Facebook Thailand managing director John Wagner said it was Facebook’s mission to lead the transformation of Thailand into a digital economy and society and to support the country’s businesses and communities to realise their digital aspirations.

Facebook will launch new programmes, partnerships, and initiatives to support the three drivers it has identified for Thailand’s transformation.

Wagner said SMEs were central to the Thai economy, carrying out 98 per cent of business, employing 70 per cent of the workforce and accounting for 40 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP).

Facebook has committed to offering the support programmes, included workshop and live training, online training, and chat support for SMEs.

“Facebook also see the huge opportunities from the gaps in the digital transformation among large businesses,” Wagner said. “While a lot more large Thai businesses have recognised that digital transformation is necessary, only a few of them have a digital strategy, while most of them are aware of this need but have yet acted.”

Wagner cited a finding from BCG Analysis 2018 that there are US10 billion in digital transformation opportunities in Thailand, “if businesses evolve their digital strategies to move faster and build more efficient Net experiences for customers”, he said.

Thais have created more than one million group accounts on Facebook, including those that aim to create a positive social impact.

“For example, Help Us Read is a Facebook group connecting more than 11,000 volunteers with people who are visually impaired,” Wagner said. “Run2Gether hosts running events to promote inclusivity and wellness for disabled people. And Handup Network is a community that connects social enterprises with skilled professional mentors to help them build sustainable organisations and drive their mission forward. Our journey is 1 per cent done.”

He said: “Facebook is an integral part of Thai digital society reflected in the numbers that over 51 million Thais access Facebook every month, and over 34 million Thai people access Facebook every day.”

According to the “GWI Thailand Market Report Q4 2017: Profiling Internet users”, Thais are deeply engaged in digital experiences and Thailand ranks No 1 on time spent on mobile internet daily.

Today is the first day that bid documents are available to prospective bidders, with June 14 the final day they can be picked up.

Advanced Info Service and its subsidiary Advanced Wireless Network each picked up one bid document.

DTAC TriNet and DTAC Broadband – part of Total Access Communication (DTAC) – also each picked up a document, as did TrueMove H Universal Communication, which is True Corp’s cellular operator.

Prospective bidders have to submit applications on June 15 if they want to participate in the NBTC’s licensing auction, which is scheduled to take place on August 4.

The regulator will auction three licences under the 1800MHz spectrum, each of which will contain bandwidth of 15MHz.

TrueMove H said in a statement that it was the role of mobile operators to take this opportunity to pick up the bid document for study and acknowledgement of the conditions of the auction.

TrueMove H has hired a third-party, world-class business consultant to conduct a feasibility study on the investment in frequencies which are up for auction, the statement said.

However, the company believes the multitude of its existing frequencies with a combined bandwidth of up to 55MHz currently serves the demand for data of its 27 million subscribers well, and will remain sufficient and efficient enough to accommodate future growth in doubling its subscriber base.

Taking into account TrueMove H’s current portfolio of frequencies, as well as the auction price, the company’s management does not see the necessity to acquire additional frequencies as this contains sufficient spectra for both present and future businesses, it continued.

However, the decision on whether to participate in the auction will depend on the results of the feasibility study being conducted by the business consultant, as well as the resolution of the board of directors.

“We were able to exit from a critical situation by eliminating excessive debt at the end of March,” Toshiba’s new chief executive Nobuaki Kurumatani told a news conference.

“I personally regard it as the starting line for us… for transforming into an excellent company that can survive competition with global excellent companies,” he said.

The firm said it had booked a record net profit of 804.0 billion yen ($7.3 billion), compared with a loss of 965.7 billion yen a year earlier.

That marks the first net profit for the firm in four years and was helped by one-off revenue from tax cuts linked to the sale of its nuclear units.

However, operating profits dropped 21.9 percent to 64.1 billion yen while sales declined 2.4 percent to 3.95 trillion yen.

Toshiba had been on the ropes after its disastrous acquisition of US nuclear energy firm Westinghouse, which racked up billions of dollars in losses before being placed under bankruptcy protection.

Those losses came to light as the group was still reeling from revelations that top executives had pressured underlings to cover up weak results for years after the 2008 global financial meltdown.

In order to survive and avoid delisting, the cash-strapped group decided on the multibillion-dollar sale of its prized chip business to a consortium led by Bain Capital.

The chip unit brought in around 90 percent of Toshiba’s total operating profit in the first six months of the fiscal year 2017 and was the crown jewel in a vast range of businesses ranging from home appliances to nuclear reactors.

At the time the deal was seen as crucial to keeping it afloat after multi-billion-dollar losses.

On Tuesday, Toshiba said it was still waiting for Chinese antitrust authorities to approve the key sale but denied speculation that it was considering reversing course in the deal.

In November, Toshiba said it planned to raise 600 billion yen by issuing new shares, a move aimed at avoiding delisting even if the chip business sale is delayed.

The firm said it expected a net profit of 1.07 trillion yen for the current year to March 2019, up 33.1 percent from the previous year, on sales of 3.6 trillion yen.

Investors cheered the results, with Toshiba shares closing up 3.46 percent at 299 yen in Tokyo.

Hideki Yasuda, an analyst at Ace Research Institute in Tokyo, warned that the sale of the chip business would be crucial.

“We are paying close attention to the fate of its memory chip business. The cancellation of the deal will change the company’s strategy significantly,” Yasuda told AFP.

“Toshiba needs to create a fresh source of profit, but it is likely to take two to three years to find and foster it.”

CEO Tassapon Bijleveld will take on the role of executive chairman to supervise the company’s executive board, while venteran executive and founding member Santisuk Klongchaiya, current director of commercial, has taken over as chief executive officer of Thai AirAsia, effective yesterday.

Tassapon Bijleveld, executive chairman of Asia Aviation Plc (AAV) and Thai AirAsia Co Ltd (TAA), said the changes to the leadership positions will improve business flexibility within the carrier. In his new role, Tassapon will be in charge of executive policy in the interest of sustainable growth. The company’s executive board and management directors have given their full support to the development, voicing confidence in promoting Santisuk Klongchaiya, who has been instrumental in the airline’s growth from its inception, to the role of CEO.

“ I am still a part of AirAsia. My focus will now be on the overall executive picture and the company’s direction in seeking out new opportunities for sustainable growth. I will also focus on enacting government policies and collaborating with private sectors to ensure Thailand establishes a leading position in the aviation industry. I am pleased to have Santisuk as the new CEO because he has been the key executive at TAA from the start. His visionary leadership, coupled with his marketing acumen, have been behind the success of TAA for the past 10 years. I am certain that TAA will continue to move forward stronger than ever,” Tassapon said.

Santisuk Klongchaiya, promoted to chief executive officer of both AAV and TAA, said that the past 11 years have been a time of pride and joy for him as he was able to watch the TAA family grow to its full potential, continually learning from mistakes and never ceasing to develop. The new challenge as CEO will bring about stable and sustainable progress for the company as he affirms his commitment to working closely with Allstars in steering TAA and AAV forward.

“TAA’s strong foundation is built on the capability of its staff and its robust internal culture, which will continue to power its growth. We will never stop developing and we have a clear plan for progress. We are ready to adopt innovations and to bring new opportunities and experiences to our guests,” Santisuk added.

Bedgear expects to open the first flagship store soon and up to 20 outlets next year.

Among the Performance bedding products, Bedgear largely focuses on innovative pillows for superior sleep quality to enhance people with active lifestyles. Bedgear delivers a wide range of over 100 series of pillows to suit the different demands.

Ross Stuart, Bedgear’s vice president, international sales/Asia Pacific, said that Bedgear is redefining the way people sleep, featuring innovation, personalisation and peformance. Bedgear delivers Performance bedding products with fabric technologies that wick away moisture and dissipate heat, helping to regulate body temperature so customers sleep more comfortably. Bedgear performs while you sleep, managing heat, moisture and airfolw.

“Working with Dunlopillo, Bedgear will continue to set a precedent in the industry in Thailand for innovative sleep products through its proprietary personalised Performance Sleep System. We’re changing shopping experience with retailing interaction via multi-channel communication.

A customer can contact the store to prepare for selection including body type, sleep temperture and sleep position. Then, the customer would arrive in the store to take a final test through pillow fitting, so within 10 minutes of arriving, you can choose your perfect choice. Bedgear is the first and only brand in the world to offer the pillow fitting,”said Stuart.

Pisit Ongsritrakul, managing director, Dunlopillo (Thailand) added that the Bedgear sleep shops currently offer over 30 series of pillows with prices ranging fom Bt5,000 to 20,000. All sales people are well-trained to help customers select the appropriate pillows for their good night’s sleep. Most people might think the reason they don’t get a good night’s sleep is because a lack a good mattress, but the pillow is also important.

In addition to the expansion of sleep shops, Bedgear has a plan to open its flagship store in Bangkok soon. Meanwhile, Dunlopillo is planning to form a partnership with a leading international-chain hotel group as another marketing channel for Bedgear.

Pisit said that the parent company Lotus Bedding Group, the largest bedding and mattress manufacturer, has the product line to meet all customer segments. Bedgear is the third global brand. This year, the group is planning to offer more import brands.

“Lotus Bedding Group now accounts for 60-65 per cent of market share with Bt5 billion in total sales. The bedding market remain strong with over 10 per cent growth annually,” said Pisit.

Top executives of Thai Aviation Co Ltd, recently attended the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Thai Aviation Academy – Squadron 101, a new aviation academy that will operate to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

The academy is being built on 10 rai of land at Nong Pok Village, Nong Pok Sub-district, Thawat Buri District, Roi Et province. The aviation academy, which will be one of the most modern in Southeast Asia, will help drive the local economy while establishing Roi Et as a new hub of aviation training.

Chalitrat Chandrubeksa, president of Thai Aviation Co Ltd, said that his family has been in the aviation sector for four generations, since ACM Boonchu Chandrubeksa, Royal Thai Air Force Former Commander-in-Chief, (B.E. 2503 – 2517).

“We know very well that being a good pilot requires knowledge, training, and the guidance of experienced flight instructors, along with a proper airfield for practicing and an environment that contributes to the development of professional pilots. We see an opportunity to train civil pilots in compliance with ICAO standards. The company is investing over Bt200 million in the Thai Aviation Academy – Squadron 101 in Roi Et, where the province’s flat plains provide optimum safety for aviation training. We will use Roi Et Airport for flight training as it is well-equipped with modern aviation technology and systems. The new aviation academy is expected to be completed by March 2019.”

SCG joins T2P in developing ‘SCG Wallet’

Siam Cement Group (SCG), the leading conglomerate in Asean, has joined hands with T2P Company Limited, the leading e-Wallet and payment solution provider that creates innovative payment platform for corporations, in developing SCG Wallet. This smart platform makes it convenient for users to make a payment online and at every SCG outlet. SCG Wallet, moreover, can settle a bill at any shop that accepts MasterCard.

Taweechai Pureetip, CEO of T2P Company Limited, said, “In the face of fast-changing social and economic environment, people yearn for even greater convenience. They demand something that enable them to live digital lifestyle. SCG therefore has decided to partner with T2P Company Limited, which is a prominent e-Wallet, Loyalty Platform and AI Data Analytics provider, for SCG Wallet development. SCG Wallet is available in two formats, as a mobile application and as a cash card. “We are extremely pleased to have contributed to this development. It’s a pleasure to support SCG efforts to make payments easier for various customers. We trust that SCG Wallet can influence customers’ purchase decisions and contribute to SCG further growth”.

Natwut Amornvivat, a co-founder of T2P, says, “We began T2P operations in 2011 with a firm commitment to develop innovations and financial technologies (Fintech) for leading organizations. To date, we have already created successful e-Wallet/Loyalty Platforms for many corporate clients. Our customer base grows solidly, with the average growth rate of 100 per cent a year. Currently, we have also launched Deep Data Analytics services, using machine-learning technology for our clients. Leveraging Artificial Intelligence, we have helped our clients develop deep and insightful engagement with their customers. Today, T2P has been the leading Fintech provider for corporate clients in various industries. The number of our e-Wallet users has reached several millions already”.

The top executives of T2P reveals that during the past several years, T2P has developed e-wallet for various industries including the restaurant sector. Transactions made through T2P innovations total Bt3billion a year. Moreover, T2P has won a MasterCard Payment Award in the United States due to its outstanding innovation in payment technology.