#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40017344

Bangkok (July 4, 2022) – Siam Piwat Co., Ltd., a leading real estate and retail developer, the owner and operator of world-renowned projects such as Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery, a joint owner of ICONSIAM and Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok, has won two major international awards, “Corporate Excellence Award” and “Inspirational Brand Award,” at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2022.

Awarded to organizations that demonstrate outstanding management and consistent business growth, the accolades testify to Siam Piwat’s success in driving its vision towards success under its business strategies and in delivering extraordinary and unprecedented experiences that exceed all expectations. 

Ms. Amporn Chotruchsakul, President of Business Support, Siam Piwat Co., Ltd., said, “It is an absolute honor for Siam Piwat to have been selected by the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2022 as the recipient of the Corporate Excellence Award and Inspiration Brand Award. These awards mean so much to us as they highlight our management success; even during the COVID-19 crisis,  we have been able to generate business success while remaining committed to our responsibility to society. The two awards that we have received are due not only to Siam Piwat but also to the commitment of all parties, including retail stores, business partners, the government sector, executives, employees, customers, communities, and society at large, who have stood by us and supported us throughout the journey.”

The international awards that Siam Piwat has received are the Corporate Excellence Award, which recognizes organizations with exceptional potential and capabilities to generate consistent growth while staying true to their vision, and the Inspiration Brand Award, which is awarded to brands considered heroes in the brand universe that are both inspired and inspiring and strive to promote goodness, balance and sustainability. Siam Piwat’s success is rooted in business strategies that promote corporate growth, consisting of the following components: 

• For our future growth of business: Siam Piwat strives to become a platform for a new kind of experience co-creation among brands, business partners, and customers and seeks new opportunities, inspiration, and creativity in order to complete the experience offerings within its world-class luxury platform.
• For our people: Siam Piwat has developed a future-ready way of working for its employees while also cultivating a “work as one” working atmosphere to promote unity and collaboration. In addition, Siam Piwat clearly communicates to all employees its vision as well as their roles and responsibilities to foster understanding.  Siam Piwat recognizes that its personnel are invaluable resources and play a vital role in propelling Siam Piwat towards success.
• For our planet and society: Siam Piwat places great emphasis on sustainability and seeks to ensure the mutual growth of all relevant parties through its co-creation and shared value strategies. Its goal is to be an organization that benefits people, communities, society, and the country and generates value and adapts ESG principles which have always been ingrained in Siam Piwat’s practices.

The Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2022 Regional Edition is a prestigious award program that recognizes the entrepreneurial and corporate excellence of business leaders across Asia-Pacific with outstanding ideas, visions, and management approaches. The recipients are selected from business leaders and organizations across Asia with noteworthy performances who have driven business development to regional and global success and demonstrated responsibility to society at large for the sustainable growth of the organization.

“Siam Piwat is ready to carry on this business excellence. These awards will be the main driving force towards our future of sustainable growth. We will keep challenging ourselves and outdoing our successes to create something even better in the future,” concluded Amporn.

Published : July 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40017367

The move by Thailand’s largest mobile service provider, Advanced Info Service (AIS), to purchase Triple T Broadband Plc and an infrastructure fund for 32.42 billion baht threatens a telecoms monopoly, the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) warned on Monday.

TDRI president Somkiat Tangkitvanich said the deals would benefit the company but not the country, which already lacks competition in telecoms and other sectors.
If the two deals go through, Thai consumers and small business owners would have even fewer options and be more vulnerable to exploitation by big corporations, he added.

Somkiat expressed his opposition on Facebook, saying he was concerned that the telecoms market will follow monopolistic patterns of other Thai markets such as movies, retail and hospitals.

Both poor and middle-class consumers would suffer, he added.

“Thailand’s economy now resembles that of the United States circa 120-150 years ago, when oil companies, railroad companies, and large corporations merged, resulting in widespread exploitation of the people. People couldn’t take it any longer, leading to the ‘Progressive Era’ a widespread anti-monopoly movement,” said Somkiat.

He urged the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), Trade Competition Commission (TCC), the Cabinet and the judiciary to raise the criteria for mergers and acquisitions, warning that failure to do so would exacerbate economic and social inequality and jeopardise Thailand’s sustainability.

Published : July 05, 2022

By : Nongluck Ajanapanya

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40017355

Bangkok, July 4, 2022 – Bitkub Blockchain Technology (Bitkub Chain developer and Blockchain Total Solution provider) officially announced Bitkub Chain Layer-2, Software Development Kit (SDK) and other important tools for developers at the 1st Bitkub Chain Developer Meetup on June 29, 2022.

In the event, there were several updates from Mr. Passakorn Pannok, CEO of Bitkub Blockchain Technology and Mr. Samret Wajanasathian, CTO of Bitkub Blockchain Technology, which can be concluded as follows:

1. Launched Bitkub Chain Layer-2 (BKC Ping)
Bitkub Chain Layer-2 or BKC Ping is the secondary framework or protocol that is built on top of Bitkub Chain (Layer-1) to maximize the efficiency of blockchain utilization. For instance, it can reduce the transaction traffic and fee and inherits the security from Layer-1 with fraud proof. In the future, there will be the launching of another 3 framework which are Wang, Yom and Nan.

2. Launched KDEV token for developer
KDEV or KUB for Developer is the new digital token on Bitkub Chain Layer-2, specially for blockchain developer. KDEV token is designed for the operation on Bitkub Chain testnet and access to the software development kit easily. At this event, there was a privilege provided to the users who own “DEV KUB” NFT, which they will be received KDEV token to access the software development kit for 1 year.

3. Launched Bitkub Chain Software Development Kit
Bitkub Chain software development kit was designed to facilitate almost all of developers to connect with Bitkub Chain. To clarify, there are several advantages on this software development kit including 1. To handle transaction submissions to blockchain, 2. Transaction gas fee support, 3. Environment testing (helps developer debug and deploy on mainnet), 4. Less time needed for project development on Bitkub Chain. All in all, the fee of software development kit will cost around 300 KDEV per year.
 

4. New Registration Detail and Developer Project Tier 
To start developing the projects on Bitkub Chain, the developers need to start register via the website “developer.bitkubchain.com”, which is divided into 3 tiers including “Registered, Verified and Official”; each of the tiers has different benefits and conditions. (This information was recently updated in June 2022).

5. Launched Bitkub Chain Community Fund (supported 500,000 KUB)
Bitkub Chain launched “Bitkub Chain Community Fund” for developers, which 500,000 KUB will be used to support the projects by the following:

5.1 20,000 KUB will be used to support GameFi and DeFi (10 projects)

5.2 10,000 KUB will be used to support NFT, EarnKUB and Metaverse (20 projects)

5.3 5,000 KUB will be used to support additional projects

 
Follow for more news and updates on Bitkub Chain
Website : https://www.bitkubchain.com/ 
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/bitkubchainofficial 
Twitter : https://twitter.com/bitkubchain 
Discord : https://discord.gg/WkJ6j279
Telegram : https://t.me/+jiM6dAP5cxUzZTM1

#BitkubChain #BitkubBlockchainTechnology #BKCDev #KDEV #BKCDeveloper
 

Published : July 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40017349

GULF plans to issue a Public Offering of 4- and 7-year Thai Baht debentures. The debentures are rated A- by TRIS Rating Co., Ltd., reflecting the company’s strength and stability in the energy, infrastructure and utilities, and digital businesses. The offering is expected to be in August 2022 through the “Pao Tang” application and via 9 other financial institutions.

Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited or GULF, an internationally recognized energy company, is preparing for the offering of name-registered unsubordinated and unsecured debentures with a debenture holders’ representative to retail investors for the first time. The offering will consist of 2 tranches of digital bonds, Tranche 1 (4-year digital bond) and Tranche 3 (7-year digital bond), and 2 tranches of traditional bonds, Tranche 2 (4-year bond) and Tranche 4 (7-year bond) (all 4 tranches are collectively called the “Debentures”). The company and lead arrangers are in the process of seeking an approval from The Securities and Exchange Commission, Thailand (SEC). The Debentures have been rated “A-“ by TRIS Rating Co., Ltd. on June 21, 2022, while the company has been rated “A” with “Stable” outlook. The offering is expected to be in August 2022.

The public offering of digital bonds (Tranches 1 and 3) will be made through the application “Pao Tang” of Krungthai Bank Public Company Limited with a minimum subscription amount of 1,000 Baht with subsequent multiples of 1,000 Baht. For the traditional bonds (Tranches 2 and 4), retail investors will be able to subscribe through 9 financial institutions as follows: Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited, Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited, KASIKORNBANK Public Company Limited, The Siam Commercial Bank Public Company Limited, CIMB Thai Bank Public Company Limited, TMBThanachart Bank Public Company Limited, United Overseas Bank (Thai) Public Company Limited, Kiatnakin Phatra Securities Public Company Limited, and Maybank Securities (Thailand) Public Company Limited with a minimum subscription amount of 100,000 Baht with subsequent multiples of 100,000 Baht.

Ms. Yupapin Wangviwat, Chief Financial Officer of GULF, revealed, “The Company is confident that the Debentures will be well received by retail investors who are looking to invest in good credit issuer with attractive returns. GULF has also facilitated investors with various distribution channels. The offering will be accessible through digital channels via the “Pao Tang” application for digital bonds, and at the same time through 9 financial institutions for traditional bonds.”

“The proceeds from this issuance will be used to partially repay existing loans, to be used as working capital and to support business expansion both domestically and internationally,” said Ms. Yupapin.

Gulf Energy Development Plc. is a holding company with core businesses across 5 categories: 1. Power Generation Business, 2. Renewable Energy Business, 3. Gas Business, 4. Infrastructure and Utilities Business, and 5. Digital Business. The various projects that the Company invests in will generate stable revenue streams as they are backed by long-term contracts with reputable and credible institutions, including government agencies such as the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), the Department of Highways and the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, etc.
 

For the first quarter of 2022, GULF had total revenues of THB 22,453 million, an increase of 125% from the same period in 2021, and core profit of THB 3,257 million, an increase of THB 867 million or 36% from quarter 1 of 2021. Net profit attributable to the parent company in Q1/2022 was THB 3,395 million, an increase of 108% from THB 1,632 million in Q1/2021. As of March 31, 2022, the Company’s net interest-bearing debt to equity was 1.77 times.

Interested investors may find more details in the prospectus on SEC’s website (www.sec.or.th). Those interested in the digital bonds may download and register an account with the “Pao Tang” application. The instructions can be found at www.krungthai.com/th/krungthai-update/promotion-detail/916 or contact Krungthai at 02-111-1111. As for the traditional offering, interested investors may contact the following 9 financial institutions:

1. Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited (except Micro Branches) Tel. 1333
2. Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited Tel. 1572
3. KASIKORNBANK Public Company Limited Tel. 02-888-8888 ext. 819*
4. The Siam Commercial Bank Public Company Limited Tel. 02-777-6784
5. CIMB Thai Bank Public Company Limited Tel. 02-626-7000
6. TMBThanachart Public Company Limited Tel. 1428 press #4
7. United Overseas Bank (Thai) Public Company Limited Tel. 02-285-1555
8. Kiatnakin Phatra Securities Public Company Limited** Tel. 02-165-5555
9. Maybank Securities (Thailand) Public Company Limited Tel. 02-658-5050
* Including KASIKORN Securities Public Company Limited as selling unit of KASIKORNBANK 
** This includes Kiatnakin Phatra Bank Public Company Limited as the selling unit of Kiatnakin Phatra Securities Public Company Limited.

Published : July 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40017342

On June 30, an announcement was made on the Bitkub Facebook fan page or “Bitkub Exchange” which is managed by Bitkub Online Co., Ltd. regarding a fine penalty from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand (SEC) due to a fabrication of digital asset trading volume on the exchange.

This incident occurred 3 years ago which was during the company’s early stage and the company also still lacked a thorough understanding of the newly launched regulation which is stated as follows.

“According to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand (SEC)’s announcement regarding a fine penalty against Bitkub Online Co., Ltd. (“Company”) due to the market maker within the company’s exchange having conducted self-order pairing within their own trading account in 2019 which has led the public to misunderstand the market trading volume. 

The company would like to inform that the purpose of having a market maker at the time was to maintain liquidity within the company’s digital asset exchange, which has just recently opened, to be in line with the global market price. The intention was solely for the benefit of clients of the company’s digital asset exchange. According to our market maker’s investigation, the market maker only sent the trading prices in accordance with the direction of the global market price at that time.

However, after the company was informed by the SEC about the aforementioned activity, the company has investigated, suspended, and terminated the trading order of the market maker since 2019. Since then, the company has successfully developed a pairing system to forbid trade pairing from the same account in order to prevent such an incident from happening in the future.

Moreover, the company has established a Market Surveillance team to investigate any suspicious behaviors such as a self-order pairing with multiple accounts from malicious persons to assure that the exchange operates in accordance with the market mechanism under the preventive measures and the inspection of irregular trading orders. The company also regularly submits reports to the SEC. The company kindly asks our clients, investors, and stakeholders to trust and be confident in the preventive measures and inspections that we have adopted. We have taken every precaution in our business operations to prevent such occurrences in the future.

The company affirms that we have no intention to commit any illegal activities as well as we do not benefit from market maker orders. Throughout these years, the company has operated under good governance and regulation. We prioritize and uphold the benefits of our clients and investors.  In addition, we exercise maximum efforts to supervise and verify that persons involved are carrying out their duties in a prudent and lawful manner. Bitkub will continue to operate rightfully and adhere to the company’s principles in the future.”

Afterward, Mr. Sakolkorn Sakavee, Chairman of Bitkub Online Co., Ltd, published a statement on his personal Facebook account stating as follows:

“I would like to kindly clarify the issue regarding the fine penalty and a 12-month temporary prohibition from holding a management position at Bitkub Online Co., Ltd.

The fine penalty was based on an action in 2019 which occured 3 years ago. The SEC visited and inspected Bitkub Online after having been granted with an operating license. During that time, there were only three Thai exchanges present, composed of BX, Bitkub, and Satang Pro.

During that period, the cryptocurrency industry was new in which all three of these companies had just recently been granted operating licenses. I believe that the majority of cryptocurrency exchanges around the world at the time commonly adopted a system of fabrication trading volume for digital assets. This has led to mistakes and a lack of thorough understanding of the rules by both Bitkub and Satang Pro (not to mention BX because it is already closed).

When we were warned and asked to stop by the SEC, we accepted and have stopped this action ever since. A system has been installed swiftly to prevent price matching of orders sent from the same account, and a Market Surveillance team had been established promptly to monitor any malicious activities such as self-order parining from multiple accounts.

One thing that I strongly believe is that the SEC’s decision to impose a fine penalty and bring this matter after 3 years of the incident occurred is to enhance stricter governance.

I hope that this good standard does not specifically target some exchange platforms like Bitkub or Satang Pro but rather inspects every operating licensed exchanges. For transparency, I believe that other companies would welcome the SEC’s inspection as well.

From then to now, 3 years have passed, I would like to reiterate that Bitkub has never fabricated trading volume in the market ever since. The company’s income and taxes from the previous year should serve as strong evidence to support this statement.

I am still fighting and generally looking over Bitkub Group as before. There are still many scopes of improvement for Bitkub. I hope everyone can understand and continue to believe in Bitkub.”
 

Published : July 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40017338

Thailand’s top mobile service provider, Advanced Info Service (AIS), has announced that it is expanding its network by purchasing Triple T Broadband Plc and a stake in an infrastructure fund for 32.42 billion baht.

AIS informed the Stock Exchange of Thailand on Monday that it will purchase 7.52 billion shares in Triple T from Jasmine International (JAS) for 19.50 billion baht.

This acquisition will also give it control over Triple T Internet, Incloud and 3BB.

AIS will also purchase a 19 per cent stake in the Jasmine Broadband Internet Infrastructure Fund for 12.92 billion baht at 8.50 baht per unit.

“This investment will help boost the business value of AIS as well as provide long-term benefits to consumers, society and shareholders,” AIS said.

The company expects the transactions to be completed within the first quarter of 2023 after it has gained permission from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.

AIS said this acquisition is in line with its strategy to expand growth in the internet business and boost the efficiency of the fibre-optic cable network in Thailand. The company added that it will continue paying dividends of at least 70 per cent of its net profits to shareholders.

Observers believe AIS, whose major shareholders include Temasek Holdings, is making this move over fears of being toppled over once the True-Dtac merger goes through.

Published : July 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40017241

Amid global economic recession and rising inflation, the financial industry is undergoing a digital transition affecting both strategy and services. Krungsri Consumer, Thailand’s leading credit card and personal loan operator, is also planning digital-friendly changes to its organisation and services.

Nayanee Peaugkham, Chairwoman of Krungsri Consumer, told Krungthep Turakij newspaper that the company will boost its competitiveness over the next three years using five strategies: Providing financial products and services for modern lifestyles, using the latest innovations to increase productivity, building a digital finance ecosystem with partners, finding new sources of income, and ensuring personnel are ready for modern world.

Digital trend in financial products

“Due to Covid-19, more consumers are shifting to digital services, as shown by Krungsri Consumer’s credit card spending in early 2022 with year-on-year growth of 19 percent for online shopping and 72 percent for food delivery via apps,” said Nayanee. “Hence, Krungsri Consumer aims to enhance our service by offering attractive promotions to boost online spending, and improve our digital services to facilitate the rising number of digital channel users. We are also emphasising data analysis to identify consumer needs and develop products and services that respond to their changing lifestyle.”

Nayanee added that the company’s XU virtual credit card registered spending of over 44 million baht from February-May 2022, while the Krungsri Now credit card saw 300 million baht in spending from November 2021-March 2022 among 25,000 cardholders. Meanwhile, the UCASH digital lending service on the company’s UCHOOSE app recorded 29.5 billion baht in lending from over 3.69 million transactions between June 2021 and May 2022. “This indicates that the trend for digital financial services is rising, and consumers are responding positively to our new products,” she said.

Building digital ecosystem

“Krungsri Consumer is investing to develop a digital ecosystem in preparation for rising competition in the next three years,” said Nayanee. “We are using data analysis systems to understand consumers’ behaviour and design products and services that can better serve their needs. We also use AI (Artificial Intelligence) in new marketing campaigns and employ RPA (Robotic Process Automation) in our work process to increase efficiency.”

Nayanee added that the company’s UCHOOSE app can gather customers’ data and analyse their preferences to select suitable products and services to promote. “The application not only allows customers to easily access our latest products and services via mobile application, but also offers convenient card application process via digital channels. It also helps facilitate our business partners to offer special deals on their products, as well as installment plan on selected items, providing more options to customers.” she said. “Apart from UCHOOSE app, consumers can also access our latest products and services conveniently via new digital channels such as Line official account, and Facebook.”

Besides building a digital ecosystem for its business, Krungsri Consumer is also cooperating with other business units under Bank of Ayudhya under the policy of “Krungsri One Retail”, in which different units are encouraged to work together to develop better products and services for customers. “We are also committed to expanding our consumer finance business to other markets in the region such as Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Vietnam after the bank recently acquired SHB Finance ,” she added.

Seeking more partners in digital lending

For the second half of this year, Nayanee said the company is planning to launch more digital lending services with several partners, aiming to increase access to personal loan for customers in wider groups.

“We believe that digital lending will be the key business opportunity for Krungsri Consumer in the second half of 2022, with estimated turnover from digital lending at 50 percent of total lending within the next three years,” she said. “As the Covid-19 situation is improving, people will need cash to increase their liquidity for economic activities, so we will be providing loan services that are fast and convenient for all. Krungsri Consumer is also planning to launch the ‘Buy Now Pay Later’ service via the application by year-end, which will offer even more choices for hire purchase consumers.”

As for finding new sources of income, Nayanee said that Krungsri Consumer plans to explore areas in which it already has expertise, such as debt collection, to create a service with a help of new business partners, also expected to be launched later this year.

Reopening Thailand will fuel credit card, lending expansion

“Rising inflation and global oil prices could limit Thai people’s spending in the rest of the year, but we are still confident that the reopening of the country after over two years of Covid-19 shutdown will attract foreign tourists and boost Thailand’s economy,” said Nayanee. “Since the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, credit card spending has increased continually. In the first five months of 2022, Krungsri Consumer recorded a 12 percent increase year on year in credit card spending and a 14 percent increase in new loans. Food delivery, online shopping and inter-spending are among the categories with significant growth.”

Meanwhile, non-performing loans (NPL) are at 1.1 percent for credit card loans and 2.5 percent for personal loans, which are lower than the loan business average.

“For 2022, Krungsri Consumer is targeting 312.3 billion baht in credit card spending, or a 10 percent rise , and 84.6 billion baht in new loans, or 11 percent increase, compared to prior year. Total outstanding loans will be at 149.6 billion baht, increasing 7 percent year on year,” added Nayanee.
 

Published : July 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40017322

Drivers of electric vehicles will have to start paying a fee to charge their batteries at PTT EV stations from next month.

The EV Station PluZ, which operates PTT EV stations under PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc, announced that EV users will be charged based on time of use (TOU) from August 1 following the free trial period.

The on-peak TOU rate from 9am to 10pm will be 7.5 baht per unit of power while the off-peak rate from 10pm to 9am will be 4.5 baht.

The off-peak rate will extend for 24 hours during weekends and government holidays, EV Station Pluz announced.

To book charging time at a PTT EV station, motorists must download the EV Station PluZ app. Each booking costs 20 baht but this fee is returned as a discount if motorists use the service within 10 minutes of booking.

PTT president and CEO Auttapol Rerkpiboon said the free trial period at PTT EV stations was expiring so fees will have to be collected.

He said that PTT OR currently has about 190 EV stations across the country but this will be expanded to 450 by the end of the year.

Published : July 03, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40017277

Serenade, the customer loyalty programme of mobile operator Advanced Info Service (AIS), has launched a promotion handing users privileges in every aspect of their modern lifestyles.

Bussaya Satirapipatkul, AIS head of Customer & Service Management, said the programme is forging a new standard of customer care with its “Beyond Expectation” strategy to meet needs in the “new normal”. It has achieved this through collaborations in the dining, travel, shopping, and health sectors.

Along with the development of its smart 5G network to meet the needs of Thai digital lifestyles, AIS Serenade has transitioned from a discount programme to providing tangible “exclusivity” to the customer, Bussaya boasted.

Since lockdown measures were relaxed last year, AIS Serenade members have begun spending more points on travel and transport (up 53 per cent), beverages and desserts (up 78 per cent), and department store shopping (up 136 per cent ), according to a recent survey.
 

Bussaya said this high-value customer segment is seeking not just discounts, but also a more exclusive experience that cannot be found elsewhere. They anticipate excellent service.

“We are required to understand our customers even more deeply. Our work today is not only about following the latest trends. We need a method of thinking that delivers ‘Beyond Expectation’. We must predict what design privileges customers can really use in the future,” she said.

Responding to the increased use of Serenade points across all categories, particularly drinks and desserts, AIS came up with the “Upsize” concept to meet changing demand.

The campaign includes dining, travel, shopping, and health, as well as ongoing collaborations with every AIS partner to redeem AIS points for a variety of exclusive benefits. These can be cash discounts or free products and services, such as those available through the Point Pay programme.

Also, Thung Ngern (Silver Bag) stores are now being expanded from food and beverage outlets to grocery stores, including those in the Blue Flag scheme, and by the end of the year, customers will have over 850,000 stores to choose from.

“Aside from our basic commitment to customer service, it also helps to restore cash circulation to local economies by increasing spending power in small merchant stores. This also shows why AIS Serenade has consistently ranked first in customer loyalty programmes for the past 18 years,” Bussaya said.

With a budget of around 2 billion baht and a focus on customer-centric needs, she is confident that Serenade customers will be more engaged and satisfied, as well as build “brand love” through services and exclusive privileges.
 

Published : July 01, 2022

By : Nongluck Ajanapanya

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40017276

Honda has taken the first step towards blockchain integration by sharing its own platform, “CANDEE”, with Mahidol University, supported by Bitkub, so that employees from both organisations can record good deeds and healthy living and turn them into a token as a reward.

Pitak Pruittisarikorn, chairman of the board of Honda Automobile (Thailand), stated that the concept of the CANDEE application stems from the time banking method, in which people record their time spent doing good deeds for others and society before exchanging for rewards. The more time they spend doing good, the more rewards they may receive, which may include not only money but also a voucher, bonus, or discount coupon.

Since Honda recognises that blockchain technology will become mainstream technology in the digital era because it can respond to a variety of lifestyle needs, the company is interested in using blockchain technology to familiarise their employees with the system, preparing them for the digital economy.

With the aim of assisting people in doing good and encouraging the use of blockchain technology within the company, the CANDEE application was developed and implemented over three years ago after Honda had discussed it with young associates from various departments.

The “CAN” stands for “ability”, and the “DEE” stands for “doing good”, reflecting how the application encourages people to do good and live healthily, and in turn receive digital tokens for participating in CSR and health-related activities within an organisation, Pitak said.
 

As a Honda young-generation project, this movement is part of Blockchain Innovative Technology (BIT). The application was created in collaboration with Bitkub, a blockchain expert, to provide the advice and technology services needed to develop CANDEE’s functionality to make it user-friendly, as well as cater to changes in lifestyles in the Covid-19 era.

Due to its great success and good response, Pitak considered expanding the use of the application to a larger community to create positive changes and to encourage users to spend their spare time productively while becoming acquainted with blockchain technology.

This concept prompted Honda and Bitkup to sign a MoU for the CANDEE application with the Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, on Thursday at Bitkub M social, The EmQuartier.

Dr Chartchalerm Isarankura na Ayudhya, dean of the Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, said the institution has been developing the idea of applying technology to health-led awareness since 2016, which corresponds to the guidelines of the CANDEE application. After talking with Honda, the faculty decided to play a part in expanding the community of people doing good and living healthily.

“The cooperation with Honda and Bitkub is a good opportunity for our three organisations to leverage knowledge, expertise and experience to build an ecosystem that contributes to Thai people’s well-being by linking and expanding development that results in the application to promote good health,” said Chartchalerm.

He added that they can take advantage of Candee application features like using blockchain technology to handle various transactions through tokens to collect points and redeem them for rewards to increase active participation within an organisation, It also helps expand the scope of work on Bitkub’s network of advanced platforms.

Passakorn Pannok, chief executive officer of Bitkub Blockchain Technology, which is one of Thailand’s leading blockchain companies, stated that collaborating with Honda is another milestone in finding business partners. The CANDEE application is intended to provide useful functionality. Initially, Honda associates were encouraged to participate by making social contributions in exchange for digital tokens.

“I personally believe that we can drive the application’s widespread availability. By creating new roles, the advanced technology supported by the Bitkub chain will assist us in promoting the seamless use of CANDEE. This results in increased CANDEE efficiency, whether through the use of blockchain technology to collect and save data or by broadening the use of Candee tokens and developing new use cases, all of which will benefit the Bitkub chain ecosystem,” Passakorn said.

The collaboration of partners from various sectors, such as Honda, Bitkub, and the Faculty of Medical Technology at Mahidol University, will mark a watershed moment in the success of the CANDEE application. It will strengthen the CANDEE ecosystem and support its goal of widely encouraging society to do good and live healthily in a limitless yet non-profit form to effect positive change, Pitak said.

Published : July 01, 2022

By : Nongluck Ajanapanya