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Tag: bangkok

  • AEON and Siam Paragon spread the cheer year end

    AEON and Siam Paragon spread the cheer year end

    Mr. Praphan Rangsiyopas (Right), Executive Vice President of AEON Thana Sinsap (Thailand) Public Co., Ltd. together with Mrs. Jiraporn Srisa-an (Left), Senior Deputy Managing Director for Business Promotion, Siam Paragon Development Co., Ltd. celebrate the 12 years of successful.

    The festive “Siam Paragon the 12 Glorious Years” campaign brings happiness to all special customers of Siam Paragon. Exclusively for AEON credit card members, simply by making a purchase by using AEON credit card at Siam Paragon Shopping Center reach the specified amount, be eligible to receive many special prizes such as gift voucher from participating restaurants, Siam Gift Card worth up to 4,500 Baht and AEON Surprise that give credit cash back up to 10,500 Baht. Your happiness starts now until January 15th, 2018.

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  • Newcomer Xiaomi lays out ambitious Thai plan

    Newcomer Xiaomi lays out ambitious Thai plan

    “We are optimistic about our performance in 2018. We entered Thailand about four months ago, so it is still an early stage, but we have already mapped up an ambitious plan for the Thai market in the year ahead, including expanding sales to more retail locations, introducing new smartphones and a wide range of lifestyle technology products,” Wang added.

    By the end of this year, the company aims to have a presence in over 150 retail locations in Thailand.

    Next year, it aims to have more than 50 authorised sales points, including Authorised Mi Store and Mi Zone store in major Thai cities.

    Currently, the company operates three Authorised Mi Stores: the flagship Authorised Mi Store at Seacon Bangkea , Authorised Mi Store at Imperial World Samrong, and the Authorised Mi Store at Pantip Plaza, Pratunam.

    “We will definitely open more stores and expand to more retail locations in Thailand. Our Authorised Mi Stores, in particular, is a great way for consumers to experience our smart phones and ecosystem products in person,” Wang said.

    VST ECS and Fanslink are Xiaomi’s local partners in distribution and retail, respectively.

    “Since we entered Thailand only four months ago, our partners have been very cooperative and supportive; we value all our partners and potential partners. In Thailand, we work with VST ECS as our distributor, and Fanslink as our retailer. In the long run, we, of course, are open to establishing partnerships with more local players, as we continue to look for opportunities to increase our presence in the market,” Wang added.

    He said that Thailand is the second-largest market for smartphones in Southeast Asia, after Indonesia, with estimated sales of 25 million units in 2017. To date, Xiaomi has entered Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Myanmar.

    “These are all promising markets with high potential, and we will continue our efforts to grow in the region,” he added.

    He said that Xiaomi is a very unique company with a unique business model.

    “We are a smartphone company, but we are also an Internet company and a new retail company. Because of this, we are able to make products packed with great technology available at extremely accessible prices.

    The price factor is not the key here, but the fact that we offer far more to users in all price segments, and across a range of products including lifestyle technology products,”

    When asked about the Thai customers response to the Xiaomi brand, he said: “Thai customers are starting to know us! We will definitely be working even harder to raise the awareness of Thai consumers,”

    The company entered the Thai market with one of its best flagship dual camera phones, Mi 6 , in August and has just announced the launch of Mi MIX 2, its full-screen display smartphone.

    In the local market , its available smartphones include Redmi 4A, Redmi 4X, Redmi Note 4, Mi A1, Mi Max 2, Mi 6, Redmi Note 5A and Mi MIX 2.

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  • Cole Haan Thailand opened Bangkok flagship

    Cole Haan Thailand opened Bangkok flagship

    Continuing its international expansion with its Southeast Asian partner Star360, based in Singapore, footwear brand Cole Haan Thailand has unveiled a flagship at CentralWorld in Bangkok.

    Drawing inspiration from a home, the store comprises a series of rooms that showcase its lifestyle products and allows for more footwear and accessories to be displayed than is available in other other locations in Thailand’s capital.

    Over the past three years the US brand has established itself in more than 40 markets, including the Asia Pacific.

    Its Bangkok opening comes as the brand is ramping up its marketing with its Extraordinary Women, Extraordinary Stories campaign featuring Christy Turlington Burns and Karlie Kloss, photographed by Cass Bird.

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  • SUPERNAP International Celebrates Grand Opening of The Most Advanced Data Center In The ASEAN Region

    SUPERNAP International Celebrates Grand Opening of The Most Advanced Data Center In The ASEAN Region

    SUPERNAP Thailand celebrated the grand opening of one of the most advanced data center in ASEAN region, the Bangkok Campus located at the Hemaraj Industrial Estate 2, in Chonburi.  The event was marked with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by several government dignitaries as well as business and community leaders.

    The SUPERNAP Thailand data center is designed and built to the specifications of the industry-renowned, Tier IV Gold-rated Switch LAS VEGAS multi-tenant/colocation data centers in the United States. Its advanced design and diverse connectivity options are expected to enable clients to respond to rapid market growth and connect to global economies, while helping the Thai government to transform the country into a high-value based digital economy.

    SUPERNAP Thailand Managing Director Sunita Bottse kicked off the ceremony, featuring board members, executives from the government sector and key vendors, by talking about the impact the project will have on the Thailand 4.0 economy.

    “Thailand is moving towards the “Thailand 4.0” era, when industries will rely on digital innovations and online connections,” Sunita Bottse said.   “This new carrier-neutral data center facility, plays an important role in the region as the critical infrastructure that powers the ability of businesses to succeed in the growing Internet of Things, Cloud and Artificial Intelligence markets. Our capability serve the huge scale of the digital world in an efficient and sustainable manner.

    SUPERNAP data center is expected to be a catalyst for attracting more investment to the region and is poised to become the data center hub for Asia Pacific and to accelerate the digital economy growth in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).    

    “Under Thailand 4.0, digital transformation will be instrumental in the realization of this exciting journey. SUPERNAP data center is the digital backbone that will enhance big data and cloud computing that are increasingly essential for the development of EEC and Thailand.”  said Dr. Pichet  Durongkaveroj, Minister of Digital Economy and Society.

    The world-class SUPERNAP Thailand data center is located 110 meters above sea level outside of the flood zone, and 27 kilometers away from the international submarine cable landing station, which links to national and international telecommunication and internet gateway carriers.

    “At SUPERNAP, we have ensured that our data center is up for the challenges as Thailand moves toward being a leader in the digital economy,” said SUPERNAP Senior Sales Engineer Kasem Nincharoen. “The SUPERNAP Thailand growth model is driven by the country’s need for a purpose-built data center facility bringing assured reliability, availability, security, scaleability and disaster risk mitigation supported by the latest proven and industry leading designs.”

    Currently, the SUPERNAP Thailand data center in Chonburi is expected to include:-

    • 21,000 square meters of data center space with two data halls.
    • 20 megawatts of power distribution.
    • Proprietary tri-redundant UPS power system.
    • Up to 33 kilowatts of power per cabinet.
    • Multi-carrier fiber couples with separate paths.
    • Patented Switch SHIELD: dual independent roof 100% penetration –free decks rated to withstand 322 kph winds.
    • 24x7x365 on-site network operations center (NOC), fire, safety and security.
    • On-site, on-net member resources including conference spaces.
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  • Bangkok could gain THB 126 billion of economic benefits by going cashless

    Bangkok could gain THB 126 billion of economic benefits by going cashless

    Residents, businesses and government of Bangkok could realize THB 126 billion-worth of economic benefits by transitioning from physical money to digital payments, according to an independent study conducted by Roubini ThoughtLab and commissioned by Visa.

    The results examine the economic impact of increasing the use of digital payments in major cities around the world. As a “digitally transitioning” city, Bangkok is among the six global metropolises selected for the study, representing one of the five different stages of digital payment maturity.

    “As more people move from rural to urban areas, cities become the nexus for the adoption of electronic payments. This study is unique in that for the first time it looks at the net benefits associated with adopting digital payments at a city-level. The research shows that a shift to electronic payments will benefit people, businesses and government not just in big cities like Bangkok, but other urban centers such as Phuket and Khon Khaen as well,” said Suripong Tantiyanon, Country Manager, Visa Thailand.

    For Bangkok, widespread usage of electronic payments could generate an estimated increase of THB126 billion to the city’s economy – with consumers, businesses and government to realize net benefits of THB 3 billion, THB 73 billion, and THB 50 billion, respectively.

    Estimated net benefits are derived from factors including time savings while conducting and processing banking, retail and transit transactions; increased sales revenues from extended customer base both online and in-store; increased tax revenues and economic growth; cost savings; and reduced cash-related crime, among others.

    “There are many existing and emerging technologies in payment that will drive wider adoption of electronic payments. In cities like Bangkok, we will see new payments form factors such as standardized QR Code go beyond being just a money transfer tool and mainstream method such as debit chip card becoming widely used and accepted, giving consumers and businesses the choices on how to pay and get paid,” said Mr. Suripong.

    About the Cashless Cities Report

    “Cashless Cities: Realizing the Benefits of Digital Payments”, is a unique study that quantifies the potential net benefits experienced by cities which move to an “achievable level of cashlessness”—defined as the entire population of a city moving to digital payment usage equal to the top 10% of users in that city today.  The study does not look at eliminating cash.  Rather, it seeks to quantify the potential benefits and costs of significantly increasing the use of digital payments.

    By reducing reliance on cash, the study estimates the immediate and long-term benefits for three main groups—consumers, businesses and governments. According to the study, these benefits could add up to combined direct net benefits of approximately U.S. $470 billion or equivalent to 3 percent of the average GDP of the 100 cities that were analyzed:

    • Consumers across the 100 cities could achieve nearly $28 billion per year in estimated direct net benefits. This impact would be derived from factors including up to 3.2 billion hours in time savings conducting banking, retail and transit transactions, in addition to a reduction in cash-related crime.
    • Businesses across the 100 cities could achieve more than $312 billion per year in estimated direct benefits. This impact would derived from factors including up to 3.1 billion hours in time savings processing incoming and outgoing payments and increased sales revenues stemming from extended online and in-store customer bases. The study also found that accepting cash and checks costs businesses 7.1 cents of every dollar received compared to 5 cents of every dollar collected from digital sources.
    • Governments across the 100 cities could achieve nearly $130 billion per year in estimated direct benefits. This impact would be derived from factors including increased tax revenues, increased economic growth, cost savings from administrative efficiencies and lower criminal justice costs due to reduced cash-related crime.

    “This study demonstrates the substantial upside for consumers, businesses and governments as cities move toward greater adoption of digital payments,” said Ellen Richey, Visa’s vice chairman and chief risk officer. “Societies that substitute digital payments for cash see benefits from greater economic growth, less crime, more jobs, higher wages, and increased worker productivity.”

    As cities increase use of digital payments, the positive impacts can extend beyond financial benefits to consumers, businesses, and government. The shift to digital payments also may have a catalytic effect on the city’s overall economic performance, including GDP, employment, wage, and productivity growth.

    “The use of digital technologies—from smart phones and wearables to artificial intelligence and driverless cars—is rapidly transforming how city dwellers shop, travel, and live,” said Lou Celi, Head of Roubini ThoughtLab. “Without a firm foundation in electronic payments, cities will not be able to fully capture their digital future, according to our analysis.”

    “Cashless Cities: Realizing the Benefits of Digital Payments” offers 61 recommendations for policymakers to help their cities become more efficient through greater adoption of digital payments. Recommendations include undertaking financial literacy programs to help move the unbanked into the banking system, implementing incentives to stimulate innovation focused on scaling new payment technologies, implementing secure open-loop payment systems across all transportation networks and more.

    Visa and Roubini Thoughtlab created an online data visualization tool as a companion to “Cashless Cities: Realizing the Benefits of Digital Payments.” Using the data visualization tool, individuals can increase or decrease the level of digital usage in each of the 100 cities included in the study to better explore the benefits of a world, less dependent on cash.  

    Methodology

    Roubini Thoughtlab, a leading economics and evidence-based research firm, surveyed 3,000 consumers and 900 businesses in 2016 across six cities (Tokyo, Chicago, Stockholm, Sao Paolo, Bangkok and Lagos) that represent different levels of digital payments maturity. These surveys examined the use, acceptance, and cost-benefit impact of physical and digital money. Researchers then extrapolated these survey results based on specific demographic and economic data to another 94 cities around the world to determine the net impact of moving toward a cashless economy on consumers and businesses in each location. Through other sources, the research was also able to identify expected impacts on government. Researchers used World Bank, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and other well-respected secondary data sources to augment the survey results and build the overall findings. An econometric model used by various central banks and other institutions – the National Institute Global Econometric Model (NiGEM) – was used to estimate the “catalytic” impacts (economic growth, productivity, employment and wages) that a move toward digital payments would have on each of the 100 cities analyzed. Visa commissioned the study.  Roubini Thoughtlab independently conducted the surveys, managed the research and developed the analysis.

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  • Toyota facelifts Hilux Revo pickup for 2018

    Toyota facelifts Hilux Revo pickup for 2018

    Brand’s bread-winning workhorse gets a more aggressive-looking face and a new style-led model called Rocco to rival the Ford Ranger Wildtrak and Isuzu D-Max X-Series.

    Toyota Motor Thailand has released the first pictures and details of the facelifted Hilux Revo ahead of its public debut at the year-ending 2017 Motor Expo.

    Featuring in the single- and double-cab models is a new face with a prominent grille to bring the Hilux Revo in line with the US-only Tacoma pickup. The meek looks of the pre-facelift Hilux Revo is alleged to have received a tepid reception from the pickup market.

    And for the first time, Toyota has introduced a new style-led range-topper called Rocco to rival the Ford Ranger Wildtrak and Isuzu D-Max X-Series.

    Available for both single- and double-cab variants, the Rocco features an even sportier grille with plenty of black accents around the vehicle. Other key exterior features are 18-inch alloys shod with 265/60 R18 all-terrain tyres and a sports bar in the cargo bed. The interior also gets the black colour treatment along with leather appointments here and there.

    The 150hp 2.4-litre and 177hp 2.8-litre diesel-turbo engines, plus 166hp 2.7-litre petrol unit, remain unchanged. The same goes for the six-speed manual and automatic transmission.

    As for the Rocco, only the 2.8-litre diesel is available either with manual or automatic and 2WD or 4WD. Depending on body style and transmission, the Rocco is priced between 1.129-1.199 million baht. While the regular single-cab sees prices starting from 572,000 baht, the double-cab kicks out at 672,000 baht.

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  • Mazda launches all-new CX-5 in Thailand

    Mazda launches all-new CX-5 in Thailand

    Mazda Sales Thailand has launched the all-new CX-5 with prices mostly competing with those of the Honda CR-V, one of the most popular SUVs in the Thai market.

    The second-generation CX-5 comes with a completely redesigned exterior and interior, although it still uses the same platform, engines and transmission from its predecessor.

    The CX-5 comes with the same 175hp 2.2-litre diesel-turbo and 165hp 2.0-litre petrol motors, both equipped with a carried-over six-speed automatic driving either the front wheels or all four.

    The entry-level model is the petrol-powered C trim priced at 1.29 million baht, some 100k cheaper than the cheapest CR-V powered by 175hp 2.4-litre petrol engine.

    The higher S spec of the CX-5 goes for 1.33 million baht which, like the C, is 70k more expensive than before. A new grade is the 1.53 million baht SP that comes with the brand’s latest driver-assist technologies. All petrol models are purely front-wheel drive.

    As usual, the diesel-powered is available in just two versions: XD asking for 1.56 million baht and XDL 1.77 million baht, the latter getting those driver-assist tech and four-wheel drive. They are 30k and 80k dearer accordingly than the previous models.

    The CR-V, with 160hp 1.6-litre diesel-turbo, is priced at 1.549 million baht in basic E trim and 1.699 million baht in EL guise.

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  • Siam Paragon Luxury Property Showcase 2017

    Siam Paragon Luxury Property Showcase 2017

    The property market in 2017 and 2018 has a positive outlook thanks to several factors, including indicators of a continued recovery of the Thai economy, good purchasing power – especially for high-end and luxury property, and the government’s economic stimulation measures and policy to promote property development in preparation for an aging society. All these contribute to the emergence of new markets and increased demand for property ownership among the Thais and foreigners.

    Due to demand for superior luxury property, Siam Paragon Shopping Center will organize the Siam Paragon Luxury Property Showcase 2017, bringing together all the leading premium property developers in Thailand to showcase masterpiece and high-end residential projects and holiday homes. The event will be the eleventh edition of this grand expo, showcasing 14 projects of super-luxury houses, condominiums and resorts with more than 3,000 units by Thailand’s leading developers, plus luxury yachts for ultimate luxury living. The showcase, which comes with special offers to welcome the year’s end, aims to meet every need of potential buyers and investors, whether they are looking for opportunities to own high-end property and assets or for long-term investments.

    Chanisa Kaewruen, Deputy Managing Director of Marketing Events and Business Relations, Siam Paragon Shopping Center said, “Both the luxury and super-luxury condominiums and low-rise property markets have experienced continued growth since the beginning of 2017. Thanks to low interest rates and increased loan approval rates, the property market will grow further in the fourth quarter and get even better in 2018. The organizing of this showcase will offer a great opportunity for the developers to reach their target customers and for potential buyers to enjoy special offers, exceptional prices and promotions that will make the decision-making process easier,” said Chanisa.

    The projects to be showcased at this event are all residential and holiday home masterpieces on the best locations. They are ARNA EKAMAI, BLUEPHERE PATTAYA, CANAPAYA RESIDENCES, FOUR SEASONS PRIVATE RESIDENCES BANGKOK AT CHAO PHRAYA RIVER, LAVIQ SUKHUMVIT 57, THE LOFTS SILOM, MOVENPICK RESIDENCES & POOL VILLAS, NARA 9 BY EASTERN STAR, NIVATI, THE PANO, THE RESIDENCES at SHERATON PHUKET GRAND BAY, SWAN LAKE RESIDENCE KHAOYAI and WISH SIGNATURE II MIDTOWN SIAM. Special for this year, luxury yachts by BOAT LAGOON will also join the showcase, responding to demand for luxury assets.

    “Developers have prepared to meet investors and buyers’ demand in this year and next year by offering more mixed-use projects, increased private space, fully furnished units with high-end furniture, and other services and facilities for the best comfort and convenience. Strategies to satisfy the buyers’ lifestyle and special offers to attract investors are expected to be well received like previous years during this 11-day event,” said Chanisa.

    Neti Narumit, a condominium investor, property broker and ultra-luxury condominium specialist, has made interesting comments about the market, particularly for high-end property. According to him, the fact that the luxury and super-luxury property market has been growing every year is because they are not much affected by economic situations. This market still enjoys demand from the Thai upper class and foreigners as well as long-term investors. Luxury properties on great locations with extravagant design and quality materials remain the market that both developers and investors show great confidence in. As prices rise every year, this sector continues to grow with great strength.

    “The property market, especially the upper market, will continue to grow next year in line with the growing economy thanks to the flow of funds from foreign investors, the completed megaprojects that have resulted in high prices for land, the government’s special economic zone development and the growth of important cities across the country. This market receives great attention from investors and developers and is still able to create excellent capital gain, resulting in confidence by both Thai and foreign investors. In particular, the new generation of businesspeople – those who are good at financial management, have great lifestyle and look for a stable investment that offers long-term returns, will invest more in property, especially in the upper market. They feel confident that this market has sourced the best locations with high demand, such as the city center, areas connected to parks and water or the rapid transit systems, commercial districts and travel destinations like the sea and mountains, and that the prices of these properties will only increase. This group of investors also express confidence in brands with luxury design and use of technology and innovations to offer the best service and buyer satisfaction. They feel confident in both the value of property and the brands of high-priced projects.”

    The Siam Paragon Luxury Property Showcase 2017 will take place on November 9-19 at the Fashion Hall and the Fashion Gallery on the 1st Floor of Siam Paragon Shopping Center, where leading developers will showcase superb high-end residential projects and excellent investment opportunities with three special offers. The first offer is discounts and promotions for luxury residential projects and holiday homes on great locations. The second offer is for top spenders at the event. The customer with the highest spending will receive an exclusive yacht trip in Phuket worth 350,000 baht provided by Boat Lagoon Yachting. The prize includes one-day luxury stay on the yacht for ten people with complimentary food, drinks and champagne. The second and third top spenders will each receive a round-trip ticket to Phu Quoc, Vietnam for two people, worth 108,000 baht from Bangkok Airways and three-night accommodation at the Turquoise Suite at the JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa with complimentary meals worth 192,500 baht. The fourth and fifth top spenders will receive a powerful wireless vacuum cleaner from Dyson V8 Animal Vacuum worth 25,900 baht. The third offer is a special privilege for Kasikorn and Thanachart credit card holders. When spending with their respective credit card, Kasikorn customers will receive up to 12,000-baht cashback and an installment payment option with 0% interest for up to ten months while Thanachart customers will receive up to 14,000-baht cashback and an installment payment option with 0% interest for six months. For more information, please call 0-2610-8000.

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  • Siam group launched “Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus Members” campaign

    Siam group launched “Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus Members” campaign

    Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery, Bangkok’s three major shopping destinations, have introduced the “Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus members”, a special campaign starting from now until June 30, 2018 to fulfill traveling experience for tourists with  special privilege for Royal Orchid Plus members.

    Tourists who are members of Royal Orchid Plus will get a complimentary PANBURI Indochine scent mini gift set, and VIZ Titanium membership card by simply presenting your  Royal Orchid Plus membership card and Thai Airways boarding pass at Tourist Lounge, G Floor, Siam Paragon.

    Additionally, for Royal Orchid Plus Platinum members will enjoy receiving a complimentary M Card Lounge access when spending over 20,000 THB, and Jamie’s Italian voucher, as well as Siam Discovery Open Space discount voucher worth 500 THB.

    Moreover, for tourists traveling from Moscow, Tehran, or Dubai from today until December 2017 will receive a complimentary PANBURI massage-on-the go kit.

    Come to join us with ultimate shopping and travelling experience under the campaign “Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus Members” at Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery from today to June 30, 2018.

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  • Centara appoints Deputy CEO to lead next phase of growth

    Centara appoints Deputy CEO to lead next phase of growth

    Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, announced the appointment of Markland Blaiklock as Deputy Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Blaiklock will be responsible for steering the continued expansion of Centara, which aims to double both its revenues and number of properties over the next five years.

    Blaiklock returns to Centara in an expanded capacity having previously served as the company’s Chief Operating Officer in 2015. He has held senior executive positions with Le Meridien, Shangri-La, Raffles and Accor hotel groups, in Asia and North America. He is a Canadian national educated in England and France.

    Centara created the new Deputy CEO position and brought in the experienced executive to focus on the company’s ambitious growth plans over the next five years and beyond. Blaiklock will also oversee operations, human resources, sales, marketing, business development and legal services.

    Centara has been expanding outside its base in Thailand, where it operates 32 properties. The company currently has 67 properties open or under development across 13 countries in Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, China, the Middle East and the Caribbean. The next phase of growth will see Centara become an even more significant regional brand with properties opening in China, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Qatar and the UAE.

    Centara manages a diverse brand portfolio catering to the needs of key business and leisure travel segments. Its properties range from large, upscale city hotels and convention centres, to elite island resorts and economy products. The company recently launched a new affordable hotel concept, COSI, designed for the new generation of connected lifestyle travellers. In addition to expanding COSI, Centara aims to develop new businesses where it can leverage its competitive strengths of Thai hospitality, food and spa expertise, and synergy with the Central Group.

    Blaiklock’s operational experience will also be put to work leading improvement of Centara’s technical platforms and systems, ensuring the company’s core infrastructure supports its vision for global expansion.

    “I’m delighted to be back with Centara during this dynamic period of growth for the company,” said Markland Blaiklock. “The plans are ambitious and exciting. I look forward to contributing my experience, energy, and leadership to Centara’s capable team. Together we can achieve great progress.”

    Centara’s Chief Executive Officer Thirayuth Chirativat added, “We are delighted to have Markland back with Centara. This new position is an important component in our growth plans and his proven leadership qualities will help us accomplish our goals.”

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  • TrueMove aims for 33% market share

    TrueMove aims for 33% market share

    Thai operator TrueMove aims to increase its share of the mobile market to 33% next year, as the second-ranked operator takes aim at market leader AIS.

    The operator plans to invest in data capacity and introduce innovative new services and products to meet its expansion goals, the Bangkok Post reported.

    TrueMove currently has a market share of around 29% and a revenue market share of about 26%, which compares to 44.8% and 48.6% respectively for for AIS.

    In an interview, True Corp co-president for commercial management Vichaow Rakphongphairoj expects the arrival of 5G and the IoT to increase the penetration rate for mobile numbers and SIMs from the current 140% to up to 1,000%.

    While the operator will need to expand its spectrum holdings to develop the capacity to launch new services, Vichaow told the publication it is too early to say whether TrueMove will join the planned 5G auction for 1800-MHz and 850-MHz spectrum planned for next June. The operator’s participation will depend on the final conditions for the auction and the results of the operator’s feasibility study.

    True Move currently holds the highest amount of bandwidth among Thai mobile operators with 55MHz spread out across the 850-MHz, 900-MHz, 1800-MHz and 2100-MHz bands.

  • New opening of MUJI at Siam Discovery

    New opening of MUJI at Siam Discovery

    Mr. Yuki Yamamoto, Director and General Manager, Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.  along with Miss Naratipe Ruttapradid, Senior Executive Vice President Operations Division at Siam Piwat Co., Ltd.  opened the new ‘MUJI’ store at  2nd Floor, Siam Discovery.

    New opening of MUJI at Siam DiscoveryCustomers will get special offer and can buy the special exclusive tote bags  at Bath of 99 only at MUJI, Siam Discovery branch.

  • Vietnam Attends Passerelles numériques Graduation Ceremony

    Vietnam Attends Passerelles numériques Graduation Ceremony

    On October 14th, 2017, Bolloré Logistics Vietnam attended the graduation ceremony of Passerelles numériques (PN) Vietnam students.

    The Passerelles numériques Vietnam NGO program was launched in 2010 in Da Nang, a city identified as a high potential area for Information Technology (IT) sector development. Bolloré Logistics Vietnam is supporting the organization through donations since early 2017.

    Earlier this year in April, nine second-hand computers were provided to Passerelles numériques structure in Danang, after which it was decided to provide seven more prior to the graduation ceremony; as well as 10 keyboards and five computer mice.

    Bolloré Logistics Vietnam believes in social and educational development through Passerelles numériques’ actions and will continue to support students in Vietnam, for them to have a chance to gain a solid general knowledge and a better understanding of the world around them; in order to meet the job market skills requirements.

    Marc Moeschlin, Managing Director of Bolloré Logistics Vietnam, adds “With this very concrete CSR action, we not only contribute to give better IT education chances to these underprivileged students, but we are also eager to increase the pool of future tech-savvy talents in Vietnam; which will support Bolloré Logistics in a broader sense, as our industry is more and more driven by technology, algorithm decision making and digitization.”

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  • Bangkok moves up the food chain

    Bangkok moves up the food chain

    According to the Mastercard Global Destinations Index, Bangkok is the most visited city in the world with 21.47 million overnight visitors in 2016.

    There are several factors that make Thailand’s capital the world’s leading destination and one of them is food.

    Anyone familiar with Thailand is aware of Thais’ love of food and now the world is learning more about Thai cuisine. There are few cities in the world without a Thai restaurant. Today, Bangkok is delivering a wide range of authentic Thai food and is growing as a foodie destination.

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand has been using ‘Thai Food’ as their strategy to promote sustainable tourism. Social media platforms, such as YouTube and Facebook, are the most effective channels to reach travelers, especially independent travelers who rely on the internet to plan their trip. For example, the ‘Thai-Licious Journey’ series campaign on YouTube aims to promote Bangkok as a food capital of the world.

    In addition to the government’s effort to promote Thai cuisine, the private sector is also playing a role to raise awareness. The Minor Group—one of the largest hospitality and leisure companies in APAC—has expanded their Thai Express restaurant brand across six countries in Asia Pacific. Thailand’s Mudman Group has also established their Greyhound Café restaurant brand in Hong Kong and Beijing.

    In terms of variety, Bangkok offers a range of dining experiences from local street food to cutting-edge restaurants. Bangkok was ranked by CNN as the Best City in the World for Street Food in 2017. On the other end of the scale, the city is now home to two out of the fifty finest culinary establishments on the planet, according to the EATER website—Gaggan and Nahm. Bangkok’s bars are also world-famous; Sirocco Sky Bar featured in ‘The Hangover Part II’ movie.

    Retail landlords have been revising their retail mix by adding more F&B tenants, ranging from international restaurants to an indoor street food experience. For example, the Terminal 21 shopping center offers Thai local street food at affordable prices, as well as Tim Ho Wan, a one-star Michelin restaurant.

    Many of today’s travelers, especially millennials, have become more sophisticated and want authenticity and experience; Bangkok is increasingly catering to this market. Retail landlords who are using a placemaking strategy want restaurants that can give them a competitive edge to attract locals as well as international visitors.

    Traditionally, fast-food tenants have been the highest F&B rent payers but nowadays, landlords of many Bangkok shopping centers want to create a unique selling point, which means accepting lower rents to secure a wider range of restaurants.

    Bangkok is growing as a foodie destination and we can expect to see a wider and more sophisticated range of restaurants for Thai regional and international cuisines.

  • Dtac profit falls 8.8% in Q3

    Dtac profit falls 8.8% in Q3

    Thailand’s Dtac has reported an 8.8% year-on-year decrease in net profit for the third quarter of 2017 as a result of declining revenue and costs associated with network investment.

    The operator reported a profit for the quarter of 601 million baht ($18.1 million), from 3.7% lower revenue of 18.81 billion baht. Service revenue fell 1.5% year-on-year to 15.96 billion baht.

    Voice revenue fell 36% year-on-year to 3.52 billion baht due to ongoing voice to data substitution, while data revenue increased 19% year-on-year to 11.15 billion baht. Handset and starter kit sales meanwhile fell 6% year-on-year due to controls on handset subsidies.

    Dtac’s total customer base meanwhile fell 6.9% year-on-year to 23.1 million, with postpaid net additions reaching 134,000 while prepaid subscribers fell by 642,000.

    The operator’s bottom line was also impacted by higher network opex and depreciation costs associated with its network rollout. Total cost of services increased 3.4% year-on-year to 10.97 billion baht and network opex grew 9% over the same period to 1.69 billion baht.

    For the full year, Dtac has maintained its outlook of flat service revenues and an ebtida at least as high as in 2016. The company expects its total capex for the year to be in the range of 17 billion to 20 billion baht.

    “Market competition is expected to remain intense. Attractive handset offerings continue to be employed to attract high value customers, and prepaid handset subsidies are expected to persist although at a less aggressive level,” Dtac said in its third quarter report.

    “Data services remain a growth driver thanks to higher demand from the growth of streaming services and superior 4G experience… We aim to gain consumers’ confidence with improving data network, digital products and services, and value for money position, and become [the top] digital brand in Thailand by 2020.”