18 October 2000 The President The Stock Exchange of Thailand Bangkok Dear Sir, Re: Investment in Capital Increase of Berli Asiatic Soda Co., Ltd. by Berli Jucker Specialties Limited, a subsidiary of Berli Jucker Public Company Limited We refer to the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of Berli Asiatic Soda Co., Ltd. No.3/2543 held on 11 October 2000, which resolved to approve a capital increase of the company from Baht 10,312,500.00 divided into 1,650,000 shares at Baht 6.25 each to Baht 40,000,000.00 divided into 6,400,000 shares at Baht 6.25 each by issuing 4,750,000 new ordinary shares at a value of Baht 6.25 each. The newly issued shares will be allotted to 2 existing shareholders i.e., Berli Jucker Specialties Limited not exceeding 2,375,000 shares and The East Asiatic (Thailand) Public Company Limited not exceeding 2,375,000 shares at Baht 6.25 per share. The subscription period has been scheduled on Wednesday, 18 October 2000 from 9.00 hours to 12.00 hours and all subscribers will be required to make full payment upon subscription. We would like to report the status of shareholding after the subscripiton and allotment as follows: Shareholding Status before Capital Increase Shareholders No. of Shares Percentage Berli Jucker Specialties Limited 824,998 50.00 The East Asiatic (Thailand) Public Company Limited 824,996 50.00 6 Minor shareholders 6 0.00 1,650,000 100.00 Shareholding Status after Capital Increase Shareholders No. of Shares Percentage Berli Jucker Specialties Limited 3,199,998 50.00 The East Asiatic (Thailand) Public Company Limited 3,199,996 50.00 6 Minor shareholders 6 0.00 6,400,000 100.00 Yours faithfully, BERLI JUCKER PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED David John Nicol President & CEO