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Tag: Thai

  • Thai Airways eyes passenger growth

    Thai Airways eyes passenger growth

    Financially struggling Thai Airways is eyeing 8% in passenger growth by year’s end as it plans to launch new routes.

    Nond Kalinta, Vice President of Sales at Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) told the media the airline’s financial situation is likely to improve. The airline’s debts by the end of the year will be reduced to under six billion baht thanks to the steady rise of passengers throughout the year.

    Over the past nine months, the airline has achieved passenger growth of 4%-5%, which is higher than last’s year figure year-on-year. The national carrier is hopeful of growth as projected passenger numbers for the last quarter shows an 8% uptick.

    Mr Nond said more routes will be launched by the end of the year, especially popular routes to Europe such as Bangkok-Vienna, Bangkok-Brussels, and Bangkok-Paris, as the airline seeks to make the most of the recent improvement in passenger numbers.

    Mr Nond said business will be brisker next year thanks to the well-performing baht as well as positive signs from the economy. He added that THAI has already seen advanced bookings for the first quarter of next year. Next year, THAI will also place emphasis on routes to East Asia, maintain its hold over Europe, and nourish growth in emerging markets such as India.

    “The Japan route has been a potential market for some time now, so more routes to Japan will be available to serve the needs of a certain group of passengers,” he said.

    “Also, flights to Europe should not be ignored as 80% of these flights have been booked in advance.”

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  • Network expansion boosts Berli Jucker Profit

    Network expansion boosts Berli Jucker Profit

    Berli Jucker, the operator of Thailand’s Big C retail stores, has reported revenue of THB30.9 billion (US$979 million) in the first quarter, gaining THB1.6 billion (US$50.5 million) over the same period last year.

    Network expansion was the main driver of the revenue growth, reported IGD, with 27 Mini Big C stores opening during the quarter, more than compensating for the closure of 13 convenience stores.

    The company’s gross-profit margin decreased from 16.3 per cent to 15.9 per cent due to lower business-to-business sales.

    Net profit declined 2.3 per cent due to increased staff costs due to store expansion and yearly bonuses, together with increased store-opening and closing expenses and rising utility prices.

    As at the end of March, the company had 147 hypermarkets, 61 supermarkets, 797 Mini Big C and 140 Pure drugstores trading.

    Like-for-like sales grew 1 per cent year on year while other income including rental increased 4.7 per cent over the same period, reported IGD.

  • Thailand’s Zen Corporation completes IPO

    Thailand’s Zen Corporation completes IPO

    Thai restaurant operator Zen Corporation secured THB975 million (US$31.35 million) via an IPO issued last Wednesday.

    The firm sold all 75 million shares on offer, representing 25 per cent of its registered capital, at THB13 each. Its stock price grew 17.69 per cent over the course of its trading debut, as strong demand pushed the value per share up to THB15.30 on the first day.

    Zen Corporation is known for its various restaurant chains, including its eponymous brand as well as Musha by Zen, Sushi Cyu Carnival Yakiniku, AKA, On the Table Tokyo Cafe, Tetsu and de Tummour.

    The firm also operates food delivery, catering, restaurant management and consultancy services, as well as food retail operations.

  • Thai AirAsia says it will not buy shares in Nok Air

    Thai AirAsia says it will not buy shares in Nok Air

    Asia Aviation, majority shareholder of budget airline Thai AirAsia, said on Wednesday that it would not proceed with an acquisition of shares in rival carrier Nok Airlines, sending Nok’s shares down.

    Nok’s shares fell more than 12% and Asia Aviation’s prices slid nearly 3% in the morning trading session.

    Asia Aviation said in February that it was in talks to buy Nok shares, although Nok had said at the time that it was “not aware of any details in this respect”.

    Nok is 53% owned by the Jurangkool family, which also controls Thai Steel Cable PCL and unlisted auto parts maker Thai Summit.

    Intense competition among budget airlines has led to quarterly losses since 2015 for Nok.

    Asia Aviation owns 55% of Thai AirAsia, with the remainder held by Malaysia’s AirAsia Group Bhd.

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  • Thai telcos to establish telecom CERT

    Thai telcos to establish telecom CERT

    Eight Thai telecom operators have reportedly signed an agreement to establish a dedicated telecom computer emergency response team (CERT).

    The operators, which include incumbents AIS, Dtac and True as well as state-owned operators TOT and CAT, will establish the CERT over the next 12 months.

    The collaboration will initially involve sharing information about cyber threats, as well as collaborating on analytics to deal with threats to state agency websites and e-commerce sites.

    Other signatories include Symphony Communication, CS Loxinfo and United Information Highway.

    The move to establish a dedicated industry CERT is in line with the cybersecurity bill recently passed by Thailand’s National Legislative Assembly. The telecom body will be the second industry CERT to collaborate with the national CERT after the finance industry.

    The telecom CERT will be self-regulated and managed by the Telecommunications Association of Thailand, the report states.

    The association is seeking funding of 20 million baht ($630,000) from telecoms regulator NBTC to help pay for the establishment of the CERT. The full budget has not yet been set, but all members are expected to contribute.

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  • Centara Hotels & Resorts Celebrate Thai New Year in Traditional Style

    Centara Hotels & Resorts Celebrate Thai New Year in Traditional Style

    Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, will observe the upcoming Songkran Thai New Year period by wearing colorful traditional dress. Visitors and guests to the company’s properties are treated daily to graceful Thai service and cultural traditions that have become Centara’s hallmark; this Songkran, 13th – 15th April, they can enjoy the added delight of seeing staff dressed in the beautiful costumes of historic Siam.

    “Thailand’s world-famous, genteel hospitality is at the heart of our company culture,” said Centara’s Chairman of the Board Suthikiati Chirathivat about the idea. “What better way to emphasise our unique Thai-ness than trading our uniforms for charming, traditional costumes over the Thai New Year. It is our way of wishing our guests, partners, and friends a happy and healthy festive season.”

    All 33 of Centara’s hotels and resorts within Thailand are taking part in this celebration and guests are invited to enjoy festive dining options or a relaxing stay over the Songkran period, where they will receive the inimitable Centara Thai welcome.

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  • Alibaba to set up Thai logistics centre, extend local investments in Southeast Asia

    Alibaba to set up Thai logistics centre, extend local investments in Southeast Asia

    Alibaba is in talks with the Thai government to set up a logistics centre in the country as part of its aggressive expansion into the Southeast Asia region, bringing the company a step closer to fulfilling founder and executive chairman Jack Ma Yun’s dream of empowering small companies to trade globally.

    According to a report  on Monday, Thailand’s Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana said that Alibaba plans to set up the logistics centre in Chachoengsao, one of the three provinces the government hopes to develop into a leading economic zone in the region as part of its flagship Eastern Economic Corridor scheme.

    The plans for a Thailand-based logistics centre is Alibaba’s latest move in Southeast Asia’s burgeoning e-commerce landscape, following a recent US$2 billion additional investment into e-commerce firm Lazada and last year’s joint establishment of an electronic trading hub with the Malaysian government.

    Southeast Asia boasts more than 370 million internet users as of January 2018, according to a recent “Digital in 2018 in Southeast Asia” report by We Are Social and Hootsuite. With the majority of its internet users going online with their mobile devices, as well as a growing middle class population eager to spend money online, Southeast Asia represents a lucrative region for e-commerce companies.

    Alibaba wants to use Thailand as a logistics base for e-commerce not just to link small and medium enterprises from Thailand, but also Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam to the global market, Uttama said.

    Calls made to Thailand’s Industry Ministry went unanswered.

    When reached, an Alibaba spokesperson said that the company is firmly established in Southeast Asia and understands the needs of local businesses and consumers.

    “Our focus for the region is to drive partnerships with merchants, offering them access to new customers and markets, enabling SMEs as drivers of economic growth and foster hassle-free trade and e-commerce across borders,” the spokesperson said, without elaborating on its Thailand plans.

    In March last year, Alibaba made the first move in linking Southeast Asia e-commerce trade with the rest of the world by setting up a trading and logistics hub in cooperation with the Malaysian government, as part of an electronic world trade platform that is expected to become a modern version of the ancient Silk Road trade route.

    The Malaysian “e-hub” comprises a regional logistics centre and an accompanying electronic platform that will help facilitate cross-border trade for SMEs.

    Alibaba’s additional injection of US$2 billion into Lazada last week also takes its total investment into the Singapore-based e-commerce platform to US$4 billion, as it seeks to carve out market share and compete with regional rivals such as Sea’s Shopee and Singapore-based Zalora. Alibaba also appointed Lucy Peng, executive chairman of its financial affiliate Ant Financial, as new chief executive of Lazada.

    In Singapore, Alibaba has also set up a joint research institute in conjunction with Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University to develop artificial intelligence technologies that can help tackle issues from ageing societies to urban transport.

  • THAI will not increase capital in Nok Air

    THAI will not increase capital in Nok Air

    Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) stated that THAI’s Board of Directors decided not to increase capital in Nok Air Public Company Limited (Nok Air), which lacks liquidity and needs additional funding to continue operations. Following the meeting on 12 April 2017, it was agreed that a Company representative would be sent to submit a vote on capital increase in Nok Air, which would open up opportunities for other shareholders to increase their shareholding. During this meeting, THAI’s Board of Directors did not yet decide whether or not to subscribe to new shares in Nok Air because a study had to be conducted on suitability and value prior to additional investment.
    On 21 May 2017, a THAI Board of Directors Meeting was held to consider subscription of new shares in Nok Air. THAI’s Board of Directors took consideration of the report prepared by the special task force that studied suitability and value for additional investment in Nok Air, given the Company’s current situation. With consideration to this factor, additional information, and opinions as well given that the transformation plan is still under implementation, THAI’s Board of Directors deemed that under the Company’s current situation it was not the right time to increase investment in Nok Air. Therefore, THAI’s Board of Directors concluded that the Company will not subscribe to new shares in Nok Air, regardless that the Company’s percentage of shares in Nok Air would eventually reduce.
    Even though there will be no subscription to new shares, the Company will continue to contribute as a shareholder and grant support for Nok Air’s eventual recovery and sustainable growth. A Company representative who is a member of Nok Air’s Board of Directors has been assigned by THAI’s Board of Directors to oversee and assist Nok Air through to successful completion of the transformation plan as soon as possible.
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  • Central Food launches new format in Thailand

    Central Food launches new format in Thailand

    The parent company of Tops Supermarket, Central Food Retail (CFR), will invest Thb1bn (US$29.37m) in a new format Tops Plaza, and 176 new Superkoom supermarkets.

    The leading Thai retailer told that the new format will be community shipping mall, with the first to open in Pichit this year, and another in Payao next year. CFR also plans to open 178 Superkoom supermarkets this year, bringing its total operations of the discount supermarket to 200.

    Phattaraporn Phenpraphat, CFR executive vice-president for marketing and public relations, told that the company had strong sales growth in the first quarter of the year, both from existing stores and from new Superkoom, Tops Daily and Tops Market store openings.

    “Our sales growth of 3.02 per cent in the first quarter exceeded the industry growth rate,” she said.

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  • Thai AirAsia X ends Middle East service

    Thai AirAsia X has completely pulled out of the Middle East, a market that appears unready for TAAX’s long-haul, low-cost business model. The airline, part of Asia’s biggest no-frills airline group, is axing Bangkok-Muscat and Bangkok-Tehran routes launched in June this year, due to poor traffic demand at both ends of the each of the routes.

    The termination of Bangkok-Muscat takes effect on Jan 19 and the suspension of Bangkok-Tehran flights became effective on Dec 5, according to insiders. TAAX has struggled to keep the two routes afloat by rationalising capacities to match actual demand. In November, the carrier reduced the frequency of service on both routes to two flights a week, the minimum level acceptable by the market, down from three flights a week at launch.

    TAAX deploys Airbus 330-300 wide-body jets configured with 377 seats on all its routes. The arrangement did not work out well, leading TAAX to terminate Middle East flights altogether. When TAAX inaugurated its Tehran flight on June 22 and Muscat service on June 28, the airline became the first low-cost carrier to offer regular non-stop services on those routes. TAAX’s departure means that all connections between Bangkok and the two Middle Eastern capitals will be handled by full-service airlines. Bangkok-Tehran flights are operated by Iran-based Mahan Airlines and Thai Airways International (THAI), which commenced service in October. The non-stop Bangkok-Muscat flights are flown by Oman Air, while Thai Airways offers regular services to the Omani capital with a stopover in Karachi.

    Insiders said the poor performance by TAAX was in sharp contrast with a rosy outlook perceived earlier this year. TAAX chief executive Nadda Buranasiri said in May the lifting of economic sanctions against Iran in January had turned Tehran into a new economic frontier and an emerging tourism market.

    “There seemed to be strong initial demand for both routes, but it tapered off to become unsustainable eventually,” said an insider who asked to remain anonymous.

    In a release, TAAX apologised for ending its Middle Eastern services and offered full refunds for affected passengers.

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  • Alibaba Looks to Tighten Its Hold on Thai Ecommerce

    Alibaba Looks to Tighten Its Hold on Thai Ecommerce

    Having established a dominant position in China, ecommerce giant Alibaba is setting its sights on expanding in Southeast Asia. Last week the Chinese firm inked a deal with the Thai government to speed the development of the country’s ecommerce sector.

    The agreement calls for ecommerce platform Lazada—the leading ecommerce site in Thailand—to provide ecommerce training to 30,000 small- and medium-sized Thai businesses. Alibaba acquired a controlling stake in Lazada earlier this year.

    The deal also calls for Alibaba to advise the country’s postal service, Thailand Post, on shipping and logistics.

    Ecommerce makes up just a tiny sliver of Thailand’s total retail sales (1.5%), but it is growing rapidly. eMarketer projects that ecommerce sales, excluding travel, will grow at a rate exceeding 15% annually over the next four years, reaching total $5.69 billion by 2020.

    While other large international ecommerce players like Rocket Internet and Rakuten have been pulling up stakes in Southeast Asia this year, Alibaba has dug in.

    Alibaba has the capital to outlast local competitors in order to gain market share, as well as deep experience handling payments and logistics problems in emerging markets. And it owns Lazada Thailand.

    But Alibaba faces two potentially significant challenges in Thailand. One is that Thailand still lags behind developed markets in terms of internet usage. eMarketer estimates only 49.8% of the population of Thailand uses the internet as of 2016. Markets that are still in the early stages of internet adoption tend to need time to grow into ecommerce.

    The second challenge for Alibaba is the other 800-pound gorilla in the global ecommerce sector: Amazon, the only competitor with the budget and will to battle Alibaba in a Southeast Asia turf war.

    Alibaba already competes with Amazon in India via two surrogates in which it holds sizable stakes: Paytm, a payment and ecommerce company, and marketplace Snapdeal. The battle shaping up in India is likely a harbinger of things to come in Southeast Asia, according to Pawoot (Pom) Pongvitayapanu, the CEO and founder of local Thai ecommerce marketplace Tarad.com. “I think in the next 10 years there will be a few very big ecommerce sites,” Pongvitayapanu said. “Alibaba or Amazon, they‘re going to control the world. That’s coming for sure.”

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  • ‘Forever in Thai Hearts,’ an exhibition hosted by Thailand’s Ministry of Culture

    ‘Forever in Thai Hearts,’ an exhibition hosted by Thailand’s Ministry of Culture

    Thailand’s Ministry of Culture, assigned by the government, joins hand with Siam Paragon to host ‘Forever in Thai Hearts,’ a photo exhibition portraying historical moments of Thai nation to mark the Royal Funeral of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Locals and visitors are invited to join a vowing campaign by recording their pledges to carry on his legacy and royal teaching. All images and video clips are to be included in ‘The People’s Archives’ memorial book. This exhibition runs from 19-30 November 2016 at Lifestyle Hall, 2nd Floor, Siam Paragon.

    On this occasion, General Thanasak Pratimaprakorn, Deputy Prime Minister, presided over the opening ceremony on 19 November 2016. Joining the opening ceremony were Vira Rojpojchanarat, Minister of Culture, Chadatip Chutrakul, Executive of Siam Paragon, Thanpuying Angkarb Boonyatthiti, Khunying Charmaree Snidvongs Na Ayudhya and M.L. Kwanthip Devakul. As the highlight of the opening ceremony, the song ‘Kao Dern Tor Pai ’ or ‘Moving Ahead’ composed by Dolchai Boonyaratavej with the melody written by Pongpoon Pibulkasetkij was performed by Chitralada School Choir to encourage everyone in moving forward with conscience and hope.

    General Thanasak Pratimaprakorn, Deputy Prime Minister, pointed out that “In making a memorial book titled ‘The People’s Archives’ and a documentary ‘Forever in Thai Hearts,’ the government has assigned Ministry of Culture to collect images and video clips contributed by public sectors, various organizations and medias. Aiming to preserve and publish Thailand’s historical moments related to the passing of the late monarch, highly revered by all Thais, we have received great feedback from people across the country. Over 30,000 images and video clips including images reflecting the sense of deepest respect and appreciation to His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, images of mourners from near and far traveling to pay their respects before the royal remains as well as messages of condolences and heartfelt gratitude were shared via our provided platforms. Hence, we have also chosen images uploaded to Facebook , Line application and email to be exhibited at ‘Forever in Thai Hearts’ exhibition at The Bangkok National Museum since 28 October 2016.

    “To offer wider opportunities for both Thais and foreigners in expressing their boundless gratitude to the late monarch and witnessing these historical moments, Ministry of Culture together with Siam Paragon has organized ‘Forever in Thai Hearts’ exhibition at Lifestyle Hall, Siam Paragon. On this occasion, 100 unseen images are specially curated to be on display.

    Joining the Ministry of Culture, Mayuree Chaipromprasith, executive of Siam Paragon, added, “The passing of our revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the greatest loss and despair in the lives of all Thais nationwide. As his royal subjects, we would like to express our deep-felt gratitude and humble loyalty by organising ‘Forever in Thai Hearts’ photo exhibition. This exhibition narrates the story of a deep mutual bond between the longest serving monarch and his people through images and films portraying his lifelong works and devotion. We also would like to invite everyone to join a vowing campaign by recording the ‘do-good-deeds, follow-the-King’s-teaching’ videos, all of which are to be included in ‘The People’s Archives’ memorial book. In this exhibition, each participant will receive a portrait of His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.”

    Nopakun Kunsujarid, the President of Bangkok Photographic Society, one of photographers whose image was included in the exhibition said, “I took this picture on 22 October 2016 when massive mourners filled Sanam Luang to capacity in order to join the historic mass singing event being filmed by MC Chatrichalerm Yukol. That heartfelt tribute to the Late King on that day was another momentous day in our history that Thai people across the nation united as one. From this picture, many mourners are seen holding both new and old portraits of His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. People were smiling and being helpful to each other. The passing of our revered king united everyone together again. As a photographer, I intended to communicate these emotions as best as I could.

    Adul Tanthakosai, whose image was also on display stated, “This picture was taken on 14 November at the festival of the Illuminated Boat Procession known as the sacred ‘Lai Reua Fai’ festival in Nakon Panom Province. I was impressed by the unity of locals. Not only had they come to participate in the festival, but also to express their profound appreciation to His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej through lighted candles and the formation of Thai number ‘9’. Many people cannot travel to pay their final respect at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, so they took this chance to do their part in this festival as a token of humble loyalty.”

    Tanakrit Kalaseranee, also added, “I wished to take pictures that demonstrate deepest emotion of mourners coming to pay their final respects to the royal remains as well as pictures of those working as volunteers, so I chose to capture moments from a prime spot inside the walls of Royal Palace where the majestic Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall stood tall as a background. This image was taken on 15 November 2016 and it truly conveys my true feeling. The image of students assisting elderly people on their wheelchairs portrays the value of togetherness, sincere gratitude and unconditional love we all share.

    Please be invited to witness and be part of ‘The People’s Archives’ in remembrance of His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej by joining the ‘Forever in Thai Hearts’ exhibition taking place on 19-30 November 2016 at Lifestyle Hall, 2nd Floor, Siam Paragon.

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