Allianz Ayudhya has announced three winning teams from its inaugural Activator initiative, Thailand’s first InsurTech incubation programme and the first for Allianz in Asia Pacific.

Doctor A to Z, Sharmble and Vitaboost Wellness were successful from a shortlist of 14 teams for their innovative approach to delivering insurance service solutions to customers, ranging from Surgical Treatment Matching Network to the Remote Care Service and the Customized Wellness Program.

The award-winning start-ups receive seeding investment of up to two million Thai Baht with sandbox facility and an opportunity to scale their business through Allianz’s global network across more than 70 markets.

By working side by side with Allianz Ayudhya, they will also gain unique access to industry insights, have their ideas incorporated into the Allianz business and have the opportunity to deliver solutions that satisfy customer needs in the real market place.

In addition, the three start-ups will gain exposure with senior management at Allianz Asia Pacific in Singapore and will be hosted in Munich, Germany at Allianz X – Allianz Group’s digital investment unit. In Munich, the teams will have the opportunity to present their solutions to Allianz executives representing over 70 different countries in Allianz’s global network.

WORLD’S BEST-SELLING SPORTS COUPE FOR THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR

Global demand for the new 2018 Ford Mustang has driven Mustang to its third straight year as the best-selling sports coupe in the world.

Global Mustang registrations in 2017 totaled 125,809 cars, according to Ford analysis of the most recent new light vehicle registration data from IHS Markit. This data – compiled from government and other sources and capturing 95 percent of global new vehicle volumes in more than 80 countries – puts Mustang ahead of all other sports coupe competitors worldwide.

“The world is falling in love with Mustang,” says Erich Merkle, Ford sales analyst. “Mustang represents the best of American design, performance and freedom, with an unmistakable personality that’s appeals – regardless of your post code.”

Of the nearly 126,000 vehicles registered worldwide, Ford reported 81,866 of those were registered in the United States, meaning just over one-third of all Mustang registrations are occurring in export markets. Demand remains particularly strong in China, where Mustang was the best-selling sports coupe last year based on 7,125 registrations.

The most popular configuration worldwide is the Mustang GT with the 5.0-liter V8.

While sports cars have traditionally skewed toward male buyers in the United States, Mustang is increasingly finding favor with women. In an environment of relatively flat sports car sales to women, Ford research shows a 10 per cent gain in women buying Mustang in the last five years. Since global exports began in 2015, through December 2017, Ford has sold 418,000 Mustangs around the world.

Sports coupes, as defined by IHS Markit, include two-door and convertible models.

SPECTRUM AUCTION ‘OUT OF STEP WITH INDUSTRY’

Dtac has indicated that the unintended consequences of the auctions rules for the upcoming 1800 MHz spectrum auction will lower auction revenue, result in unsold spectrum and produce an inefficient market outcome. The NBTC board’s agreement to organize the auction in August 2018 follows the original auction rules of 15MHz block size and the N-1 rule, both of which are misaligned with the needs of the telco industry and Thailand’s increasingly digital consumers.

Lars Norling, chief executive officer, Total Access Communication Plc or dtac said, “Thailand is currently facing spectrum scarcity to serve the rapid growth of data consumption as well as the digital disruption being experienced. In order to realize Thailand 4.0, the government should prioritize the effectiveness of spectrum management as one of the top national agenda.”

“Dtac would like to raise our concerns about the NBTC board agreement to return to the original auction rules of 1800MHz spectrum that will undoubtedly put at risk the telecom industry, consumers’ benefits, and the government’s vision for Thailand 4.0. However, for the coming 1800MHz spectrum auction, dtac will await the formal Information Memorandum and auction details,” said Norling.

In this regard, dtac has over the last years maintained that the reserve prices should be rationalized by re-setting them to the level of the reserve prices set upon re-auction of AIS and True’s concession spectrum in 2015, which is more appropriate for Thai consumers. (ii) the spectrum blocks should be 2×5 MHz (instead of 2×15 MHz), in line with international best practices (iii) the N-1 rule for the 1800MHz auction (by which the regulator would withhold spectrum and sell fewer spectrum licenses than the number of bidders) shall be removed to not create artificial spectrum scarcity.

“In June, dtac will submit a readiness and consumer protection plan in compliance with the NBTC notification to continue providing best network services for customers until new license holders are announced. This is the same process as with the end of concession and the delayed auction of the other two operators in the past,” said Norling.

CPF TEAMS UP WITH SYNPHAET

Food service in hospital often give unpleasant experiences to most of the patients. However, Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (CPF) and Synphaet hospital is trying to challenge this stereotype and turn tasteless hospital meals into healthy and good taste dishes.

Amorn Umpairungruang, vice president of CPF, said patient food service is part of the company’s ambition as a full food service provider that offer safe and quality foods to all groups of consumer.

“The quality of our foods is on par with the dishes made by a 5 stars hotel’s chef. We offer a full service under an advice of the experts at the hospital.” He added.

CPF has been working closely with the doctors and nutritionist at Synphaet hospital to develop patients’ foods that offer both nutritional values and great taste. Beside patients’ foods, it also provides a food service for staffs and visitors of the hospital.

The service are reviewed by Quality Audit of CPF to ensure of the best taste, food safety and quality of service for everyone at the hospital.

The company has been serving a wide range of foods from medical to western dishes at hospital since early 2018. It has resulted in positive feedback among the medical staffs and their guests.

Dr Chalermpol Nukulkit, Management member at Synphaet Hospital, noted that CPF’s will provide special made meal for each patients based on their illness in accordance to the medical specialist’s suggestion.

He pointed that nutritional diet is vital part for patients’ recovery as well as the efficiency of medical treatment. This partnership will boost confidence in food quality and service at the hospital.

The food conglomerate also started canteen services at the hospital, offering hospital visitors a wide range of foods including traditional Thai foods, halal foods and coffee shop.

“I am confident that our staffs and guests will enjoy the experience from our news food service, especially the patients who required specific diet.” Dr Chalermpol said.

CPF’s hospital food service is currently available at Rama 9 hospital, BNH Hospital and Synphaet Hospital in Bangkok.