BRIEF: Demand for air conditioners cools off

Air conditioner sales in Thailand are expected to edge up only 5% this year, in the wake of a surge in purchases after the floods of 2011. Siam Daikin Sales Co, the local distributor for Japan's Daikin Industries Ltd, forecasts muted growth on last year's 30-billion-baht market, said chief executive Bandhit Sriwanlapanon.