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Tag: bangkok

  • 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.”

  • Starbucks Thailand supporting regional artisans

    Starbucks Thailand supporting regional artisans

    Thai craft products are to go on sale in Starbucks Thailand outlets in a national promotion with the title “We bring crafts to life in harmony with the contemporary lifestyle”.

    In co-operation with the Support Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (SACICT), the project aims to help Thai artisans take their crafts to the public. Initially there are three products – handmade bags, natural-dye cotton outfits for teddy bears, and woven trays.

    “We are grateful to be able to provide an opportunity for Thais at district level to promote their innovative arts and crafts and generate income. We are also giving a boost to Thai handicrafts by showcasing their uniqueness to Thais and foreigners,” says Starbucks Coffee Thailand MD Murray Darling. “Customers can buy these crafts through our 303 stores in Thailand.”

    The bags are produced through a collaborative program between SACICT and the Department of Corrections that trains inmates of the Central Women’s Correctional Institution as part of a project under the royal initiative of Princess Bajarakitiyabha. The project aims to provide help and support to inspire women in prison to self-develop so they can find work after release.

    The outfits for Starbucks’ teddy bears features Nong Bua Daeng handwoven material coloured through natural dyes by groups in Chaiyaphum.

    Woven trays are a folk-art product from craftsmen in Varni Southern Wickery in Phatthalung province.“We believe this collaboration with Starbucks will help generate income for these local craftspeople while also showcasing Thai handicrafts and promoting these distinctive works to the public,” says SACICT CEO Amparwon Pichalai.

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  • Paul & Shark Thailand opens store in duty-free mall

    Paul & Shark Thailand opens store in duty-free mall

    Paul & Shark Thailand has opened a store at the Downtown Duty Free Mall in Rangnam Road, Bangkok.

    Run by King Power, the complex combines both international and local brand shopping with a hotel and theatre.

    Offering key pieces from the luxury Italian sportswear brand’s autumn/winter collection, the outlet follows the new Paul & Shark store concept characterised by high-tech steel, smoked glass and the brand’s signature blue.

    It is one of several stores the brand has opened this year, and comes in the final quarter of what the company says has been a successful year.

    It also opens in time for the Trinity Forum airport commercial revenues conference, which is being hosted at the King Power Pullman in Bangkok, “so we very much hope delegates will have the chance to see if for themselves”, says Paul & Shark worldwide travel retail director Catherine Bonelli.

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  • Kerry Logistics Awarded Frost & Sullivan’s Asia Pacific Regional E-Commerce Logistics Service Provider of the Year

    Kerry Logistics Awarded Frost & Sullivan’s Asia Pacific Regional E-Commerce Logistics Service Provider of the Year

    Kerry Logistics is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Kerry Express, has been named the Asia Pacific Regional E-Commerce Logistics Service Provider of the Year at the 2017 Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific Best Practices Awards (‘the Awards’).

    Organised annually by global business consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, the Awards recognise best-in-class companies in the Asia Pacific for their outstanding achievements and performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. The results were measured by industry analysts through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify the best practices in each field. The selection of award recipients was based on a set of parameters including revenue growth, market share, leadership, and business strategy.

    “We are delighted to earn such a prestigious honour from Frost & Sullivan for our express operation,” said Alex Ng, Executive Director of Kerry Express. “We wish to thank Frost & Sullivan and the industry analysts for the recognition, and our express team for their hard work and support. The accolade is a testament to our dedication in providing reliable and cost-effective B2C/ C2C e-commerce solutions to some of the biggest e-retailers and small sellers on social media in the region. Leveraging the booming e-commerce and cross-border activities in Asia and across the globe, we will continue to focus on bringing innovative and flexible e-fulfilment solutions to our customers.”

    Kerry Logistics’ expansive express network covers Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia. To further strengthen its service capability and coverage, Kerry Logistics formed a joint venture in 2017 Q2 with a local express operator in Indonesia to tap into the booming local express market. Singapore will be the next target for expansion.

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  • Thai hotels booked up ahead of funeral of revered king

    Thai hotels booked up ahead of funeral of revered king

    The funeral will run for five days next week. Hotels in Bangkok’s bustling old town, home to a backpacker enclave favoured by foreign tourists, are booked up as Thailand prepares to host the lavish funeral of its revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej next week, the hotel association said on Monday.

    The funeral of King Bhumibol, who died on Oct. 13 last year after seven decades on the throne, will run for five days next week, with most events centering on the Grand Palace and Sanam Luang, a public square in the historic quarter.

    About 250,000 mourners are expected to attend the funeral, which will feature gold-tipped pavilions built for the occasion, and Oct. 26, the day of the cremation, has been declared a national holiday.

    “Many Thais wishing to attend the cremation feel it would be more convenient having a place to stay nearby, so most hotels have been booked out already,” Supawan Tanomkieatipume, president of the Thai Hotels Association, told Reuters.

    A Reuters survey of three hotels on the Khao San Road, the main artery of the Banglamphu backpacker area, found no rooms were available.

    “We are fully booked during the royal cremation,” said Preechaya Amngeun, 23, a guest services agent at the Ibis Styles Bangkok Khaosan Viengtai, part of French hotel group Accor .

    “Around 80 percent of the guests we have are Thais. The other 20 percent are foreign tourists.”

    Thailand’s tourism industry, which accounts for 12 percent of GDP, has been a rare bright spot for an economy that has struggled since a 2014 coup. It has weathered political turbulence and a major natural disaster over the past decade.

  • DHL gears up for logistics boost from Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor

    DHL gears up for logistics boost from Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor

    The development of Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) is set to boost the country’s contract logistics sector.

    On Tuesday, Thailand’s ruling junta approved a plan to accelerate investment for the EEC project, which will see the region developed into a $45bn special economic zone by 2021.

    According to Kevin Burrell, chief executive of DHL Supply Chain’s Thailand Cluster, the EEC will attract a whole range of new investors to the country.

    He told that the next-generation automotive, smart electronics, affluent medical and wellness tourism, agriculture and biotechnology, food innovation, industrial and lifestyle robotics, aerospace, logistics and aviation, biofuel and biochemical, and medical services and healthcare were all industries set to see increased levels of activity.

    “I believe that the automotive, industrial, technology and healthcare and life sciences sectors will further drive contract logistics growth under the EEC program,” he added.

    According to the Thailand Board of Investment, the EEC spans 13,285 sq km across three provinces in eastern Thailand, Chachoengsao, Chonburi and Rayong.

    The plan is to turn the region into a key investment, technology and transportation hub via infrastructure improvements and by designating the area as special economic zone to attract foreign direct investment.

    “With the EEC, the Thai government is prioritising the creation of faster and more comprehensive routes between airports, ports, industrial clusters and urban centres throughout Thailand by developing high-speed and double-track railways,” explained Mr Burrell.

    High-speed rail will link the three main international airports, Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao, while double-track railways will connect key industrial zones such as Laem Chabang, Map Ta Phut and Sattahip Commercial Port. A new motorway will connect Bangkok to Rayong.

    Mr Burrell said the project would enhance South-east Asia’s broader logistics connectivity, so long as cross-border trade was allowed to flow smoothly.

    “The new rail network, when connected to neighbouring countries and deployed with efficiency and cost-effectiveness, should provide significant enhancements to logistics efficiency across the region. Coupled with the development of highways across Asia, it will provide a perfect platform for the efficient flow of goods.

    “What is still to be seen is border crossing harmonisation. What really needs to be developed is an efficient manner to allow vehicles to drive across borders with limited delays from customs processes.”

    DHL Supply Chain is to invest more than €70m to grow its regional footprint in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar by 2020. It plans new facilities, expanding its fleet of trucks and new technology to create an additional 5,000 jobs in the four countries.

    DHL recently completed a move to new premises in Bangkok’s business area. From there it has a nationwide network of 70 facilities, with combined warehouse space of 650,000sq metres and 10,000 employees.

    However, Mr Burrell added, finding suitable labour was becoming increasingly challenging, and as a result, greater warehouse automation would be deployed to fill the gap.

    “It becomes more and more difficult to find workers. That’s why we have opened our labour force to foreign labour. However, the regulations around foreign labour are understandably detailed and complicated. As a result, we have looked at alternatives to derive greater operational efficiencies and have started to deploy automation systems in some facilities.

    “Looking ahead, we see an ever-widening shortage of drivers for heavy goods vehicles. We feel it is essential to address this issue; one option is to allow foreign drivers to drive in Thailand, and an alternative is a government initiative to encourage development in this important space,” he said.

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  • Deliveree raises cash for expansion

    Deliveree raises cash for expansion

    Thai-founded Deliveree has raised US$14.5 million in a series A funding round, the cash earmarked for further Southeast Asian expansion.

    Since its launch in Bangkok three years ago, Deliveree has moved into Manila (operating as Transportify) and Jakarta. It will now expand into other markets in the region, likely to include Malaysia.

    The concept links private drivers with businesses moving small parcels, tapping into the growing e-commerce economy, and is also moving into larger consignments, targeting online retailers receiving inventory prior to sale.

    The latest funding round was led by Gobi Partners, which has a stake in Deliveree’s rival GoGoVan. Asia Summit Capital and foundation shareholder Inspire Ventures also invested.

    “Over the past few years, there has been a substantial investment in small-parcel, last-mile

    consumer logistics,” said Deliveree CFO Gagan Singh.

    But, he said but the industry suffers from poor operating economics. He believes Deliveree’s technology is more easily scaled than that of rivals, like Hong Kong headquartered Lalamove and GoGoVan.

    Deliveree claims to have 15,000 vehicles on its roster.

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  • ThaiBev acquires restaurant chain

    ThaiBev acquires restaurant chain

    Thai Beverage Public Co (ThaiBev) has bought a 76 per cent stake in Thailand restaurant chain Spice of Asia for THB114.5 million (US$3.4 million).
    Funding for the acquisition will come from internal resources, says the F&B giant.

    Spice of Asia has 10 restaurants under four brands – Cafe Chilli, Chilli Thai Restaurant, Eat Pot and Pot Ministry, serving Thai food and hotpot concepts. The acquired stake will be held by ThaiBev subsidiary Food of Asia.

  • Tesco Asia sales slump, profit soars

    Tesco Asia sales slump, profit soars

    Tesco Asia sales plummeted in the last half year – but profit soared by nearly a quarter.

    The UK headquartered supermarket operator, which operates Tesco Lotus in Thailand and Tesco in Malaysia – said in its trading statement that Asian operating profit before exceptional items was £141 million, up 24.8 per cent at constant exchange rates and 39.6 per cent at actual rates.

    “This improvement has been driven by refocusing on our core retail offer and significantly

    reducing the level of short-term promotional coupon activity. Furthermore, we have continued to focus on reducing our cost base as part of the group’s overall cost savings program and to help offset inflationary cost increases in the region.”

    Overall Tesco Asia sales fell by 6 per cent at constant exchange rates, with like-for-like sales falling 8.3 per cent.

    “The sales performance in Asia reflects our decision to withdraw from bulk selling activities in Thailand at the start of the financial year. Before this impact, underlying like-for-like sales in the region were down circa 2 per cent, largely as the result of a reduction in the level of short-term promotional couponing activity and the deflationary impact of lowering our food prices for customers. New store openings contributed 2.3 per cent to sales growth in Asia,” the company said.

    “Strong progress”

    Tesco CEO Dave Lewis hailed “strong progress” for the group as it reported an eightfold rise in overall first-half profits to £562 million and resumed dividend payments after a three-year hiatus.

    “Our offer is more competitive and more customers are shopping at Tesco. Today’s announcement that we are resuming our dividend reflects our confidence that we can build on our strong performance to date,” he said.

    “Market conditions have been challenging with inflationary pressure being felt throughout the half, but we have worked hard with our supplier partners to minimise price increases for customers.

    “Our overall sales inflation in the half was around 1 per cent less than the rest of the market, helping us become even more competitive.”

    However some analysts were a little more cautious in their assessments, suggesting the retail will soon have to raise its prices in the UK.

    Molly Johnson-Jones, senior retail analyst with GlobalData, said Tesco UK could not afford to maintain the 1 per cent inflation gap with its rivals and simultaneously reach its ambitious 3.5 – 4 per cent margin target and £1.5 billion cost savings goal by the 2020 year.

    “Tesco’s ability to maintain its price competitiveness will be challenged by cost inflation, which will continue through to 2019, and shelf-edge inflation, which will reach a peak of 2.9 per cent in the first half of 2019. Using our price tracker, we have seen that Tesco raised its prices circa 2 per cent during the first half, and we estimate that they are, therefore, absorbing about 1 per cent of cost inflation. At the moment, this ability to absorb cost inflation comes from the volume benefits that it has gained from suppliers.

    “We predict that Tesco’s prices will begin to increase towards 2019 as volume benefits from its supplier negotiations start to dissipate.”

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