Phranakorn's sales target for Exora, Apichart said they had set a high target but declined to reveal.

"Overall, we hope to get about 900 bookings for all our models during the motor show.

"In fact, we are giving free insurance and free leather seats for Savvy buyers," he said.

Last year, Proton, which has 35 dealers nationwide, received 863 bookings during the popular expo attended by more than 1.5 million people. There were 14,000 orders.

Other Proton models available here are Neo, Gen 2, Persona and Persona CNG.

He said the overall sales was good, considering the weak Thai automotive market where sales dropped by 20 per cent for passenger cars and 28 per cent for pick-ups.

-- BERNAMA

nazrey

December 1st, 2009, 07:38 AM

Exora to fuel Proton sales in Thailand
From Sharen Kaur
Published: 2009/12/01

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/prot30/pix_topright

BANGKOK: National carmaker Proton Holdings Bhd (5304) expects to sell 65 per cent more cars in Thailand next year, fuelled by the Exora multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), which it is launching at the Bangkok International Motor Expo today.

It is also launching the Saga 1.3 in the third quarter of 2010, as it expects the Savvy to be phased out by then, said Lee Weng Yew, the area manager for the company's export division.

Proton made its entry into the Japanese-dominated Thai market at the end of 2007 to take advantage of the low 5 per cent import duty imposed under the Asean Free Trade Area agreement.

Since then it has sold 5,800 cars, namely Neo, Gen 2, Persona and Savvy. It expects to sell 300 more cars in December this year, through Phranakorn Auto Sales Co Ltd, its appointed official distributor, Lee said.
"We have seen two years of excellent success in such a competitive country like Thailand. With the kind of synergy we have with Phranakorn, we are optimistic of reaching our target of 10,000 cars by the end of next year," he said yesterday.

Lee said the gameplan for Thailand will be similar to Malaysia where it will continue to offer affordable cars in the market.

He said the Exora and Saga will drive car sales for Proton in Thailand.

Thailand is expected to contribute 10-12 per cent to Proton's total export market for the financial year ending March 31 2010, Lee said.

The rest will come from Proton's most active markets like Indonesia, China, Syria, Egypt and Iran, apart from Thailand.

Proton expects to sell 25,000 units of its vehicles in the overseas market in the current year, and 150,000 in Malaysia.

Lee added that Proton will spend up to RM9 million on roadshows, mainstream media and marketing campaigns in Thailand next year.

Phranakorn general manager (operations) Apichart Wangsatorntanakhun said Exora will be the cheapest MPV in the market but it will be one with quality, offering various accessories like leather seats and DVD player.

nazrey

December 8th, 2009, 07:32 AM

Peace drive by KL, Bangkok
2009/12/08
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/20091208075633/Article/index_html

BANGKOK: Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said his visit to southern Thailand with Datuk Seri Najib Razak tomorrow is very significant and will send strong signals that both countries want to see peace in the region and an end to the violence there.

In an exclusive interview with Bernama at his official residence, Ban Pitsanulok, here yesterday, he said the visit would send a strong signal that both countries did not condone violence.

Abhisit said he was confident that both Thailand and Malaysia could address the needs of the people in the southern Thai provinces.

“Malaysia is a good friend that would be able to assist Thailand,” he said.

Najib, who arrived in the Thai capital last night to lead a Malaysian delegation to the Fourth Annual Consultation at Government House here today, will travel to Narathiwat tomor row.

More than 3,500 people have died since separatist groups resumed their armed campaign in January 2005 to seek independence for the three Muslim-majority provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.

Asked why he had declined Najib’s proposal that Bangkok consider giving autonomy to the provinces, Abhisit said the reaction reported in the media was not an accurate summary of their meeting.

He said both of them had discussed the matter and reached a good understanding when they met during the Apec leaders’ meeting in Singapore last month.

Abhisit said there was already a system of government which focused on decentralisation, and “I think that is what Prime Minister Najib supports”.

Unfortunately, he added, theword “autonomy” meant different things to different people.

“When I read the (Najib) interview (with the Thai media) and when I was asked to comment, I said if autonomy means decentralisation, if it means responding to special needs, then we are happy to do that.” Najib’s suggestion on autonomy was met with resistance here as many Thais considered it a form of independence.

Stressing that his governmentwas doing everything possible to end the southern conflict, Abhisit said the current government had put in a new direction in policy, with emphasis on development and justice.

“We have been steadily implementing what we call the special economic zones. A lot of investments will be made. We have clear targets in terms of raising income opportunities for the local people there.”

In terms of justice, Abhisit said, the government was about to revamp the administrative structure and trying to change the legal regime that used special laws in related areas.

“We need some time and patience to build trust and prove that we are sincere about this new approach.” On his working relationship with Najib and the overall ties between the two countries, Abhisit said both of them came into office within the last one year and both were very focused in making sure that the relationship would be enhanced and would blossom further.

He also said there was great potential for improved bilateral ties in economic cooperation and other forms of cooperation.

“So far, we have a very good working relationship and we thinkwe can make sure that both our peoples can benefit from the work that we do.” Abhisit said there were challenges for both countries in terms of security, such as transboundary issues, which needed to be addressed jointly.

He felt there should be increased cooperation between Thailand and Malaysia in tackling human trafficking, drugs and crime.

He said the Thai government appreciated Malaysia’s assistance through the 3E (education, employment and entrepreneurship) programme and there was also the possibility of expanding the scheme which was originally aimed at developing the southern border provinces.

“By visiting the area (in southern Thailand) together, we will be able to see how we are making progress in terms of catering to the special needs of the local people in education and the economy,” said Abhisit, who will accompany Najib to the Att Arkiah Islamiah Institute, which has more than 4,000 students and a cocorriculum in both Islamic studies and modern subjects. — Bernama

nazrey

December 9th, 2009, 06:36 AM

Malaysia, Thailand Enjoy Excellent Relationship
December 08, 2009 22:57 PM
By D. Arul Rajoo

BANGKOK, Dec 8 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Thailand are enjoying excellent relationship at all levels and much progress have been made on many important initiatives, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Tuesday night.

He said relations between the two neighbours had been friendly and substantive, with significant economic cooperation that was on the upward trend.

"For instance, I am encouraged to note that there are more Proton cars on the road in Bangkok today compared to a few years ago. The flow of people between our two countries for tourism activities is impressive," he said in his speech at the dinner hosted by his counterpart, Abhisit Vejjajiva at the Government House.

Earlier, Najib led Malaysia's delegation at the Fourth Annual Consultation and would later visit the restive southern province of Narathiwat with Abhisit.

"I look forward to the historic trip as I will have the opportunity to witness first-hand the situation on the ground as well as efforts undertaken by the Thai Government to bring peace and stability to the region," he said.

Najib said while the southern conflict which has claimed more than 3,500 lives was a domestic problem of Thailand, Malaysia would render whatever assistance to help the Kingdom to resolve the problem.

In his speech, Abhisit said as fellow members of the Asean family and especially as countries with shared border, the two countries' peace and prosperity were interdependent.

"What happens on one side of the border will inevitably affect the other side. It is for this reason that during the past years, Thailand and Malaysia have focused cooperation on the situation in the Southern Border Provinces of Thailand," he said.

According to him, since 2007, both had been collaborating closely under the Confidence Building Measures through the 3 E's - education, employment and entrepreneurship to address the south issue.

"The presence in person of Prime Minister Najib in Narathiwat is a testimony of Malaysia's goodwill in working closely with Thailand in ensuring peace and progress in our border areas," he said.

-- BERNAMA

nazrey

December 15th, 2009, 05:54 AM

Maybank denies it's bidding for Siam City
By Rupinder Singh Published: 2009/12/15
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/siambank-2/Article/index_html

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/siambank-2/pix_topleft

Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) (1155)has denied news reports that it is making a bid to buy Siam City Bank, Thailand's seventh largest lender.

"Maybank would like to state that it is not making any bid for a stake in Thailand's Siam City Bank, as speculated in recent news reports," it told Business Times through e-mail.

It was responding to a foreign news report, which claimed that Maybank was among six banks that were expected to bid for a 47.6 per cent stake in Siam City.

"Maybank wishes to emphasise that our regional growth strategy remains focused on organic growth in our key markets and in creating synergies to extract best value from our regional acquisitions," it said.

The other banks mentioned in the report were HSBC, Standard Charteredc, Australia & New Zealand Banking Group, Thanachart Capital and Bank of Nova Scotia.
Bank of Thailand, the central bank of Thailand, is planning to sell its 47.6 per cent stake in Siam City Bank to raise US$1 billion (RM3.4 billion).

It intends to complete the sale by the end of March and subsequently sell its entire holding.

Thailand is granting new licences to foreign institutions in a bid to encourage investment and increase competition in its financial industry.

The stake sale in Siam City Bank will be the second by Bank of Thailand since it agreed to sell 42 per cent of BankThai to CIMB Group in June last year.

nazrey

December 15th, 2009, 11:00 AM

Malaysia Willing To Help Thailand Set Up Islamic Bank
December 12, 2009 14:41 PM

BACHOK, Dec 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is willing to send financial and banking experts to help Thailand set up an Islamic bank in the three provinces in the restive south for the benefit of the Muslim residents.

Deputy Finance Minister Senator Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussein said the experts could be sent at any time if the Thai authorities requested their assistance.

"We will do anything to help the Muslims, especially those in the three provinces bordering Malaysia," he told reporters after meeting the villagers of Kampung Daramain, Perupuk, Saturday.

He said the proposal was part of Prime Minsiter Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's promise to his Thai counterpart, Abhisit Vejjajiva, when he visited the region on Thursday.

Dr Awang Adek said the bank could be set up in a month or two.

He said peace in the three provinces -- Patani, Narathiwat and Yala -- must be speeded up for the benefit of the Muslims who formed the majority of the residents there.

If peace could be established, it would provide more economic and investment opportunities to benefit the residents on both sides of the border.

He said the government was also considering extending aid in the form of Malay language and Islamic religious teachers for lower secondary schools and centres of higher learning there.

-- BERNAMA

nazrey

December 17th, 2009, 11:57 AM

Proton Beats Korean, Continental Brands At Thai Expo
December 17, 2009 18:02 PM

http://www.cartype.com/pics/2961/small/proton_logo.jpg

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 (Bernama) -- Proton sales bookings at the recent Thailand International Motor Expo beat all Korean and continental brands, positioning it within the ranks of Japanese brands, the Malaysian automotive manufacturer said.

In a statement on Thursday, Proton said it clinched the number six position in car bookings made during the Dec 2-13 expo in Bangkok, securing 1,388 bookings out of the total 25,220.

Topping the list was Toyota with 7,230 bookings, followed by Honda (4,239), Isuzu (2,539), Mazda (2,277) and Mitsubishi (1,518).

The performance of Proton which launched the Exora MPV during the show, also preceded more established names such as Toyota, Isuzu and Mitsubishi that benefitted from the sales of their pick-up models, the company said.

"This indicates the support and confidence of Thai customers towards the fairly new brand, which offers value-for-money and reliable vehicles," it added.

The Exora was the best selling Proton model securing a total of 825 bookings, which accounts for almost 60 per cent of Proton's 1,388 units sold during the event.

Proton Savvy was the next best-seller recording 19.5 per cent of the total bookings.

"The progress reflects a positive performance in Proton's export and brand awareness initiatives," the company said.

In the statement, Proton Holdings Bhd group managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir said: "This is only an initial indication that all our export initiatives are showing positive signs of success.

"We have been, and still are, working very hard in paving our way through our identified export markets, and we are glad that Thailand has accepted and recognized us.

"As the automotive hub of South East Asia, we are very encouraged by the growth and prospects Thailand has to offer. With it being an important MPV market in the region, we are pleased that the Exora has been well accepted."

Thailand is Exora's fourth export market after Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei, and the fifth Proton model in the country ever since the Malaysian car manufacturer entered the Thai market in 2007.

Proton has since successfully placed itself among the top 10 brands in passenger car sales in the country.

-- BERNAMA

nazrey

December 17th, 2009, 11:58 AM

Malaysian banks stand tall: Analysts
Published: 2009/12/17

http://www.atien.com.my/atien%202009/images/stories/cimb_logo.jpg

MALAYSIAN banks are poised to make an unprecedented regional impact, via acquisitions and foreign listings, next year after having stood firm in 2009.

The year was marked by an almost shattered global banking and financial industry as 115 banks fell from the fallout of the credit crunch.

The silver lining was obviously the announcement by CIMB Group Holdings Bhd, the country's second largest financial services provider in terms of assets, to move for a dual-listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) as part of efforts to stamp its regional presence.

The dual-listing, expected to be completed in the first-half of next year, will be the first on the SET and rank among the top three-listed companies.

"It may not only be a flamboyant start for the banking industry next year but also a trendsetter as there are other Malaysian banks with regional presence which could make the same move," said an analyst when contacted by Bernama.

Listing in the respective market gives a sense of belonging, and by far, a bigger market reach in both consumer and business sectors, he said.

At the beginning of the crisis in 2008 and earlier this year, Malaysian financial and banking institutions felt the pinch, in terms of reduced loans growth, with some taking measures to reduce workforce.

All forward loan indicators rebounded in September 2009 due to improved consumer and business sentiment with overall loans application surging 5.1 per cent, year-on-year, compared with –16.8 per cent in 2008.

Loans obtained were mainly for the purchase of residential properties and passenger cars.

Besides the RM67 billion stimulus package and the Central Bank's accommodative policy, which helped cushion the country's economy overall, the government's bold measures in liberalising the sector helped it to remain vibrant.

Bank Negara Malaysia also announced, at end 2008, blanket guarantee on local and foreign-currency bank deposits until end-2010.

The central bank also kept the overnight policy rate at the lowest level of two per cent.

The Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) recently said it expects the overnight policy rate to be relatively unchanged at least until the end of 2010.

The government too several initiatives, including liberalisation of the sector, to strengthen the international dimension of the Islamic financial system and increase the inter-linkages with other parts of the world.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced several liberalisation measures which will open the doors for another seven new foreign banks to participate in Malaysia's financial sector between 2009 and 2012.

Included in the liberalisation measures are increasing foreign equity holdings to 70 per cent in investment banks, Islamic banks, insurance companies and takaful operations.

Insurance and takaful operators are now allowed to open more branches while foreign commercial banks are accorded greater flexibility to open additional branches on a progressive basis.
Two mega Islamic Bank licences, with a paid-up capital of US$1 billion, was also announced.

Bank Negara Governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz indicated that interest to take up the banking licence has been extremely good.

Meanwhile, the Ringgit also performed fairly well against all other major currencies namely the greenback, yen and the pound sterling.

However, there could be serious problems in the exchange rate alignment next year, especially with the re-pegging of the Chinese yuan to the US dollar, said MIER's out-going Executive Director Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Mohamed Ariff.

" The dollar is overvalued and the yuan is undervalued. How can you put these things together?. It won't hold on for long," he said recently, expecting a volatile exchange rate in coming months.

" It's going to be a serious problem that no central bank can single-handedly deal with. They have to get together and take a coordinated measure," he cautioned. - Bernama

nazrey

December 17th, 2009, 08:24 PM

Thai Company Signs Franchise Deal To Set Up 44 Tune Hotels In Five Countries
December 17, 2009 23:46 PM

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b2/1Tune_Hotels_logo.png

BANGKOK, Dec 17 (Bernama) -- Evolution Capital, listed on the Stock Thai Exchange, is planning to invest over US$200 million in the next few years to build, refurbish and operate 44 Tune Hotels.com in five countries.

The company has signed a franchise agreement with Tune Hotels.com.

Its President, Simon Gerovich said 24 hotels would be operated in the first phase within the next four years, with the first scheduled to be operational in Thailand's premier resort island of Phuket by 2010.

Besides newly set up hotels, half of them would be existing hotels to be refurbished as Tune hotels.

"We are leasing most of the land or space for 30 years to keep our initial cost low," he said at the announcement of the franchise agreement between Tune Hotels.com and Evolution Capital.

Tune Hotels.com was represented by its Group Chief Executive Officer Mark Lankester at the event on Thursday.

The Thai partner, a real estate investment advisory and management firm focuses on hospitality and branded residential sectors.

Gerovich said besides Thailand where about half of the 44 hotels would be built, Evolution also planned to set up the limited service hotel brand in China, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Indonesia.

Depending on locations, Gerovich said each hotel would have between 79 and 150 rooms, adding that they were hoping for occupancy between 70 to 80 per cent, with average rate of US$20.

Lankester said Thailand was one of the leading tourist destination in the region, and the entry of Tune into the market would bring in significant revenue to the group in the future.

"We are on track to have 65 to 68 hotels operational by 2013 and 100 by 2015. Once this is achieved, we hope to get most of revenue from overseas operations as generally Malaysia's hotel room rates are already very low," he said, citing the RM500 he had to pay for a two-star hotel in India as a comparison.

He said their seven hotels currently operating in Malaysia and Indonesia were getting an average of 95 per cent occupancy, adding that over 500,000 guests have stayed in these hotels so far.

He said the company planned to enter other markets being served by AirAsia, such as India, Australia and United Kingdom.

-- BERNAMA

ArkinMourad

December 24th, 2009, 08:37 PM

Thailand International Motor expo 2009

my pics from Proton boot

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_igYzdMcz3VU/Sya5MjNqsdI/AAAAAAAADPo/VWgz7Iuk2C0/P1130697.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_igYzdMcz3VU/Sya5LXVmNpI/AAAAAAAADPk/KcrbwyAr2pQ/P1130696.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_igYzdMcz3VU/Sya5KoH4-AI/AAAAAAAADPg/X312D0JzurQ/P1130695.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_igYzdMcz3VU/Sya5InhnHKI/AAAAAAAADPY/JGgLqXRmcKc/P1130693.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_igYzdMcz3VU/Sya5JvlVLGI/AAAAAAAADPc/dVsq6Xd5-As/P1130694.jpg

nazrey

December 28th, 2009, 05:35 AM

Minorities hold key to CIMB Thai delisting decision
By Chong Pooi Koon Published: 2009/12/28

http://logo.jobsdb.com/TH/JobsDBFiles/CompanyLogo/5359.gif

CIMB Group Holdings Bhd (1023), which plans a dual listing in Thailand next year, says minority shareholders hold the key to whether it will delist CIMB Thai Bank pcl after that.

Group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Nazir Razak said it will consult the small shareholders of its 93.2 per cent-owned CIMB Thai before a decision is made.

The group bought into CIMB Thai, a local bank listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, last year.

"Unlike Malaysia, Thailand doesn't have the 10 per cent squeeze-out rule. So, the decision to delist will be largely in consultation with the minority. We will take a sample for opinion and act based on the feedback," Nazir told Business Times in an interview in Kuala Lumpur.

Both investors in Malaysia and Thailand reacted positively after the group announced the dual listing plan last month. The listing is expected to boost CIMB's regional profile, especially in Thailand, Nazir said.
CIMB Thai is one of the smallest lenders in that country and many people there are not even aware of its business at all.

"CIMB is not well known today in Thailand. Some people still ask what business CIMB Thai does," Nazir said. "The listing will generate greater familiarity among Thai people with CIMB Group and (make them) realise how big the group is."

When listed by June next year, CIMB will be poised to become among the top three firms on the SET.

CIMB, which has expanded regionally into Indonesia and Singapore besides Thailand, is also interested to be listed in Jakarta.

Nazir said it had simultaneously expressed its dual listing interest to regulators in both Thailand and Indonesia, and the change of rules that allowed this to happen had come first in Thailand.

"When Indonesia has the rules in place, we will also consider," he said.

Its Singapore operation, however, was too small to warrant a listing, Nazir added.

nazrey

January 4th, 2010, 10:14 AM

CIMB Thai Appoints Chakramon As Chairman
January 04, 2010 16:03 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 4 (Bernama) -- CIMB Thai PCL has appointed Chakramon Phasukvanich as chairman of its board of directors effective Jan 1, 2010.

Chakramon takes over from Datuk Robert Cheim Dau Meng who was acting chairman since Tawee Butsuntorn completed his term on April 28, 2009.

"The group is confident that Chakramon's abilities and insight will add tremendous value to the management team at CIMB Thai," CIMB Group chief executive Datuk Seri Nazir Razak said in a statement on Monday.

Chakramon, 61, has amassed considerable experience from working in the public and private sectors.

At present, he is a member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of Thailand, the Judicial Council of Thailand and the Economic Advisory Team of the Prime Minister's office.

-- BERNAMA

nazrey

January 22nd, 2010, 06:34 AM

CIMB Thai posts profit for FY09
Friday January 22, 2010

PETALING JAYA: CIMB Thai Bank Plc, a 93.15% subsidiary of CIMB Bank Bhd, registered a net profit of 1.7 million baht for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2009 (FY09) compared with a two billion baht loss in FY08 as a result of two successive quarters of profitable operations.

CIMB Thai also saw a 6% year-on-year growth in revenue to 6.9 billion baht, driven by the expansion in non-interest income on the back of robust fee income, gains from the sale of investments and dividend income.

It had also improved its asset quality by reducing total gross non-performing loans by 6% year-on-year, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd told the stock exchange.

nazrey

January 25th, 2010, 04:28 PM

Thai army works to build trust after Najib's visit
2010/01/25
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/23kbe/Article/index_html

SUNGAI GOLOK (Thailand): The meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his Thai counterpart Abhisit Vejjajiva last month brought a positive impact in terms of security, especially to Muslims living in restive south Thailand.

Narathiwat Task Force commander Gen Paiboon Kumchaya said the Thai army took the cue from the meeting and had introduced immediate measures to solve conflicts in the troubled areas that included Yala and Narathiwat provinces.

He said the most important step for the Thai military now was to be "friendly and to work closely" with the Thai Muslim community.

"It may have no direct impact in reducing the number of bombings but the move is more on a strategic level to make the people feel safe.

"For example, Malaysians and Thais can move freely across our common border without fear.

"In other words, we allow them to do their daily work and will not disturb their movements.

"We will also provide them with assistance when the need arises," he said after a visit to the Al-Taqwa mosque in Kampung Terah here on Friday.

Accompanied by Paiboon's deputy, Col Songwit Noonpackdee, eight journalists from Kelantan spent almost two hours visiting the village.

When asked about the feedback from villagers, especially Muslims, Paiboon said the Thai army had received good response as both sides got to know each other.

"With the cooperation of Thai government agencies, our work to reach out to the people in every corner of the southern province over the past five years has become easier," he said.

He added that the number of soldiers stationed along the Thai-Malaysian border was sufficient to monitor the area.

But the Thai army is planning to strengthen its cooperation with other enforcement agencies such as the Customs Department to monitor border crossing activities.

Meanwhile, the majority of villagers that the Malaysian journalists spoke to said the presence of almost 60,000 soldiers in the Thai south, including 8,000 in Narathiwat, had provided them with a sense of security as the army could deter attacks by insurgents.

anusorn_ab

January 26th, 2010, 04:00 AM

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THE BANGKOK PANORAMAS

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Credit : thepowermancity (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/member.php?u=241128)

Bangkok Night & Day

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Credit : chengo (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/member.php?u=336880)

anusorn_ab

January 26th, 2010, 06:00 AM

New Thai-Malaysian border crossing, long-delayed, opens soon

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SONGKHLA: -- A new Thai-Malaysian border crossing in Thailand’s southern province of Songkhla connecting its Na Thawi district and Durian Burong village in Malaysia’s Kedah state will soon be open in spite of current unreadiness on the Thai side.

Despite a Thai-Malaysian cooperation project agreement to open such a border crossing, it has been about a decade so far that Ban Prakob border town in Na Thawi district has not properly functioned as a Thai border crossing, as only 20 per cent of the project’s work has been done on the Thai side since the agreement was signed.

On the other hand, public buildings and infrastructure have long been constructed and ready on the Malaysian side of the border.

According to local Thai residents, the main problem obstructing the project is compensation to local residents for expropriated land.

"In my opinion, if compensation is paid for the land expropriated here,” said a local resident, "there’d be no problem and the project could of course continue. It’s been a problem that landowners were not paid when their land was taken, so everything’s held-up." He said he was uncertain whether the compensation problem originated with the government or elsewhere.

Two years ago, many merchants came to Ban Prakob to open shops and restaurants in the hope that the local economy would be vibrant. As the area is the closet to Malaysia’s capital of Kuala Lumpur, compared to other checkpoints in Thailand’s Songkhla province, the vendors also believed the new border crossing would attract large numbers of shoppers from both countries to daily crowding through the border crossing.

However, several had to close their businesses due to the construction delays of the project.

"This is humiliating. All the Malay buildings and infrastructure are finished, and attractive, while ours is still a building site with only containers and building frameworks,” said a local merchant.

She lamented that public utilities--electricity and the water system--on the Malaysian side are appropriately installed, but the Thai side must rely on electric generators. Without them, the Thai area looks like a dark and dangerous jungle.

Nonetheless, the border crossing at Ban Prakob will officially be opened by Thai authorities on January 10, despite unfinished public offices and infrastructure, because the Thai-Malaysian cooperation project agreement indicated that the border crossing must open within ten years after the accord was signed, and the time is up.

According to the Thai authorities, Thailand will speed up and finish all its construction within two years.

"This area must be developed to equal the area across the border in Malay territory, and we’re working on it. The problem now is paying local residents for the land which has been used. We are working on getting a government budget for the compensation," said Songakhla governor Winyu Tongsakul.

In less than a week, [tomorrow January 10], Ban Prakob border town becomes an official border crossing for Thais, Malaysians and others alike, while all inconveniences and problems at hand leave much to be desired amid comparisons on utterly different developments between Thailand and Malaysia.