กรุงเทพฯ--26 พ.ย.--BankThai TPG Newbridge has shown its readiness to subscribe to BankThai Plc's rights offering. The bank will issue 4,449.80 million shares to existing shareholders. BankThai states that TPG has expressed its intention of subscribing to the new shares to maintain its holding. TPG Newbridge holds a 24.99% stake in the bank. In order to ensure that the Bank’s rights offering is fully subscribed, and that the bank is adequately capitalised, TPG and FIDF, the two major shareholders of BankThai, have also agreed to buy any unsubscribed shares. Mr. Daniel Ashton Carroll, a TPG representative and a director of BankThai said “Despite the sluggish economic conditions, and recent uncertainty surrounding the bank’s investments, TPG and its partners have confidence in the future potential of the Thai economy and its banking industry. We are a long-term investor with considerable experience in investing in the financial sector in Asia." TPG's other investments in financial institutions include Korea First Bank, Shenzen Development Bank in China, Taishin Financial in Taiwan and Shriram Transport Finance in India. On 25 April 2007, BankThai raised its capital by selling 731,450,194 shares worth Bt3,050 million to TPG Newbridge and two other investors - Blum Capital and Marathon Asset Management.