51.   Currently, Thai banks are allowed to book income for six months if the borrower cannot finance the interest.

52.   DBS will help the Thai bank to cope with the uncertainties in the local banking industry through its long experience.

53.   Dealers said the selloff was triggered by foreign investors concluding that Thai banks, like many other listed corporations, are headed for disappointing growth and increasing loan problems.

54.   Equally important is the need for Thai banks to prepare for liberalisation and competition with foreign banks.

55.   For bank staff, Chulakorn of BOA said the capabilities of existing banking executives should be improved in-line with the development of Thai banks.

56.   For instance, some Thai banks have closed foreign offices which were opened when they envisioned Bangkok as some type of Southeast Asian banking hub.

57.   Fitch IBCA said it had sent a draft of its comments to all Thai banks for their input and feedback, and received replies from all but two.

58.   He added that the successful recapitalisation of Bangkok Bank and, earlier, Thai Farmers Bank underlined a certain degree of international confidence in the Thai banks.

59.   He said the first stage for Thai banks is to struggle for liquidity and capital injections from foreign partners.

60.   He said that unlike Thai banks, US banks prefer working in teams and decentralisation.