Royal Umbrella rice introduces recyclable bag that reduces global warming
Nov 19. 2020
By The Nation
The Royal Umbrella rice brand owned by Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group) is focusing on sustainability by introducing recyclable packaging. The bag is the fruit of work by materials science expert Dow Thailand Group and Prepack, Thailand’s leading flexible packaging producer under SCGP. It uses Dow’s sustainable packaging solution “Innate” to produce a strong but fully-recyclable rice bag that reduces CO2 emission by reducing plastic resin used and lowering energy in production. The new recyclable rice bag will be launched in Q1 of 2021 in response to consumer’s demand for environmental-friendliness and to address the CP Group’s sustainability goal to halt all use of non-recyclable packaging by 2025.
CP Foods promises to protect workers’ rights, maintain high standards at ILO training event
Nov 19. 2020
By THE NATION
Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) has pledged to ensure decent work in the poultry industry and bring Thailand’s chicken processing supply chain up to international standards.
This pledge was given at the launch of the “Train the Trainer” course for poultry supply chains organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Employers’ Confederation of Thailand and Thai Broiler Processing Exporters Association.
At the launching ceremony in a Bangkok hotel, Siripong Arunrattana, CPF’s chief operating officer for livestock business, accepted ILO’s MNE Declaration (Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy) from Graeme Buckley, ILO’s director for Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.
Presiding over the launch, Vice Labour Minister Surachai Chaitrakulthong said the government and Labour Ministry have enhanced focus on labour protection and human rights. The Thai Broiler Processing Exporters Association and three leading companies – CPF, Betagro and Cargill – demonstrate that they have realised the importance of labour laws, the creation of decent work conditions and international standards.
Pimonrat Reephattanavijitkul, CPF’s executive vice president for human resources, said CPF has adhered to human rights principles and ensured that all workers are treated fairly and equitably, regardless of their nationality and title. CPF’s practices were also granted the Labour Ministry’s TLS 8001 standard.
Meanwhile, farmers at contracted farms have been encouraged to adopt Good Labour Practices since 2016 and are subject to annual assessment by CPF.
Once the training is complete, CPF’s trainers will employ the knowledge and international labour practices to ensure that CPF’s labour practices comply with international standards in a sustainable way.
Pimonrat added that CPF’s trainers will share their knowledge with relevant employees at four processing plants – three chicken processing plants in Nakhon Ratchasima, Saraburi and Minburi and a poultry processing plant in Bangkok’s Bang Na district.
The knowledge will be further extended to CPF’s animal farms and farmers to ensure that their labour treatments in CPF’s supply chain meet human rights principles.
Thai Airways operated five repatriation flights to fly home hundreds of Thai citizens from November 8 to 13, said Sqn-Leader Aniruth Sangrit, acting executive vice president of the Operations Department at Thai International Public Co Ltd (THAI), and head of the THAI Operations Control Centre.
The flights were operated under cooperation between THAI and the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Royal Thai embassies in London, Copenhagen, Seoul and Beijing, the Royal Thai Consulate in Shanghai and the Thailand Trade and Economic office in Taipei.
Flight TG917 brought home 171 Thais in the UK from London on November 9.
Flight TG951 carried 120 Thais in Nordic countries from Copenhagen to Bangkok on November 9.
Flight TG659 flew home 87 Thais from Seoul on November 12.
Flight TG8109 brought 16 Thais in China back from Shanghai on November 12.
Flight TG633 carried 215 Thais from Taipei on November 13.
The airline also delivered cargo on round-trip flights.
“THAI is always prepared to operate special flights to fly Thais home with strict security and hygiene standards as well as Covid-19 preventive measures,” the airline said in a press statement.
Nov 18. 2020Kittiya Srisanit, head of Krungsri Auto Group, far right, at the launch event.
By The Nation
Bank of Ayudhya’s auto-finance arm Krungsri Auto on Wednesday launched the “GO Application by Krungsri Auto” app to meet financial and lifestyle needs of car users.
The platform offers a range of services including loan application, payment by instalment, insurance and useful information and privileges for car users.
Krungsri Auto is targeting 1 million downloads by the end of 2021.
The new app “offers services and information that answer car drivers’ lifestyle needs with real-time fuel price updates and wide-ranging privileges, such as discounts and premiums from partnered brands”, said Kittiya Srisanit, head of Krungsri Auto Group.
It also provides instant access to three of Krungsri Auto’s digital products: credit appraisal for new and used cars, motorcycles and big bike financing via Krungsri Auto PromptStart; auto refinancing via Car4Cash; and Krungsri’s online motor insurance services.
The GO App is available for download on Android and iOS.
FinVest smartphone app will soon make it easier to invest in local, foreign mutual funds
Nov 17. 2020Kit Wong, left, CEO of Lu International (Singapore), Chonladet Khemarattana, centre, CEO and co-founder of Robowealth Mutual Fund Brokerage Securities, and Patchara Samalapa, right, KBank president.
By The Nation
KASIKORNBANK (KBank), Lu International and Robowealth Mutual Fund Brokerage Securities have jointly launched FinVest – a digital investment platform that allows users to buy both Thai and global funds.
Investors simply download the app, open an account and buy mutual funds from leading asset management companies within Thailand and elsewhere. This will enhance their investment options with the opportunity to earn attractive returns.
By early next year, customers should be able to invest in foreign mutual funds, and KBank is targeting 120,000 accounts with an investment value of more than Bt14 billion.
Patchara Samalapa, KBank’s president, said: “In 2020, Thailand’s total outstanding capital market value is worth around Bt44 trillion. Of this, investment in mutual funds totals Bt4.8 trillion, or around 10 per cent.
“Of late, the younger generation has shown increasing interest in mutual funds, preferring to conduct transactions via digital channels and seeking products related to Thai and foreign equity instruments,” he said.
FinVest marks a cooperation towards digital technology development between KBank, which has digital banking expertise; Lu International – a Singapore-based company under Lufax Holding, which is an associate of Ping An Group – a large Chinese company with a team of world-class experts well-versed in investment technology; and Robowealth Mutual Fund Brokerage Securities, an expert in wealth tech.
Kit Wong, CEO of Lu International (Singapore), said: “Lu International has strengths in investment management and a world-class technology development team. The company believes that Thailand will become an important market, with the fastest growth in investment and economy of any Southeast Asian country.”
Chonladet Khemarattana, CEO and co-founder of Robowealth Mutual Fund Brokerage Securities, said: “Though Thailand is fast becoming an aging society, most of its population still lacks any investment plan to save up enough for their retirement.
“Of Thailand’s 70 million people, fewer than 5 per cent have invested either directly in the stock market or through a mutual fund. As people are generally concerned about risks and view investment to be difficult and time consuming, the FinVest platform provides investors with an alternative option for accessing an efficient investment channel.”
Once the FinVest account is activated via smartphone, investors have the option of linking their accounts to either Bangkok Bank, Krung Thai Bank, KBank or Siam Commercial Bank.
Interested persons can invest in various mutual funds offered by 15 leading asset management companies in Thailand – accounting for 90 per cent of the entire domestic industry – and many more across the globe, directly via FinVest.
The Minor Food Group has announced its new 1112 Delivery Application for restaurant food now covers every region including metropolitan Bangkok until late (2am)
.Until the end of November, the app offers free delivery for the first eight kilometres when spending over Bt400. New customers will also receive a Bt100 discount when spending over Bt300.
The app enables customers to communicate with employees via messaging or calls, and also track their deliveries. It covers Minor Group outlets including The Pizza Company, Bonchon Chicken, Burger King, Swensen’s, Sizzler, Dairy Queen and The Coffee Club, while also collaborating with other brands such as S&P and BreadTalk.
Customers can choose to pay by cash, credit or debit card. Currently, the 1112 delivery application is available in all regions in Thailand, with service hours from 7am until 2 am every day in Bangkok and metropolitan areas.
There are also monthly special promotions at chain restaurants, as well as plans to launch a loyalty programme to collect points to exchange for various benefits, products and services from Minor Group.
BTS Group picked as DJSI component for third consecutive year
Nov 16. 2020
By THE NATION
BTS Group has been selected as an index component of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) 2020 in the DJSI Emerging Markets for the third consecutive year, BTS Group Holdings Pcl (BTS Group) revealed.
BTS Group is the only Thai rail transportation company ranked amongst world class DJSI Indices members, the company said.
According to this year’s evaluated performances, BTS Group becomes “DJSI Industry Leader” for transportation and transportation infrastructure Industry.
“This is a proud achievement of the company and Thailand, which has been acknowledged as world class. This demonstrates the strong commitment of the BTS Group to management disciplines during the challenging period and our sustainable business practices,” the company said.
The DJSI, a collaboration between S&P Global and SAM, are a family of indices evaluating the sustainability performance of corporations, broadly recognised worldwide. “The evaluation aims to ensure companies’ commitment to management disciplines, which have been demonstrated in our prudent financial and investment practices, sustainable management policies and viable business progression, covering all three sustainable dimensions — economics, social and environmental — as well as responsibility for all stakeholders.
Meanwhile, on November 11, BTS Group was selected by the Stock Exchange of Thailand to be a member of Thailand Sustainability Investment List for the second time in the service category. “This reflects the commitment of BTS Group to operate and place importance to create sustainable business as well as focus on responsibility for the environment, society and governance,” the company said.
The Export-Import Bank of Thailand (EXIM Thailand) forecasts Thai export growth as high as 4 per cent in 2021, as global trade and economy recovers from a low base of -10 per cent. However, export growth may not return to 2019 levels due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions around the world, cautioned the bank’s president Pisit Serewiwattana.
The International Monetary Fund projects that less than one-third (60) of 195 economies around the globe will record 2021 GDP higher than or equal to that in 2019. Of those fast-recovering economies, nine are among Thailand’s top 20 export markets – China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, South Korea and Taiwan. Major Thai exports to these markets include industrial products like plastic resin, refined oil, chemicals, cosmetics, soap and skincare products, and agricultural goods such as fresh fruits, rubber, sugar, tapioca products and beverages.
Pisit said the key factor propelling the Thai economy and exports in 2021 would be the ability of local businesses to adapt to the new, post-Covid operating conditions. These would be characterised by improving domestic and tourism demand driven by government stimulus.
The latest Thai export figures, for September, show a 3.9 per cent contraction – the lowest in five months. Thai exports in the first nine months of 2020 contracted by 7.3 per cent, lower than those of several peer countries including Japan, South Korea, Singapore and India.
Pisit predicted that Joe Biden’s election as US president would see an easing of the US-China trade war, promotion of clean energy, hikes for corporate and personal income tax, and a rise in the minimum wage. This should encourage more relocation of investment bases from the US.
EXIM Thailand is now aiming to become a “sustainable bank”, with a focus on responsible financial and business management, social and environmental risk management, organisation-wide risk management, and good governance for sustainable banking development. The bank is tasked with supporting exports and investment, particularly in new frontiers, to get Thailand out of the middle-income trap. It is also mandated to boost SMEs’ access to financing and knowledge via the bank’s EXIM Excellence Academy (EXAC). Recently, the bank developed the Thailand Export Readiness Assessment & Knowledge Management (TERAK) system to assess, analyse, process and prepare reports and offer support services to entrepreneurs. It also supports environmentally friendly and renewable energy projects for balanced and sustainable development. In the long term, the bank aims to help Thai entrepreneurs develop higher value-added and innovative products and adapt to the rapidly changing business environment, so that businesses can grow firmly and sustainably with long-term competitive advantages in the global market.
MEA provides tree-trimming course to staff for safety and better landscaping
Nov 14. 2020
By THE NATION
The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) organised a tree-trimming course from November 11-13 at its Sam Sen headquarters in Bangkok.
The MEA wanted its staff and contractors to improve their skills in tree trimming and maintenance as well as promote personnel and public safety while working on big trees.
“The programme was a collaboration between the MEA, the Faculty of Forestry at Kasetsart University and the Big Tree Network, which sent experts to give lectures on tree trimming and maintenance, tree risk assessment, as well as uses of ladder and safety equipment,” said Chanvet Yuwachit, deputy MEA governor.
“Participants also practised using an aerial vehicle to trim tree branches along powerlines while maintaining safety standards to prevent electric shocks and branches falling off that could pose a threat to pedestrians and property.
“We expect that the training course would enable workers to work on trees in city areas and near powerlines according to the arboriculture principle, which would improve the landscape and reduce the risk of tree branches damaging powerlines or causing blackout in the areas,” he added.
“This course is a part of the MEA’s efforts in promoting work safety and power stability in city areas,” Chanvet said.
Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) is supporting adoption of the Revenue Department’s new e-Withholding Tax system for businesses by waiving its e-Withholding Tax service fees next year for businesses who apply between now and March 31, 2021.
The e-Withholding Tax system is designed to boost convenience and cut costs of the tax withholding process for businesses.
The new online process will also help eliminate operational errors that are part and parcel of paper-based processes while increasing transparency and efficiency.
SCB will act as an intermediary for the Revenue Department by deducting withholding tax on behalf of businesses, helping them to reduce or eliminate time-consuming preparation of documents needed for paper tax filing.
The Revenue Department introduced the e-witholding tax system earlier this year in partnership with 11 banks. The 11 participating banks are SCB, Krungthai, Kasikornbank, the Bank for Agricultural and Agricultural Cooperatives, Bangkok Bank, Mizuho Bank (Bangkok branch), Krungsri, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Standard Chartered (Thai), TMB and the Land and Houses Bank.
Kittiya Srisanit, head of Krungsri Auto Group, far right, at the launch event. 
Kit Wong, left, CEO of Lu International (Singapore), Chonladet Khemarattana, centre, CEO and co-founder of Robowealth Mutual Fund Brokerage Securities, and Patchara Samalapa, right, KBank president. 
Pisit Serewiwattana 
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