Born:   30 November 1949
Education:
1973 — B.A. in Economics, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
1975 — M.A. in Economics, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
1988 — Ph.D. in Economics, Washington University, St.Louis, Missouri, USA
1999 — Advanced Management Program (AMP) Certificate Harvard University, USA
2007 — Ph.D. (Honorary) in Economics, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
Experience:
2006 - present — Governor, Bank of Thailand (BoT)
2002 - 2006 — Deputy Governor, Financial Institutions Stability, BoT
2001 - 2002 — Assistant Governor, Financial Markets Operations Group, BoT

The net profit of Charoen Pokphand Foods Plc (CPF), Thailand’s leading agro-industrial and food conglomerate, during last year has increased by 1.45 times from the previous year to about 3.13 billion baht, with the sales revenue reaching almost 156.24 billion baht.
According to its Wednesday’s financial statement to the Stock Exchange of Thailand, CPF said the sales revenue of 156,238 million baht has reached its 2008 target as about 63 percent of the revenue was from the domestic operations, 16 percent from exports and another 16 percent from oversea operations.
The statement …

The Electricity Generating Plc (EGCO) saw its net profit from last year’s operations drop 18 percent from 2007 to about 6.93 billion baht and plans to invest more in neighbouring countries this year.
Vinit Tangnoi, president of EGCO Group, on Tuesday told reporters that the EGCO Group’s total assets had however increased nine percent from the end of 2007 to 58.33 billion baht while the total liabilities rose 10 percent to almost 12.79 million.
Although the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) has forecasted that Thailand’s gross domestic product (GDP) would …

YLG, one of the new agents, promotes its futures trading service

Thailand Futures Exchange Plc (TFEX) has authorized four gold-related agents to handle gold futures trading, along with existing 36 member brokers, from March 2 onward.
TFEX’s managing director Kesara Manchusree yesterday disclosed that four gold shops have passed the requirements for gold futures trading agents, set by TFEX, Thai Clearing House Co., Ltd. and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The new gold-related agents, Kesara said, are Hua Seng Heng Gold Futures (HGF), MTS Gold Futures (MTSGF), TC Ausiris Futures (TCAF) …

The Bank of Thailand (BoT) yesterday cut its policy interest rate by 50 basis points to 1.50 percent with an aim to support economic recovery and safeguard price stability.
The central bank’s assistant governor Duangmanee Vongpradhip said the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) found that the ongoing global financial crisis had resulted in an economic slowdown worldwide with high uncertainty surrounding the economic outlook.
She said the sharp decline in external demand adversely affected Thailand as well as other countries in this region through a marked contraction in exports.
The MPC, she said, also …

Thailand’s oil and gas powerhouse PTT Plc yesterday reported its net loss of nearly 22.19 billion baht for the fourth quarter of last year, resulting in a drop of 47.1 percent in net profit to 51.7 billion baht for the entire 2008 from the previous year.
In 2007, the country’s top energy firm posted a net profit of 24.48 billion baht in the fourth quarter and a net profit of 97.8 billion baht for the entire year.
PTT’s chief executive officer and president Prasert Bunsumpun stated in a statement submitted to …