Despite their apparent willingness, only 25 per cent have a full digital strategy in place today, 45 per cent are in the process of introducing specific digital transformation initiatives in selected parts of their organisation while 30 per cent still have very limited or no strategy in place.

The Microsoft Asia Digital Transformation Study surveyed 1,494 business leaders from Asia Pacific working in organisations with more than 250 employees from 13 Asia Pacific markets: Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand, 247 of them in the healthcare business.

“The study has shown that Asia Pacific’s healthcare industry has started to act on the need for digital transformation to address the challenges and opportunities of the 4th Industrial Revolution in the region. Data play an important role in transforming a reactive “sick care system” into a proactive one that manages individual and population health more effectively and at a lower cost. We urge all business leaders in this space to digitally transform themselves amidst changing demands externally and internally, to stay relevant,” says Tatiana Marushevskaya, Marketing & Operations Director, Microsoft Thailand

In Thailand, Microsoft continues to work with organisations of all sizes to drive digital transformation. Praram 9 Hospital is one of the businesses for which Microsoft is supporting the improvement of effective clinical systems.

“Praram 9 Hospital is a private and standalone hospital with 1,200 employees providing services to approximately 1,100 outpatients a day. The hospital therefore has to expand its facilities and improve its systems to support increasing numbers of patients and respond with world-class standards. With the hospital’s growth, it is necessary for us to perform risk management and data analysis to better protect patient information. That begins with a Disaster Recovery solution that stores hospital and patient information in the cloud to ensure that our operations will not be disrupted even in the face of incidents beyond our control,” says Piyarat Samritpradit, Assistant Director, Information Technology Department, Praram 9 Hospital.

To find out more about how Microsoft is enabling digital transformation for organisations, visit https://blogs.microsoft.com/transform/.

This year, the fair is celebrating its 60th anniversary and, as tradition demands, the 1st Battalion Irish Guards Drums & Pipes Band will welcome the fair’s opening guest, Brian J Davidson, the current British Ambassador to Thailand, who will be attending for the first time.

The entrance fee is Bt150 for adults, Bt50 for children with special all-day ride ticket available

Activities and attractions for all ages will be held through the day including a live stage for entertainment, international food and drink plus games and thousands of prizes to be won by the whole family. While kids are enjoying video game sessions, the adults can shop for New Year gift guides or hampers from Tesco and Boots. There are also heaps of stalls run by the many charities the event supports to sell their arts and crafts.

Find out more at Facebook.com/Ploenchit-Fair-306709079358965/

The pill, called Abilify MyCite (aripiprazole tablets with sensor), is designed for patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression, according to the US Food and Drug Administration.

A patient ingests the pill, and a sensor inside the pill activates when it reaches the stomach fluids, sending a message to a wearable patch.

This patch then transmits the information to a mobile app, so that a doctor and up to four caregivers, friends or family members can see the information through a web-based portal.

“Being able to track ingestion of medications prescribed for mental illness may be useful for some patients,” said Mitchell Mathis, director of the division of psychiatry products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, in a statement Monday afternoon.

“The FDA supports the development and use of new technology in prescription drugs and is committed to working with companies to understand how technology might benefit patients and prescribers.”

Although the sensor can alert caregivers, the makers of Abilify, Japan-based Otsuka Pharmaceutical, said it is unclear whether the tracking device will actually help improve patients’ ability to take their medication daily as prescribed.

The FDA approved Abilify in 2002 to treat schizophrenia, which affects about one percent of the US population.

The ingestible sensor used in Abilify MyCite was first allowed on the market by the FDA in 2012.

The sensor technology and patch are made by Proteus Digital Health, and are approved for use with existing medications in the United States and Europe.

But until now, the FDA had not approved a sensor-pill combination.

Some experts raised questions about the choice of Abilify as the drug in which to test the sensor, and the “Big Brother” connotations of being tracked.

“Patients with a tendency towards paranoia may feel a bit uncomfortable being monitored in this fashion,” said Seth Mandel, chairman of psychiatry at Northwell Health’s Huntington Hospital in New York.

“Patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are very often non-compliant with their medication and the result is almost always a relapse,” he added.

Still, he said the pill may “potentially be a significant advance in our never-ending struggle to improve patient adherence to psychotropic medication.”

Scott Krakower, assistant unit chief of psychiatry at Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks, New York, said more research is needed to see how the pill affects people in real life.

“This could be a really helpful device to help some of our patients,” who often “have difficulty with focusing and concentrating and may forget to take their medications,” he told AFP in an email.

“On the other hand, one of the goals we set for patients is to improve quality of overall functioning with their lives.

“In some situations it may hinder the autonomy some patients are working toward in their treatment, or it may enable patients to rely on an instrument instead of themselves for treatment.”

The unique shopping experience will feature a specially curated selection of Wizarding World-inspired merchandise, which will be on display and available for purchase in a holiday-themed setting designed to dazzle families of all ages.

“Christmas in the Wizarding World”, which is open for a limited time only, will be reminiscent of the setting and atmosphere of a wintry Hogsmeade village. Complete with an extensive wand assortment, film-inspired window displays and interactive elements, the themed shopping experience is sure to be a hit with fans of JK Rowling’s Wizarding World. Key features of the experience include:

>> A wide selection of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them inspired merchandise, perfect for holiday gift-giving.

>>Specially designed holiday ornaments and stockings

>> Hogwarts school robes

>> Fan-favourite plush owls

>> Wands, jewellery and branded collectible

Ollivanders will be outfitted with soaring shelves of hundreds of precariously stacked wands boxes, where shoppers will be able to experience a holiday surprise with the help of the Wand keeper.

A memorable photo opportunity, featuring a selection of background options from the “Harry Potter” films and “”Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”, where guests can purchase a keepsake of their Christmas in the Wizarding World experience.

An interactive Quaffle Toss game, where guests can score a goal amid a colourful display of Quidditch-themed attire and accessories.

Throughout the retail experience, animated windows will bring the iconic shops from the films to life, delighting fans and shoppers alike

“Christmas in the Wizarding World will redefine the traditional shopping centte holiday offering by creating a themed retail experience inspired by one of the most beloved brands of all time, Harry Potter,” says Eddie Newquist, chief creative officer of GES. “We’ve recreated the magical settings of Hogsmeade village and will bring it to the fans and families in Thailand, so they can experience this innovative retail environment.”

Find out more at http://www.SiamParagon.co.th.

Winners from the Thai event will receive prizes worth more than Bt100,000 and the right to represent Thailand in the upcoming Asia Pacific Predator League 2018 in Indonesia.

Held in Jakarta, the region’s biggest e-sport competition offers more than Bt5 million in prizes.

Nitipat Praweenwongwuthi, marketing director at Acer Computer, said recently that Acer (Thailand) was a constant promoter of e-sports.

In collaboration with the Thai E-Sports Association, Acer (Thailand) has raised public awareness of e-sports, created e-sport trends, and developed good attitudes towards them, he said.

Moreover, Acer (Thailand) has provided e-sport teams with gaming-equipment support, and has also sponsored their trip to attend e-sports competition overseas.

According to Newzoo’s “Global Esports Market Report”, there were some 9.5 million e-sport lovers in Southeast Asia last year, with about 1.1 million of them living in Thailand.

Across the world, up to 385 million people have watched e-sport tournaments so far this year, with most of them watched such competitions via online platforms.

It is estimated that Asia-Pacific people account for 51 per cent of these viewers.

The upcoming Predator League will be the Dota2 competition, and it is also Thailand’s first e-sport tournament to have been certified by the Thai E-Sports Association following the Sports Authority of Thailand’s move to recognise e-sport as a new form of sports and to officially accept the establishment of e-sport associations.

The Dota2 competition, which commenced on Saturday, promises to be a crucial forum for youth and e-sport fans who are interested in becoming e-sport players.

Winners will have opportunities to join the world-class forum later on.

To Acer, the contest is another milestone in its efforts to allow youth and e-sport fans to demonstrate their potential, Nitipat said, adding that the forum will at the same time also highlight the Taiwan-based computer company’s innovations that have been developed for the best user experiences.

The first round of Predator League tournaments runs through November 23 to select the 32 best teams.

The final round will then be held on November 25 at the@Arena Plus FpsThailand.

Six hundred bikes are now available for students and staff at the university in 7 parking areas including the parking lot next to Phra Bida yard, the parking lot at the front of dorm 10 (female dorm), the parking lot at the front of building 8 (male dorm), Lan It canteen, the main gate at the radio station sign, the back gate on the car-free side and the Division of Student Affairs.

Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus is one of the leading universities in Thailand with an area of over 395 acres and currently has a total student population of more than 15,000. For its part, the campus has set the scene through the introduction of the Green&Clean Campus project, which sees internal bike lanes expanded and extended to Suan Somdej and Rusamilea Beach.

Every Saturday, students and staff get on the bikes to undertake such worthy tasks as trash collection from public places. Ofo is aiming to increase the number of bicycles instead of motorcycles and support eco-friendly public transportation in the campus.

“The launch of Ofo at PSU was extremely well received. Within a day of Ofo’s launch at PSU, thousands of rides were generated as students and faculty members used the service to commute conveniently around the campus. Ofo bikes are available free of charge until the end of December 2017, says the firm’s Thailand’s general manager Noppol Toochinda.

This is the first time Local Alike has arranged these all-inclusive package travel deals which include tours to the local communities, return flights from Bangkok, accommodation with community members and delicious local cuisine. Prices start at Bt12,700 and the destinations include Pong Huai Lan Village, Chiang Mai (December 8 to 10), Hloyo Akha Village, Chiang Rai (December 8-11) and Lanjia Lodge, also in Chiang Rai over the same dates.

Eight other travel packages starting at Bt1,000 take visitors to Sawanbondin Farm and Homestay, Nature Trail at Baan Suan Pa, the tea and coffee plantations at Chiang Mai’s Mae Kampong Village, and Phrabat Huay Tom, Lamphun province.

Find out more at http://www.LocalAlike.com .email rux@localalike.com or call (081) 139-5593.

The glittering display was part of a gala dinner night hosted at the Shangri-La Hotel by the National Gem and Jewellery Research Institute’s Rachain Potjanasunthorn, Duangkamon Jiambutr and Suriyon Sriorathaikul with Commerce Minister Apiradee Tantraphorn as the guest of honour.

The dinner was attended by ruby disciples Nantawan Sakuntanak, Sumitra Kitkamjay, Jarin Sumanon, Suree Rattanahirunya, Rakchana Apikasemsan, Sean Gilbert, Henry Ho, Franky Fong, and Santpal Sinchawla, who all expressed their appreciation at the spectacular jewellery on show.

“This event celebrates the success of the World Ruby Business Forum 2017, which was held for the first time in Thailand. It has attracted experts and jewellers from all over the world to exchange insights on the ruby industry and to reinforce Thailand’s potential as a centre for jewellery by 2021,” said Suriyon.

The fashion show presented collections from nine brands, including The Amorous from Beauty Gems featuring a diamond necklace set in yellow gold and white gold adorned with a ruby weighing 353 carats. Also on display was the Ruby Hatta New World made from a ruby cut in a oval shape in a white gold setting surrounded by pearls and diamonds.

Eleven diamonds weighing 21 karats and rubies were the stars of Sukhadia’s necklace and earrings while Veerasak Gems showed a necklace, earrings and rings boasting rubies from Myanmar. Jacob displayed a colourful oval ruby with a variety of diamonds in a gold body fashioned into a necklace and worn with matching earrings.

PK Gems offered a gorgeous ruby ring with diamonds in pink gold. Sant Enterprise showed an emerald-cut ruby from Mozambique weighing 9.30 karats and Heng W. Princess Gems displayed a ring with a stone from Sri Lanka.

Guests also took part in auction of jewellery and rubies with the funds raising going the Safeguard Kids foundation. A Judith Leiber clutch went for Bt300,000, while a ruby ring from Sant Enterprise went to Dr Sudjai Chaiamnuey for Bt230,000.

For more information, check about http://www.WorldRubyForum.com.

A true gaming beast, the Asus ROG G703 is a notebook computer with the world’s first ultra-responsive 144Hz display, overclocked performance and unique Xbox features. It’s powered by an Intel Core i77820HK processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 graphics. It comes with 17.3-inch Full HD IPS display and robust cooling to complement performance. It also features a fully customisable backlit keyboard with a dedicated Xbox Live hotkey and builtin Xbox Wireless. It’s yours for Bt149,990.

Now listen here

1-More MK802 Bluetooth OverEar headphones boast rare Beryllium drivers for an exceptionally comprehensive sound and a durable, lightweight, and stylish TR90 synthetic titanium exterior. Convenient ear cup controls are compatible with Apple iOS and Android, allowing you to control Bluetooth, the 1-More app, volume, select songs, take calls, and activate voice control. The phones are on sale for Bt5,250.

Music to the ears

Rockbox Chunk Indigo is a portable Bluetooth speaker from Fresh ’N’ Rebel that can also function as a power bank. It supports Bluetooth 4.0 and it has 2×10 watts of output power and a 4,000 mAh battery with about 20 hours of playback time. It provides a USB port for connecting and recharging your smartphone on the go. It is available from http://www.ashop.asia for Bt3,490.

Phone with a touch of class

Premium Inear Bluetooth earphones designed by Jakob Wagner for Bang & Olufsen, the Beoplay H5 come in a colour called Vapour and are stylish enough to satisfy active lifestyle music lovers or gym rats. They’re on sale at RTB Technology Co Ltd for Bt9,900.

Smile for that selfie

Designed for the selfie-obsessed, the new OPPO F5 smartphone comes with AI Beauty Technology to ensure your shots are outstanding. Boasting 20-megapixel resolution and the Bokeh effect, the front camera uses an f/2.0 lens and 1/2.8-inch image sensor while the back camera has 16 MP resolution with f/1.8 lens. The 6inch display has 2160×1080 pixel resolution. It retails for Bt9,990.