71.   Earlier this month a Thai company signed a gold and platinum mining agreement for two blocks.

72.   Earlier, Finance Minister Tarrin Nimmanahaeminda attempted to persuade Japanese banks to agree in principle to convert their loans extended to Thai companies into yen.

73.   Easing debt repayment for Thai companies is a crucial factor in whether and how soon the country will recover from its economic crisis.

74.   Eventually forced to resign, Suchinda was granted an amnesty and now sits on the board of directors of Telecom Asia, a blue-chip Thai company.

75.   Fearing an increase in non-performing loan levels, the financial institutions now shun lending to struggling Thai companies.

76.   Finance Minister Amnuay Viravan told reporters Wednesday that the corporate tax on Thai shipping companies stunted their growth.

77.   Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya said the government would lend the money to affected Thai companies.

78.   For production, a U.S. company, Planet Electric Inc., formed a joint venture with a Thai company, Pholasith Tuk-tuk.

79.   Foreign creditors often complain that Thai companies selectively pay off some favored creditors, diminishing the pool of assets available to other creditors.

80.   Foreign partners provide know-how to Thai partners, he said, adding that Thai companies now need foreign money to improve liquidity.