Phuket Airport welcomed back international airlines for the first time since March on Monday, when an Emirates plane landed on the southern holiday island.
The special service coincided with the visit of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his Cabinet to boost confidence in the tourism sector and demonstrate Phuket’s readiness to receive international travellers.
Flight EK376, a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, started its journey from Dubai Airport at 2.10am and touched down in Phuket at 2.20pm local time, after a short layover in Bangkok.
With safety as a priority, Emirates is gradually expanding its flight service to 99 cities in November, restoring routes to the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia Pacific via Dubai.
PacRim offers new strategy for companies to achieve tangible results
Nov 02. 2020Innovation experts Manrat Praditwongsin, right, and Dr Sirinchayaa Preechapatsakool share their insights during the launch of PacRim Group’s result-based innovation solutions strategy to help Thai organisations achieve results.
By The Nation
Leading consultancy firm, PacRim Group, has launched its result-based innovation solutions (RIS) strategy, which effectively integrates systems such FranklinCovey’s customer-centric innovation and the “jobs to be done” approach from innovation-guru Clayton M Christensen.
Manrat Praditwongsin, senior consultant at PacRim Group, said the consultancy firm has provided leadership development and transformation solutions to more than 1,000 organisations in Thailand over the past 28 years. She said the new result-based innovation solutions scheme was created to fulfil clients’ needs when it comes to achieving sustainable business results, since innovation has become an integral part of today’s businesses.
“Today, innovations are no longer just about inventors or creating something new. Christensen has said that a successful innovation comes from a ‘jobs to be done’ approach, meaning if you really know how to get your customers’ jobs done, you will really be the winner,” Manrat said.
PacRim’s RIS solutions are available both in standard and customised formats as required by each client, while “results” can be measured on a rate on investment basis.
Dr Sirinchayaa Preechapatsakool, consultant and innovation specialist at PacRim Group, said RIS would help create an organisation culture that directly leads to four business results, namely,
• Creating a pipeline of new products and services through a process that helps find customers’ “current explicit needs” and “future implicit needs”.
• Acquisition and retention of customers.
• Building agile teams.
• Developing new business models.
Theanchai Yaktavong, internal instructor at SCG’s Centre of Expertise, said the company has used PacRim’s jobs to be done approach as an important tool, while advocating the development of leadership and technical skills of its manpower.
Dr Sarawut Limchaikul, human resource chief at Gosoft (Thailand), which is the IT backbone of the 7-Eleven network, said Gosoft has focused on developing an innovative culture and the four attributes of its staff stepping out of the IT box and moving toward a customer-centric approach that delivers a good experience.
Rawiwan Kumthongmak, vice president of learning and development at the SCB Academy, said Siam Commercial Bank has joined forces with PacRim and other partners from public, private, and educational institutions to launch the PMD47 project.
The project provides people a chance to boost their skills for free via SCB’s “phonlamuangdee” and PacD digital platforms. The courses to be offered shortly on the platform include customer centric innovation and other world-class programmes that are fun and easy to learn, and applicable to real-world usage.
WHA launches largest solar carpark at Eastern Seaboard Estate
Nov 02. 2020
By The Nation
WHA Utilities and Power Plc has officially opened a solar carpark at SAIC Motor-CP Company’s MG Manufacturing Plant in WHA Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate 2.
It covers 31,000 square metres of solar rooftop space.
Commercial operations started in early October with a capacity of 4.88 megawatts, making it Thailand’s largest solar carpark project to date.
Niphon Bundechanan, chief executive officer of WHA Utilities and Power Plc, said that the project is considered the largest solar carpark in Thailand, with 20 years of service duration, starting early October.
Zhang Haibo, president of SAIC Motor-CP Co Ltd and MG Sales (Thailand) Co Ltd, as a manufacturer and distributor of MG cars in Thailand, explained: “We decided to install solar to offset CO2 emissions to reduce global warming. With the help of WHA Utilities and Power, we will be able to reduce our costs more than the 20-year period, while protecting the environment.”
Niphon is confident that the company will achieve its target of securing solar rooftop installation contracts with a combined capacity of 50MW this year. This will make the company’s energy-generating capacity, in terms of shareholding equity, reach 592MW by the end of this year.
THAI to provide special flights to and from seven destinations
Nov 02. 2020
By The Nation
Thai Airways International (THAI) is operating semi-commercial flights to and from seven destinations, namely London, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Taipei and Sydney, from now until the end of December to meet passenger demands.
Wiwat Piyawiroj, the airline’s executive vice president, said the special round-trip flights have been organised to accommodate passengers with travel, education and business requirements.
Flight details are as follows:
• Bangkok-London-Bangkok every Sunday
• Bangkok-Frankfurt-Bangkok every Friday
• Bangkok-Copenhagen-Bangkok every Sunday.
• Bangkok-Hong Kong-Bangkok flight on November 4 and 18, as well as every Wednesday in December.
• Bangkok-Tokyo every Wednesday and Saturday and return flights on Thursdays and Sundays.
• Bangkok-Taipei-Bangkok every Friday, plus special flights on November 4 and 18, as well as on December 4, 11, 18 and 23.
• Bangkok-Sydney flight every Sunday and Sydney-Bangkok on Mondays. Travellers are required to contact the Australian Embassy in Bangkok before reserving a flight to Sydney.
THAI has been cooperating with the Foreign Minister to operate special flights to bring Thais home as well as deliver cargo on roundtrip flights.
B Grimm powers its way to three more international awards
Nov 02. 2020
By THE NATION
B Grimm Power Plc has won three more international excellence awards this year, the company said.
The company was named the “Power Utility of the Year-Thailand”, “Power Plant Upgrade of the Year-Thailand” and “Hydro Power Project of the Year-Bronze” at the 16th Asian Power Awards hosted by Asian Power magazine.
Harald Link, B Grimm chairman, together with chief executive officer Preeyanart Soontornwata said these latest awards underscore the company’s position as a regional power business leader, its professionalism and the commitment to conduct its business with responsibility to the economy, society and environment based on the principles of good corporate governance.
The Power Utility of the Year-Thailand recognises B Grimm’s role as an organisation which contributes significant developments in both industrial power and renewable power in the region.
The Power Plant Upgrade of the Year-Thailand specifically accredits the Amata B Grimm Power 3, which runs one of several co-generation power plants under the partnership between B Grimm and Siemens.
Amata B Grimm Power 3 has succeeded in improving the efficiency of its gas turbines to reduce gas consumption and the period required for the plant maintenance.
The Hydro Power Project of the Year-Bronze went to B Grimm’s 15-megawatt Nam Jae 1 hydroelectric power house in Laos, which went on stream commercially in June 2019.
The Asian Power Awards are considered by a group of international electrical industry experts to honour entrepreneurs in the power business and power plant projects across Asia with outstanding performance.
Myanmar CP Livestock donates 1 million surgical masks
Oct 31. 2020
By THE NATION
Myanmar CP Livestock Co Ltd has donated 1 million surgical masks to the Myanmar Ministry of Health and Sports to support frontline medical professionals in the effort to combat the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Uthai Tantipimolphan, vice chairman of Myanmar CP Livestock, presented 1 million medical-grade masks from CP Surgical Mask Factory in Thailand to Professor Zaw Than Htun, director-general, the Department of Medical Research, Ministry of Health and Sports, at a ceremony in Yangon.
“As Myanmar experiences the outbreak of the Covid-19, we would like to extend our support to the Myanmar government and Myanmar people, especially the frontline workers by contributing 1 million medical-grade surgical masks to Myanmar. The surgical masks were produced at our factory in Thailand,” remarked Uthai Tantipimolphan, vice chairman, Myanmar CP Livestock.
Uthai added that CP Group operates its business by adhering to the “Three-Benefit Principles”. The business should benefit not only the company, but also the country that the business operates in, and the communities and society as a whole. CP Group has been operating in Myanmar since 1996.
Professor Zaw Than said “Myanmar has recorded a growing number of Covid-19 cases. To effectively prevent and control the spread of the virus, we must cover our nose and mouth. Surgical masks are essential for the people and healthcare professionals to fight the pandemic. We would like to sincerely thank Charoen Pokphand Group for the donation of the masks and we will distribute the masks to the hospitals in need and to Myanmar people.”
Prior to the donation of the surgical masks, CP Group had provided financial support, eggs, chickens, lunch boxes, and processed food to the Myanmar government.
CP donates one million surgical masks to help with Myanmar’s battle against Covid-19
Oct 30. 2020
By The Nation
Charoen Pokphand Group’s Myanmar CP Livestock has donated one million surgical masks to the Myanmar government to be distributed among frontline medical professionals in an effort to combat Covid-19.
The masks were presented to Prof Zaw Than Htun, director general of Myanmar’s Department of Medical Research, by Uthai Tantipimolphan, vice chairman of Myanmar CP Livestock in a ceremony at the Health and Sports Ministry in Yangon. The masks were produced by CP in Thailand. the CP Social Impact
“Thanks to support from Thailand’s Foreign Ministry, Charoen Pokphand Group and Myanmar CP Livestock have been able to extend a helping hand to Myanmar in its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic,” Uthai said.
He added that CP Group has always adhered to the principle that business should not just benefit the company, but also benefit the country it operates in, communities and society.
CP Group has been operating in Myanmar since 1996 and for the past 24 years, it has not only created job opportunities for locals, but has also contributed to the national and economic development of Myanmar.
Thanking CP Group for the donation, Prof Zaw Than Htun said: “Surgical masks are essential for people and healthcare professionals to fight the pandemic and we will distribute the masks to the hospitals in need and to Myanmar people.”
The masks will be distributed by Health and Sports Ministry, office of Yangon’s chief minister and the Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and Development.
Before this, CP Group had provided not just financial aid to the Myanmar government, but had also delivered food packages to the authorities for distribution.
AEON to offer glittering promotions at Money Expo Chiang Mai 2020
Oct 30. 2020
By The Nation
AEON Thana Sinsap (Thailand) is offering exclusive deals and promotions at the Money Expo Chiang Mai 2020 next week. During the three-day event, customers can learn more about AEON products such as Your Cash loan, Cash Advance by AEON Credit Card, Plan for gold product purchases, Instant Member Card, Instant Credit Card (Big C, Gold, Classic Card), AEON Royal Orchid Plus Platinum Card, AEON membership card and more.
Customers who apply for financial services at the booth will get a chance to win a 64GB iPhone XS worth of Bt39,900, a Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 128GB (Bt25,900), a 15.16-gram gold necklace (Bt20,000), a Valentino Rudy’s Tote Bag or Big C Gift Voucher and more.
Exclusively for gold purchases, AEON is offering a special zero interest rate for 10-month installments.
Money Expo Chiang Mai 2020 runs from November 6-8 at Chiang Mai Hall, Central Plaza Chiang Mai Airport. For more, visit www.aeon.co.th
MoU signed between Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC)
Oct 21. 2020
Nepal Tourism Board ( NTB) and Nepal Airlines Corporation( NAC) signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for exclusive Nepal promotion in the sectors NAC flies. The collaboration is expected to support the recovery of the ailing Nepalese tourism industry through various joint packages, B2B and B2C promotion and digital campaigns in coming days. As per the MoU, the two will join hands in partnership for international promotional programs abroad and in Nepal, familiarization trips, branding, digital promotion etc. CEO of NTB Dr. Dhananjay Regmi and NAC Managing Director Mr. Dim Prasad Poudel have signed together the MoU on behalf of the respective organizations.
Aspen Tech delivers new industrial AI solutions for ‘self-optimising plant’
Oct 29. 2020
By THE NATION
Aspen Technology says its new aspenONE V12 software embeds artificial intelligence across the portfolio and uses the cloud to deliver enterprise-wide analytics and insights for increased safety, sustainability and improved margins. The Nasdaq-listed tech firm hailed its latest industrial AI solution as a vital step towards the self-optimising plant.
AspenONE V12 solutions boast the first AI hybrid model purpose-built for the process industries and other capital-intensive industries. Aspen Hybrid Models capture data from assets across the enterprise, and then apply AI, engineering first principles and AspenTech’s domain expertise to deliver comprehensive, more accurate models at enterprise speed and scale, said the firm.
“The process industries and other capital-intensive industries are experiencing new levels of volatility in supply and demand, and the need to be agile in response to all market conditions requires a new approach to asset optimisation,” said Antonio Pietri, president and CEO of Aspen Technology. “In addition, they face higher expectations for efficiency and profitability, and increasing pressure to meet sustainability targets. This next generation of Industrial AI solutions will change how process industries work. The self-optimising plant represents the future of operational excellence, and we continue our commitment to innovate and deliver solutions that can accelerate our customers’ journey toward it.”
Innovation experts Manrat Praditwongsin, right, and Dr Sirinchayaa Preechapatsakool share their insights during the launch of PacRim Group’s result-based innovation solutions strategy to help Thai organisations achieve results. 
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