traditionally strong, and where sales were unusually strong in the prior period in connection with the World Cup soccer tournament, and due to seasonally heavy rains and floods in the northeast depressing demand

heavy rains and floods in the northeast depressing demand for DIY home improvement categories where Thai Watsadu is traditionally strong. Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited Page 6 III

beginning of the year, depressing farm income and the purchasing power of farm households, which represent a majority of the population. Coupled with high levels of household debt, these factors limited the

the US administration and the Federal Reserve. Despite gloomy predictions prompted by the economic downturn, domestic political uncertainties and suspension of investment projects in Map Ta Phut