(EnergyAsia, May 18, Monday) — Thailand’s leading coal miner, Banpu, said its first-quarter earnings rose by 132% to 4.798 billion baht, thanks to hedging gains and the full operation of a 50%-owned power plant in China. (US$1=35 baht). Banpu said its coal business generated a net profit of 3.632 billion baht, an increase of 2.872…