ThaiVest Editorial Team

FLIGHTS AND HOTEL RESERVATIONS NOW MANDATORY- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok has instructed the Thai Embassies and Consulates abroad to be stricter with requirements when applicants are applying for 60-days Tourist visas for Thailand.

Internet search engine Google has officially opened its representative office in Thailand in a drive to boost local content of its web services and the visibility of its business online.

Air Asia-backed budget hotel group Tune is opening four locations in Thailand, with plans for more in the country and globally as part of an expansion aiming to have over 100 locations by 2014.

While stock markets the world over continue their bearish ways, real estate is becoming an increasingly attractive form of investment. In Asia, the market has seen major growth recently, and industry experts anticipate the expansion to continue into the future, according to Property Wire.

Central Pattana's president and chief executive Kobchai Chirathivat spoke with The Nation's Pichaya Changsorn recently about his management principles and the current restructuring and business expansion strategy of Thailand's largest retail developer. The following is an edited excerpt from the interview.

CP All, the Thai operator of 7-Eleven convenience stores, has frozen its planned expansion into China and Vietnam and now intends to promote its outlets in the domestic market strongly to drive annual gross margin by at least 0.3 per cent.

The Tourism and Sports Ministry plans to waive visa fees for visitors of more countries to boost tourism.

First-time car buyers will get tax waivers of up to Bt100,000 each and first-home buyers will be eligible for a zero mortgage rate for five years, Deputy Finance Minister Boonsong Teriyaphirom said yesterday.

OfficeMate Plc (OFM) was established in 1994 by the Ounjai family, which had 40 years in stationery and office equipment distribution, and listed on the Market for Alternative Investment on July 28 last year.