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Tag: bangkok

  • Central FamilyMart set to expand

    Central FamilyMart set to expand

    Central FamilyMart plans to double the number of its convenience stores in Thailand from 1116 to more than 2000 within five years.

    President Chiranun Poopat says the company will continuously expand the number of FamilyMarts to cater to a growing market and increase access to consumers in specific locations. The expansion will be achieved by capital investment as well as franchising.

    “We are still confident in the high growth potential of convenience stores in the Thai market as shoppers appreciate convenience and diversity as well as product quality.

    “We will focus on opening more FamilyMart stores in Bangkok and the surrounding areas, as well as cities and destinations visited by foreign tourists,” says Chiranun.

    She says the company will add more than 60 stores this year, and also has a focus on improving existing outlets.

    There are also plans to collaborate with local entrepreneurs and suppliers so the stores can offer products for specific areas, especially tourist destinations.

    FamilyMart’s latest branch opened in Bangkok’s MBK shopping centre last week, offering ready-to-eat foods and beverages.

    For the current Vegetarian Festival, Chiranun says FamilyMart has increased its vegetarian options to 400 items. New offerings include vegetarian onigiri (Japanese rice balls), baked Riceberry with taro, stirfried mixed mushrooms with rice, stirfried soy protein with black pepper, a coleslaw sandwich and a vegetarian bento set.

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  • Siam Discovery bags two awards from Thailand Property Awards 2016

    Siam Discovery bags two awards from Thailand Property Awards 2016

    Siam Piwat Co., Ltd., the owner and operator of world-class developments such as Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery, and Paradise Park shopping centers, and joint-owner of megaproject ICONSIAM, reinforced its success after the relaunch of Siam Discovery – The Exploratorium in May, Thailand’s first hybrid-retail destination and lifestyle specialty store, by winning two prestigious awards in the real estate industry, namely “Best Retail Development” and “Best Commercial Development” from Thailand Property Awards 2016.

    Ms. Chadatip Chutrakul, Chief Executive Officer of Siam Piwat Co., Ltd., said, “We are extremely proud that Siam Discovery has won Best Retail Development and Best Commercial Development awards from Thailand Property Awards 2016. These accolades stand testament to Siam Piwat’s success as the Icon of Innovative Lifestyle and Thailand’s retail and real estate innovation leader, who is ready to continue offering experiences that are novel yet meet our customers’ needs.”

    “The awards reflect the success of the distinctive design and the ideas behind it by a team of world-renowned design experts such as the world’s leading designer Nendo (Oki Sato) and Urban Architect Co., Ltd., who came together and imbued the architecture of the refurbished Siam Discovery with elegance and uniqueness. Created under the never-before-seen concept of “Thailand’s first hybrid retail store,” Siam Discovery has broken every rule of Thailand’s retail industry to offer exciting experiences and creativity. This emanates from every single design detail, not only in the general ambience of Siam Discovery, but across its entire area of over 40,000 square meters, including its open space, transforming it into Thailand’s largest lifestyle specialty store. Even the product displays and stores of over 5,000 brands are decorated to match the personalities of each specific Lifestyle Lab on each floor to give our customers the freedom to browse for products that suit their stories and interests and make shopping both convenient and a fun exploration,” said Chadatip.

    Thailand Property Awards, was held for the 11th time with the aim to boost the stability and efficiency of Thailand’s real estate market and encourage real estate entrepreneurs wishing to participate in the event to continue to enhance their projects each year. The judging panel of Thailand Property Awards was composed of respected experts in different branches of the real estate industry, ranging from consultants and project managers to designers and architects, as well as Prof. Dr. Manop Bongsadad from the Housing Development Department, the Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University, who presided over the event as the honorary chairman.

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  • Hong Kong Lifestyle Comes to Bangkok

    Hong Kong Lifestyle Comes to Bangkok

    Under its mega promotion campaign “In Style ● Hong Kong,”the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) brings “Hong Kong Galleria,” featuring the best of the city’s   fashion, design and gourmet products, to Bangkok’s  Siam Paragon, from now until 9 October.

    HKTDC Executive Director Margaret Fong, said Hong Kong is not only Asia’s leading business hub, it is also Asia’s lifestyle trendsetter. “Hong Kong has a unique East-meets-West multicultural and multilingual environment,” said Ms Fong. “It is always at the frontier of fashion and lifestyle with a wide range of international and local design brands and innovative and creative lifestyle products. The ‘In Style ● Hong Kong’ promotion highlights Hong Kong’s vibrant and unique lifestyle, as well as creativity to Thailand’s consumers and business sector.”

    The “Hong Kong Galleria” at Siam Paragon is divided into three zones, bringing an all-round Hong Kong experience to Bangkok consumers.

    Brand ● In Style
    The HKTDC Design Gallery is collaborating with the popular online shopping site Lazada Thailand on an O2O retail service, featuring such lifestyle brands as The Candle Co, Eco Concepts, GLUSH/, Snugalicious and Tea Lab. On-the-spot ordering with immediate home delivery is available to shoppers. Meanwhile, hktdc.com Small Orders  presents a selection of stylish Hong Kong products from Everlong, Sky’s Creative, HK Keytron, Jet T Technology and PO: Selected. Online shoppers can take advantage of special offers.

    Fashion ● In Style
    Through an e-wardrobe installed at the “Hong Kong Galleria,” visitors can try on the latest collections by popular Hong Kong fashion designers, Doris Kath Chan, Bonita Cheung, Koyo William Cheung, Polly Ho, Henry Lau and Mountain Yam. The six Hong Kong designers, who have featured at international fashion events such as Tokyo Fashion Week, Copenhagen Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week and CENTRESTAGE in Hong Kong, collaborated on a “Thai Silk Crossover” series for “In Style ● Hong Kong”with the unique pieces to be showcased at the “Hong Kong Galleria”.

    Gourmet ● In Style
    Hong Kong is well known as a food lover’s paradise and Cantonese sauces always brighten dishes. The internationally recognised Chinese brand Lee Kum Kee is presenting food tasting sessions featuring its wide range of sauces and condiments. Premium Hong Kong specialty tea brands, Contact Design, Gianna, MingCha and OrTeaTM are also offering complimentary tea-tasting. A collection of Hong Kong-style restaurants in Bangkok, featured by OpenRice Thailand as well as the signature menus developed by designated “Chef ● In Style”, Denice Wai, are available at B.Duck Cafe, Four Seasons Chinese Restaurant and Gokfayuen.

    The Hong Kong Tourism Board will also stage a promotion at the Siam Paragon from 6 to 9 October to showcase Hong Kong as a top travel destination.

    Shop for Hong Kong products
    The HKTDC Design Gallery is collaborating with Betrend and The Selected to offer a range of Hong Kong brands at discounted prices from now until December. Brands to be featured include The Candles Co, Digit Band, Eco Concepts, Team Green, Herkomst, HYOne, Paris Garden、Prima Series, Tea Lab and Team Green.

    Meanwhile, a “Hong Kong Lifestyle Products” promotion is underway in Bangkok, with well-known Hong Kong fashion brands Bossini, Episode, Esprit, Giordano, G2000 and Jessica, as well as popular retail watch brand City Chain and optical boutiques eGG and Optical 88 offering discounts and other consumer incentives.

    To enjoy these offers, simply pick up a Citywide Promotion coupon booklet available at more than 100 participating outlets across Bangkok, featuring over 30 Hong Kong and local brands from 1 September to 31 October, or visit “Hong Kong Galleria” in Siam Paragon from 3 to 9 October. More exciting Hong Kong products and gourmet can also be found at online retailer Lazada Thailand and gourmet website OpenRice Thailand.

    Symposium promoting Hong Kong services
    Apart from the consumer promotions, a symposium targeting the Thai business sector will be held on 6 October at Plaza Athenee Bangkok. Officiating the opening session will be Vincent HS Lo, Chairman of the HKTDC; Rimsky Yuen, Secretary for Justice, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government; and Apiradi Tantraporn, Minister of Commerce of Thailand. More than 30 business leaders and experts from Hong Kong and Thailand will offer insights on how Hong Kong can facilitate the business expansion of Thai companies

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  • Nokia boosts True’s broadband network

    Nokia boosts True’s broadband network

    True Group in Thailand has deployed Nokia’s IP/MPLS routing technology to upgrade its broadband infrastructure in Bangkok.

    Surging demand for ultra-broadband fixed and mobile services, such as high-definition video and business services, have helped drive a dramatic increase in data traffic across True’s converged network, both in the city and its surrounding area.

    True is using Nokia’s IP routing technology to modernize its broadband infrastructure to improve the quality of experience and better support the growing high-bandwidth content demands of consumers and businesses.

    Nokia’s Service Router portfolio helps True to provide 4G LTE and 3G coverage to its 18 million mobile subscribers, high speed broadband to its 2.5 million broadband subscribers, and pay TV service to its 3.2 million TrueVision customers. The network upgrade was completed in May 2016.

    True can leverage Nokia’s infrastructure in the future to evolve to more dynamic agile services powered by Software Defined Networks and Network Functions Virtualization.

    True is using Nokia 7750 Service Routers (7750 SR) in Bangkok with the 7210 service access switch (SAS) being deployed in the northeast, east and central west regions of Thailand.

    “By leveraging Nokia’s expertise and leading routing technology,  we are able to provide seamless 4G LTE and 3G coverage along with quality, high-speed broadband data, voice and TV services to our mobile and fixed customers,” said Vichaow Rakphongphairoj, deputy CEO of operational development at True. “We can also deliver advanced high-speed residential, business and mobile services even more quickly and efficiently.”

  • NBTC to auction Dtac’s 1800-MHz spectrum early

    NBTC to auction Dtac’s 1800-MHz spectrum early

    Thai telecoms regulator NBTC plans to hold an auction for Dtac’s 1800-MHz spectrum in July 2018, three months before the operator’s concession expires.

    The auction of 45MHz of 1800-MHz bandwidth is expected to raise at least 135 billion baht ($3.89 billion) in revenue for the state, citing NBTC secretary general Takorn Tantasith.

    Dtac is using the spectrum under a concession arrangement with CAT Telecom. This concession is due to expire in September 2018 under the new licensing regime.

    The reserve price for the auction will be based on the winning prices of the previous 1800-MHz auctions in 2015, factoring in inflation. Takorn told the Postthat the winning prices must not be lower than the 2015 auction of two 15MHz 1800-MHz licenses.

    While Dtac CEO called it a good sign that the regulator plans an early auction, he said a lead time of three months is not enough time for a network installation. In other countries spectrum must be auctioned at least 1-2 years before a license expires.

    Dtac itself has the most invested in winning the 2018 license, the report notes. If the operator fails to reacquire the spectrum, it will be left with only 15MHz of 2100-MHz spectrum to serve over 25 million subscribers.

  • The Exploratorium To mount “Best of The Season, You Can Grab and Go” campaign

    The Exploratorium To mount “Best of The Season, You Can Grab and Go” campaign

    Siam Discovery The Exploratorium, the biggest arena of lifestyle experiments which allows any visitor to experiment, create and cultivate, is now mounting the biggest trends update campaign of the year: “Best of The Season, You Can Grab and Go”. It gathers the latest trends that are becoming popular in the world, the ones for every kind of lifestyles, during the 4 months from now on (September to December 2016), while also allowing everyone to experience. The grand opening of the campaign launch has recently taken place on 4th Floor, Siam Discover The Exploratorium.

    The launch event was crowded with a number of distinguished guests who have taste in various lifestyles including design, fashion, travel, adventure to name but a few. The gathering guest list included Ornchuma Durongdej, Hathairat Fingerhooth, Tada Varich, Pichamon and Pimpisa Chamanant, Monlissa Leenuttapong, ML Samornlada Chompol, Thitipong Lororasert etc. All of them were welcome by Siam Discovery’s executives, Chanisa Kaewreun and Kriangkrai Rulkhachantrkul. All the guests got updated on news of hot lifestyles: art and design from Phantipa Thanchookiet of Likay Bindery, travel from Kanitkul Natrbutr, and fashion trends from Nichakul Kitiyanubhongse of Harper’s Bazaar Magazine. A special fashion show was provided, presenting a wide range of lifestyle products.

    Ms. Chanisa Kaewreun, Executive of Siam Piwat Company Limited, said, “Best of The Season, You Can Grab and Go campaign has been initiated by Siam Discovery, which acts as a shopping market that sells every kind of design items, or a design supermarket. In fact, it is acknowledged among shoppers that Siam Discovery will be a very first choice when thinking about where to shop for any items with style and packed with creativity.

    “That’s why Siam Discovery is gathering top curators who have expertise in a variety of lifestyles and asks them to analyze trends and global movements in terms of design. Then, they will choose what items to become the latest trends in the world. Moreover, we are holding a number of workshops that feature different subjects: Art Design and Decoration coming with “Design Experiment Market” theme from 3 to 16 October 2016, Travel and Play with “The Wanderlust Experiment Market” theme from 17 to 31 October 2016, Fashion and Accessory representing “The Fashion Forward Experiment Market” theme from 1 to 8 November 2016. And closing with Sport and Adventure which represents “Active Experiment Market” theme from 9 to 20 November 2016. Siam Discovery will present a range of products according to these themes, available upon timelines. As well as workshops that are based on each of the themes for the four months, from now to the year-end 2016.”

    Nichakul Kitiyanubhongse said, “The hottest trend in fashion of the moment is a modern vintage style, which has lasted for ages. At the same time, a vintage style is growing in popularity. When wearing vintage attire, it’s no need to wear heavy make-up or dramatic hairstyle. It really appears an amazing trend.”

    Phantipa Thanchookiet said, “We can see two hot key trends in design and decoration in 2016 and 2017. One is design work friendly to the environment. This year, the eco trend becomes popular again. People are interested in things for their daily use, the ones with creativity and more eco-friendliness. Especially for furniture and home decorations. Let’s say which are becoming popular will have an eco-concept. The other is handicraft, which more plays a prominent role in creation in terms of design. Or even daily use products such as notebooks that can be decorated to tell the identity of an owner.”

    Kanitkul Natrbutr said, “I enjoy traveling and love to have adventures in new places to explore new experiences. And for each of my trips, I always blend in, my personality, with it. This is shown through my traveling stuff, from backpack and shoulder bag to water bottle and shoes or even outfits. After I had visited throughout the country and explored some neighboring countries, I feel like riding a bicycle wherever I go. That’s the beginning of my traveling together with my bicycle. This way makes me expand my horizons and have a close relationship with the nature. It gives me a unique travel experience, different from other kinds of travel. With a bicycle, I can find any places that I cannot by car. Or to enjoy being in the sunshine and the breeze, the surrounding nature that I can see with my eyes and feel with my heart.”

    Come play with us. Enjoy “Best of The Season, You Can Grab and Go” campaign which offers a variety of themes suitable for every lifestyle. Available from now to year-end 2016 at Siam Discovery The Exploratorium.

  • AIS ramps up fiber competition

    AIS ramps up fiber competition

    Thailand’s top mobile operator AIS is gearing up to launch what it says will be the country’s fastest fiber broadband services.

    The operator aims to attract 300,000 users to its fiber service this year, increasing to 2 million by 2019.

    The operator first entered the fiber broadband fray in April and has already been shaking up the market. The company currently has around 200,000 subscribers to its existing fiber services, a roughly 2% share of the total market.

    Now the company aims to disrupt the market further, with plans to offer an entry-level 20Mbps service for 590 baht ($17) per month, comparable to the prices of ADSL broadband services.

    AIS will also offer 50Mbps services for 888 baht per month and 100Mbps services for 1,888 baht per month. All packages will include free WiFi routers, free AIS internet TV and free installation.

    With the new packages AIS has increased its target monthly fiber net additions to 45,000, up from a previous target of 30,000-35,000.

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  • AIS to roam on TOT’s 2100-MHz spectrum

    AIS to roam on TOT’s 2100-MHz spectrum

    Thai state-owned operator TOT has reportedly signed a six-month trial contract with AIS subsidiary Advanced Wireless Network (AWN) covering roaming on TOT’s 2100-MHz spectrum.

    A TOT source told that AWN has agreed to pay a 325 million baht ($9.4 million) monthly roaming fee for use of 80% of TOT’s 2100-MHz spectrum allocation.

    The six-month trial is being conducted with a view to potentially entering into a permanent arrangement. AWS is expected to pay a 3.9 billion baht annual roaming fee under such a deal.

    TOT plans to allocate the remaining 20% of its 2100-MHz spectrum to other interested operators, according to the report. AIS already holds 15MHz of spectrum in the 2100-MHz band.

    State-owned TOT has been steadily losing 3G subscribers to its 2100-MHz service, and is under pressure to find new revenue streams following Thailand’s transition from a concession model for spectrum allocations to a more conventional auction model.

    In June, AWN also agreed to lease TOT’s 900-MHz network and towers for a combined 5.6 billion baht annually.

    TOT also holds 60MHz of 2300-MHz spectrum, and plans to use this to offer a wireless broadband service in conjunction with a strategic partner. The partner is due to be selected shortly.

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  • DTAC service center flagship store ‘dInfinite’ at Siam Paragon

    DTAC service center flagship store ‘dInfinite’ at Siam Paragon

    The new dtac service center flagship store, dInfinite, was launched at Siam Paragon Department Store with the concept ‘the endless digital experiences’. The store has been re-designed to enhance the customer experience through the use of digital services.

    The service center was designed by Whitespace Ltd., a professional retail design company. The key service area has been arranged to serve two main functions: counter service and consultation. The layout reflects of how retail stores have changed overtime; the transaction counter is no longer a key area as e-service, Speedy Queue, allows customers to easily queue online and to check out anywhere in the store.

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    Rather than waiting in line to pay ones bill, customers are urged to spend their time discovering, testing, and experiencing dtac’s newest devices. Cutting-edge smart phone models are available for customers to interact with at the Smart Table. The latest trends of gadgets and accessories are also available for customers to tryout in the Experience Corner.

    Moreover, the dInfinite flagship store delivers convenience and entertainment through the use of digital devices including a touchscreen e-brochure wall with the most up-to-date dtac promotions and at the Knowledge Table big screen tablets are used to live-stream entertainment via dtac Music Infinite and Primetime apps.

    When customers walk into dInfinite, they will feel at home and welcomed by the casual and warm ambience of the store. The cozy mood and tone is enhanced by custom-made wood furnishings, comfortable seating, wood floors and a black and gray color palette. Circular lights on the ceiling and the use of the dtac logo symbol on the walls throughout the store adds a sense of energy and excitement as well as reinforces the brand.

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  • Bangkok tops Global Destinations Cities Index

    Bangkok tops Global Destinations Cities Index

    Bangkok is the top-ranked destination city by international overnight visitor arrivals, according to the annual Mastercard Global Destinations Cities Index.

    Ranking 132 cities, the index projects visitor volume and spend estimates while delivering insights into how people travel and spend around the world.

    As cross-border travel and spending continue to grow at a faster pace than the world GDP, the world’s cities continue to be engines of broader economic growth, says Mastercard.

    According to the study, Bangkok is projected to receive 21.47 million international overnight visitors this year, just ahead of London (19.88 million visitors).

    Also in the top 10 cities are:

    • Kuala Lumpur, 12.02 million visitors

    • Paris, 18.03 million visitors

    • Istanbul, 11.95 million visitors

    • Dubai, 15.27 million visitors

    • Tokyo, 11.70 million visitors

    • New York, 12.75 million visitors

    • Seoul, 10.20 million visitors

    • Singapore, 12.11 million visitors

    Hong Kong was 11th.

    “The way people travel and spend across borders indicates just how interconnected and important the world’s cities are,” says Mastercard president of international markets Ann Cairns.

    As well as the top 10 cities, Mastercard names the top 10 fastest-growing destinations, which indicates the increasingly importance of Asia Pacific to the global economic landscape.

    Osaka new star

    Osaka has shown the strongest growth in international visitors (24.15 per cent) over the past seven years. Other cities that make the fastest-growing list:

    • Chengdu, 20.14 per cent

    • Taipei, 14.53 per cent

    • Abu Dhabi, 19.81 per cent

    • Xi’an, 14.2 per cent

    • Colombo, 19.57 per cent

    • Tehran, 12.98 per cent

    • Tokyo, 18.48 per cent

    • Xiamen, 12.93 per cent

    • Riyadh, 16.45 per cent

    For the first time, the index explores whether visitors travel for business or leisure, giving broader insights into spending on dining, lodging and shopping. The index shows that more people are travelling to the top 20 cities for leisure with Shanghai being the sole exception.

    Visitors to the top 20 cities overwhelmingly spent more on shopping, as opposed to dining, says the index.

    Asia Pacific dominates both the global top 10 (five cities) and top 10 fastest-growing destination cities (seven cities).

    Public data is used in deriving the international overnight visitor arrivals and their cross-border spending in each of the 132 destination cities for the index. Mastercard volumes or transactional data is not considered.

    The full report can be downloaded here.

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  • Bangkok’s Greyhound Cafe heads to Singapore

    Bangkok’s Greyhound Cafe heads to Singapore

    From Bangkok, fashion and lifestyle venue Greyhound Cafe will open in Singapore in November.

    Greyhound started as a fashion brand in 1980 with a casual menswear outlet. In 1997 it decided to bring together fashion and lifestyle by opening its own cafe in the Emporium Shopping Complex in Bangkok.

    Design is a strong element in its cafes, with its seven outlets in Bangkok all featuring such modern touches as murals and monochromatic furnishings, as well as specially designed staff uniforms.

    Greyhound is known for its fried wings, Thai iced tea granita and coconut crepe cake, and has been described by Fortune magazine as “the hottest seats in Bangkok”. Signature dishes include Complicated Noodle (a self-assembled dish), Fried Rice Noodle with Chicken and Dried Squid, and Spaghetti with Crab Meat and Prawn Cream Sauce.

    Singapore’s Greyhound Cafe will be in Paragon on Orchard Road.

    Early this month, Greyhound Thailand’s parent, Mudman, launched an IPO to raise capital for further investment at home and abroad.

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  • DHL Opens Link between Bangkok and Phnom Phen

    DHL Opens Link between Bangkok and Phnom Phen

    DHL Express has launched a flight connection between its Bangkok hub and Phnom Penh. According to DHL, the new flight is operated five times a week by K-Mile Air using a Boeing 737-400F, which offers a gross payload of 19 tons. The service is aimed at the growing import and export demands of industries such as garments and construction.

    “This new flight is another step towards unlocking Cambodia’s vast potential for trade in Southeast Asia,” said Ken Lee, CEO of DHL Express Asia Pacific. “Trade between Cambodia and Thailand reached US$5.1 billion in 2015, and the country also imported US$1.05 billion worth of goods from Singapore in 2014. By improving inbound and outbound capacities from markets like Thailand and Singapore where our hubs are located, we are confident that this new flight will further develop Cambodia’s market. With our extensive air network, this dedicated service will enhance the country’s global connectivity and trade relations.”

    Sean Wall, executive vice president of network operations and aviation at DHL Express Asia Pacific, said that the demand for movement of goods will grow further as Cambodia increasingly becomes an important trading player in Southeast Asia.

    “Our latest service is good news for businesses in Cambodia, offering them the capacity, frequency, and seamless export capabilities they need to reach more customers in new markets,” he said. “It also underscores our ongoing commitment to continuously strengthen our network and connectivity to provide more efficient routes for customers.”

  • NBTC to sue TrueMove, AIS for profit owed

    NBTC to sue TrueMove, AIS for profit owed

    Thailand’s telecoms regulator is in a race against time to sue TrueMove and AIS for profit owed during the final days of the 2G concession.

    The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission telecoms sub-board has recommended the full board sue TrueMove and DPC (an AIS subsidiary) for $30.6 million (1069.98 million baht) and $17.9 million (627.64 million baht) for all profit during the so-called consumer protection phase of their 2G concessions.

    The non-extendable concessions expired in 2013 but were extended to protect consumers until March this year, under the condition that all profit be returned to the state, not just the 30% revenue share under concession terms.

    Previously the NBTC had decided only to sue TrueMove, but because of a fear that they may be viewed as biased, the board this week issued a new recommendation to the full board to sue both True and DPC (AIS).

    The lawsuit must be filed before September 18 as it is when the statute of limitations expires.

    Elsewhere the NBTC is to set up a committee to investigate a data breach by AIS which involved an AIS employee leaking customer information and call logs. The matter made a big splash on social media earlier this week and AIS responded by firing their staff responsible.

    However, NBTC Secretary-General Takorn Tantasit said that AIS might face a maximum penalty of cancellation of its license due to the breach, and executives may be jailed up to two years.

    The committee will convene for the first time on 19 September.

    Elsewhere as expected, Thailand has transformed its ICT Ministry into the new Digital Ministry for Society and Economy.

    The DMSE act also sets up what is colloquially called the Digital Economy Commission, though now formally it is, strictly translated, the Office of the Digital Commission for Society and the Economy which will be chaired by the Prime Minister.

    A number of bureaus that used report to the ICT Ministry’s Permanent Secretary are now to report to the DE Commission – Space Affairs Bureau, ICT Promotion Bureau, e-Government Promotion Bureau and ICT Industry Promotion Bureau.

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  • Lalamove delivery app enters Bangkok

    Lalamove delivery app enters Bangkok

    Out of Hong Kong, on-demand delivery app Lalamove has launched in Bangkok.

    The company is still inviting restaurants and food producers to use its 24/7 dedicated courier service and receive its “Lala Recommended” stamp of approval on Lalamove’s Facebook and Instagram pages, which also promote dishes and produce.

    Already signed up are Own Your Own Fresh, Lobster Gangster, Taka Sashimi Express and The Cooking Crab.

    Lalamove also covers other delivery needs, from documents to furniture, using delivery vehicles ranging from motorcycles to pick-up trucks.

  • Banks, NBTC agree on 5 step m-banking security plan

    Banks, NBTC agree on 5 step m-banking security plan

    The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission hosted a meeting with representatives from the Bank of Thailand, the Thai Bankers Association and the Telecommunications Association of Thailand.

    The participants have agreed on a five-step plan to tighten KYC rules to increase confidence in eBanking and mobile banking in the run up to the launch of Thailand’s Promptpay national mobile payments system.

    1. The NBTC, BOT, TCT and mobile operators will create a set of KYC rules. The NBTC will order telcos to follow them strictly and will evaluate compliance with the new rules.
    2. Banks and mobile operators will launch an awareness campaign for people to tell their banks when their mobile phone or SIM is lost.
    3. If it can be proven that the customer has told their bank that their SIM has been lost, they will not be held responsible for monetary losses.
    4. A system will be set up for banks to be notified automatically when new SIMs are issued. Until such a system is in place, banks will give telcos a watchlist of telephone numbers that are linked to Internet banking, mobile banking or Promptpay accounts for their special attention.
    5. Issuing new SIM cards for accounts linked to bank accounts can only be done in person by the account holder and not via proxy.

    Meanwhile, NBTC Secretary General Takorn Tantasit has banned the import of all Galaxy Note 7 phones due to their exploding batteries. Phones from affected batches are immediately banned from being imported and the import of new note 7 batches can only resume once Samsung provides the NBTC with satisfactory electrical and safety test results.

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