Author: Mei Ling Tan

  • Ampersand Projects launches new purple gin soda

    Ampersand Projects launches new purple gin soda

    Victoria-based spirit company Ampersand Projects has expanded its ready-to-drink gin offerings with a new product dubbed ‘Purple Gin Soda &’.

    The launch of Purple Gin Soda & comes after the release of its Pink Gin Soda & in 2020. Its alcohol level is at 6 percent. The packaging features a minimalist purple colour theme.

    The company said the new gin line combines locally distilled gin with “bright and vibrant” blackcurrant flavors and sparkling soda water.

    Purple Gin Soda & is sugar-free, carb-free, and gluten-free.

    The new Purple Gin Soda & is priced at $26.99 for a 4-pack and is available to purchase at BWS, Dan Murphy’s, and independent bottle shops around Australia.

    Ampersand Projects was founded in 2018 in NSW by Alex Bottomley and Marcus Kellett. The company was nominated for the Startup Award at the Sydney Young Entrepreneur Awards 2019.

  • Thai AirAsia Introduces New Flight To India

    Thai AirAsia Introduces New Flight To India

    The India-Thailand air connectivity is set to receive another boost, with Thai AirAsia announcing a new service from Bangkok to Guwahati in the northeast region of India. The airline already has a significant presence in the country, currently flying to six destinations from Bangkok. The new service will provide a more convenient connection to passengers from Guwahati and the nearby region looking to travel to Thailand.

    Thai AirAsia has announced a new service from Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport to Guwahati in the northeast Indian state of Assam. The new service is in response to a growing demand for travel between the two countries and will start in December. Tansita Akrarittipirom, Head of Commercial AirAsia Thailand, commented.

    To attract passengers, the carrier has offered attractive introductory fares if booked between September 13th and October 1st for a travel period of December 1st, 2023, to March 29th, 2024.

    Thai AirAsia will start the Bangkok-Guwahati service on December 1st with three weekly flights according to the following schedule:

    The carrier has a significant presence in India, given that Thailand is one of the most popular foreign destinations for Indians. Thai AirAsia currently flies to six Indian cities – Bengaluru, Kolkata, Kochi, Jaipur, Lucknow, and Chennai.

    From October, it will also start flying to Ahmedabad and Gaya. Per Cirium data, once Thai AirAsia begins its Guwahati service in December, it will serve nine destinations in India with a total of 402 monthly return flights, offering more than 72,000 seats.

  • Bamboo Airways set to downsize fleet

    Bamboo Airways set to downsize fleet

    After restructuring its flight network, Bamboo Airways has said it will also reduce the number of aircraft to lower costs.

    An executive at the airline said the restructuring in the past two months included discontinuing unprofitable routes.

    The airline has not yet announced the number or type of aircraft that will be grounded.

    According to German civil aviation database Planespotters, Bamboo Airways currently operates 23 aircraft, seven fewer than last year.

    It plans to seek approval from regulatory authorities to increase the size of its fleet to over 30 in future, though again, no concrete plans have been announced.

    In a recent report to the Ministry of Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said it supports the expansion plan but added the airline needs to ensure it has the financial capacity, human resources, and aviation infrastructure.

    By flying three different aircraft – Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer – that do not allow interoperability, Bamboo Airways has additional costs in terms of hiring pilots, technicians, and training instructors for each of them.

    Many other Vietnamese carriers, such as Vietjet, Pacific Airlines, and Vietravel Airlines, only fly Airbus aircraft.

    All of Vietnam Airlines’ narrow-body aircraft are from Airbus, while its wide-body ones are a mix of Airbus and Boeing.

  • Qatar Airways marks 20 years of freighter operations

    Qatar Airways marks 20 years of freighter operations

    Qatar Airways Cargo is celebrating its 20th year of dedicated freighter operations. Over the past two decades, Qatar Airways Cargo has continuously expanded its fleet, network, and product portfolio in a bid to become the world’s #1 cargo carrier.

    In 2003, Qatar Airways Cargo delivered its first freighter, an Airbus A300-600, a converted passenger aircraft. It began regular operations to Amsterdam and Chennai, and shortly thereafter, to New Delhi.

    Today, the cargo airline operates to more than 160 belly-hold and over 70 freighter destinations with over 200 passenger aircraft and 31 dedicated cargo freighters.

    With the launch of its Next Generation strategy, Qatar Airways Cargo has defined its role in the air cargo industry through enhanced products and services, cutting-edge technology, a commitment to sustainability and diversity, investing in existing talent and attracting new ones.

    Qatar Airways Cargo has achieved significant accomplishments, including being the first airline globally to complete the suite of IATA CEIV certifications, the launch of the Kigali Africa hub in partnership with RwandAir, and the introduction of innovative products like Pharma, Fresh, Courier, and SecureLift.

    Being one of the early adopters of digital transformation, it has launched a new website and online booking portal Digital Lounge and partnered with marketplace platforms The airline has also committed to sustainability through its WeQare program, championing initiatives such as ‘Rewild the planet’ and launching a CO2 emission calculator.

    As the airline enters the next decade, Qatar said it remains dedicated to digitalization and sustainability and looks forward to continuing to be at the forefront of air cargo’s innovation and customer-centric solutions.

  • Gordon Ramsay’s group set to open 14 restaurants in Thailand

    Gordon Ramsay’s group set to open 14 restaurants in Thailand

    Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, owned by the namesake world-renowned chef, is expected to open 14 locations in Thailand as part of its expansion in Asia.

    The first two restaurants will open at Emsphere Mall in Bangkok in December through a partnership with Tanachira Group. Twelve more outlets are to be opened in the coming years.

    Located on the mall’s ground floor, the Bread Street Kitchen & Bar will feature a sophisticated all-day dining experience, with the menu consisting of Gordon Ramsay classics such as Beef Wellington and Fish & Chips.

    The Street Pizza will be on the first floor, offering bottomless sourdough pizzas, hot wings, fries, beers and cocktails, along with live music in a vibrant atmosphere.

    “This new partnership with Tanachira Group continues our global growth, whilst bringing our fantastic casual and premium casual brands to a new audience in Bangkok,” said Andy Wenlock, CEO of Gordon Ramsay Restaurants.

    The expansion into Thailand follows the group’s recent openings of four restaurants in South Korea and two in Malaysia.

    Gordon Ramsay Restaurants currently operates 37 restaurants in the UK and 35 restaurants internationally, including the US, South Korea, Malaysia, France, Dubai, and Singapore.

  • EVN seeks to speed up electricity imports from Laos

    EVN seeks to speed up electricity imports from Laos

    Vietnam Electricity (EVN) is seeking approval from the government to speed up the import of electricity from Laos since shortages are forecast in the northern region.

    It plans to import electricity equivalent to 225 MW from the Nam Mo and Houay Koauan hydropower plants.

    It is also seeking permission to link up the Savan 1 and 2 wind power plants in Laos with the Vietnamese grid.

    Until 2025 no new major power plant is set to enter the grid in northern Vietnam, which is expected to face shortages.

    By 2025 the shortage is estimated to be 3,630 MW.

    Purchasing from Laos is economical since its hydropower costs only 6.95 cents per kilowatt-hour, lower than local prices, EVN said.

    In August Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh approved a proposal to import 2,698 MW worth of power from Laos, with EVN signing purchase contracts for around 83% of it.

    The north suffered a crippling power shortage in summer this year, with many localities resorting to load shedding. Imports from Laos and China met 10% of demand during the period.

     

  • iPhone 15 prices plunge 20% in three days

    iPhone 15 prices plunge 20% in three days

    An iPhone 15 Pro Max brought from overseas is now sold at around VND40 million (US$1,650) in Vietnam, down 20% in three days.

    Smartphone shops in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on September 26 offered the VND40 million price for 256GB storage option. Higher storage options of 512GB and 1TB cost VND45 million and VND58 million, respectively.

    Traders queued up to buy the product at Apple stores in Singapore and Thailand and brought them to Vietnam unofficially.

    The first ones were available on Friday last week, one week before they are sold officially in Vietnam, at prices around VND70 million, or nearly 50% higher than official prices in Vietnam.

    Nguyen Hieu, owner of an unofficial Apple shop in Hanoi, said that he had anticipated the drop in prices this year as the iPhone is sold in Vietnam only one week later than Apple’s tier-1 markets, compared to several weeks in previous years.

    He only bought 20 iPhone 15s to sell in the last three days.

    Retail chains are reporting a shortage of the most expensive option, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, due to high demand from preorders.

    Customers will have to wait until the end of October for more supply, retailers said.

  • Fertilizer prices surge after China imposes export ban

    Fertilizer prices surge after China imposes export ban

    Urea prices have risen by 10% in September and 30% since July after China banned the export of the fertilizer to keep domestic prices under control.

    Petrovietnam Camau Fertilizer raised urea prices by 10% this month to VND11,200 per kilogram.

    Petrovietnam Fertilizer and Chemicals Corp hiked prices by 4.8% to VND11,000.

    Other chemical producers also effected similar hikes. Some such as HCMC-based Viet Au have raised prices to VND12,500.

    Urea provides plants with nitrogen to stimulate leaf growth.

    Phung Ha, deputy chairman of the Vietnam Fertilizer Association, said China, the biggest producer and consumer of urea globally, ordered some manufacturers earlier this month to stop exports and this caused prices of the key fertilizer to surge globally including in Vietnam.

    Vietnamese farmers are buying fertilizers for their winter-spring crops, and the rising demand is exacerbating the rise in prices.

    In the first eight months of the year, Vietnam imported nearly 2.5 million tons of fertilizers worth US$833 million, up 13% in volume but down 19% in value year-on-year.

    Nearly half of the imports came from China.

  • Porsche Vietnam presents new Cayenne

    Porsche Vietnam presents new Cayenne

    The third generation of Porsche “Sports Car for Five” features comprehensive upgrades to the powertrain, chassis, design, and equipment, further enhancing driving performance and offering luxurious comfort.

    With the vision “Further Together”, Porsche Vietnam unveiled the all-new and thoroughly refined Cayenne. The third generation of the luxury SUV made its national debut at the Contemporary Space of Porsche Cayenne at Porsche Centre Saigon and Porsche Studio Hanoi, equipped with a highly digitalized display and control concept, new chassis technology, and innovative high-tech features.

    Ever since its world premiere in 2002, the Cayenne has been a game-changer. Combining the performance characteristics of a Porsche with luxury and utility, it is the definitive sports car in the SUV segment and a true pioneer.

    Since its establishment in 2007, Porsche Vietnam has been turning sports car dreams into reality. One-third of all Porsche vehicles delivered in Vietnam are Cayenne models, making it the best-selling Porsche here to date.

    “We are excited to introduce the new Cayenne in Vietnam with a tremendous product upgrade. The new Cayenne creates more opportunities for Vietnamese Porsche fans to experience their dream sports car than ever before,” said Andreas Klingler, general director of Porsche Vietnam.

    Key highlights of the new Cayenne include high-definition HD Matrix LED Headlights that provide road illumination tailored to every driving situation, an air quality system that filters pollutants from the air in the interior, and, for the first time in the Cayenne, front passengers have their own infotainment display—for streaming videos during the trip, for example.

    With its extensively upgraded design and more powerful engine range, the Cayenne emphasizes its claim to be the sportiest car in its segment.

    A highly significant model launch adds to Porsche Vietnam’s momentum. Since it was officially established in 2007, Porsche Vietnam has grown to become one of the most exciting markets for Porsche, both from a global and regional perspective.

    After marking its 15th anniversary in 2022, Porsche Vietnam carries a positive momentum forward into 2023, Porsche’s 75th anniversary year, with the launch of the new Cayenne. Porsche has maintained a steady position as Vietnam’s top luxury sports car brand.

    “We see an increasing number of Porsche cars on the roads of Vietnam. Our biggest achievement so far is building and spreading sports car fascination, nurturing a passion for the brand, and turning sports car dreams into reality. This reflects the aspirations that motivate us, and more notably, it underscores the passionate support from our valued customers and fans in Vietnam,” Klingler said.

    At Porsche, the brand interacts with sports car enthusiasts in engaging and innovative ways. Porsche’s already attractive product portfolio now receives a boost with the new Cayenne, with a comprehensive range of upgrades ready to take any family further together.

    The all-new Cayenne: Featuring Porsche Driver Experience

    Porsche has integrated a completely revised display and control concept into the new Cayenne.

    The new Porsche Driver Experience, first introduced in the Porsche Taycan, focuses on the driver’s axis and optimizes operation. Functions that the driver frequently uses are located directly on or immediately next to the steering wheel.

    For example, the lever located on the left behind the steering wheel now has additional functions for operating the driver assistance systems. The automatic transmission selector lever in the new Cayenne is now on the dashboard.

    This makes room on the new center console for storage compartments and a large air conditioning controller in an elegant black panel design.

    Large, easily accessible controls combined with mechanical air conditioning switches and a haptic volume controller ensure optimum operability and a refined look.

    A key feature of the new Porsche Driver Experience is the balance between digital and analog elements. For the first time, the redesigned cockpit of the Cayenne includes a fully digital 12.6-inch instrument cluster with a curved and free-standing design and variable display options. An optimized head-up display is also available.

    The standard 12.3-inch central Porsche Communication Management display integrates harmoniously into the new dashboard and provides access to all the relevant vehicle functions.

    Native apps such as Spotify® and Apple Music® are provided to optimize connectivity in the new Cayenne. A 10.9-inch display is now available for the first time on the passenger side.

    This enriches the front passenger’s driving experience by displaying performance data, providing separate access to the infotainment system controls, and, depending on the market, offering the option of streaming video content on the road. A special foil ensures that the driver cannot see this display.

    Refined design, innovative lighting technology

    The new Cayenne now has a particularly expressive appearance. A new front end combined with more strongly arched wings, a new bonnet, and technically appealing headlights emphasize the vehicle’s width.

    Three-dimensionally designed taillights, uncluttered surfaces beneath, and a new rear apron with an integrated number plate holder characterize the rear-end design of the new Cayenne.

    An expanded color palette with three new colors, lightweight sports packages saving up to 33 kilograms for the Cayenne Coupé, and a new extensive range of 20, 21, and 22-inch wheels make it possible to configure the new Cayenne individually and dynamically.

    Matrix LED headlights are now standard in the new Cayenne. HD matrix LED headlights are a new optional feature.

    With two high-definition modules and more than 32,000 pixels per headlamp, their innovative technology picks out other users and blocks out the light of the high beam for them with pixel accuracy so as not to dazzle them.

    The brightness of the modules can be regulated in more than 1,000 steps, depending on the driving situation. Customized light modes increase safety and comfort in different driving situations.

    Porsche has also introduced an air quality system in the new Cayenne.

    As standard, the vehicle uses predictive navigation data to detect approaching tunnel entrances and automatically activate air recirculation.

    Optionally, a sensor detects the level of fine dust particles in the air and passes them through the fine dust filter multiple times if necessary. Furthermore, an ionizer removes many germs and pollutants from the air, which is particularly beneficial for allergy sufferers.

    In addition, customers can use a comprehensive range of new and optimized assistance systems. These include the active speed limiter and the swerve assist, the cornering assist, and the improved Porsche InnoDrive as part of the adaptive cruise control.

    This means that the new Cayenne is even better at helping its driver in dangerous situations as well as in traffic jams on motorways and main roads.

    Increased range between ride comfort and performance

    Porsche now equips the Cayenne at the factory with a steel spring suspension, including Porsche Active Suspension Management.

    New shock absorbers with 2-valve technology and thus separate rebound and compression stages allow optimized performance in all driving situations.

    Comfort at slow speeds, handling during dynamic cornering, and pitch and roll support have been noticeably improved.

    The driving experience can be additionally enhanced with the new adaptive air suspension with 2-chamber, 2-valve technology. This improves the driving experience with a soft suspension characteristic, stabilizes the vehicle, and simplifies on-road and off-road handling compared to both the standard suspension and the predecessor model.

    At the same time, the adaptive air suspension improves driving precision and performance and reduces body movements in dynamic driving situations. The suspension also offers an even sharper differentiation between Normal, Sport, and Sport Plus driving modes.

    The all-rounder: More power and sportier

    In Vietnam, the new Cayenne debuts with three different versions.

    An extensive refinement of the four-liter V8 biturbo engine developed by Porsche replaces the previous V6 engine in the new Cayenne S.

    With a maximum output of 349 KW (474 PS) and a torque of 600 Nm, 25 kW (34 PS) and 50 Nm more than its predecessor, it accelerates both the SUV and the SUV Coupé to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds.

    The top speed is 273 km/h. The entry into the world of the Cayenne comes with an optimized three-liter V6 turbo engine. It now generates 260 kW (353 PS) and 500 Nm, which is 10 kW (13 PS) and 50 Nm more than before.

    The Turbo GT, designed for maximum on-road performance, is still the top model in the Cayenne range in most Porsche markets.

    It is available exclusively as a coupé and benefits from all the optimizations and innovations of the model series. In addition, the output of the four-liter V8 biturbo engine of the Turbo GT has been increased by 14 kW (19 PS) to 485 kW (659 PS).

    The Cayenne Turbo GT accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds, with a top speed of 305 km/h. The all-new Cayenne models are available to order now from Porsche Vietnam.

    The price of all 5 versions of Cayenne is VND5.56-14.36 billion. All prices are estimated and include import tax, SCT, VAT, and local service packages.

    Porsche in Vietnam continues to grow with Porsche Centre Saigon in HCMC, Porsche Centre Hanoi, and Porsche Studio in Hanoi.

  • Honda To Pull The Plug On Car Sales In Russia In 2022

    Honda To Pull The Plug On Car Sales In Russia In 2022

    Honda Motor Company has said that it won’t be supplying new cars to its authorized dealers in Russia in 2022 as the company is trying to restructure its operations. The Japanese automaker has confirmed that it would keep its presence in the Russian market with motorcycle and power equipment sales only. The news comes after a drastic drop of 50 percent in its sales operations last month in Russia.

    Even in India, Honda has shut down its Greater Noida plant and has shifted its entire production unit to the company’s other facility in Tapukara, Rajasthan. The carmaker has said that it has realigned its production operations “to maintain sustainability by leveraging production and supply chain efficiencies.” From this month, the manufacturing operations for vehicles and components will happen at the Tapukara plant for all domestic sales and exports. Until last month, the Greater Noida plant produced models like the Honda City sedan, CR-V SUV, and the Civic sedan. While the transition will see the production of the City move entirely to the Tapukara unit, at present, the company has also stopped the production of its flagship models, the Civic sedan and CR-V SUV.

    As far as the Russian market is concerned, Honda does not have any manufacturing unit in Russia, unlike its other Japanese counterparts like Toyota and Nissan. All Honda models are sold as CBUs in the Russian market, and the carmaker sold just 79 units last month. Its sales from January to November were down by 15 percent at 1,383 units, while over 1.3 million new cars were sold in Russia during that period.

  • Telegram brings a slew of new improvements to Stories

    Telegram brings a slew of new improvements to Stories

    After celebrating 10 years last month, Telegram announced a bunch of new features and improvements for both regular and Premium users. Among the most important changes included in this update are the ability for channels to post stories and new reaction stickers that are now available in Stories.

    Starting today, Telegram users can grant channels the ability to post stories by giving them boosts. However, only Telegram Premium users are getting one boost that can be assigned to any channel.

    Each channel can level up once they gain more boosts and, more importantly, for each level Telegram users can post one additional story per day. It’s a rather complicated system meant to encourage people to pay for Premium if they want to boost their Stories.

    Telegram also announced that channels can ask subscribers for boosts using a special link. The link can be generated by heading to Channel Info / More / Statistics / Boosts. Once a channel reaches level 10, it will get +15 resistance to trolls and unlock unique admin skins, whatever that might mean.

    Additionally, once a channel unlocks Stories, admins with a Telegram Premium subscription can post by tapping the plus icon on the Channel Info page. Furthermore, the latest update introduces the ability to add reaction stickers to Stories. Each story posted by channels will now show reaction counters to allow users to see how many people chose each emotion. A new icon in the sticker panel is now available for those who wish to add a reaction sticker. Premium subscribers can use any of their custom emoji in addition to the regular stickers.

    With the latest version of Telegram, users can use audio files from their devices in photo and video stories. Make sure to tap “Audio” from the sticker panel and select a file to be able to adjust the track if you want to select a specific part.

    Finally, Telegram is getting new login alerts. The latest version of the app will send notifications to all your devices. The new logins will also display an alert at the top of the chat list.

  • Spotify launches pilot Voice Translation for podcasts

    Spotify launches pilot Voice Translation for podcasts

    While everyone is anxious to learn more about Spotify’s HiFi tier, the streaming company announced the launch of a much smaller new feature: Voice Translation for podcasts.

    The pilot Voice Translation for podcasts is a new feature powered by AI, which does exactly what the name suggests: it translates podcasts into additional languages in podcaster’s voice.

    Developed in partnership with OpenAI, Voice Translation will match the original speaker’s voice for a more authentic listening experience. Thanks to the new feature, a podcast episode originally recorded in English will be available in other languages while keeping the speaker’s speech characteristics.

    In the same piece of news, Spotify announced that it has worked with popular podcasters such as Dax Shepard, Monica Padman, Lex Fridman, Bill Simmons, and Steven Bartlett as part of the pilot.

    According to Spotify, the first voice-translated episodes from pilot creators will be available worldwide to Premium and free users. However, the initial bundle of translated episodes will only be available in Spanish, with French and German rolling out in the coming days and weeks.

    Starting today, the following podcast episodes will be rolled out to users on the respective Now Playing View:

    • Lex Fridman Podcast – “Interview with Yuval Noah Harari”
    • Armchair Expert – “Kristen Bell, by the grace of god, returns”
    • The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett – “Interview with Dr. Mindy Pelz”

    In other news, Spotify revealed that more than 100 million people regularly listen to podcasts on its streaming platform, which shows that there’s a huge audience for those willing to create this type of content.

  • Australia seeks separate dialogue on China wine dispute

    Australia seeks separate dialogue on China wine dispute

    Australia wants a separate dialogue with China on their dispute over wine, the agriculture minister said on Sunday, rejecting Beijing’s proposal to link wine with other trade issues as the two nations slowly seek to improve battered relations.

    China’s removal of tariffs last month on Australian barley has raised hopes for an easing of wine tariffs, in place since 2021, which have hammered the country’s wine exports.

    Bilateral relations sank in 2020 when Australia called for an inquiry into Covid-19 origins, triggering reprisals by Beijing, including a raft of trade restrictions that hurt Australia’s export-reliant economy.

    China on Thursday proposed a “packaged solution” that would tie the wine dispute to those about duties on Australian imports of Chinese railway wheels, wind towers and stainless steel sinks, state news agency Xinhua reported.

    But Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said on Sunday, “We see them as entirely separate matters.” The government wants the wine dispute “resolved in the same way the barley dispute was resolved – through dialogue”, he told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.

    “We will continue our WTO (World Trade Organization) case when it comes to wine and we will continue to defend the case when it comes to steel,” Watt said, referring to disputes ongoing at the global trade body.

    China was Australia’s top wine export market before Covid, peaking at $770 million for the 12 months to January 2020 when the pandemic hit. In the year to June, they had plunged to $5.2 million.

  • H&M launches on Shopee in Singapore and Malaysia

    H&M launches on Shopee in Singapore and Malaysia

    H&M has launched an online store on Shopee in Singapore and Malaysia in preparation for its Super Brand Day.

    H&M’s engagement with e-commerce platform Shopee is part of the company’s continued efforts to digitalize and provide customers with an optimal omnichannel experience, intending to give them a more “flexible and meaningful” shopping experience that matches their changing demands. With H&M’s presence on the platform, more customers can access the brand’s offer of fashion and quality at the best price in a sustainable manner.

    H&M also celebrated its first Super Brand Day on Sunday in Malaysia; another one will be held on Thursday, September 28 in Singapore.

    “With its strong presence in Singapore and Malaysia, Shopee complements and strengthens our existing network of physical stores, digital stores at hm.com, as well as marketplaces,” said Oldouz Mirzaie, MD of H&M South Asia.

    “We see a great opportunity for our brand to grow on this platform and further our vision of democratizing sustainable fashion by meeting our customers where, when, and how they choose.”

    Customers can now shop the whole spectrum of H&M’s fashion offers, including the trendy and bold pieces from the brand’s Fall/Winter collection, in the ladies, divided, mens and kids categories.

  • Vietnamese struggle to buy iPhones in Singapore, Thailand

    Vietnamese struggle to buy iPhones in Singapore, Thailand

    As Thailand was selected to be among Apple’s tier-1 markets for the second year, many Vietnamese traders chose the country, believing that there would be less competition in line. But it turned out that too many people had the same idea. Dinh Cong, a tech connoisseur in Ho Chi Minh City, said that things were “chaos” as too many people showed up at Thailand’s Apple Stores.

    Apple Stores at Bangkok’s Central World and Iconsiam gave the top queuers wrist bands on Thursday afternoon and then cleared the crowd. Trader Tuan Anh said that this was an organizational improvement from, last year, showing that early queuers and customers who pre-ordered would be prioritized.

    But Thanh Tung in the northern province of Quang Ninh said that even though he was the 20th queuer, the store said there were no iPhone 15 Pro Max models available after the few first customers. Vietnamese traders most hunt the Pro Max option as they can sell them in Vietnam at up to VND70 million ($2,872), 49% higher than Apple’s official prices.

    “Many had to leave empty-handed due to the limited stock,” Tung said.

    In Singapore, many people showed up from 5 a.m. at the Apple Store on Orchard Road.

    “Most were from Vietnam,” said trader Minh Khoi, who was among the queuers. By opening time, hundreds were seen at the store. Khoi said that supply could not meet demand, and the Pro Max option ran out after the first 50 customers.

    “Traders were willing to pay a VND10 million ($410.3) difference whenever someone came out of the store with a Pro Max.”

    Tuan Thanh, an iPhone seller in HCMC, said that his group was divided into three to gather enough iPhone 15s for customers who have pre-ordered.

    Although the earliest iPhone 15 Pro Max models in Vietnam were sold at VND60-70 million, their prices quickly dropped,.