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Tag: bangkok

  • Bangkok Planetarium to reopen in January

    Bangkok Planetarium to reopen in January

    After eight months of renovation, Thailand’s oldest planetarium will finally reopen its doors to the public on Jan. 5 at the same location on Sukhumvit Road.

    The old-fashioned semi-dome planetarium, which first opened its doors in 1964, has undergone a THB92 million refurbishment and upgrade including new digital projects, digital theater system and aurora-themed decor.

    Viewers can enjoy stargazing with the planetarium’s new custom-built fish-eye lens, high-definition 360-degree visuals and 5.1 surround sound.

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    The opening ceremony will take place on Jan 5, and visitors (both Thais and foreigners) will get free admission until Jan. 9. After that, admission prices will be as before: THB20 for students and THB30 for adults.

    It’s unclear when English-language shows will be held for non-Thai speakers, although before the refurbishment they took place every Tuesday.

    The Bangkok Planetarium is located at the National Science Centre for Education, which is just a short walk from BTS Ekkamai.

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  • Don Mueang to reopen terminal 2 on Christmas Eve

    Don Mueang to reopen terminal 2 on Christmas Eve

    Don Mueang International Airport, Bangkok’s hub for low-cost airlines, will reopen its newly renovated Terminal 2 for domestic flights on Christmas Eve.

    Due to the popularity of the budget airline service, Terminal 2 was put into renovation to improve the situation and to also ease the crunch on low-cost flyers. It is expected to serve up to 70% of domestic travel during the New Year holiday.

    Terminal 1 will continue to serve international flights but will soon undergo renovation as well.

    Don Mueang was initially closed down when Suvarnabhumi Airport was opened, but after Suvarnabhumi experienced overcrowding and service issues, Don Mueang was eventually put back into operation.

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    Don Mueang now accommodates between 80,000 and 110,000 passengers daily, and the newly added terminal will enlarge capacity from 18.5 million  to 30 million passengers annually.

    The airport has also recently launched a 33-seat Airport LimoBus Express on Nov. 27 which has free Wi-fi and takes travellers to the city center.

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  • New Delhi tops list of Asia’s top cities for shopping

    New Delhi tops list of Asia’s top cities for shopping

    New Delhi has topped the list of Asia’s top cities for shopping, offering a treasure trove of goods through its blend of charming traditional markets and glitzy shopping malls, according to a new survey.

    New Delhi has topped the list for the best shopping city in Asia, followed by Bangkok and Singapore, according to a survey by TripAdvisor.

    “Shopping in Asian cities can be a rich and colourful experience if you know exactly which spots to go to and how to maximise your dollar,” TripAdvisor’s Communications Director for Asia Pacific Janice Lee Fang said.

    Most cities feature top quality malls, where one can find their favourite designer shops, but there are also the night markets or street shops that sell beautiful handicraft and other local gems unique to the culture, she added.

    This ranking is based on the popularity of shopping activities in Asian cities and also includes highly-rated hotel recommendations, which are bookable on TripAdvisor, offering shoppers great value for their stay so they can save as much of their holiday budget.

    The rank of the best cities for shopping is based on the total of commercial activities for shopping, the number of commercial activities for shopping with a good score, the frequency of mention for the word shopping in the reviews relative to the destination and the average score of reviews that talk about shopping in all the languages applicable on TripAdvisor.com.

    Bangkok (Thailand) is second with its huge variety of shopping options for every lifestyle and budget, from the very high-end to street shopping, wholesale and weekend markets.

    Singapore, which ranked third in the list, is famous for its retail options across the city state, with a plethora of shopping malls that open till late.

    Other cities mentioned in the top 10 shopping destination are Beijing in China at the fourth place, followed by Hanoi in Vietnam, Tokyo in Japan, Seoul in South Korea, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Kathmandu in Nepal and Jakarta in Indonesia.

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  • Budget flights launched from Thailand to Europe

    Budget flights launched from Thailand to Europe

    Budget travelers can now hop on a cheap flight to Europe as low-cost German carrier Eurowings launches flights to Bangkok and Phuket this week.

    Its first flight from Cologne to Phuket leaves on Friday, while its first flight from Cologne to Suvarnabhumi departs next Monday.

    Flights from Bangkok to Cologne or Bonn will take off at 6.25am every Monday and 9.20am every Thursday, while flights from Phuket will leave at 2.05pm every Tuesday and 6.35am every Saturday.

    Travelers can then connect to the UK, Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

    “We are very pleased to be introducing the low cost long-haul concept to Thailand this December. The Eurowings strategy is to strengthen our position in point-to-point traffic and offers affordable ticket prices and attractive route network,” said Christian Hein, Eurowings senior vice-president, sales. 

    He added that air travel in the region would continue to grow as the number of international travelers increases

  • Bangkok retail rents hold firm despite competition

    Bangkok retail rents hold firm despite competition

    Bangkok’s retail market is now “the most competitive it has ever been” – yet there is another 1.1 million sqm of retail space under construction.

    When complete, by the end of 2017, that will bring the total completed supply of mall space in the Thai capital to nearly 8 million sqm – all in a market currently characterised by weak consumer sentiment and slow retail sales growth.

    But despite the intense competition, a leading property expert says Bangkok retail rents – in malls, anyway – are holding firm.

    In a column (which you can read in full here) written for the Bangkok Post Spectrum magazine CBRE Thailand MD Aliwassa Pathnadabutr, says the proliferation of new brands setting up shop in Bangkok, and the expansion of existing branded chains is fuelling unprecedented competition in the city.

    “In the upcoming festive season, we expect to see major retail developers competing with heavy promotions and retail events in a bid draw consumers and capture their holiday spending,” Pathnadabutr asserted.

    “The expansion by retail developers in the CBD and suburban areas, entry of new local and international retailers, combined with a challenging economic outlook and weak consumer sentiment is all adding up to the mix.”

    Pathnadabutr says the recent openings of EmQuartier and Central Embassy have intensified competition for existing CBD malls like the high-end Gaysorn, and the giant CentralWorld and Paragon centres.

    “As the major retail centres are chasing after the same group of consumers, retail events and promotions have become ubiquitous leading to a cut-throat competition and heightened promotion campaigns, particularly gearing up to the festive season where consumer spending typically peaks.”

    Expansion and development of suburban centres – like the Future Park Rangsit expansion which marked its soft opening in the last fortnight – may draw customers away from the CBD malls, although Pathnadabutr expects their impact to be limited and growing tourist base will keep the numbers up in the larger centres.

    Despite the competition, retail rents have held their own in Bangkok, according to Pathnadabutr.

    “It is often difficult to measure retail rents as there is a big range even within a single development. Prime retail rents in Grade-A downtown shopping centres range from THB1800 to 4500 (US$50 – $125) per sqm per month for ground floor spaces and THB1200 to 2380 (US$33 – $66) per sqm per month for suburban malls.

    “This level has been maintained throughout 2015 despite the growing competition.”

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  • Inside expanded Future Park Rangsit

    Inside expanded Future Park Rangsit

    Bangkok’s Future Park Rangsit mall opened its much-anticipated extension Zpell on Friday.

    But disappointingly, despite its opening a large number of tenancies are still incomplete.

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    Mall management told Inside Retail Asia a more formal opening is planned when the project is finished – most likely in January.

    At 600,000 sqm the expanded Future Park Rangsit is a full 20 per cent larger than the Siam Paragon in downtown Bangkok, which checks in at 500,000 sqm, and 50,000 sqm larger than CentralWorld.

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    At this stage, only about 60 per cent of the new food and beverage tenancies are trading.

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    The expanded Future Park Rangsit mall is expected to host 200,000 shoppers daily – almost entirely locals as Rangsit is a long way from any area of Bangkok frequented by tourists and has only a limited number of expatriates in its catchment area. It currently attracts about 157,000 a day.

    Future Park Rangsit Mall was built 20 years ago. Besides offering shopping, eating and entertaining, the expanded destination will now feature futsal courts, an ice-skating rink, indoor ski park and art installations.

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    We’ll publish a full review of the centre when it is complete. In the meantime, our photos show some of the tenancies complete and the common areas to give a taste of what shoppers can expect now – and in January.

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    When complete, the new building will feature 200 tenants including lifestyle fashion brands such as Cath Kidston, H&M, MNG and Top Shop along with food offers from Coffee Bean by Dao, Akiyoshi, After you and Muteki By Mugendai.

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  • Bangkok retail market to increase more than 1 million sq.m.

    Bangkok retail market to increase more than 1 million sq.m.

    The entry of new local and international retailers, combined with a challenging economic outlook and weak consumer sentiment is all adding up to the mix.
    Despite a slowdown in retail sales, there is currently 1.1 million sq.m. of retail space under construction in Bangkok, which will bring the total completed supply in 2017 close to 8 million sq.m.
    Within the CBD, the latest major retail developments to open are EmQuartier and Central Embassy, intensifying competition for existing malls such as Siam Paragon, Gaysorn and CentralWorld.

    In addition, big developers continue to renovate their downtown retail centres such as Siam Discovery and MBK.

    Bangkok retail market, EmQuatier
    As the major retail centres are chasing after the same group of consumers, retail events and promotions have become ubiquitous

    As the major retail centres are chasing after the same group of consumers, retail events and promotions have  become ubiquitous leading to a cut-throat competition and heighted promotion campaigns, particularly gearing up to the festive season where consumer spending typically peaks.

    The expansion by major retail developers to suburban areas may also in part draw consumers away from CBD malls, although the impact may be limited.

    Bangkok’s suburban areas today are well served by quality retail centres, reducing the need for consumers to travel into the CBD.

    To the North, Zpell@Future Park has just opened on 27th November. Opened on the same day in Eastern Bangkok on Ekamai-Ram Intra is Central EastVille, adding competition to existing malls in the area such as Crystal Park and Crystal Design Centre.

    The Mall Group is also currently planning The Bangkok Mall on Bangna-Trad which is expected to be completed in 2017. To the West, CentralPlaza WestGate recently opened in August in the Bang Yai area, adding a major retail centre to an area where there have been limited retail developments.

    The Riverside will also get its own luxury shopping complex in 2017 with the opening of IconSiam which will comprise a 500,000 sq.m. retail and entertainment complex, part of which includes a 36,000 sq.m. 7-floor Takashimaya department store from Japan which will be Thailand’s first.Amidst this competition, the segment that will find most challenging is community malls.

    Community malls will be forced to adjust their strategies and have clear unique selling points and propositions to draw in consumers; otherwise they are likely to be overshadowed by major retail developments that have a bigger events and promotions budget.

    It is essential for community mall developers to understand their target consumers’ needs and retain anchor tenants in order to compete in the long-term.

    The plus side of the retail expansion is that it will create room for both domestic and international retailers to expand to suburban areas.

    International fashion brands such as H&M, Uniqlo, Aldo and Charles & Keith have already expanded to CentralPlaza WestGate.

  • Royal Enfield to enter the Thailand motorcycle market

    Royal Enfield to enter the Thailand motorcycle market

    Royal Enfield, when not posting stupendous growth figures in the Indian two-wheeler market, continues to rapidly add to its small but expanding export presence. The Chennai based brand presented its products at the Bangkok Motorcycle Show and announced plans to aggressively enter the Thai market in mid-size motorcycles. Royal Enfield defines the mid-size motorcycle as bikes between 250 and 750cc in displacement. Royal Enfield showed off its entire range at the Thailand International Motor Expo in Bangkok including the Bullet 500, Classic 500, Classic Chrome and the Continental GT. Royal Enfield also showed off its new range of gear and accessories for the Thai market.

    Royal Enfield Continental GT Black

    Arun Gopal, head of international business for Royal Enfield said, “We have pioneered and grown the mid-size motorcycle category in India. With over 50 per cent year-on-year growth in the last five years, our ambition today is to lead and grow the underserved middle weight segment globally and this growth will largely come from markets like India such as Latin America and South East Asia, given their size and comparable commuting trends. Thailand with its already established leisure motorcycling culture and presence of several riding communities and enthusiasts, blends perfectly with Royal Enfield motorcycles that has exploration and adventure at its core. Thailand is among the largest two-wheeler markets in the world and a very important one for Royal Enfield. With highly evolved consumers, Thailand is the most evolved country in South East Asia for leisure motorcycling. With a large commuter base, this market has enormous potential to upgrade to the next level of motorcycles, if there are enough attractive product choices. With our modern classic bikes, Royal Enfield is well poised to fill this gap and catalyze the shift to mid-size motorcycles in Thailand.”

    General Auto Supply Co. Ltd (GA) will be their dealer in Thailand and it will start retail operations in Thonglor, Bangkok shortly. GA will also work on expanding the aftermarket abilities of the brand in the Thai market.

    Royal Enfield has been exporting motorcycles for a long time but the push to expand both volumes and markets is a recent move. The company exported roughly 2 per cent of its production last year but that is set to change as the company goes towards its goal of becoming the world’s largest mid-size motorcycle maker.

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  • Future Park Rangsit Mall openened extension

    Future Park Rangsit Mall openened extension

    Future Park Rangsit Mall opens its much-anticipated extension this Friday (November 27) making it Bangkok’s largest shopping destination.

    At 600,000 sqm it is a full 20 per cent larger than the Siam Paragon in downtown Bangkok, which checks in at 500,000 sqm, and 50,000 sqm larger than CentralWorld.

    The expanded Future Park Rangsit mall is expected to host 200,000 shoppers daily – almost entirely locals as Rangsit is a long way from any area of Bangkok frequented by tourists and has only a limited number of expatriates in its catchment area. It currently attracts about 157,000 a day.

    Future Park Rangsit Mall was built 20 years ago. Besides offering shopping, eating and entertaining, the expanded destination will now feature futsal courts, an ice-skating rink, indoor ski park and art installations.

    The new wing is branded Zpell and was constructed in front of the original building. Its addition is expected to bring the owners a 35 per cent increase in annual revenue.

    Some 150 million THB (US$4.2 million) will be spent promoting the expanded destination.

    Future Park CEO Pimpaka Wanglee told Thai language media she expects the complex will have a broader market appeal from Friday.

    Future Park CEO Pimpaka Wanglee

    “We hope to draw ‘A’ customers who have a monthly household income of 85,000 baht,” she said late last year. In its old guise, the mall targeted B and C groups.

    Expanding the mall was in large part a defensive strategy in the wake of plans by Swedish furniture giant Ikea to open a new site in the neighbourhood and another mall slated for construction by market leader Central Group.

    The new building will feature 200 tenants including lifestyle fashion brands such as Cath Kidston, H&M, MNG and Top Shop along with food offers from Coffee Bean by Dao, Akiyoshi, After you and Muteki By Mugendai.

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  • Siam Paragon and Siam Center to welcome festival of happiness

    Siam Paragon and Siam Center to welcome festival of happiness

    World-class shopping center Siam Paragon and Siam Center, The Ideaopolis—shopping destinations in the heart of Bangkok forever beloved by Thais and tourists—is throwing a big year-end campaign “The Season of Siam Celebration”, offering unrivalled promotions to boost spending during the festival of happiness. The campaign allows shoppers to select the right gifts for their beloved ones and to have a chance to win a number of world-class prizes worth over 5 million baht, from 19 this November to 10 January 2016.

    Chanisa Kaewruen, executive vice president to Marketing and Business Relations of Siam Piwat Co., Ltd, says, “Each year marketing promotion campaigns during the yearend and the upcoming new year are one of the biggest promotional activities and every shopping center will launch its own smart strategies to attract local and international shoppers to spending during high season. This year Siam Paragon and Siam Center is launching “The Season of Siam Celebration” campaign, offering the most desirable year-end promotions. Aiming to bring happiness to shoppers, this campaign has great support of AEON credit card, Millennium Auto Company Limited, True Corporation Public Company Limited and Muang Thai Life Assurance Public Company Limited. The highlight of the campaign is a range of world-class prizes which will be easily given away to customers. Simply spend every 2,000 baht to have a chance to win a grand prize: a luxurious BMW 320i M Sport and many other prizes such as Siam Gift Card and Club 21 Gift Card. Members of Platinum M Card, VIZ Card, AEON credit card, True, and Muang Thai Smile Club will be granted a double coupon.”

    Furthermore, a series of prizes will be given away as part of a sales boost throughout December. Spending of 30,000 baht and more instantly gets an exclusive gift from renowned brands in Siam Paragon and Siam Center—a quota of 200 available. From 25 this December onward shoppers will have a chance to win a one-of-a-kind prize, first ever made in Thailand, a Limited-Edition Snow Globe. Those spending 50,000 baht and more at Siam Paragon instantly get a Limited-Edition Siam Paragon-Patterned Snow Globe. And those spending 30,000 baht and more at Siam Center also get a Limited-Edition Siam Center-Patterned Snow Globe. The exclusively made snow globes are limited and will attract a lot of interest from local and international shoppers.

    “Siam Paragon and Siam Center also give a sense of importance to customers who also join membership of ours. That is to say, the first fifteen members of Platinum M Card with top spending will be granted an exclusive trip to Japan with luxury accommodation and a Michelin-star dining experience. The first six members of VIZ Card with top spending will win an iPhone 6s as well.

    “The company is confident that shoppers will enjoy “The Season of Siam Celebration” campaign, which encourages them to spend during the year-end festival. It is expected to attract over 150,000 shoppers per day to spend at Siam Paragon and Siam Center. As a result, shops in the two shopping centers will get agreeable sales—as planned definitely,” says Siam Piwat’s executive vice president.

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  • Iconsiam joins hands with TAT to create a splendid Loi Krathong Celebration Festival

    Iconsiam joins hands with TAT to create a splendid Loi Krathong Celebration Festival

    Iconsiam, an iconic new national landmark in Thailand and a symbol of national pride for the country in collaboration with Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) cordially invite both local and international travelers to celebrate one of the kingdom’s most impressive and popular annual events organized on the Chao Phraya river in  “the Delightful Colors of the River, Loi Krathong Festival 2015”. On this charming festival, there will be a spectacular display of illuminated boat processions with a length of more than 250 meters being lit up and launched into the Chao Phraya river where the main highlight will be ICONSIAM’s illuminated vessel under the theme of “Mahajanaka’s boat, the symbol of remarkable perseverance”, from “The Story of Mahajanaka” written by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.  In addition, you will be amazed by many other memorable activities dedicated to Loi Krathong festival on the Chao Phraya river and at Nakrapirom Park from 20 – 25 November.

    Mrs. Chadatip Chutrakul, Executive of ICONSIAM, said, “With a strong determination to create a new sensational mega-development of Thailand on the bank of the Chao Phraya river, the River of Kings on which has carried Thailand’s greatest legends and most resplendent civilizations, to become the most compelling and must-see destination of Thailand drawing visitors from around the world and from around Thailand.  We then proudly support one of the most prestige cultural heritages and traditions of Thailand by joining hands with Tourism Authority of Thailand in organizing “the Delightful Colors of the River, Loi Krathong Festival 2015” to revitalise Bangkok’s world-renown Chao Phraya river and let it illuminate for the world to admire. We aim at bringing happiness, impression and confidence for those who join the event and also to the world through the country’s most spectacular and unique time-honored culture and tradition portrayed along the glorious Chao Phraya river.”

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    Highlights of the event will be divided into 2 periods, the 1st period starting from 20 – 22 November between 6.30 – 10.30 pm at ICONSIAM pier on the bank of the Chao Phraya river, ICONSIAM’s illuminated vessel being decorated with beautiful arrays of splendid lights under the theme of “Mahajanaka’s boat, the symbol of remarkable perseverance” will be on display for those who commute via waterway to enjoy at the first time. “Mahajanaka’s boat, the symbol of remarkable perseverance” is contained in “The Story of Mahajanaka” written by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Dhamma in this royal book is an encouragement for everyone to face problems with courage and perseverance in all circumstances like His Majesty the King said on the preface of this royal book “May you be blessed with pure perseverance, sharp wisdom, and complete physical health.”  National artist Mr. Chalermchai Kositpipat  gives the great honor to ICONSIAM by providing his masterpiece of the gracious illustrations drawn for the royal book Mahajanaka to decorate on this illuminated vessel with a length of more than 30 meters.  The ICONSIAM’s illuminated vessel will be elaborately adorned with beautiful arrays of magnificent lights and sounds together with decorative effect of brilliant fountains for the whole vessel to make it the most magnificent.

    The 2nd period starting from 23 – 25 November between 5.00 – 9.00 pm at Nakrapirom Park in Bangkok, under the moonlight on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month visitors will be brought back into the charming old Thai atmosphere where they will take part in a lot of interesting and fun-filled cultural activities while the Chao Phraya river will be shined with colorful krathong floating on the rippling waters. Throughout three nights, there will be an illuminated boat procession to light up the River of Kings with 6 illuminated vessels and additional impressive ICONSIAM’s illuminated vessel with a length of more than 250 meters, set to run from Bangkok Bridge to Rama VIII Bridge.  Moreover, visitors will experience Loi Krathong ceremony in ancient Thai style by releasing beautifully decorated krathong down the Chao Phraya river to express gratitude to the river goddess. Meanwhile, there will be several cultural activities related to Loi Krathong festival. In addition, on the night of 25 November at 6.00 pm onwards, the extravaganza colorful fireworks display and the krathong floating ceremony of Rattanakosin period scheduled to take place to make it a memorable night.

    Those who are interested in joining “the Delightful Colors of the River, Loi Krathong Festival 2015” will be able to appreciate the beauty of ICONSIAM’s illuminated vessel at ICONSIAM pier on the bank of the Chao Phraya river and also along the Chao Phraya river while participating in Loi Krathong celebration festival organized at Nakrapirom Park in Bangkok between 20 – 25 November. For more information, please call Public Relations Department of ICONSIAM at 02-658-1000 ext. 8202, 8230.

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  • Uber to triple number of drivers, launch ‘UberPool’

    Uber to triple number of drivers, launch ‘UberPool’

    Uber is set to expand its pool of drivers and will launch “UberPool”, a carpooling service, in Bangkok next year.

    The private car company will increase the number of its drivers from 30,000 to 100,000 by next year as currently it can only serve around 85 percent of customers with an estimated wait time of 5.5 minutes. 

    Uber also plans to launch “UberPool”, a carpooling service on the Uber app that matches customers with fellow riders heading in the same directions to split costs, The Nation reported.

    About 2 million Bangkokians have taken an Uber ride since its launch last year. The company wants to cut its pick-up time to three minutes, said Chan Park, general manager for Southeast Asia.

    The areas with the highest demand for Uber are Ratchaprasong Junction, Sathorn road, and Suhkumvit road. 

    For the cheaper UberX, the business has grown 12-fold since its launch six months ago. 

    “Thailand is a huge potential market. The firm’s business focus will be consumer-centric so that it will create business opportunities in Thailand. It also has plans to expand to big cities,” said Barry Levy, acting managing director of Uber Thailand. 

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  • 360° Divers prepare to open up new underwater worlds in Asia Pacific

    360° Divers prepare to open up new underwater worlds in Asia Pacific

    360° Divers, the revolutionary virtual reality underwater video capturing service that is said to be the only app a diving enthusiast will ever need, has announced its upcoming release to be within next month (December 2015). 360° Divers is currently shooting amazing 360° underwater landscapes, shipwrecks and liveaboards around Asia Pacific. According to our interview, they are still looking for more dive locations and dive centers to collaborate with. The most outstanding dive centers and dive locations will be listed in the app complete with maps, dive spots and useful information regarding liveaboards.

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    360° Divers have an innovative application that offers edutainment (education plus entertainment) by being an immersive application, taking its users in an immersive 360° underwater journey in all of Southeast Asia’s best dive spots so they may almost realistically view through the app and decide on their next adventure. Practicality wise, the application will also be offering access to the latest and updated information on every dive location in Asia and the Pacific. Beginning from dive lodgings to dive locations and liveaboards. It uses the latest Virtual Reality techniques and offers special headsets and wearables to be able to explorer the underwater world  by yourself at home and see where liveaboards go. Cardboard headsets can be ordered on the website and it seem they ship around the world for less then 10$.

    cardboard-final-640x640-640x640The said app is founded and built with the leadership and clever insights of the company’s founder. The app will be made available in the Apple App Store, Google Play, and the Windows Store. It will be working in both iOS and android-run devices. Whether there will be a desktop version or not is still unknown and much awaited. The app will be free to download while the dive content will be under a subscription fee says Imelda Samaria, part of the dive team and script writers.

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  • One-Day Global Sale Sees Online Shopping Soar in Thailand

    One-Day Global Sale Sees Online Shopping Soar in Thailand

    WearYouWant, Thailand’s leading online fashion & beauty marketplace has become part of the global success story of Singles Day 2015, the world’s biggest online shopping day held on November 11th each year.

    Figures just in overnight reveal a staggering +1000% increase in turnover for WearYouWant compared to the same Wednesday last month, while order volumes soared to a growth of over 700%. Proof that Thai consumers are not only eagle-eyed when it comes to spotting big fashion brand discount, but are fast-becoming a growing e-commerce market to be reckoned with within the ASEAN Economic Community.

    WearYouWant retails high-profile international and local-designer brands from its Bangkok base, and recently received Series B funding from Japanese digital fashion marketplace StartToday.  During the run-away success of Singles Day, Thai consumers took advantage of discounts on over 14,000 fashion and beauty products. With 65% of the one-day shoppers being female, shoes, beauty and women’s clothing topped their online shopping lists.

    Singles Day Sale has been embraced  by e-commerce market globally, especially within the fashion-related  industry.

    This is the first year WearYouWant held this online sale nationwide, offering discount on their products from 11 am until 11pm. This Chinese ‘bare sticks holiday’, so-named because of the date’s single digits, is a day for singletons to celebrate and in more recent times to look for love. The Singles Day sale has become a huge global e-commerce extravaganza, with Chinese consumers alone spending more than USD 4 billion in the first hour of 2015’s sale.

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  • Matsumotokiyoshi Thailand to launch in Bangkok

    Matsumotokiyoshi Thailand to launch in Bangkok

    Japan’s largest drugstore Matsumotokiyoshi has chosen Thailand for its first international foray.

    Matsumotokiyoshi Thailand is a joint venture between the Japanese company and Thai retail conglomerate Central Retail Food Corp who have formed Central & Matsumoto Kiyoshi Corp. Central owns 51 per cent.

    The first store will open in Bangkok at Central Plaza Ladprao this week and will be followed by a second before the end of the year.

    “We are confident to be successful here,” Junichi Tateno, CEO of the JV told a press briefing.

    Tateno says Thailand’s health and beauty market is worth 85 billion baht, or US$2.4 billion, annually and is continuing to grow. Thais, he says, have an interest in Japanese culture and products.

    Central has been test marketing some 200 Matsumotokiyoshi products in 23 Bangkok supermarkets for about a year to assess interest in Japanese beauty products. The results prompted the two companies to proceed with standalone stores, which will stock about 2000 SKUs from the Japanese company’s mainstream offer, together with products sourced from elsewhere.

    Matsumotokiyoshi, launched 85 years ago, has 1500 stores in Japan.

    The second Thai store will open at Central Plaza Pinklao and there are plans to open concessions in department stores from next year.