PRESS DIGEST - Thai newspapers - Jan 18

BANGKOK, Jan 18 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading stories in Thai newspapers on Tuesday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. BANGKOK POST - Sahaviriya Steel Industries Pcl (SSI), Thailand's largest hot-rolled steel producer, may seek a listing on the London Stock Exchange in its bid to become an international company. - Soft drink sales at Serm Suk Pcl, the local bottler of Pepsi, Mirinda and 7-Up, grew by 9 percent last year, beating industry growth of 6 percent despite shareholding conflicts with trademark owner PepsiCo. THE NATION - Thailand's economy could show a steep growth rate of as much as 6 or 7 percent this year, if there were no political protests to erode investor confidence, according to Thai Chamber of Commerce Chairman Dusit Nontanakorn. - Krung Thai Bank Pcl and TMB Bank Pcl will be behind the 38.5 billion baht bridge loan needed by Big C Supercenter Pcl to purchase the Carrefour business in Thailand. - Chinese enterprises are boosting their investments in Thailand in a big way, with the first of three joint ventures with Thai partners being a sprawling wholesale trading centre worth 28.8 billion baht near Bangkok. - TOT Pcl will announce by Wednesday the names of the qualified bidders for the roll-out of its nationwide third-generation wireless telecom network worth 17.44 billion baht ($571 million). KRUNGTHEP THURAKIJ - Cambodia's Appeal Court is expected to decide today whether to grant bail to five Thais being held in Prey Sar prison on trespassing charges. - Thitikorn Pcl expected motorcycle sales growth in Thailand of 5 percent, saying rising interest rates would not hurt its operating performance. ($1=30.53 Baht) Keywords: THAILAND PRESS/ (Bangkok Newsroom +66 2648 9721, e-mail: bangkok.newsroom@reuters.com) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved.

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