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Tag: bangkok

  • AirAsia enters logistics JV for Thailand

    AirAsia enters logistics JV for Thailand

    Airasia indirect wholly-owned subsidiary Teleport Everywhere Pte Ltd has proposed a joint venture with Triple i Logistics Public Company Ltd to provide logistics services to Thai AirAsia Co Ltd (TAA) and Thai AirAsia X

    AirAsia said in a filing with the stock exchange that a memorandum of understanding was signed between the four parties, whereby Teleport and Triple I would establish a partnership in Thailand as a general cargo sales agent for the airlines.

    According to the statement, Teleport is a cargo and logistics services provider while Triple i is a total logistics integrator with 27 years of experience in the international forwarding and logistics industry

    “The MOU aligns with Teleport’s mission to move goods and e-commerce seamlessly throughout Southeast Asia, taking full advantage of AirAsia Group’s network of more than 100 cities and 10,000 weekly flights across Asia Pacific.

    “In particular, it allows Teleport to integrate the rights to the cargo capacity in Thailand for TAA and TAX with the wider AirAsia Group’s network,” it said.

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  • Saha Group set to open the first unmanned stores in Thailand

    Saha Group set to open the first unmanned stores in Thailand

    Consumer goods retailer Saha will launch its first unmanned stores in Thailand within three months.

    The move is an attempt to reorient the firm’s business strategy towards a more contemporary model, relying on recent technologies to win a younger target demographic.

    “It’s a must,” said group chairman Boonsithi Chokwatana. “We still need to invest more in order to respond to the new demand of new generations.”

    Saha’s first 100sqm unmanned store “His & Her”, operated by the firm’s retail arm ICC International, will offer close to 300 items from instant noodles to branded clothes. It draws on facial recognition, QR code reading and radio frequency identification technologies invested in by the firm to the tune of some THB10 million baht (US$330,000). The store will also feature multiple payment systems.

    The firm is expected to invest a further THB50 million ($1.62 million) on new servers, applications and big data systems in order to profit from a closer analysis of customer habits.

    “We plan to debut the unmanned store by October,” said VP of ICC’s information & technology division Surat Wong, adding that the company intends to expand further by next year following an evaluation of initial sales results.

    Earnings of around THB760,000 ($24,600) per month are expected from the store, just 5 per cent lower than the average monthly sales of its existing manned stores.

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  • Thai bank invests in Go-Jek to take on Grab

    Thai bank invests in Go-Jek to take on Grab

    Siam Commercial Bank has made a “significant investment” in Indonesian ride-hailing app Go-Jek.

    Go-Jek, which has an estimated valuation of around US$10 billion, will be offering financial services in partnership with the bank as well as expand its food delivery services in Thailand following the funding. It is expected to add SCB’s products in payments, digital lending and insurance to the available offerings on its app within the coming months.

    “Our products will be connected, SCB will oversee finance while Go-Jek and Get will look at digital and logistics,” said SCB president Arak Sutivong.

    Go-Jek has operated in Thailand under the brand name Get since earlier this year, where it is in competition with Singaporean ride-hailing app Grab.

    “We have more then 20 services, in Indonesia,” said Go-Jek’s head of international, Andrew Lee. “We will pick and choose the best playbook for Thailand and carefully curate that.”

  • Thai AirAsia X begins new service to Brisbane

    Thai AirAsia X begins new service to Brisbane

    Thai AirAsia X has started its newest service from Bangkok to Brisbane, with the first arrival touching down at 11:46 am local time on Wednesday. This marks the first AirAsia service to Brisbane Airport. The aircraft received a water salute on arrival, courtesy of the airport’s fire and emergency service.

    The route is operated by Thai AirAsia X under flight number XJ310 (Bangkok to Brisbane) and XJ311 (Brisbane to Bangkok); duration of the flight is approximately nine hours and 20 minutes. Before this connection, the only non-stop service between Brisbane and Bangkok was operated by Thai Airways using the Boeing 777-200. The Malaysian AirAsia X serves Gold Coast Airport, which is located 90 kilometres (56 miles) south of Brisbane.

    We are delighted to have a new home in Queensland, adding Brisbane to our Queensland ports after we commenced operating flights from the Gold Coast in 2007. This direct service between Bangkok and Brisbane strengthens our connections into Australia and adds to our extensive network of more than 140 destinations worldwide.Nadda Buranasiri, AirAsia X CEO
    Asia is a key market for Queensland’s tourism industry and this new service will bring more than 235,000 inbound seats to Brisbane over the next three years, providing a $156 million boost to the state’s economy and supporting 660 jobs.Kate Jones, Minister for Tourism Industry Development

    Thai AirAsia X is a sister airline of AirAsia’s long haul carrier AirAsia X. The Thai airline is based at Bangkok Don Mueang Airport. Together with AirAsia X and Indonesia AirAsia X, it operates a fleet of 36 Airbus A330-300 with up to 100 of the new generation A330-900neo on order. Thai AirAsia X will soon receive its first A330neo and become the Asian launch-customer of the aircraft type. The airplane, which is already due for delivery, was on display at Paris Air Show 2019.

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  • Lawson Thailand plans Further Network expansion

    Lawson Thailand plans Further Network expansion

    Saha Group is opening a new wave of Lawson Thailand convenience stores in subway stations and airports.

    The firm is establishing a joint venture with its partner Japanese chain in collaboration with Thai advertising business VGI Global Media, which specialises in public transport facilities. The cooperative will launch this Friday with registered capital of THB20 million (US$645,000). Partnership Saha Lawson will hold 60 per cent of the venture, with VGI taking 30 per cent and Saha Group the remaining 10 per cent.

    Saha expects the brand’s focus on public transit customers will give the initiative an edge over leading competitor Charoen Pokphand’s 7-Eleven, which operates around 11,000 outlets. It plans to open 30 Lawson Thailand stores in transport facilities, joining its existing store network in Bangkok’s elevated mass-transit system BTS, by late February 2021.

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  • Tencent launches first overseas video streaming in Thailand

    Tencent launches first overseas video streaming in Thailand

    Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings Ltd launched its first overseas video streaming service in Thailand on Friday, as it ramps up its presence outside China.

    Tencent is diversifying from its core Chinese gaming business, which has been beset by regulatory problems, pushing revenue growth to its slowest-ever in the first quarter.

    Tencent’s existing Thai user base made the country a good first target for its push into Southeast Asia, said Jeff Han, Senior Vice President of Tencent Penguin Pictures, which produces original content for the streaming business.

    “This is the market we need to first enter to try to see whether an overseas launch could be a success for us, so we can continue the challenge,” Han told reporters in a group interview in Bangkok.

    “We have our priority markets… the Chinese-speaking markets, which will be more receptive to our offerings,” he said.

    In Thailand, Tencent Video will be called WeTV and feature original Chinese content from Tencent Penguin Pictures with Thai dubbing, and content created with local partners, Han said.

    He declined to comment how much the company was investing overseas.

    WeTV adds to Tencent’s music streaming service JOOX and the mobile version of PUBG games in Thailand.

    Tencent’s video streaming subscriptions increased 43% in the first quarter of 2019 on an annual basis, contributing to a growth in digital content revenue, according to its latest results.

    Tencent Video in China claims over 89 million subscribers and more than 200 million daily active users.

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  • Nok Air launched direct flights to Hiroshima, Japan

    Nok Air launched direct flights to Hiroshima, Japan

    The first phase is charter flights which have begun on 1st and 5th May 2019. This route is one of the many of the Nok Air’s turnaround plan by looking for the potential routes. Now, Nok Air is available and intend to create an impressive experience for the passengers.

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  • Jaspal Thailand concept store opens at IconSiam

    Jaspal Thailand concept store opens at IconSiam

    New 460sqm boutique at IconSiam was designed by Milan-based Studiopepe. A new Jaspal concept store has opened at IconSiam in Bangkok, designed by Milan-based Studiopepe and featuring local materials.

    The 460sqm flagship store is the Thai fashion label’s largest to date and provides a contemporary backdrop to Jaspal’s collections using contrasting materials. The store uses large columns affixed with handmade ceramics and a tile motif that extends throughout the retail area in an homage to traditional local craftsmanship while still sticking close to the brand’s colour scheme.

    “The concept is based on the interpretation of the free plan, a fluid and continuous design that incorporates different spaces without setting any barriers,” the studio explained, in a profile published by Dezeen.

    “The repetition of vertical lines contrasts the soft forms of the furnishings, while rough materials are juxtaposed with glossy and lacquered surfaces.”

    Mannequins are positioned to appear to have climbed a circular display of ladder-like shelves in one part of the store and the fitting room area features diamond-shaped natural wood blocks on the walls to create a graphic 3D look.

    The brand marked the opening featuring its limited edition collaboration with London-based artist Lynnie Z, one of a series of partnerships between Jaspal and global artists to ensure that unique styles emerge each season.

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  • Thailand’s Siam Piwat scoops honours at the World Retail Congress

    Thailand’s Siam Piwat scoops honours at the World Retail Congress

    Thai shopping centre operator receives accolades at World Retail Congress.

    Thai retail developer Siam Piwat has scooped two retail industry awards at the World Retail Congress recently held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

    Siam Piwat is the owner and operator of several successful Thai retail developments, including Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery, as well as the joint venture partner of IconSiam – the US$1.7 billion riverside landmark destination that opened in Bangkok last November.

    Siam Piwat Group CEO Chadatip Chutrakul was inducted into the World Retail Hall of Fame by the World Retail Congress as one of the four new members selected in 2019.

    The inductees were selected because their “ideas have shaped retailing through the businesses and brands they have created, or by their skills in running the retail industry’s giants, demonstrated clear vision, courage and determination to make their dreams a reality”.

    The World Retail Hall of Fame was established in 2007 to honour the retail industry’s most innovative and influential representatives.

    The World Retail Congress also awarded IconSiam, in which Siam Piwat Group is a joint venture partner, the top prize of Store Design of the Year 2019 as part of the annual World Retail Awards.

    The Grand Jury of the World Retail Awards said IconSiam is “breathtaking in its scope and scale and takes retail design into the future”.

    “Throughout 60 years, Siam Piwat has been a thought leader creating new prototypes and bringing new formats that have advanced the retail development sector in Thailand,” said Chutrakul. IconSiam shows that bricks and mortar still have a crucial part to play in successful retailing, and they are assets only waiting to be differently leveraged within a new paradigm. That new paradigm involves leveraging a very wide group of stakeholders by creating shared value for them all.”

    According to Chutrakul, IconSiam, with a gross floor area of 750,000sqm made the creation of shared value into a “business sustainability” strategy to help the success of such a large-scale initiative that requires the collaboration of many different groups.

    “Our achievements were made possible because of the collaboration and co-creation of our tenants and retailers,” she said. “The benefits created by IconSiam also go beyond our tenant partners to many different stakeholders at many different levels of society including artists, craftsmen, performers, small enterprises, the surrounding communities and even the city of Bangkok, too.

    “For small businesses and artisans, we help them flourish and prosper by creating for them opportunities for new linkages, locally and globally; we help artisans, craftsmen or performers have a place on a globally visible stage to enhance the sustainability of their livelihoods, and we act as a platform that makes Thai values and all that is great about Thailand visible to the world.

    “Also, in the SookSiam zone at IconSiam, you can see how it brings together hundreds of small, mom-and-pop operations from Thailand’s 77 provinces – people who have mostly never operated out of their hometowns but are now selling on a global platform.”

    Chutrakul noted that “IconSiam has also had a transformative effect on the Chao Phraya River. We acted as a catalyst for a multi-stakeholder collaboration that embraced riverside communities, hoteliers, river-transport operators, sites of historical and cultural importance, and government agencies, which is already helping to revitalise many districts around IconSiam.”

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  • King Power Bangkok airport retail monopoly to stretch longer

    King Power Bangkok airport retail monopoly to stretch longer

    Hopes of opening up the duty-free and retail monopoly at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport have been dashed after Airports of Thailand (AOT) announced the incumbent operator had lodged the highest bid to retain the business.

    While still subject to final ratification by the AOT board, King Power has effectively bought a monopoly on duty-free business at the airport for another decade.

    King Power Duty Free has held the rights since the airport opened in 2006, and was competing to continue when the current contract expires next year through until 2031.

    “The company that scored the highest is King Power Duty Free Company and the winner offered the highest return than what AOT has received before and higher than AOT estimate (sic),” said Wichai Bunyu, senior executive VP at AOT, in a statement.

    Two rival bidders were hoping for a share of the action in what is a lucrative monopoly with prices unmonitored or regulated. The losing bidders were a joint venture between Bangkok Airways and South Korea’s Lotte, and another involving Royal Orchid Hotel Thailand, Empire Asia Group and a subsidiary of World Duty Free Group.

    Leading Thai retail business Central Group and Minor International did not submit bids before the deadline.

    Having selected the winning bidder, the appointment process is a mere formality, subject to ratification of AOT’s remuneration committee next week. According to Reuters, that will decide the technical score and revenue King Power would share with AOT before the board of directors officially approves the winner on June 19.

    The Thai government had ordered a review of duty-free auction period amid monopoly concerns after more than a decade of dominance by King Power. But that apparently had no effect.

    The winning bidders to operate duty-free shops at Chang Mai, Hat Yai and Phuket airports were expected to be released today (June 3) with King Power almost certain to win those contracts as well.

  • Reebonz launches buy-back guarantee Program in Thailand

    Reebonz launches buy-back guarantee Program in Thailand

    Online luxury marketplace Reebonz has launched a guaranteed buy-back program in Thailand.

    The service, which applies to leather goods and jewellery, gives customers a guaranteed price that the company will pay to buy back products initially sold on its platform.

    Customers will be offered currency, called Reebonz Credits, that can be used for future purchases on the platform.

    Pre-owned jewellery from selected brands such as Chanel, Harry Winston, Hermes, and Christian Dior, among others, will be eligible.

    Daniel Lim, Reebonz co-founder and CPO, said the company hopes to further expand its services across new geographies and categories, giving customers even more ways to engage with the brand. “We truly believe we can be a one-stop ecosystem for everyone’s luxury needs.”

    The guarantee is now available in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, and the US.

    Headquartered in Singapore, Reebonz is a C2C platform that allows customers to buy and sell their pre-owned items to a community of more than 5.5 million members.

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  • Centara kicks off 36th anniversary with epic 36-dayglobal celebration

    Centara kicks off 36th anniversary with epic 36-dayglobal celebration

     Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, is marking its 36th anniversary milestone with a 36-day worldwide customer-focused celebration tied to the company’s 1983 founding. On this occasion, it also marks the 36th anniversary of Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok, the first hotel of the group, together with the 10th anniversary of Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld and Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya.

    Thirty-six years ago, Thailand’s first shopping centre mega-mall development, Central Plaza, rose from a suburban construction site on Bangkok’s Ladprao Road, complete with a brand new 5-star hotel that launched the Central Group’s hotel business with one of the Group’s largest investment commitments.

    From its first hotel in Ladprao, Centara has grown and prospered. Today, 70 Centara properties with six distinctive brands are operational or under development across 12 countries, and the company is well on its way to doubling its global portfolio by 2022.

    Centara will kick off the 36th anniversary celebration by rolling out a series of enticing offers, attractive promotions and lucky draws on 3rd June 2019, all featuring a special “36” theme. Guests should look out for the following limited-time deals:

    Every Third Night For Just THB 36 – For 36 days (3rd June to 9th July 2019), travellers will be able to stay with Centara for just THB 36. Under this amazing offer, guests who book a minimum three-night stay at any Centara hotel or resort worldwide – including five-star Centara Grand resorts in Thailand and the Maldives – will be able to pay just THB 36 for their third night.

    Lucky Stay E-Voucher – For seven days from 14th to 20th June 2019, guests will be able to book rooms at selected Centara hotels for one set price (only THB 3,600 per night) and enjoy sublime stays with a higher value. This generous offer is valid for room nights worth more than THB 4,500 and available for stays taken up until 31st October 2019.

    Cash Bonus Spending Credit: THB 3,600 for More! – The 36th anniversary celebrations will make your Centara stays even more rewarding this summer. Guests who purchase a stored value credit of THB 3,600 between 21st and 27th June will see its value instantly boosted to THB 5,500. Use the credit to pay for spa treatments, hotel dining and much more.

    LINE Coupons: Exclusive Deals for THB 36 and THB 360 – Sip, snack or feast for less with a series of tantalising weekly coupons. For 36 days (3rd June to 9thJuly), Centara will reveal a series of fantastic F&B deals on LINE, the social media app. Grab a coffee, bakery and other snacks for as little as THB 36, or a relaxing 40-minute massage at spa Cenvaree for just THB 360.

    10 Year Travel in Style Challenge: Photo Competition – Compete in the 10 Year Travel in Style Challenge with Centara, or the 36 Year Challenge if you dare. Guests who post their “now and then” throwback travel photos and use hashtag #36CentaraThrowback could win one of 36 prizes, including one grand prize — a sensational five-night holiday at Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, including transfers.

    Exclusive Privilege for Centara The1 – Our Photo Challenge is twice as enticing for members of Centara The1. All Centara The1 member prize winners will also receive 3,600 Centara The1 points, on top of their main prize. To help our winners make the most of their points, Centara will be offering free night redemptions for just 6,363 points at select hotels for a limited time.

    And that’s not all. Guests who stay with Centara during the 36-day anniversary period will be offered the chance to enter a Check-In Lucky Draw. Guests can win on-the-spot prizes including spa treatments, bottles of wine, celebratory cakes, special discounts and more.

    Since it first entered the hospitality industry 36 years ago, Centara has developed a strong reputation for blending gracious Thai-style hospitality with world-class accommodation and exceptional amenities. Now, with an expanded collection of innovative brands, Centara is aiming to write the next exciting chapter in our history, with the goal of doubling our global portfolio by 2022.

    For more information about Centara Hotels & Resorts, please visit https://36.centarahotels.com

  • Boots Chain Closing Down 200 Stores

    Boots Chain Closing Down 200 Stores

    The Boots chain of health & beauty stores is looking to cull as many as 200 outlets in its home UK market as its US parent embarks on a strategic review.

    Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) says the Boots business saw profits fall 20 percent to £398 million for the year to August 31. Sales slipped 0.8 percent to £6.7 billion during the period.

    Many of the Boots chain stores would close when their current leases expire. Others which are performing badly, would be shuttered more quickly, especially in smaller towns where there are two stores operating yet one would suffice.

    WBA will review the future of 2500 stores worldwide, including about 200 in the UK, which is equivalent to about 10 percent of Boots’ local network.

    Patrick O’Brien, UK retail-research director at GlobalData, said the Boots closures are overdue.

    “It has taken Boots a long time to address the midmarket squeeze that has wrought so much damage to major multichannel retailers in other sectors such as food, fashion and department stores. Shoppers have been trading down to discounters, and trading up to higher-end retailers for more expensive treats and gifts,” he said.

    “Like Tesco and M&S it has actually been in this predicament for years, but unlike them, it has done little to address the issue until very recently, and now we have to wonder if Boots has left it too late to halt its market share decline.”

    O’Brien said a long-term lack of investment in stores has become more noticeable to shoppers.

    “Its dated approach also extends to pricing, where multi-buy promotions and a generous loyalty scheme have made its shelf edge prices uncompetitive with discounters such as Aldi, Lidl and Savers, who have all been eating into its market share in health & beauty,” he concluded.

  • Network expansion boosts Berli Jucker Profit

    Network expansion boosts Berli Jucker Profit

    Berli Jucker, the operator of Thailand’s Big C retail stores, has reported revenue of THB30.9 billion (US$979 million) in the first quarter, gaining THB1.6 billion (US$50.5 million) over the same period last year.

    Network expansion was the main driver of the revenue growth, reported IGD, with 27 Mini Big C stores opening during the quarter, more than compensating for the closure of 13 convenience stores.

    The company’s gross-profit margin decreased from 16.3 per cent to 15.9 per cent due to lower business-to-business sales.

    Net profit declined 2.3 per cent due to increased staff costs due to store expansion and yearly bonuses, together with increased store-opening and closing expenses and rising utility prices.

    As at the end of March, the company had 147 hypermarkets, 61 supermarkets, 797 Mini Big C and 140 Pure drugstores trading.

    Like-for-like sales grew 1 per cent year on year while other income including rental increased 4.7 per cent over the same period, reported IGD.

  • Singapore Payments Startup InstaReM Partners Thai Banking Group

    Singapore Payments Startup InstaReM Partners Thai Banking Group

    Digital remittance company InstaReM has partnered Thai banking group Kasikornbank in an agreement that would see the Singapore startup power cross-border payments for the bank’s clients in select markets, it announced in a press release on Thursday.

    This relationship further cements InstaReM’s position as a leading provider for cross-border transactions. With InstaReM, KBank clients will be able to realize faster turnarounds, while providing certainty on delivery times and payout amounts, Prajit Nanu, co-founder and CEO of InstaReM, said.

    “This is an important partnership for KBank at an exciting stage in our evolution. We are continuing to expand our cross-border payment capabilities into key markets across the world, as we are witnessing increasing demand from our customers.

    Kasikornbank is Thailand’s second-largest and Southeast Asia’s eighth-largest bank in terms of total assets, at $96.9 billion, according to data from Forbes. At $14.5 billion, it is also the country’s largest bank in terms of market capitalization.

    InstaReM, which has a presence in 40+ countries in Asia-Pacific, North America and Europe enables low-cost cross-border payments to 55+ countries. It has enhanced its payments capabilities by partnering global payments leaders like Ripple, Visa and First Data.

    In March, the firm announced the close of its $41-million Series C funding round, which will be used to support growth and expansion to new markets, including opening a regional headquarters in Latin America and expanding its teams in London and Seattle, the firm said. This brings the total funding InstaReM has raised to $59.5 million since it started operations in 2015.

    It is expected to receive licenses for Japan and Indonesia later this year, and continues to prepare for an initial public offering, planned for 2021.