#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40016611

Google Cloud chosen as Robinhood’s new primary cloud provider, as the latter embraces a One Google approach to supercharge its next phase of growth

Bangkok, June 13, 2022 – Robinhood, the Bangkok-based food delivery and all-in-one travel service platform under SCBX Group, Purple Ventures Co., Ltd., today announced a multi-year strategic alliance with Google Cloud and MFEC Public Company Limited (“MFEC”) to advance its mission of building a homegrown “super app” that delivers inclusive growth opportunities to small business owners, delivery riders, and diverse users in metro and non-metro areas.
 

“Robinhood’s differentiated business model enables us to generate revenue from other independent services, such as providing loans to individuals in our ecosystem, instead of charging smaller restaurants and hoteliers platform fees that erode their earnings,” said Thana Thienachariya, Chairman of the Board, Purple Ventures Co., Ltd. (Robinhood). “With a fleet of 30,000 riders supporting 225,000 eateries, and 16,000 hotels already listed on our platform, Robinhood has become the food and travel application of choice for 2.8 million users. Together with Google Cloud and MFEC, we hope to build on the very warm response to our platform in the past 20 months and supercharge our expansion into tour, car rental, and flight bookings, and grocery and express parcel delivery services. This super app vision is an extension of our steadfast commitment toward assisting smaller players and revitalizing the grassroots economy.”

“Robinhood has always been a cloud-native platform, but as we started to see an exponential increase in demand for our services, it became clear that more performant infrastructure was needed to help us grow in a cost efficient and sustainable way,” said Srihanath Lamsam, CEO, Purple Ventures Co., Ltd. (Robinhood). “We chose Google for its superior data cloud infrastructure – one that runs with net zero operational emissions, and its rich experience in mapping the world and building open platforms and ecosystems. These capabilities, along with MFEC’s technical consulting and implementation expertise, will amplify our ability to create value for society, while contributing toward our sustainability commitments.”

The strategic alliance will encompass five core pillars:

Cultivating skilled talent and a culture of innovation: To foster an agile culture across Robinhood’s business units and accelerate product innovation, Robinhood, Google Cloud, and MFEC will establish a Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE) consisting of cloud architecture, data management, and application modernization specialists. Robinhood staff will be the beneficiaries of the CCoE’s dedicated upskilling and certification programs – which incorporate the same curriculum that Google uses to train its own technologists, so these employees can be equipped to handle large-scale cloud deployments and apply artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to solve high impact business challenges.

Enhancing the quality of digital services: By migrating its systems onto Google Cloud’s open, secure, scalable, and carbon neutral infrastructure, Robinhood can more effectively serve its ecosystem and reduce its IT workloads’ carbon footprint. The CCoE will then tap microservices and extended Google Play Store support to ensure Robinhood’s customer and rider applications remain robust, reliable, and lightweight – even as new services are added and accessed by a high volume of users.

Serving hyper-personalized user engagement: To enable Robinhood staff to stay ahead of evolving user consumption patterns and leverage granular insights for strategic decision-making, the CCoE will build and manage an intelligent data engine using Google Cloud’s leading analytics, AI, and ML technologies. The data engine will also engage Robinhood users with hyper-personalized product recommendations on behalf of small businesses, to boost these merchants’ revenue streams.

Increasing income opportunities for riders: Robinhood will explore using Google Maps Platform’s software development kits to fast track the creation and integration of on-demand mobility features. Potential use cases include providing riders with in-app, turn-by-turn navigation after identifying the shortest or fastest routes, so they can ride safer, fulfill orders quicker, and earn more. Users of Robinhood’s delivery services will have real-time visibility of their riders’ position, route, traffic conditions, and ETA, which translates to fewer customer support requests and order cancellations.

Making financial assistance easily accessible: Recognizing that quick access to financial services can be a significant difference maker in protecting and growing livelihoods, Robinhood will explore co-innovation initiatives with Google Cloud to embed virtual banking and microlending services into its application. This would allow small business owners to seamlessly apply for financial assistance to purchase new equipment and hire staff, or for prospective delivery riders to rent electric motorcycles.

“As a key Google Cloud partner and Thailand’s listed leading systems integrator, we take immense pride in advancing the ambitions of homegrown enterprises like Robinhood,” said Siriwat Vongjarukorn, CEO and President, MFEC Public Company Limited. “With our newly formed CCoE imparting critical cloud skills, adopting an open cloud architecture, implementing data governance best practices, and automating application deployment, Robinhood can achieve performance at scale, optimize IT costs, uphold the highest data security and privacy standards, and empower its developers to release continuous software updates – without downtime – to enrich its entire digital ecosystem.”

“Pandemic-driven shifts in consumer behavior are expected to have a lasting impact, with food and transport, e-commerce, online travel, and digital financial services the key growth verticals in a resurgent internet economy that’s set to be worth US$57 billion by 2025,” said April Srivikorn, Country Manager, Thailand, Google Cloud. “By investing in talent development and tapping the best of Google Cloud, Google Maps, and Google Play to scale sustainably, innovate at high velocity, and extend its social enterprise model into new verticals, Robinhood is well on its way toward delivering a world-class super app that meets diverse digital lifestyle needs and unlocks growth opportunities for all.”
 

Published : June 14, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40016606

Mobile operator AIS is helping more than 400,000 small vendors nationwide to beat the inflation crisis via the Point Pay feature, whereby customers can redeem AIS points for cash discounts.

Point Pay, run jointly with Krung Thai Bank (KTB), empowers small shop, street-food and market vendors with digital tools while softening the impact of rising prices on AIS customers, said AIS chief consumer business officer Pratthana Leelapanang.
 

The Point Pay programme has been helping over 400,000 small shops, streetside stalls, market stalls, and small restaurants via KTB’s Tung Ngern system since 2021, he added.
 

“Together we are part of fostering recovery in grassroots economies by putting money in circulation, as each shop is a small mechanism to maintain continued spending power.”

The scheme supports both shops and AIS customers by reducing daily expenses, particularly on food, as well as stimulating spending and putting cash in the hands of Tung Ngern shops nationwide, said Pratthana.

Now, the 46 million AIS users get a 1-baht discount for every two AIS points they redeem when purchasing food at Tung Ngern shops.
 

Published : June 13, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40016520

Bangkok, June 8, 2022 – Bitkub Blockchain Technology (Bitkub Chain service provider and Blockchain Total Solution), Finstable (the developer of CeDeFi platform) and Prince of Songkla University, Phuket Campus, together sign MOU at Block on the Beach event Phuket on June 2, 2022 to strengthen the blockchain industry and provide financial knowledge to Thai educational institutions.

At this MOU signing, there are 3 purpose related to the cooperation between educational institutions and private sectors, which are
1.    Thrive personnel by using blockchain technology to support the development of software
2.    Standardized blockchain technology by organizing Blockchain Consortium training course
3.    Enhancing blockchain technology research by using real experience from software industry

There are several sectors on this MOU signing including
1) Educational Institutions
1.1. College of computing, Prince of Songkla University, Phuket Campus 

2) Private Sector
2.1. Finstable Co., Ltd.
2.2. Bitkub Blockchain Technology Co., Ltd.
2.3. Smart Contract (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
2.4. Artisan Digital Asia Co., Ltd., AD.1 Labs
2.5. Valix Consulting Co., Ltd.
2.6. Inspec Co., Ltd.
2.7. Loremboard Co., Ltd.
2.8. ABX Co., Ltd.
2.9. Yes X Technology Co., Ltd.

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

and Finstable
Website : https://finstable.co.th
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Finstable/

#KUBGlobal #BitkubChain #BitkubBlockchainTechnology #Finstable #BlockontheBeach
 

Published : June 10, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40016514

AQUA Plc has joined with News Network Corporation (NEWS) to launch Thailand’s first peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platform, the two companies announced on Friday.

The platform will provide smart financial solutions, from borrowing to lending, for individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Speaking at the press conference in Bangkok on Friday, AQUA managing director Chaipipat Kaewtrairat said the platform will address a pain point in the credit industry where SMEs and individuals who don’t have many assets are unable to borrow from traditional banks.

Fintech was the solution to this problem of credit inaccessibility for small operators in society, he said.

“Fintech is a global megatrend that is growing exponentially around the world as this innovation serves people’s personal loan needs. We see it as a lending system that can help solve problems for those who are rejected by banks and major financial institutions. It will also reduce Thai people’s dependence on the informal loan system,” said Chaipipat

AQUA has collaborated with NEWS to establish the Peer For All (PFA) company to operate the P2P platform, with a license from the Bank of Thailand. The project is worth 500 million baht, with 60 percent of investment coming from AQUA and 40 percent from NEWS.

PFA holds the management rights for Nestifly Plc, which operates a P2P lending platform via the ShareLoan application. The platform is expected to generate loans totaling around 3 billion baht in the first year of operation, reaching 10 billion baht within the next three years.

Chaipipat added that in the first phase, the platform would target borrowers who own securities as assets. The next phase would be to accept other collateral assets such as vehicles, property and housing, he said. The platform also expects to offer unsecured loans for people with no assets or credit but with data to prove creditworthiness.

Shine Bunnag, (acting) president and director of AQUA, said the first and only P2P lending platform in Thailand will be available by the fourth quarter of this year.
The platform and its blockchain technology are now being tested while talks are underway to secure Liberator Securities Plc as its legal custodian.

“This is a new type of borrowing that will replace the familiar borrowing from commercial banks and financial institutions,” said Shine. “Nestify is the first such operator in Thailand to be granted a business licence. We want Peer for All to help solve financial problems for Thai people in the long run.”

Shine is also CEO of Nation Group.

Kritsada Pruitipat, CEO and director of NEWS, said he was very satisfied with the AQUA collaboration.

NEWS is currently undergoing organisational transformation to boost stability and long-term expansion.

“NEWS is now expanding its fintech business to offer investment services including via securities brokerage firms and securities companies. Liberator Securities Plc, which is an indirect subsidiary of NEWS, is now in the final stages of meeting legal requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and related agencies to be able to fully engage in the securities business and provide investment services to the public,” said Krisada.

Paphon Mangkalathanakun, CEO and co-founder of Nestifly, said individuals and SMEs were underserved by mainstream banks. Hence, the P2P lending platform will be an alternative credit service provider with low-risk collateral securities.

“With blockchain technology and smart contracts, the platform can effectively secure each transaction from fraud and default. It will also fully protect personal data, meaning users will feel confident in our security,” said Paphon.

Published : June 10, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40016484

Budget airline Nok Air will discontinue its Bangkok-Betong flights at the end of October unless it gets additional state assistance to help offset heavy losses, its chief executive Wutthiphum Jurangkool said on Thursday.

Nok Air is the only airline that flies to Betong Airport, which opened for commercial flights in mid-March.

The airline offers a daily flight between Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport and the country’s southernmost airport in the border province of Yala.

The Nok Air CEO said on Thursday that over the past three months of services, it has accumulated operating losses of THB15-20 million.

He said its collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, tour companies and relevant state agencies in a promotional campaign, which has helped offset part of the losses, would end in late July.

Earlier, Nok Air reported that its Betong route had recorded a loss of about THB40 million during its three months of operation, making the airline hesitant about extending the service over the long run.

Wutthiphum said on Thursday that the Betong Airport had offered a THB9,000 cut in office rent for Nok Air, as well as a reduction in the landing fee. “That’s just part of our request for assistance from the state,” he added.

“We will try to continue our flights for six months [until the end of October]. If there’s no additional help, we will have to stop flying in November,” the CEO said.

He said that price increase in air fares was not a viable option as tourists have many other alternatives, including travels to neighbouring countries.

The Nok Air CEO called on the government to encourage more investment in Betong, as well as improvements of tourism infrastructure in the area. This would bring in more visitors and business travellers, he added.

Wutthiphum also called for connecting flights between Betong and airports in Malaysia and Singapore to attract more tourists from those countries.

“The private sector wants clear government measures to help stimulate tourism in Betong district in the long term,” he said.

Published : June 09, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40016432

Bitkub Blockchain Technology, Bitkub Chain Developer and Blockchain Total Solution Provider together with Fandom Application on June 7 announced “FANDOM Application” as a platform to connect artist and fanclub via “Fun to Earn” features.

This cooperation aims to minimize the gap between artists and fanclubs. As the number of the fans gradually increase, the artists usually have difficulty in accessing the large number of fans which are widely spread across several applications and platforms.

As a result, FANDOM application is officially announced under the cooperation between Bitkub Blockchain Technology Co., Ltd. and Fandom Application Co., Ltd. FANDOM application is the entertainment platform to connect the artists and fans together. By differentiating the application features, the users can earn the digital tokens via “Fun to Earn” model. Indeed, FANDOM application will connect almost every entertainment such as music, artists, sports and influencers with their fans along with providing new users experience. FANDOM application will be tentatively launched within August 2022 with several interesting features including

1.  Allowing artists and fans to communicate with each other easily
2.  Interesting activities and campaigns from artists and fans
3.  Follow up news and exclusive updates from the artists
4.  More channels to earn NFT tokens
5.  The fans can support genuine copyright from the artists
6.  Several artists NFT collections
7.  Fun to Earn features on the application

Furthermore, FANDOM application is different from general applications; almost every Thai’s NFT marketplace emphasizes on buying and selling, making them lack the interconnects between artist and fans.

“NFT feature is an opportunity for artists to perform and demonstrate their own appearance throughout the fans over the world. By implementing NFT features, it will allow every artists to create their own and unique digital arts. In the same way, the fans can also truely own NFTs from their favourite artists by using blockchain technology,” said Sirasom Borisutsuwan, CEO and founder of FANDOM Application.

“Bitkub Chain has the most transaction in Thailand. Also, by comparing to other chains in the world, Bitkub Chain ranked as 12th chain that has the most transaction. As a result, under this cooperation, it will allow creators and their fans to create digital arts with a transparent and secure. Thus, FANDOM Application will enhance efficiency on Bitkub Chain ecosystem,” said Passakorn Pannok, CEO of Bitkub Blockchain Technology.

In the final part of the annoucement, FANDOM application already prepared the special privilege for digital content on the application and allow creators and artists register for the special activities. (Limited registration and the conditions are as specified by the company). Also, anyone who are interested for registration will be awarded 100 Fandom Stars for claiming digital content on the website www.fandom.co.th. Refer this to your friends and get 25 Fandom Stars per person.

For more news and updates on Bitkub Chain, visit:
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

Find out more about FANDOM Application at:
Website: www.fandom.co.th
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FandomThailand
 

Published : June 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40016394

Thai Airways International will soon sell more seats from its decommissioned Boeing 747 planes to boost its liquidity, the airline announced.

The “TG Warehouse Sale” Facebook page of THAI posted on its wall on Monday that the second round of live sale of Boeing 747 seats might be held on Friday but the schedule is yet to be confirmed.

It said both first-class and economy-class seats of Koito and Recaro brands will be put on sale in the second live session.

It said the number of available seats will be limited like in the first live session.

The page explained that it cannot sell a higher number of seats from the decommissioned planes because the goods have to pass complicated clearance steps and it would require cooperation from its limited number of staff.

The page said THAI plans to sell goods from its non-profit assets to boost its liquidity and the sale will also provide a chance for customers to get rare and impressive items.

The TG Warehouse Sale page opened the first live session on March 29 to sell 30 pairs of seats from its decommissioned planes. The seats were sold at THB35,000 per a pair and each customer was allowed to buy a maximum of three pairs.

The live session managed to sell the 30 pairs of seats within a minute and THAI earned Bt1.05 million. The seats were delivered to buyers in early May.

Published : June 07, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40016363

‘Food Factors’ set its sights on the world stage and local market domination with its latest food venture in ‘Local Siam 77,’ a ready-to-eat Thai food featuring organic rice and ready-made curry under the concept ‘LocaLicious’ bringing the best ingredients from the 77 provinces of Thailand under one brand with a public premiere at Thaifex-Anuga Asia 2022.

Mr. Piti Bhirom Bhakdi, CEO of Food Factors Co., Ltd., reveals that the food business is one of the six core pillars of Boonrawd company, run by Food Factors company. The company aims growth and sustainability by bringing Thai food culture, its ingredients, and unique taste to create diverse creative food businesses such as condiments and seasonings, restaurant business with EST.33, Farm Design, Santa Fe, and Meng Nua Nua, and the latest venture with the ready-to-eat product named ‘Local Siam 77.’ The new brand will build on Thailand’s quality ingredients from 77 provinces of Thailand and create uniquely Thai food with the original taste that Thais know and love, all in a convenient and long-lasting package without preservatives, coloring, or MSGs for the health-conscious lifestyle of the new generation.

‘Local Siam 77’ products will consist of three categories; Ready-to-eat, Shelf Stable, and Frozen like Green Curry with Chicken and Bamboo Shoot, Chicken Massaman Curry, Chicken Curry, Red Curry with Chicken, Chicken Tom Yum under the ‘ready-to-eat and meat’ group, or Green Curry Noodle, Massaman Curry Noodle and Padthai under ‘ready-to-eat noodles,’ ‘ready-to-eat organic rice’ certified by USDA, IFOM, EU like Jasmine rice, Brown rice, Rice Berry Rice, and Instant Paste like Curry Paste, Red Chili Paste, Green Chili Paste, and Massaman Paste. All ‘Local Siam 77’ packaging has been designed by Champ Somchana Kangwarajit from Prompt Design with colors and emphasizes the number 77 creatively to stand out from the crowd.
 

The exportation of Thai food is currently improving, with the market valuation for 2022 at 1.2 trillion Baht with an 8.4% increase compared to last year with ease of economic measures from other countries post COVID-19 and the weakening of the Thai Baht, which had a positive impact on export business. The ready-to-eat food business is the main export category with over 7.7% growth due to the evolving behavior of seeking convenience in food preparation.

‘Local Siam 77’ products were recently introduced in the Thaifex-Anuga Asia 2022 and will enter the local market at the end of 2022 with availability in modern trade and export to international markets.
 

Published : June 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/40016260

Mining Pro Co Ltd, the operator of a cryptocurrency mining platform and seller/renter of mining rigs, is spending 170 million baht to set up Thailand’s first cryptocurrency mine in Bangkok.

The mine, to be set up in Bang Na, is expected to officially open its doors in early 2023.

Jaturapuch Triphet, the company’s CEO, said Mining Pro is committed to building an ecosystem for the crypto-mining industry over and above the cloud-based mining platform it has been running.

“We are discussing with producers of clean energy to join us in building Thailand’s first cryptocurrency mine with a high mining capacity,” he said. “We have chosen a location in Bang Na district with an area of over 3,000 square metres, where the mine will use ‘Bitmain’ bitcoin mining rigs imported from China. The aim is to attract both local and international investors.”

Jaturapuch added that the aim is to make crypto mining easy, affordable and safe for all investors, which will help boost the country’s economy. The company’s cloud-mining platform allows customers to mine crypto coins via a smartphone, while state-of-the-art robots are used to manage customers’ investment portfolios in both future and spot trading to maximise profit.

“We also use IoT [internet of things] technology to detect irregularities in mining rigs and use AI technology in analysing problems that help prolong the lifespan of mining rigs,” he added.

Jaturapuch added that though trading in cryptocurrency is still volatile, investment in crypto-mining rigs is gaining momentum as investors tend to buy rigs in bulk during the downward trend in anticipation that mining can start again once the currency surges.

“Currently, mining rigs are being sold at about 300,000 baht, down from 400,000 baht per rig earlier this year. This price drop has attracted several prospectors to invest in rigs and mines,” he said. “Investments in crypto mining usually break even in about 40 to 45 months, depending on the management of mining and investment portfolio.”

Jaturapuch added that in the first quarter of the year, Mining Pro made 200 million baht in revenue from selling and renting mining rigs, and aims to make 1 billion baht in revenue by the end of this year.

“This year we saw more foreign investors entering the crypto-mining business in Thailand, especially from Laos which collects higher mining licence fees than Thailand, and China where crypto mining is banned. Other nations include Vietnam, Hong Kong, Russia and Singapore,” he added.

Published : June 03, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/pr-news/business/40016239

Bangkok, June 1, 2022; Bitkub NFT, the primary NFT market, to connect users to the visual world on Bitkub Chain comes back with Bitkub Fantastic 4th Airdrop Phenomenon campaign by airdropping about 30,000 items NFT to celebrate the 4th anniversary of Bitkub at Paragon and Central World.

In this special activity, Bitkub Chain would like to emphasize the importance of blockchain technology and NFT as mass adoption by organizing the event for everyone to enjoy and absorb the new technology. To clarify, the users can scan QR code on the big screen at Parc Paragon and Central World and receive NFT by using digital asset wallet called “Bitkub NEXT”.

Bitkub Fantastic 4th NFT Airdrop Phenomenon was organized on Saturday May 28, 2022 at Parc Paragon 5.00-5.15 PM., Facebook Page Bitkub Chain at 5.45-6.00 PM., and Central World at 6.30-6.45 PM.

The detail of NFTs airdrop were listed by the following:

●    The 4 special collection of Bitkub NFT Fantastic 4th
●    Bitkub M Social privilege 1 day pass
●    PunkKUB NFT
●    KUB Coin
●    And other special gift from Bitkub

Bitkub NEXT digital wallet detail
Bitkub NEXT digital wallet : https://app.bitkubnext.com
Register for Bitkub NEXT : https://accounts.bitkubnext.com/register
Registration Steps : https://medium.com/@bitkubchain/-bitkub-next-7e0bf43563c0

Follow for more news and updates 

Bitkub NFT
Website : https://www.bitkubnft.com/ 
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/bitkubnft 

Bitkub Chain
Website : https://www.bitkubchain.com/ 
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/bitkubchainofficial 
Twitter : https://twitter.com/bitkubchain 

#BitkubNFT #BitkubChain #PoweredbyBitkubBlockchainTechnology #BitkubFantastic4th #FantasticRun
 

Published : June 02, 2022

By : THE NATION