Thai AIS to spend at least $500 mln on 3G

BANGKOK, April 10 (Reuters) - Advanced Info Service ADVA.BK, Thailand's top mobile operator, said on Thursday it would spend an initial $500 million on a third generation mobile service (3G).

AIS has said it expected to get government approval for the service by the fourth quarter.

Thailand's mobile subscriber base is expected to rise 20 percent this year and the company planned to boost non-voice revenues to 10 billion baht this year, AIS Chief Executive Somprasong Boonyachai told a shareholder meeting. ($1=31.60 Baht) (Reporting by Khettiya Jittapong; Writing by Viparat Jantraprap; Editing by Darren Schuettler)