Four police officers transferred as ads offering VIP services for Chinese tourists reappear
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2023
Two traffic and two tourist police officers have been transferred after a Facebook post offering Chinese tourists special privileges were seen again.
According to Shoot2China‘s Facebook post on Sunday, the special service spared Chinese tourists the hassle of standing in queues at airports in Thailand, took care of document procedure through the Thai immigration checkpoint and included a “lookalike” police lead car.
These packages are being sold all over the Chinese website Taobao, it added.
“VIP services are available at airports in Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai as usual,” the page said.
Earlier, a viral clip showed a female Chinese tourist reviewing paid privileges on skipping the immigration queue and footage of having a police car lead her to the hotel.
Previous reports of such VIP services had drawn the public ire and even Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had weighed in, calling for punishment for the guilty as per the law.
Centara Extends Hotel Management Agreement for Centara Chaan Talay Resort & Villas Trat
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2023
Centara Hotels & Resorts, has confirmed the signing of a new Hotel Management Agreement with Khun Kanoknat Adhyanasakul, the owners of Centara Chaan Talay Resort & Villas Trat, to continue managing this successful property for a period of 10 more years.
This not only marks the continuation of a long-term partnership between Centara and Khun Kanoknat, but also Centara’s ongoing commitment to delivering world-class guest experiences and Thai family valued hospitality.
Surrounded by untouched jungle and a pristine 400-metre stretch of white sand beach, Centara Chaan Talay Resort & Villas Trat entices guests with its remote yet accessible tropical location, serene atmosphere and spacious suites and villas.
Designed for couples, families and holidaymakers, this pet-friendly resort also welcomes dogs weighing less than 20 kilogrammes. During their stay, guests have access to a stunning beachfront infinity pool with a dedicated children’s swimming area, complimentary use of non-motorised water sports including kayaking and snorkelling, as well as Chaan Talay Healthy Massage. The resort also features all-day beachside dining, a beachside bar and in-room dining options to suit the needs of every traveller.
Centara Chaan Talay Resort & Villas Trat is conveniently located 40 minutes from Trat town and a 60-minute drive away from Trat Airport.
Nestled on the northern tip of the island of Koh Kood, Soneva Kiri is one of Thailand’s most romantic hideaways and Valentine’s celebrations begin from the moment guests wake.
Enjoy a sunrise breakfast cruise on a traditional wooden boat or a private breakfast amongst the treetops at the resort’s iconic bamboo pod, complete with Champagne, fruits and freshly-baked pastries.
During the day, unwind on the soft sands of South Beach with a cocktail in hand or explore the colourful underwater realms of nearby Koh Rang National Marine Park. Guests can also sip on cocktails as the sun sinks over the island’s sparkling waters.
An array of romantic dining experiences then awaits as evening falls, including dinner under the stars at the Lunar Deck, a romantic meal at The View and Kruua Mae Tuk, or a candlelit Valentine’s dinner on the Arrival Pier. For younger guests, there’s also Valentine’s card-making at the Eco Den and sumptuous crêpe and chocolate truffle-making workshops.
No point in counting Covid cases anymore as virus is here to stay: top virologist
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2023
Covid-19 is not going anywhere and will soon become another seasonal disease like influenza, Chulalongkorn University’s top virologist said on Monday.
Dr Yong Poovorawan said there is no point in counting Covid-19 cases now as the figure only represents a fraction of the true number of infections.
Over 70% of people globally, or around 5 billion, may have been infected with Covid-19 while the recorded figure is only 700 million Covid-19 cases, he said.
He added that almost 80% of Thailand’s population may have been infected with Covid-19, resulting in a high level of hybrid immunity from infection and vaccination.
“Thailand is currently reporting only the number of hospitalised patients and deaths,” he said.
He also expects the World Health Organisation to stop counting Covid cases soon, as the situation in China has improved and the severity of the disease is declining over time.
“More than 80% of Covid-19 deaths are among the elderly and those with underlying diseases.”
Yong also said it was no longer necessary for people to be vaccinated every 4-6 months as Covid-19 is now becoming a seasonal disease. Instead, he advised annual vaccination focused on the vulnerable group.
For Thailand, vaccination should be conducted in April and May to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the rainy season, he said.
Beyonce breaks all-time Grammy wins record, Harry Styles claims album prize
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2023
THE NATION
Pop superstar Beyonce broke the record for most career wins at music’s Grammy awards on Sunday (February 5) but lost again in the prestigious album of the year category, this time to British singer Harry Styles.
Beyonce added four Grammys to her collection, bringing her lifetime total to 32 and surpassing the tally of late classical conductor Georg Solti.
Despite her success through the years, the 41-year-old “Break My Soul” singer has never claimed the best album trophy. Styles took home that honor on Sunday for “Harry’s House.”
“I’ve been so inspired by every artist in this category,” a surprised Styles said as he accepted the award. “On nights like tonight, it’s obviously so important for us to remember that there is no such thing as best in music.”
Grammy voters spread the top awards among several artists.
Lizzo’s upbeat “About Damn Time” won record of the year.
She dedicated the award to Prince, saying the late artist had inspired her to make positive music. Lizzo also saluted Beyonce and recalled how she skipped out of school in fifth grade to see the “Halo” singer in concert.
“You clearly are the artist of our lives,” Lizzo said.
Adele accepts the award for Best Pop Solo Performance for “Easy On Me” during the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Blues singer Bonnie Raitt’s “Just Like That,” about an organ donor, earned song of the year.
Styles triumphed over a formidable, wide-ranging field that included Beyonce, Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, Lizzo, British vocalist Adele and disco-era Swedish hitmaker ABBA.
Beyonce took the stage as she secured the all-time Grammy record with her award for best dance/electronic album for “Renaissance.”
“I am trying not to be too emotional. I am trying just to receive this night,” Beyonce said. “I want to thank God for protecting me. Thank you, God.”
She also thanked her family and “the queer community for your love and for inventing the genre.”
Beyonce accepts the award for Best Dance/Electronic Music Album for “Renaissance” during the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Earlier, Beyonce was absent when she was named the winner of best R&B song for “Cuff It.” Host Trevor Noah said the singer was stuck in traffic. He later handed her the trophy at her seat in the audience.
Bad Bunny took home the award for best música urbana album for “Un Verano Sin Ti.” For best rap album, Kendrick Lamar triumphed with “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.”
Honorees were chosen by roughly 11,000 members of the Recording Academy.
Harry Styles accepts the Album Of The Year award for “Harry
Korea Foundation looks for print artists to join Chiang Mai residency program
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2023
Korea Foundation and the Asean Foundation are inviting five contemporary Korean artists to take part in the inaugural “Konnect Asean – Chiang Mai Print Residency for Korean artists,” which will take place in northern Thailand’s Chiang Mai.
The monthlong program that will start in July is to provide access to print studios, public programs and other promotional activities for print artists while they work in the city.
The residency program will promote collaboration and networking among Korean artists and 10 artists from Southeast Asian countries. The artists will be expected to create works in an open studio format. The studios include CAP Studio – Chiangmai Art on Paper, Cha-Mai Home Studio, Detales Studio, Halo Printmaking Studio, Jojo Kobe Art Gallery, Mezz Press and Prawin Print Studio.
Participating artists’ work will be exhibited in Bangkok and Chiang Mai in Thailand; Jakarta in Indonesia and Busan.
Artwork production costs, airfare and travel expenses will be provided by the organizers.
Artists should have a university degree in visual arts and be under the age of 40. Applications for the program should be submitted online at the KF Asean Culture House website by Feb. 28.
Samsung Electronics launched its latest lineup of flagship Galaxy S23 smartphones Wednesday, putting much emphasis on enhanced camera functions — a secret weapon to fight against its archrival, Apple.
While the South Korean tech titan has aggressively improved resolution and upgraded picture quality for its premium smartphones in recent years to differentiate itself from its rival Apple, the camera developer behind Samsung phones is confident about the newest Galaxy S series.
“We’ve enhanced our camera system that allows users to take the best photos and videos in any environment. … The Galaxy S23 series not only comes with a 200-megapixel sensor but also provides a satisfactory camera experience with more value into it,” Cho Sung-dae, executive vice president of Samsung Electronics’ mobile experience division, said during a press briefing held at the Hotel Nikko San Francisco, Thursday.
Compared with the previous S22 series, the camera featured in the S23 series enables portraits to stand out more, even at night. Users can even take photos of nebulae and galaxies in the night sky with just a tripod and turn their pictures and videos into professional-grade quality, according to Cho.
When asked about the biggest strengths of the newly unveiled devices against Apple, he picked three major functions of the S23 camera — the nightography capabilities, zoom capabilities and stabled video performance. But he preferred not to name a specific company in comparison.
Using artificial intelligence technologies, the S23 series’ enhanced camera system allows optimal camera performance at night or in low-light conditions. The latest smartphone lineup also reduced the blur phenomenon of the option zoom functionality. Videos are also stable with doubled optical image stabilizer angles in all directions, he said.
Cho is a camera expert who joined Samsung as a senior researcher in 2004 and has been developing camera technology for Galaxy phones. One of the biggest concerns he had was the Galaxy smartphones being compared to the iPhones in terms of camera performance.
“I rarely check social media, but I heard many people saying things like ‘Samsung phone is good for taking photos and Apple is good for videos’ or ‘Samsung is for landscapes, while Apple is for portraits.’ To break the frame, we conducted numerous surveys globally to make the improvements,” he said.
Many of the camera functions that Samsung featured this time were from the results based on consumers’ opinions, in particular, on the user characteristics and feedback of “Generation MZ,” a Korean term referring to millennials and Generation Z, or roughly those born from the 1980s into the 2010s.
One of the improvements made through the surveys was to enhance the selfie function. The Galaxy S23 series introduces fast autofocus and our first Super HDR selfie camera. Its object-based AI analyzes each detail in the frame, even down to minute facial features such as hair and eyes, to carefully reflect a person’s dynamic characteristics.
“I’m sure users won’t tell the difference whether it was taken on the Galaxy S23 series or Apple phones this time,” Cho said.
Yet Samsung is not the first tech company to introduce a phone that features a main 200-megapixel camera. Other smartphone makers, including China’s Xiamoi launched their phones with the same specs earlier.
“We think it is right to provide sufficiently advanced technology with a stable solution to users. We believe now is the time for us to offer such functions to our users. If you compare the quality of the final saved video, you will quickly know the difference between the technologies,” the executive vice president said.
Central Retail plans major investment in 2023 for 15% boost in revenue
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2023
Nongluck Ajanapanya
Central Retail Corporation (CRC), Thailand’s leading multi-format and multi-category retailing platform, intends to invest 28 billion baht this year with the goal of generating 270 billion baht in total revenue this year.
The target would be a 15% increase over 2022.
Yol Phokasub, CRC’s chief executive officer, told a press conference on Monday that this investment would accelerate monumental growth within five business groups while prioritising sustainable growth and leading the retail business to a strong future.
CRC Five’s core businesses include food, fashion, hardline, property, and health and wellness.
Yol said that the decision was made as the CRC sees various positive signs in both the retail and service sectors, as well as how the economy and tourism are fully revitalising themselves, together with China reopening its country, and consumer purchasing power recovering at a promising rate.
The company’s long-term growth will be driven by four major strategies, he explained.
The first is to accelerate its core business growth in three major markets: Thailand, Vietnam, and Italy. Diversifying customers, opening new branches, maintaining a conservative cash flow, and renovating community malls will all contribute to growth.
The second strategy is to improve its omni-retail platform with the help of technology and AI to provide an exceptional customer experience, he said.
The third goal is to create new growth pillars by focusing on new exciting and sizeable businesses that would better meet customer needs and strengthen our position in both Thailand and Vietnam.
The fourth strategy is to form alliances through acquisition, joint investment, and even spin-off, Yol said.
“The four strategies that have been discussed and implemented have positioned Central Retail well towards ‘The Next Sustainable Growth’,” said Yol.
“We will continue to develop and grow the business sustainably as the nation’s first green and sustainable retail through these four strategies.”
Other CRC goals for this year include committing to 30% energy consumption from clean and renewable sources in the property business, 10% waste diversion to landfill, 10% reduction in water consumption, 20% eco-friendly and sustainably sourced products, and 5,000 rai (800 hectares) of green area and forestation to achieve net-zero green house gas emissions.
The announcement was made following a successful year in 2022 in which CRC was able to expand its business portfolio and achieve exponential growth in Thailand, Vietnam, and Italy across all business groups. This has resulted in a 20% increase in total revenue, exceeding CRC’s performance target for 2022.
Bangkok Airways suspends 1 domestic and 1 Vietnam route
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 05, 2023
Bangkok Airways is indefinitely suspending its Bangkok-Hat Yai and Bangkok-Danang routes from next month and will refund passengers who booked tickets in advance, it announced on Sunday.
Flights between Bangkok and Hat Yai will be suspended from March 1 and flights on the Bangkok-Danang, Vietnam, will be suspended from May 1, the airline said.
The suspension will continue until further notice, the airline added.
Passengers who have booked tickets on the two routes after the suspension takes effect have three options:
– Receive travel vouchers for other routes.
– Receive a full refund for their tickets.
– Ask Bangkok Airways to switch their flight to another carrier.
The company apologised for the inconvenience and said passengers can contact its hotline (1771) or visit ticket reservation offices if they have any questions.
WorldHotels announces plan to add 50 new properties in 2023
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2023
Tammy Tameryn Somhar
The WorldHotels Group plans to open 50 new properties worldwide this year, including 14 in the Asia-Pacific region, executives at the group said at its annual conference in Bangkok.
“We will increase our visibility and build customer relationships,” group CEO Larry Cuculic told the 110 global managers and leaders attending the conference at the Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit.
In 2019, Best Western Hotels & Resorts acquired the WorldHotels brand, adding about 300 hotels and resorts to its global portfolio.
The deal helped rapidly expand Best Western’s diverse properties with an e-commerce platform and expand its portfolio.
WorldHotels says its key strengths are in its partnerships, a loyalty program, and sales and marketing.
Last year, WorldHotels had 50 hotels in the Asia-Pacific region, with a combined 19,400 rooms. It also had a strong development pipeline in the region, specifically in Vietnam where several projects were underway.
WorldHotels Asia-Pacific strategy this year will see it focus on Southeast Asia due to emerging star Vietnam. Vietnam is expected to continue to be its priority despite the government’s tougher regulation on hotels, resorts, and condotels.
While there is plenty of potential for Thailand, several resort spots are de-branding themselves. These indications are regarded as possibilities, according to executives at the meeting.
They confirmed that two new projects will open in Thailand this year.
Ron Pohl, president of WorldHotels, said the company would focus on raising its profile and investing in technology this year:
“We are going to concentrate on a few essential points. First, by working with international PR firms, we hope to raise our profile’s visibility and the number of hotels joining our group. Second, we must make investments in technology, since it is vital to the operation of the company. This year, we’ve made an investment of US$85 million in technology alone. To build the revenue management platform, we collaborated closely with Sabre Hospitality Solutions. As a result, we can guarantee that the backend system will better serve all hotels.”
Nation Thailand had exclusive interviews with Cuculic, Poh and vice-president Olivier Berrivin.[From left to right] Mr. Olivier Berrivin, VP, International Operations ASPAC, Mr. Larry Cuculic, President & CEO, BWH Hotel Group, Mr. Ron Pohl, President, International Operations & WorldHotels, Mr. Wytze VanDenBerg, VP,International Operation EMEA, and Mr. Gregory Habeeb, President, North American WorldHotels.
I was wondering if you are one of the very few CEOs in the global hotel industry with a background in law.
Cuculic: Yes, I was a lawyer before. It teaches me to think strategically, and that skill set is transferred to my new responsibilities. Being a lawyer allows me to be involved across all responsibilities, including brand management, financial matters, and so on. I used to look at everything from a lawyer’s viewpoint, but now I look at things differently from a business perspective because I have a lawyer who works for me. There is still a part of me that will never forget that I am a lawyer. I am maybe more conservative by nature, I think.
You came to Thailand in 2015. What are the most important changes you’ve seen in Bangkok and in the hotel business since then?
Cuculic: The growth of Bangkok is evident as you can see all the buildings outside. It is phenomenal how the city can grow as much as it has in the several years that I have been here. In terms of the hotel business, I think the hotel industry here in Bangkok has grown tremendously because of the demand for travel. Lots of people want to visit Thailand.
Berrivin: The number of hotels joining WorldHotels is increasing, and there are also more international hotel chains coming to Thailand. Back then, five years ago, Thai hospitality was No 1, as people knew it as the land of smiles. However, we rarely see the Thai flavour in the huge hotel chain service, whereas we try to retain that best quality in Thai hospitality at all levels.
Mr. Larry Cuculic, President & CEO, BWH Hotel Group
When WorldHotels was acquired in 2019 and then got hit by COVID-19, what were the biggest changes in how you ran your business and managed it?
Cuculic: We were there when they needed us the most. We were very thoughtful with our hoteliers, making sure that they had the support they needed to sustain themselves through the pandemic. We did whatever we could to support them in terms of providing them advice and the brand standard, which would help the safety department not just welcome customers but take care of their health and well-being. So we are establishing the program to provide hoteliers with the protocol to get through the pandemic. So we did that very differently, and we adapted it very quickly. We work with the hotel to make sure that they have that kind of support. We understand if some hotels want to close. Because of the pandemic, we worked with them and knew the epidemic would end eventually. We were really focused on the relationship between the hoteliers and us. We also focused on sales as best as we could because there were still some sales opportunities … Some of our hotels turned themselves into safe lodging for Covid victims who needed a place to stay for a period of time, or a place for quarantine. Also, in Europe, some of our partners turned themselves into refugee housing units; they were escaping from Ukraine. That’s a good story to tell.
Pohl: What WorldHotels had I think you wouldn’t see from other hotel chains. All hoteliers in the conference room this morning could pick up the phone and call Olivier, me or Larry anytime and we answered the phone. This is not a push it down to someone else in the organisation [style of management]. We are available to any owners, any general managers who want to call us.
Mr. Ron Pohl, President, International Operations & WorldHotels
You once went on a “listening tour” to hear what your employees had to say. Did you do that while you were here? So far, what have you learned?
Cuculic: No, I haven’t, but that is a great idea. I probably should have done that. When I took over the job, I went on a listening tour across North America. All the hoteliers can come and provide me with some feedback, and I will create the atmosphere that will help the employees feel free to give me their real comments. If they want to criticise the marketing team, then the marketing team should not be in the meeting. I just want them to know that they can tell me the truth without any pressure or hurting someone’s feelings.
As I heard your speech at the conference, it gave me that vibe of winning spirit. Can you tell me how to pass that on to your employees?
Cuculic: I am a very social person. Every day I will walk around the building and put on a smile. I interacted with them and asked, ‘How was your day going?’ I enjoy that interaction of getting to know people. I even held the campaign, ‘Lunch with Larry’, which allows me and employees to have lunch together, one on 25 employees, and last week we just talked about rock and roll during lunch. We just want to make sure that we care about them and that they are making a difference. I also encourage a work-life balance, and I think it is tremendously important that you take care of your family. The other thing you have to do is have a plan to take care of your employees; make sure their compensation is fair; make sure they have a benefit program; and everything else … you have to go beyond the smiling face.
WorldHotels is getting a lot bigger. Can you tell me what makes independent hotels want to join your group?
Pohl: The short answer to that is you got the support of the global organisation behind them without all the costs they would have if they tried to do it themselves … The independent hotels could have a loyalty program, but how many people are going to be a part of that? The cost is too expensive to do it on their own with limited returns. Connect to [us] and now you have access to 55 million rewards members. We have invested $85 million dollars this year just in technology alone, so you have all of these resources available for hotels, including education and training for the staff that help you navigate all of that, so there is no downside to doing it. The service at WorldHotels is very flexible. We want to do what makes you more profitable, not just charge you.
One last question is: How does Thailand play a role in WorldHotels’ portfolio?
Berrivin: One of our top priorities is to open as many properties as we can. We have one more hotel that will be opening soon in Phuket. We just want to make sure that we have the right products in the right places. We do not want to develop too much so that we don’t create unnecessary competition.
Adele accepts the award for Best Pop Solo Performance for “Easy On Me” during the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Beyonce accepts the award for Best Dance/Electronic Music Album for “Renaissance” during the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
![[From left to right] Mr. Olivier Berrivin, VP, International Operations ASPAC, Mr. Larry Cuculic, President & CEO, BWH Hotel Group, Mr. Ron Pohl, President, International Operations & WorldHotels, Mr. Wytze VanDenBerg, VP,International Operation EMEA, and Mr. Gregory Habeeb, President, North American WorldHotels.](https://media.nationthailand.com/uploads/images/contents/w1024/2023/02/bnChlpHQgBI70PcRcnvO.webp)
[From left to right] Mr. Olivier Berrivin, VP, International Operations ASPAC, Mr. Larry Cuculic, President & CEO, BWH Hotel Group, Mr. Ron Pohl, President, International Operations & WorldHotels, Mr. Wytze VanDenBerg, VP,International Operation EMEA, and Mr. Gregory Habeeb, President, North American WorldHotels.
Mr. Larry Cuculic, President & CEO, BWH Hotel Group
Mr. Ron Pohl, President, International Operations & WorldHotels
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