Thai Airways under fire for low-flying Melbourne flight

THAI Airways will explain to Australian authorities in 30 days why one of its passenger aircraft flew too low in a “serious incident” on its approach to Melbourne on Sunday.
A THAI source yesterday said the national flag carrier and the Thai Civil Aviation Department are conducting a joint inquiry to determine the facts behind the [...]

Retro recipes to relish

New suburban eatery revives Thai dishes from yesteryear in idyllic setting
As we approached one of the most exotic-looking restaurants we’ve stumbled upon in years, the clamour of cars in the background reminded us that we weren’t, alas, at some five-star resort on a remote island, but still slap-bang in the middle of this bustling metropolis [...]

Quest for excellence

Leading Swiss watchmaker Rolex has unveiled five new models in its famous Oyster Perpetual collection in Bangkok. The new models were first unveiled earlier this year at BaselWorld 2011, the world’s biggest annual watch and jewellery fair, in Switzerland.

The new Rolex Lady-Datejust in diamonds, gold and steel.
The five new models are the Oyster Perpetual Explorer [...]

Central paying B720m for Ootoya Japanese chain

Central Restaurants Group (CRG) has taken over the Ootoya Japanese restaurant chain in Thailand to strengthen its food business.The move is part of a strategy to lift sales of CRG to 15 billion baht within five years, from 7 billion expected this year.
 Showing off menu items, from left: Thiradej Chirathivat, CEO of Central Restaurants Group; [...]

AIS goes 3G in spite of legal jams

Network upgrade seen as best option for now
Advanced Info Service, the country’s largest mobile operator, has started commercial 3G wireless broadband services as part of its 10-billion-baht network expansion this year.
 Mr Wichian is flanked by Somchai Lertsutiwong (left), executive vice-president for marketing, and Thitipong Kiewpaisal, vice-president for marketing, at yesterday’s launch, where the company also [...]

Aide to Thaksin accused of graft

SEC says US liquor giant paid out millions
A senior politician in the Thaksin Shinawatra administration has been implicated in a multi-million-dollar bribery case involving the makers of Johnnie Walker whisky.
Liquor giant Diageo will pay US authorities more than $16 million to settle charges that it bribed officials in India, Thailand and South Korea, US officials [...]

Hotel Muse Bangkok is coming soon

Arriving mid September 2011, this new member to the MGallery Collection portfolio will bring to Bangkok its first hotel inspired by the golden age of travel
Rising high above one of the city’s most desired residential districts, Hotel Muse Bangkok features 174 lavish guest rooms along with a distinctive array of dining and entertainment venues – [...]

Acer sees cloud lifting tablet sales

Acer, the world’s second largest PC maker, is aiming to be a leader in Android-based tablets in the Thai market next year following its recent acquisition of a US-based cloud-technology company.
 A boy tries out an Acer Iconia tablet computer at the company’s booth at the semi-annual Commart IT show in Bangkok last week.
The Taiwan-based maker [...]

Rice exporters feel threatened

Cheaper neighbours’ supplies may be tapped
Thai rice exporters are already looking for alternative supplies from Vietnam and Cambodia in case the new government makes the price too dear for export, which could halve volume to only 5 million tonnes next year for a revenue loss of 60-70 billion baht.
The Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA) has [...]

Democrats face a tough choice for party’s new sec-gen

The firetrucks and fireboats scandal could come back to haunt the Democrat Party’s acting deputy chief Apirak Kosayodhin, as he vies for the position of party secretary-general.
 Who will be first among equals? Korn Chatikavanij (left) and Apirak Kosayodhin are the top names for the post of Democrat secretary-general.

Mr Apirak has reiterated his innocence and vowed [...]