Luxury mattress maker opens flagship store in new outlet complex
Jul 10. 2020
By The Nation
High-end luxury bedding manufacturer Omazz has opened a new flagship store at the Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok complex in Samut Prakan.
The 174-square-metre store, designed following a dark gothic minimalist style, features a full range of mattresses and bedding accessories made from natural materials.
A 60 per cent discount on selected products is also being offered at the new Omazz Gallery Store at Siam Premium Outlets.
CPF subsidiary to offer A+ rated debentures in August
Jul 10. 2020
By THE NATION
CPF (Thailand) (CPFTH), a subsidiary of Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF), has signed up with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to offer unsubordinated and unsecured debentures to institutional investors and/or high-net-worth investors.
The offering comprises five series of debentures with tenors of four years and six months, seven years, 10 years, 12 years and 15 years, all of which have been assigned a credit rating of A+ from TRIS Rating.
CPFTH has appointed Krungthai Bank, Kasikornbank, Siam Commercial, Government Savings Bank, CIMBThai Bank, TMB Bank and Phatra Securities as joint lead arrangers for this batch of debentures, which should be offered by August 20.
Paisan Chirakitcharern, chief financial officer for CPF, said CPFTH’s business encompasses integrated operations in Thailand in relation to livestock, comprising swine, broiler and layer chickens as well as duck.
CPFTH’s operation covers three core livestock business lines, namely the production and sale of animal feed; breeding, commercial farming, and primary meat processing; and production of processed semi-cooked, fully-cooked and ready-to-eat meals, including outlets like CP Fresh Mart, Five Stars, Star Coffee and CP Kitchen. It also runs a Korean BBQ restaurant chain called “DakGalbi” and a seafood and international food buffet restaurant chain called “CP Hilai Harbour”.
Thai Otsuka joins hands with Nation Group in donating ‘Medical Food’
Jul 10. 2020
By THE NATION
The chairman of Thai Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, Thanan Suntayodom (4th from left), along with president Shinsuke Yuasa (2nd from left), director of BIV & CN Business Division Wattanachai Itsarasenarak (1st from left), and finance manager Thanasunun Suntayodom (5th from left) recently donated medical food ‘Blendera-MF” for those at risk of malnutrition to Yuttana Nualjaras, (3rd from left), editor and representative of Nation Group, at Interlink Tower in Bang Na district.
WHA Group makes successful Bt4-billion bond offering
Jul 07. 2020
WHA Group CEO Jareeporn Jarukornsakul
By THE NATION
WHA Corporation Public Company Limited witnessed significant demand for its 1/2020 bond offerings worth Bt4 billion from June 30 to July 2, according to the company.
There are three tranches of the bond – a 3-year term maturity in 2020 amounting to Bt2.05 billion, a 4-year maturity in 2024 of Bt1.45 billion and a 5-year maturity in 2025 amounting to Bt500 million. Interest rates are a fixed 3.30, 3.75 and 4.20 per cent, respectively.
WHA said it would use the proceeds from the issuance of the bond on debt repayment, capital expenditure, new investment for business expansion, and/or working capital to support business operations.
Tris Rating assigned the bond an A rating as of March 24. The bonds were distributed via three underwriters – Kasikorn Bank, Siam Commercial Bank and UOB Bank.
WHA Group CEO and chairwoman Jareeporn Jarukornsakul said she is confident the business will perform very well in the second half of the year, with continuous growth of the logistics business.
In addition, the company plans to launch its 10th industrial estate in the Eastern Economic Corridor, bringing the number of WHA’s industrial estates across Thailand and Vietnam to 12.
The company forecasts higher water volume sales than the first half, with the drought situation easing. It’s power business is expected to reach 590 equity MW in operation by the end of 2020 from the current 569 MW.
WHA said its digital business is also growing well as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The firm has signed contracts with customers to provide 109 racks of data centre services.
The company has received a licence from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission to test a 5G network with leading service providers at its industrial estates.
In addition, the firm aims to monetise assets to WHA Premium Growth Freehold & Leasehold Real Estate Investment Trust (WHART), and Hemaraj Leasehold Real Estate Investment Trust (HREIT) worth approximately Bt3.23 billion and Bt1.35 billion, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2020.
WHART and HREIT have witnessed occupancy rates of 91.9 per cent and 95.3 per cent, respectively, as of the first quarter, the company added.
KPMG offers tips on how businesses can survive Covid-19 crisis
Jul 03. 2020Sasithorn Pongadisak, left, and Auaychai Sukawong
By THE NATION
KPMG, a professional services network, has launched a series of tips to help private enterprises in Thailand navigate the current climate and grow their business.
The tips are provided by KPMG Thailand’s experts, including Sasithorn Pongadisak, chief of private enterprises, advisory partner Surayos Chuepanich and tax partner Auaychai Sukawong.
The experts also provide tips on how family businesses and entrepreneurs pursuing mergers and acquisitions (M&A) or other investment deals minimise their risks.
They say businesses considering M&A must understand the process from start to finish so they know how to manage each step, from pre-deal, deal transaction to post-deal. They also need to have a clear idea of M&A objectives as well as an understand of the other party. Due diligence should also be conducted in terms of financial metrics, tax, as well as legal and operational steps.
Determining a purchase price is also one of the most important decisions to be made. Making the right preparations for M&A will also result in effective tax planning.
Since there were many changes in tax law over the past few years, entrepreneurs need to understand the principles underlying these changes.
KPMG is also planning to provide tips on managing human resources, system and processes to improve business.
B&G Park bets on bright future for premium office space despite Covid-19 setback
Jul 02. 2020
By THE NATION
B&G Park Co Ltd (B&G), a developer of commercial real estate projects, aims to make its brand a leader within Asean in office building and hotel real estate development.
It plans to raise funds in the third quarter of the year after the Security Exchange Commission (SEC)’s approval to set up BG Real Estate Investment Trust.
The company is confident that the demand for office buildings will continue to grow despite the change in work behaviour and in choosing the size of rental spaces due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Theprit Srichawla, director of B&G, said the company specialised in commercial real estate development branching into two main groups — tourism and hotels — at home and abroad,. They include Avani Hua Hin Resort & Villas and office buildings such as Interchange 21 building in the heart of the Asoke-Sukhumvit CBD area near the BTS Asoke Station and MRT Sukhumvit Station.
Theprit said the trend of office buildings for the rent market after the Covid-19 outbreak could change as some businesses may reduce their investment. But the demand for office space rental will remain albeit in a different format. This may be in the form of reduced floor area to suit the work-from-home behavioural trend, he added.
Theprit Srichawla
He said the company has been well prepared and had made adjustments prior to the crisis through a strategy to manage office rental space, and to have close and regular communication with tenants. In addition, the company has concluded that to reset rental prices to compete with other operators of office buildings for rent is not a proper strategy in the present environment. “The more ideal solution would be to provide convenience and services that will support the tenants’ operations,” Theprit said.
“During this period, the company adopted active measures to help the tenants by arranging office areas. The building had a variety of businesses that were small tenants, and the company helped the tenants affected by the imposition of the emergency decree by waiving the rents… The company has reduced the rents on a case-by-case basis to provide flexibility that would allow the tenants to carry on with their businesses. These support measures are expected to end soon. Therefore, this situation will not significantly impact the tenants in their ability to rent the office spaces and we are confident that this will not affect the investment of the BGREIT that will occur in the near future,” Theprit added.
Lately, the company has set up a trust fund to raise capital for the Interchange 21 project.
The SEC has started its consideration of the initial public offering application and the filing of B&G Leasehold Real Estate Investment Trust (BGREIT). B&G REIT Management Co Ltd, a B&G subsidiary, will manage the trust fund while Siam Commercial Bank Plc will be the financial adviser. BGREIT will initially invest in the Interchange 21 project for approximately 25 years with registered capital of not more than Bt8.043 billion, consisting of Bt6.543 billion in raised funds and Bt1.5 billion in long-term loans. The company is expected to be approved for listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand within the third quarter of 2020.
Internet security for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) has been beefed up with the release of Zyxel Networks’ latest Nebula Cloud Networking Solution update.
The update features the industry’s first DPPSK for simplified WiFi security for SMBs, said Zyxel, enabling them to deliver cloud-manageable networking services via the Nebula.
The Nebula closes the security hole left by sharing WiFi passwords with guests or employees, instead offering cloud authentication enhancement through the Dynamic Personal Pre-Shared Key (DPPSK) feature – the first time this has been made available to the SMB market.
With DPPSK, each user is given a unique WiFi password, said the firm. With the tap of a button, passwords can be customised to expire or last for a particular timeframe, making management of WiFi access for multiple users simple, convenient, and secure.
“Zyxel’s enhanced Nebula provides SMBs with the tools they need to easily and securely onboard visitors, guests or employees to their WiFi,” said Jonas Dekkers, co-founder of the Wiflex project from Complit Networks in Belgium.
“We applaud Zyxel Networks for opening their API to MSPs, giving our customers, and a far wider range of SMBs, the opportunity to achieve more secure, easy, and cloud-manageable WiFi onboarding services for their businesses. We already created our own cloud-based onboarding solution for guests [visitor registration] and employees based on Azure and G Suite with the unique DPPSK feature of Zyxel.”
The June Nebula release also features the Zyxel GS1350 series of surveillance switches. The switch boasts extended range, with all PoE ports supporting data transmission up to 250 metres to allow for deployment at a distance. Meanwhile, businesses can reduce downtime with the Auto PD Recovery feature to easily restart a malfunctioning power device. All of which, says Zyxel, allows network admins to save resources and more easily manage their CCTV networks through the cloud without having to send field engineers to visit each site.
The firm adds that the Nebula’s new SSID NAT function enables small businesses to set up Nebula-compatible access points (APs) as a router or gateway capable of assigning IP addresses to wireless clients, such as customer or staff phones and laptops, reducing the overhead of additional network infrastructure for many small businesses.
Other products available under the updated Nebula include new WiFi 6 APs (WAX610D, NWA210AX), XS1930 multi-gigabit switches and GS2220 aggregation switches, adding up to a total of 52 devices to its product portfolio. For more info, visit http://www.zyxel.com/nebula.
Nebula Cloud Networking solution allows you to control and manage Zyxel’s native and compatible Nebula access points, switches and gateways, all from one place with ease.
Dtac launches pharmacy e-vouchers to broaden healthcare access
Jul 01. 2020How Lih Ren, Chief Marketing Officer (2nd from right), and Sukannee Lertsukwibul, Head of Prepaid Market and Product at Total Access Communications Plc or dtac (left) Cindy Kua, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Sunday Ins Co (right), and Teera Kanokkanjanarat, CEO and co-founder of Arincare Co (2nd from left)
By THE NATION
Amid growing concern over health and financial hardship, dtac is tackling the issues of self-medication and fake drugs by making visits to the pharmacy more affordable.
Dtac’s Jaidee pharmacy vouchers are valid at participating pharmacies and can be purchased at discounts of 50%.
Under this scheme, both prepaid and post-paid dtac customers can purchase vouchers worth up to Bt200 for Bt89, while vouchers worth up to Bt300 cost only Bt150. The e-vouchers can then be redeemed at participating drug stores by showing the confirmation SMS. The campaign lasts until December 31, 2020. For more information, visit www.dtac.co.th/s/Evoucher.
Certified pharmacies nationwide can apply to join the project at http://bit.ly/arincare or dial (064) 226 6888 for details.
How Lih Ren, Chief Marketing Officer at Total Access Communications Plc (dtac), said: “Dtac starts from the challenges our customers face in their daily lives and then looks for solutions that empower them. Jaidee pharmacy vouchers bring health and peace of mind to customers who are often outside of the healthcare system.”
During the peak time of Covid-19 between February and April, a survey showed that 60% of Thais visited drug stores to seek medical advice and get information on disease prevention.
The vast majority of dtac customers use prepaid packages, and most of them are low-income earners. They feel financial insecurity and are concerned about the economic downturn, income reduction, unemployment and a higher cost of living fuelled by medical costs. Dtac customers can buy e-vouchers via USSD, before showing the confirmation SMS and collecting medications at participating drug stores.
There two options for prepaid customers: First, buy an Bt89 e-voucher (VAT exclusive) and get up to Bt200 in credit via *496*51#. Second, buy a Bt150 e-voucher (VAT exclusive) and get up to Bt300 in credit via *496*52#. The offer is limited to four times per month per person.
Post-paid customers can buy a Bt150 e-voucher (VAT exclusive) and get up to Bt300 in credit via *496*52#. The offer is limited to four times per month per person.
Customers will get an e-voucher code via SMS, which will last seven days. The voucher is non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for cash.
“The campaign for Jaidee pharmacy vouchers is initiated by dtac in collaboration with insurance tech startup Sunday Ins, and the digital platform for pharmacists and drugstores, Arincare. To date, customers can redeem e-voucher at more than 400 drug stores nationwide. Dtac aims to expand the offer to every district within this year and eventually reach every sub-district. The effort aims to give customers easy access to healthcare services everywhere in Thailand,” said How.
IMPACT reopens for large-scale events under the new normal
Jun 30. 2020
By The Nation
Big-time event organiser, IMPACT Exhibition Management Co Ltd, is reopening IMPACT Muang Thong Thani under the new normal with an emphasis on “smart” and maximum safety provided by UVC sterilisation units.
The 140,000 square metre convention centre, the largest in Southeast Asia, has been inspected by government officials and given the go-ahead for events in the third and fourth quarters.
During the three-month Covid-19 lockdown, IMPACT implemented precautionary and preventive measures in line with guidelines issued by the government, including ensuring a 4sqm space between people during meetings, workshops or seminars, 1-metre space between attendees of parties, product launches, contests and sports competitions and 5sqm space between those attending music events or concerts.
IMPACT has also prepared guidelines for visitors to follow in different areas of the complex.
Apart from this, IMPACT is also offering customers the option of holding virtual seminars. In line with the government’s policy of controlling crowd density, the space for holding meetings has dropped sharply. However, with IMPACT’s new hybrid system, participants have the option of registering for physical or virtual attendance. This way, meetings can accommodate anything from 100 to 3,000 participants.
Equipment such as cameras will be provided at these meetings and technical staff will also be at hand to provide assistance.
So far, more than 20 events have been scheduled for the rest of the year, including gatherings of government agencies, a shareholder’s meeting as well as exhibitions held by the public and private sectors, such as the Mid-Year Sale and Bangkok Motor Show, which are expected to attract huge crowds.
“One of the largest events that people have been looking forward to is the 41st Bangkok International Motor Show, which will be held from July 15 to 26. This will be one of the largest events after the Covid-19 lockdown, and we hope visitors adhere strictly to the Covid-19 preventive measures. This event will become a model for future ones,” said Paul Kanjanapas, managing director of IMPACT Exhibition Management Co Ltd and an executive of IMPACT Muang Thong Thani.
Samyan Mitrtown is set to hold its “Mitr Marketplace for CU” event from July16 to 19 after the venue was inspected for safety in this new normal situation.
Department of Health deputy director-general Dr Danai Teewunda together with MICE Capabilities Department director Orachorn Wongpan-ngam and Prachuab Noiarmat, the chief of the Environment and Sanitation Section, Pathumwan District Office, paid the Samyan Mitrtown Hall a visit to assess the venue’s readiness in hosting the event. The venue said it is abiding by the Public Health Ministry’s Department of Disease Control guidelines.
A 60 per cent discount on selected products is also being offered at the new Omazz Gallery Store at Siam Premium Outlets.
Sasithorn Pongadisak, left, and Auaychai Sukawong
How Lih Ren, Chief Marketing Officer (2nd from right), and Sukannee Lertsukwibul, Head of Prepaid Market and Product at Total Access Communications Plc or dtac (left) Cindy Kua, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Sunday Ins Co (right), and Teera Kanokkanjanarat, CEO and co-founder of Arincare Co (2nd from left)
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