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Tag: bangkok

  • AEON and Shell Partnering to Offer Special Cash Back

    AEON and Shell Partnering to Offer Special Cash Back

    Mr. Praphan Rangsiyopas (middle), Vice President Marketing and Mrs. Waraporn Nilpanich (right), Vice President Credit Card of AEON Thana Sinsap (Thailand) Public Company Limited together with Ms. Nopchanok Tantiwechwuttikul (left), Payment and Loyalty Manager of The Shell Company of Thailand Limited offer special promotion for AEON credit cardholders, Accumulate spending amount of 3,000 Baht and up at Shell Service Station via AEON Gold and AEON Classic credit card, cardholders will get cash back up to 500 Baht per month.

    AEON credit cardholders can enjoy this promotional campaign by registering through SMS by typing SH follow by 16 Digits of AEON credit card number without space, and send to 4589123 or register free at www.aeon.co.th. This campaign starts now until March 31st, 2017.

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  • TCC aims to dominate river view

    TCC aims to dominate river view

    Asiatique already dominates much of the night time Chao Phraya view with its night bazaar and Asiatique Sky Ferris wheel, built on the site of historic East Asiatic Company on riverside Charoen Krung (New) Road. (Creative Commons via Wikipedia)

    TCC Land Asset World Co, the retail arm of tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi’s TCC Group, will invest 10 billion baht to build a five-star hotel near Asiatique the Riverfront, aiming to serve meeting and exhibition guests as well as a growing number of tourists.

    Surasit Manawatanakij, TCC Land’s asset manager, said the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (Mice) business has been growing significantly and Thailand is expected to be a regional hub for the segment because of its tourism infrastructure and staff.

    Located on the banks of Chao Phraya River, the hotel will have 800 rooms with a 3,000-square-metre conference hall, mainly to accommodate Mice customers. The luxury hotel is due to start construction in 2018 and finish in 2020.

    “This hotel is likely to be managed by Maryland-based hotel management chain Marriott International,” he said.

    TCC Hotel Group has Marriott managing its hotels in Bangkok, Phuket and Hua Hin.

    Mr Surasit said the strong growth of Mice has been backed by the country’s tourism attractiveness and Thai hospitality.

    Last year, Thailand welcomed 29.8 million foreign tourists and the arrival figure is expected to rise to more than 30 million this year.

    Apart from Mice business, TCC Land expects its Asiatique mall on Charoen Krung Road to welcome 24 million tourists in the next two years, up from 12 million last year.

    The project has become a tourist attraction with a giant Ferris wheel, restaurants and retail shops.

    The nearby area is booming with new retail development including Iconsiam located on the opposite side of the river. The cabinet recently approved the construction of a 2.68-kilometre Gold Line monorail in Thon Buri district not far from this area.

    TCC Land plans to earmark 300 million baht to build two new warehouses for the Urbano fashion zone and expand its pier at Asiatique to accommodate rising foreign and local tourists, especially foreign independent travellers (FITs), which have grown enormously in the past few years.

    “FITs have three times the spending power of those from tour groups,” Mr Surasit said.

    TCC Land also wants to alter the ratio of FITs and tour group customers to 60:40 next year from 50:50 last year.

    The company will partner with potential sponsors expected to be Thai Beverage, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and some tour agents to promote Asiatique during the festive season with a budget of almost 240 million baht, he said.

    “Thanks to very good feedback from tourists the past five years, Asiatique will keep developing itself to become a tourism landmark for Bangkok,” Mr Surasit said.

    TCC Land targets 500 million baht in revenue for Asiatique this year, mostly from retail rents and activities during the year-end festive season, before reaching 550 million in 2018.

    Last year, Asiatique’s revenue stood at 423 million baht.

    Asiatique has 1,500 shops and 45 restaurants and bars, including entertainment activities such as theatre, puppetry and a Ferris wheel overlooking the river.

    The company plans to bring more Asiatique projects to Pattaya and Chiang Mai in coming years to serve a sharp rise of tourists.

    Apart from Asiatique, TCC Land operates many retail projects in Bangkok including Gateway Ekamai, Centerpoint Siam Square, Pantip Plaza and Box Space.

     

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  • Thai cellcos must register SIMs or lose licenses

    Thai cellcos must register SIMs or lose licenses

    Thailand’s telecoms regulator NBTC has warned operators that they will have their operating licenses immediately revoked if they fail to register prepaid SIMs sold from now on.

    The regulator has also warned that operators may be fined if phones with an unregistered SIM are sued for illegal activity.

    According to the NBTC, the regulator still gets new entries to its online customer information registration system that state “not registered,” despite introducing mandatory SIM registration more than a year ago.

    NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith has stated that there will be “no more warning messages from now on,” and that operators allowing prepaid customers to use services without registering their details will have their licenses revoked immediately.

    The warning comes in the wake of a spate of recent bombing attacks in the south of the nation, and follows a meeting between the NBTC and more than 20 mobile operators and MVNOs to discuss the issue.

    According to a source quoted for the report, there were 36 mobile numbers involved in the recent bombing, and three of these had not been registered.

    Regulators are also proposing introducing special tracking SIMs for foreigners as part of Thailand’s SIM registration policy.

  • SCB Easy Application on the Fritz Pending Upgrade

    SCB Easy Application on the Fritz Pending Upgrade

    Customers of Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) might have recently found out the hard way that the SCB Easy App is on the fritz and hasn’t been working as properly as it should’ve been.

    SCB has already suspended the service of the app yesterday, in order to be able to properly update the system.

    According to SCB, the disruption of service was due to the increased use of system for financial transactions. However, the app will hopefully be up and running again by Sept. 10 after the system upgrade.

    Customers, fortunately, are still able to use the bank’s services through other channels, including their website: www.scbeasy.com

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  • Dunnhumby strives to deliver innovative state of the art “media planning”

    Dunnhumby strives to deliver innovative state of the art “media planning”

    Dunnhumby, a leading customer science company, today announces a 29.8% year-on-year growth in gross revenue, as it continues to be an innovator in retail business by significantly expanding its retail media services over the past few years.

    Analyzing data on consumer spending behavior, Connect Media from dunnhumby is able to understand the customer decision-making process, and therefore better tailor marketing and advertising, both online and offline, to enhance customers’ decisions in buying products, while at the same time earn brand loyalty.

    “We’re able to offer a seamless customer journey, through-the-line, from home, when customer on the moves, on mobile, to the point of sales,” said Teeradet Dumrongbhalasitr, Head of TESCO Commercial South East Asia, dunnhumby Thailand. “dunnhumby begins with understanding the customer’s mind, then we pick the right knowledge to match media that suits the campaign’s objectives. We then choose the right touch point on the customer’s journey to communicate with them.”

    Over the past couple of years, Connect Media from dunnhumby has supported many of Thailand’s leading brands to successfully deliver their message to customers and build their brands at Tesco Lotus. 

    “dunnhumby strives to create new execution, new platform, new measurement to deliver innovative state of the art media. This makes Connect Media clearly different from other media in the market,” said Mr. Teeradet.

    It isn’t just the new innovations like its ibeacon on-location technology, or its unique approaches, like personalized opportunities, that is responsible for Connect Media’s success in “Return on Customers” for companies, though, but also its combination of innovative media solutions for ultimate impact and penetration in the market.

    “Of course, digital channels and platform synergy are becoming increasingly important in empowering customers’ shopping experiences and targeting individual customers, but we should also not neglect ‘point of sales media’, and advertising on the sales floor in its ability to influence customers at their moment of truth” added Mr. Teeradet. “Although customers may very well have a clear idea of what they want before they enter the store, the influence of promotions and media at point of sales can always change their purchase intention.”

    Connect Media from Thailand shows no sign of slowing in terms of growth and expansion, and in the coming months seeks to better “humanise” online interactions, and continue to evolve the shopping experience through creative offline platforms.

    “We will be focusing on as of yet untapped markets in the coming months, while strengthening key categories,” said Mr. Teeradet.

     In line with Connect Media’s history of leading the retail industry in innovation, Connect Media will also be focusing on business opportunities in other sectors, and looking at ways to solidify their position in the marketplace by potential data partnerships.

  • The new tallest building in Thailand looks like a pixelated image in mid-download

    The new tallest building in Thailand looks like a pixelated image in mid-download

    At 1,029 feet, the MahaNakhon is now the tallest building in Thailand. The 77-story tower beats the skyscraper that previously held the title, Baiyoke Tower II, by 33 feet.

    To celebrate its debut on August 29, the building lit up Bangkok’s skies with a fantastic light show. The skyscraper’s signature ribbon, which is made to like a partially-downloaded spiral of pixels, lit up, creating a beacon in the capital city’s skyline.mahanakhon-oma_ole_scheeren_v_4

    The building is designed for a mix of retail, hotel and residential use — it holds 200 condo units managed by Ritz-Carlton Residences.

    The Office for Metropolitan Architecture — the firm founded by famed Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas — announced plans for the building in 2009, but the final design was completed by international architecture firm Büro Ole Scheeren. The firm teamed up with Thai residential property developer PACE Development, and the building reportedly cost 18 billion baht ($520 million) to complete.

    PACE hopes to sell some of the hotel space and observation decks to a local real estate investment trust next year, the Bangkok Post reports. Some of the revenue from that sale will likely recoup construction costs — as will ticket sales for the building’s observation deck, and rents from the other hotel and retail spaces. Gourmet grocery store Dean & Deluca is also expected to open in the building.

    But it might not stay Thailand’s tallest skyscraper for long. A new structure, the Rama IX Super Tower, is proposed to be built in 2019. At 2,018 feet tall, it would be almost twice the size of the MahaNakhon.

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  • Thailand aims to rethink Thaicom concession

    Thailand aims to rethink Thaicom concession

    Thailand’s ICT ministry plans to renegotiate the terms of Thaicom’s satellite concession, in the wake of a recent Supreme Court ruling against the amendment allowing Shin Corp to reduce its minimum holding in the company.

    The court recently found former ICT Minister Surapong Suebwonglee guilty of criminal malfeasance over the agreement to amend the terms of the concession, and sent him to jail for a year.

    Shin Corp was allowed to reduce its stake in what is now Thaicom to 40% from 51%, which the court found was against telecoms law. The court held that the move unfairly boosted Thaicom’s competitiveness and put the business at risk of foreign dominance.

    As a result of the ruling the ministry plans to device a new investment model for the satellite industry to replace the licensing regime.

    The government is considering four investment options – turning Thaicom into a state enterprise, a public-private joint venture majority owned by the state, a more flexible public-private joint venture model or the existing licensing model with higher fees.

    Negotiations with Thaicom are expected to be complete by early next year. The current concession, which involves fees amounting to 20.5% of revenue, is due to expire in 2021.

    Thaicom operates three of its satellites under the concession regime, while two more are operated under an NBTC licensing system involving a license fee of 5.75% of total revenue.

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  • Former Thai ICT minister spends first night in jail

    Former Thai ICT minister spends first night in jail

    Former ICT Minister Doctor Surapong Suebwonglee is spending the night in jail after being found guilty of criminal malfeasance regarding an amendment to the Thaicom / Shin Satellite contract.

    The case, brought by the counter corruption commission, accused Surapong and former ICT Ministry Permanent Secretary Kraisorn Pornsutee and former Space Administration Bureau director Chaiyan Pungkiatpairoj (himself later permanent secretary) of illegally amending the concession to allow Shin Corporation to lower its shareholding of Shin Satellite from not less than 51% to not less than 40%.

    This materially changed the requisites in the concession contract as it would lessen the risk Shin Corporation had in Shin Satellite, and it could, though unlikely, open the way for the 60% of shareholders to get together to outvote concession holder Shin Corporation.

    Such a material change would have needed cabinet approval.

    The courts noted that while Surapong did submit evidence that he had asked the Thaksin Shinawatra cabinet for approval; and evidence that the attorney-general said he had the power to go ahead with the amendment whilst the cabinet approval was pending, Surapong had omitted one important detail.

    The former ICT Minister withheld information from the attorney-general that the cabinet secretariat had refused to table the amendment as it would have been a conflict of interest.

    Thaksin Shinawatra’s family and associates (driver, cook, and maid) still held a controlling stake in the company that bore his name at that time.

    Doctor Surapong was given a one year jail sentence beginning immediately and was led away to jail immediately after the verdict was delivered. The two others were given one year jail sentences, suspended for five years.

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  • Entrepreneur Now Awards 2016 nominations now open

    Entrepreneur Now Awards 2016 nominations now open

    Entrepreneur Now has launched the Entrepreneur Now Awards 2016 at a kickoff event at the Work Loft in Silom. This is the second year for the award ceremony which aims to honour and support SMEs in Thailand. The awards are organised with more than 20 community partners including many local chambers of commerce.

    There are eight categories in this year’s awards:

    • Outstanding female entrepreneur
    • Eco-entrepreneur
    • Creative entrepreneur
    • Innovative entrepreneur
    • Social enterprise entrepreneur
    • Most entrepreneurial team
    • SME (50 employees to 100)
    • Best newcomer

    In order to apply, entrepreneurs need to submit an application by October 31st, including uploading a 3-minute video about their company. Nominated startups will attend a networking evening with the judges, a group of seven diverse representatives from local startups, corporates, universities and organisations.

    The awards are open to both Thai and foreign SMEs with under 100 employees, provided they have a registered company in Thailand.

    This year’s awards ceremony will be held on November 23rd and organiser Pacharee Pantoomano promised it will be “bigger and better” than last year, with over 10 million baht worth of prizes available.

    The criteria the judges will use to select Thailand’s best entrepreneur are “uniqueness, eco-sustainability, striking achievements, recognition and traction, overcoming challenges, value in Thailand and ASEAN, vision and personal growth”.

    Judge Jacky Cheng said it was exciting to “mentor real businesses, not just ideas”.

    Duanghamon Kaewphongsri won last year’s Oustanding female entrepreneur award with her startup, Annette I Tim Tuk Tuk, selling artisan ice cream from iconic tuk-tuks. K. Duanghamon announced they are about to open their new 800 sqm factory and create products for export.

    Another of last year’s winners, Jonas Becker from Thinkatorium encouraged as many entrepreneurs as possible to apply: “There’s nothing to lose. It’s a good way to reflect on your company, where you are and where you want to be”.

    Probably the most complex part of the application process for startups is preparing the three minute video. The judges encouraged startups to include facts and figures. Rather than try to cover everything, focus on the criteria which best apply to you. K. Pacharee noted that many startups reuse their video to represent themselves at future events. Entepreneur Now will prepare additional help for preparing the video component in the next few weeks.

    Startups have until October 31 to submit their application via the Entrepreneur Now website.

  • Singtel to lift stakes in AIS, Airtel

    Singtel to lift stakes in AIS, Airtel

    Singtel has confirmed it has arranged to indirectly increase its stake in Thai mobile affiliate AIS, and revealed it will also increase its share in India’s Bharti Airtel.

    The operator announced it has entered a conditional agreement to acquire 21% of Thai operator AIS’ largest shareholder Intouch Holdings from Singtel’s majority shareholder Temasek Holdings, confirming reports from earlier in the week.

    Intouch is AIS’ largest shareholder with a roughly 40% stake, while Singtel owns a 23% stake in AIS.

    Singtel has meanwhile also agreed to acquire a 7.39% stake in Bharti Airtel’s holding company Bharti Telecom, adding to the 39.78% it already owns.

    The acquisitions have a total value of S$2.47 billion ($1.84 billion). Singtel will pay cash, and fund the acquisition through a combination of internal cash, short-term debt and proceeds from a S$1.6 billion placement of new Singtel shares to Temasek. The deal still requires shareholder and regulatory approvals.

    “Singtel has been a strategic partner to both AIS and Airtel for more than 15 years. We have built deep and trusted relationships, worked well together through the years, sharing knowledge and expertise and we have grown together, from strength to strength,” Singtel Group CEO Chu Sock Koong said.

    “Today, they have a combined mobile customer base of more than 380 million across Asia and Africa. This is a unique opportunity for us to deepen our relationships with two great market leaders.”

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  • Jamie’s Italian Opens First Restaurant in Thailand

    Jamie’s Italian Opens First Restaurant in Thailand

    Jamie’s Italian, a partnership between British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and his mentor, Gennaro Contaldo, continues its expansion across southeast Asia with its first restaurant in Thailand, set to launch in Bangkok in the fourth quarter of this year.
    The family ­friendly Italian restaurant will open its doors at the newly­renovated Siam Discovery mall, situated in the heart of Bangkok’s shopping district and proudly brought to you by Hotel Properties Limited and Siam Piwat. Guests can expect Jamie’s Italian Siam Discovery to offer delicious, homely Italian cooking with a Jamie twist.

    Living up to the restaurant chain’s philosophy of serving amazing, affordable food in a casual setting, the latest Jamie’s Italian restaurant will embody a relaxed, buzzy vibe for a comfortable dining experience.

    10 Interior at Jamie's Italian restaurant

    The space will boast a tasteful mix of rustic, reclaimed timber refectory tables, industrial­chic zinc tables and vintage upholstered lounge chairs, with monochromatic and hand­painted floral tile flooring adding graphic impact to the restaurant interior. To add warmth, the dining area will be illuminated with brass spotlights, vintage enamel shades and a textured glass chandelier.

    Guests will be able to watch their antipasti planks being made before their eyes at the antipasti counter in the main dining room, or hang out for a pre and post meal tipple at the bar.

    Jamie’s Italian is all about fun, accessible dining. Menu highlights at Jamie’s Italian Siam Discovery will include the famous antipasti planks, perfect for sharing. Placed on large wooden boards supported by tins of tomatoes, the impressive platter allows guests to pick

    from a wide selection of fresh, cured and pickled antipasti, including Italian­style cured meats, buffalo mozzarella and aged pecorino cheese, chilli jam, pickled green chillies, Gaeta olives, caper berries and a crunchy salad of shaved root vegetables with chilli, lemon and mint.

    All pastas will be freshly made on­site daily. The old­school classic, Tagliatelle Bolognese, features handmade pasta, tossed in a rich ragu of beef, pork, herbs, Chianti and Parmesan and finished with crunchy, herby breadcrumbs. Our famous prawn linguine is a must try ­ juicy, garlicky prawns in a tasty fish broth with fennel, tomato and chili, topped with lemony rocket. Pizza dough will all be made by hand, and proved for hours before being hand­stretched to create an irresistibly crisp base. The simple but classic Margherita, dressed with a rich San Marzano tomato sauce, creamy bocconcini, shavings of British Cheddar and whole basil leaves, is the perfect choice for pizza purists, while the Funghi Misti is an earthy delight topped with porcini mushroom sauce, roasted herby mushrooms, mozzarella, chervil and tarragon.

    For meaty mains, guests will be able to opt for a Chicken Al Mattone, a traditional Tuscan dish that is made by grilling a marinated chicken under a brick. The weight of the brick ensures that the chicken is pushed further against the grates of the grill, producing a smoky, juicy and intensely­flavoured grilled chicken with an addictively crisp skin.

    As with all Jamie’s Italian outlets, the Siam Discovery restaurant will remain committed to sourcing only the best free­range, sustainable and ethically produced ingredients. The restaurant will also work closely with Thai farmers to showcase local, sustainable produce at its Bangkok branch.

    Jamie said: “I’m hugely excited to be taking Jamie’s Italian to Thailand. Bangkok is such a vibrant, buzzing city with a really fantastic food scene, I’ve no doubt that it will be a brilliant addition to
    the Jamie’s Italian family. We’ll be sourcing lots of beautiful, top­quality local produce, and cooking up some incredibly tasty food, and all at a reasonable price. I can’t wait for it to open”.

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  • Upgrade broadens Pantip Plaza’s appeal

    Upgrade broadens Pantip Plaza’s appeal

    Two years of renovation have breathed new life into Bangkok IT hub Pantip Plaza, on Phetchaburi Road.

    It re-opens on Monday as Tech Life Mall, offering wider aisles and spaces where customers can try balance wheels, scooters and drones.

    “We position ourselves as a fun place for shopping, and we broaden the target groups to kids and teenagers,” says asset manager Sansern Na Patthalung of Asset World Estate, which runs Pantip Plaza.

    The 36,000 sqm mall will have 300 IT dealers offering gadgets, gaming and business products, as well as a co-working space. Companies represented include local brand Intel Microelectronics, which sponsors an e-sports arena, while Google and Microsoft showcase their innovations at the Experience Zone.

    Syn Hub, the co-working space, will provide innovative technologies ranging from 3D printers, mechanics supporting the industrial internet of things, embedded electronics and radio frequency identification (RFI) systems.

    Over the past months different parts of the new development have been opened, attracting about 20,000 visitors a day. However, the aim is to attract 35,000 to 40,000 people a day by the end of this year.

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  • NBTC sort of maybe bans Pokemon Go

    NBTC sort of maybe bans Pokemon Go

    Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission announced it would not ban Pokemon Go, then went straight ahead and asked Niantic for a de facto ban in practice anyway.

    NBTC Secretary General Takorn Tantasit held a press conference where he showed media the list of Pokemon-free zones he would demand from Niantic.

    This is the first time since Pokemon Go was launched that the NBTC correctly attributed Niantic to the hit game. All previous mentions by the telecoms regulator mis-credited Nintendo of Japan.

    The NBTC has ordered Niantic to, “remove Pokestops and not release Pokemon in the following areas: Dangerous areas – footpaths, railroads, railway, canal bank; religious places, temples, pagodas; schools and hospital; government and military buildings / properties; private places.”

    The NBTC also asked Niantic to ban all Pokemon in Thailand at night for safety reasons.

    It did not take long for social media to erupt in a storm of frustration and disbelief and point out the obvious that nobody in the NBTC had a clue how the game actually worked.

    Since Pokestops have a 40-meter radius (more for Pokemon themselves), banning Pokemon Go from the NBTC Secretary-General’s list would effectively be a total ban on Pokemon in Thailand except in royal palaces and the middle of safe, dry public parks.

    Nor did the NBTC’s letter mention Pokemon Gyms (where Pokemon battles are held).

    Adding to the confusion TrueMove has reiterated that it and it alone holds the rights to a forthcoming localized version of Pokemon Go and has already lined up 60 to 80 advertisers.

    True’s head of content Birathon Kasemsri told reporters that under Niantic’s contract with the Pokemon Company, Niantic would have to create a localized version of Pokemon Go exclusively for TrueMove.

    He said that True expected huge profits from advertising on everything from Pokeballs and items to clothing for the Pokemon Trainer avatars.

    Birathon said that the launch was still many months out as Niantic was still concentrating on the global launch of the game.

    Niantic did not respond to emails asking for clarification on the matter.

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  • MBK plans second community mall

    MBK plans second community mall

    Thai developer MBK plans to spend 500 to 800 million baht (US$14 to 23 million) building a community mall in Pathum Thani province next year.

    President/chief executive Suvait Theeravachirakul says the mall will be opposite Bangkradi Industrial Estate in Pathum Thani.

    It is the company’s second community mall following The Nine Center in Bangkok. The new property will occupy a corner of an MBK site where it is developing the Riverdale Golf & Country Club and the Park Riverdale townhouse project.

    It is envisaged the mall will serve residential projects inside an eight to 10 km radius, and MBK is also looking at the feasibility of developing a mix-used complex.

    Meanwhile, The Nine Center has proven successful through its differentiation from other community malls nearby, says MBK shopping centre department MD Somphol Tripopnart. Its revenue last year was 225 million baht. About 12,000 shoppers visit the centre each day and the company plans to spend 10 million baht to improve its landscaping this year.

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  • TrueMove to be ordered to set up Pokemon no-go zones

    TrueMove to be ordered to set up Pokemon no-go zones

    Thailand’s telecom regulator has summoned Pokemon master license holder True for urgent meetings today (9 August) and will order True to communicate with the franchise holder to set up Pokemon no-go zones.

    Dtac has confirmed it has also been summoned to give evidence about Pokemon to the NBTC. It is understood that AIS will also be present.

    NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasit further said that Pokemon have been appearing in inappropriate places such as hospitals, monasteries and government offices and this has led to chaos as players enter to try and catch them.

    Takorn said that Pokemon Go poses a threat to national security and has led to traffic mayhem.

    Royal Thai Police deputy spokesperson Pol Col Krisana Patanacharoen has called Pokemon Go a national security risk with people entering secure government facilities to hunt down Pokemon. He also said that anyone caught playing the game while driving will be prosecuted and fined.

    The only voice calling for reason came from Education Minister General Daopong Rattanasuwan. General Daopong said he would begin his own Pokemon Journey and play the game before passing judgement though he said it was unlikely he would order a ban on the game.

    “If you do not play Pokemon Go yourself, you will not understand the game. I have heard it is good for exercise,” the general said, referring to the distances of up to 10 km trainers have to walk in order to hatch a Pokemon egg.

    Earlier the Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat came out against Pokemon in religious and historic sites as inappropriate and Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said it was illegal to enter polling stations to catch Pokemon.

    On the other hand, the Sports and Tourism permanent secretary Pongpanu Svetarundra welcomed Pokemon Go and said that they would place Pokemon and Pokestops at key historic sites to promote tourism. The election commission also warned that catching Pokemon in polling stations is illegal.

    ICT Minister Uttama Savanayana has not made a formal comment for or against Pokemon, but he has spent the day re-tweeting news about Pokemon no-go signs across the globe which suggests he is also anti-Pokemon.

    What is clear is that none of the people in power in Thailand have any clue about how the actual game mechanics work. Nor has anyone clarified what rights, if any, True’s Pokemon license gives it over Niantic Labs’ Pokemon Go.

    NBTC secretary-general Takorn compounded his act of total cluelessness by saying that the game needed to be adapted to Thailand as Thai pavements are narrower than in Japan.

    Takorn clearly believes that Nintendo of Japan created Pokemon Go and placed the Pokestops. California-based Niantic, until recently a Google subsidiary, developed the game and the Pokestops are simply re-used sites from its other augmented-reality game, Ingress the vast majority of which are user-submitted.

    True is the master license holder of the Pokemon franchise in Thailand granted by the Pokemon Company back in December 2014. This includes merchandise and TV rights for TrueVisions, but not the right for a game which was made clear when they first held a press conference about the partnership.

    However the telco has recently said the license includes the rights to Pokemon Go, according to True’s head of content Peerathon Kasemsri. True CEO Supachai Chearavanont said there would be special in-game items for TrueMove subscribers and perhaps even a unique Thai Pokemon. None of that has happened.

    When Pokemon go was launched in Thailand through the Apple and Google stores, all telcos had equal access to the game.

    For its part, TrueMove is running a big Pokemon Go promotion campaign under a slogan, “True home of Pokemon” but other than offering an e-book and a Pokemon-branded data package for trainers (which is a simple 5 GB data package that is in any way special or tied to Pokemon Go), nothing exclusive has been launched yet to tap into its Pokemon franchise master license.

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