AOT
APPS moving forward – AOT’s board has approved the hiring of 2S Consortium to operate the Advance Passenger Processing System (APPS), an online passenger-information exchange system, to improve customs and immigration services and shorten entry time at airports. The consortium consists of Somapa Information Technology and Samart Comtech. AOT will charge Bt35/passenger and expects to start this system on October 1, 2015, applied only to passengers passing through Suvarnabhumi. (Daily News, Bangkok Post, 26/03/15)

BEC
BEC plans to raise ad rate this year after no rate hike for the past three years. However, it depends on how intense the competition from digital TV is. (Kao Hoon, 26/03/15)
Comment: BEC is still the number 1 channel operator in thailand today in terms of ad rates, but digital tv is definitely going to be an issue for them with the increased competition

CENTEL
CENTEL expects Bt20bn revenues this year (from Bt18bn last year). 1Q15 earnings should be strong from high occupancy rate. The company is studying JVs in Myanmar and Sri Lanka. (Thun Hoon, 26/03/15)

Comment: Still is and forever will be a B grade, no wait C grade version of MINT

CI

CI expects earnings turnaround this year from loss of Bt20.6mn last year, backed by strong condominium sales. This year, the company will launch four new projects and is studying setting up a Bt1.2bn REIT. (Thun Hoon, 26/03/15)

Comment: And they’ve been actively buying back their shares in the market.

DTC
DTC plans to set up two joint-venture companies in the Philippines under in which it will hold 40%. It plans to penetrate into school and 5-star hotel business in the Philippines. It expects to get the contract to manage a 400-room hotel in Saudi Arabia in 2Q15. (Thun Hoon, 26/03/15)

EPG
EPG expects revenues at Bt8.5-8.6bn or 25-30% YoY growth in 2015 boosted by contribution from TJM. The company is studying M&A projects in China and Thailand. (Kao Hoon, 26/03/15)

GC
GC expects revenue growth of 8-10% this year backed by more orders and limited impact from weakening baht, it has forward contracts to ward off currency risk. Recently, the company joined with Technogreen company to introduce a new product. (Thun Hoon, 26/03/15)

JAS
JAS plans to an alliance with Chinese and Japanese companies to bid for 4G in 4Q15, with an investment more than Bt35bn and target clients of 1-2mn. It expects to break even within 1-2 years. It targets revenue growth of 20-25% and net profit growth of 15-20% in 2015. (Thun Hoon, 26/03/15)

MLINK
MLINK is studying M&A and JV projects in solar, waste and wind power plants, expected to finalize in 2Q15. The company is interested in more JV projects in Laos (power plant) and Vietnam. (Thun Hoon, 26/03/15)
Comment: the recent deal with Samart does add to the firms credibility that they are able to source these projects. but with their current balance sheet and plans to expand furthers , don’t be surprised to see a cap increase.

PCA
PCA plans an alliance for its new project in telecoms by April this year, expecting to boost revenue by 20-30%. It expects its 1Q15 earnings to be flat YoY. It has projects in hand of Bt300-400mn, on which revenue will be gradually realized this year. It expects to get new projects worth Bt500-600mn this year. The outlook for its international business is also good. (Thun Hoon, 26/03/15)

SAMART
Subsidiary Samart Comtech awarded a project to set up the APPS system for AOT. It will operate under a 5-year contract and will charge Bt27.50 per passenger per flight. The Suvarnabhumi Airport has international passengers of around 34mn per year. (Kao Hoon, 26/03/15)

TTCL
TTCL targets revenue growth of 10-20% this year with a backlog of Bt34bn, of which Bt10bn was added in 1Q15. It expects to get a new project worth US$500-800mn, including a Bt200mn petrochemical project in Laos in 2Q15. (Kao Hoon, 26/03/15)

TRU
TRU expects 10% revenue growth and better net profit this year backed by improving Thai auto production at 10%. The company plans to JV with partners to develop new products. (Kao Hoon, 26/03/15)

TWZ
TWZ launch strategic plan called “Smart Phone For Everyone”. Subsidiary TZ Trading is penetrating into Myanmar, and will put product booths in “Myanmar Horeca 2015”. It has also opened the door for applications by dealers, which has met a good response. (Thun Hoon, 26/03/15)