Thai economic growth in the second half is expected to outpace the first half’s rate, underpinned by a recovery in domestic demand, says a senior official at the Bank of Thailand. Source: Business

Charoen Pokphand Foods Plc (CPF), the SET-listed subsidiary of agribusiness giant Charoen Pokphand Group, has acquired a 95% stake in Paulsen Food GmbH (PF) for about 466 million baht, a move aimed at expanding its food business in Europe. Source: Business

The Bank of Thailand and the Thai Bankers’ Association (TBA) have agreed to adopt a standardised quick response (QR) code for PromptPay, a move that will allow consumers to use a single QR code in making payments through every local bank network. Source: Business

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will work with the Finance Ministry to review its controversial proposal that the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) contribute 90% of its annual net profit to the imminent Capital Market Development Fund (CMDF). Source: Business

Hong Kong-listed Tan Chong International Ltd (TCIL) remains committed to producing Subaru vehicles in Thailand in early 2019, starting with the Subaru Forester. Source: Business

The Board of Investment (BoI) has approved investment incentives for 40 projects in the biotechnology sector involving research and development (R&D). Source: Business

SET-listed Saha Pathana Inter-Holding (SPI), the investment holding firm of Saha Group, the country’s leading consumer product conglomerate, is set to become one of the largest food companies based on market capitalisation after its acquisition of three food companies under the Saha Group. Source: Business

National oil and gas conglomerate PTT Plc is calling on qualified engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) firms to take part in the bidding process for the 30.4-billion-baht expansion of Rayong’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal. Source: Business

Traveling around a country as vast as Russia is bound to throw up some logistical problems. Source: Sports

Seventy-four customers have sued the distributor of Korea King frying pans for damages totalling 9.6 million baht while also seeking another 1.6 billion baht for all users in Thailand in a class-action lawsuit. Source: Business