(PR News) Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited (GULF) has been presented with 4 awards from the World HRD Congress, an independent organization recognizing achievements in human resources management, through three events: Global HR Excellence Awards, HR Tech Conference & Awards, and Employee Engagement Leadership Awards.
The achievement reflects GULF’s strong organizational management and excellence in human resources management.
The four human resources (HR) awards include: the Award for Career Fairs, Campus Recruitment Global from the HR Excellence Awards 2022, awarded for GULF’s consistent work with universities to raise brand awareness and invite university students to explore the corporate culture and career opportunities at GULF in order to attract new talent; the Best Learning & Development Strategy award and the Best Employee Engagement in B2B Sector award from the Employee Engagement Leadership Awards, which, respectively, reiterates GULF’s focus on developing employees’ skills to enhance their potential as well as retain talent within the organization for sustainable development and demonstrates GULF’s excellence in developing the employee experience and engagement; and the Best Use of Technology in HR from the HR Tech Conference & Awards, which reflects GULF’s success in implementing technology to promote effective HR management.
GULF strives to continuously develop its human resources to always be prepared in this era of transformation, focusing on developing new skills and enhance existing skills (reskilling & upskilling) and changing ways of working through new knowledge and skills, coupled with the use of technology to enhance employees’ knowledge and abilities so they are ready for future challenges and are able to keep up with the growth of the organization. Moreover, social responsibility is endorsed for all employees in order to develop the organization and society in the long run.
(PR News) Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Virtual Trade Fair (BGJF-VTF) — the globally acclaimed virtual trade show for gemstones and jewelry products — is set to shine again in 2022 with an array of new functions and special online activities. Through the online format, visitors and buyers are guaranteed the best of Thailand’s gems and jewelry industry while achieving their goals of negotiating businesses, networking, and trading.
The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, the organizer of BGJF, stands firm on its posture to keep the pace of being one of the world’s most up-to-date gems and jewelry trading platforms equipped with virtual storefronts to facilitate buyers whose travellings are restricted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Its virtual nature will also allow them to have a first glance of the showcases and the products prior to the offline Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair — to be organized in September this year.
The BGJF Virtual Trade Fair will be launched on June 13, 2022 with all new features tailor-made for visitors, importers/exporters, sourcing agents, and jewelry enthusiasts from around the world. The online trading platform will feature products with latest innovations, many up-and-coming artisans and designers, exquisite pieces of supreme craftsmanship, and manufacturing companies. The website is equipped with several useful functionalities, including the arrangement of business matching sessions, the e-mail notification, and the face-to-face video conference with chosen exhibitors with an opportunity to view real products.
Online visitors are most welcomed to get themselves fascinated by the complete virtual exhibition of gold jewelry, gemstones, silver jewelry, diamonds, fine jewelry, pearls, costume & fashion jewelry, synthetic stones, and precious metals from as many as 300+ companies. The virtual fair will also be covering the entire supply chain with all kinds of gems and jewelry-related exhibitors showcasing jewelry parts, equipment, tools, machinery, display and packaging.
The website will also feature all special online activities: the exhibitor livestreaming, online business matching sessions, highlighted product trends, and seminars to keep you up to date about everything in the industry — all of them are free of charge. Once registered, the website will permit visitors to explore the fair, create their own lists of favorite products, and arrange for online trade negotiations.
The BGJF Virtual Trade Fair will be held between June 13-17, 2022. For traders, importers/exporters, and visitors, it is now time to register and explore Thai gems and jewelry industry. Visit www.bgjf-vtf.com to get inspired, before anyone else.
(PR News) VNU Asia Pacific, part of VNU Group, a globally operating exhibition company with offices in Utrecht, Shanghai, and Bangkok, is pleased to announce the staging of “Resilience on Emergency & Disaster Conference”, or REDCON Asia through a press conference which is held on April 27 at MBK Center, Bangkok.
The event is sponsored by MBK Public Company Limited.
REDCON Asia is a multi-stakeholder conference and exhibition that envisions to engage business sector leaders, governments, media, international agencies, and academia, among others, in the value chain of disaster and emergency management. It is set to take place on December 7-9, 2022 at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok.
With the Press Conference’s theme, “Bridging Cross-Sectoral Efforts for Disaster Resilience,” the event features speakers coming from different sectors as it aims to provide insights on the crucial role of multi-stakeholder partnerships on collaborative disaster risk management towards building resilience. Over 40 representatives coming from media, government, academia and other sectors were gathered at this event.
The highly acclaimed speakers include Mr. Saharat Wongsakulwiwat, Director of Research and International Cooperation Bureau, Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), Thailand; Dr. Sanjay Srivastava, Chief of Disaster Risk Reduction, United Nations ESCAP; Ms. Neeracha Malisak, Editor, The Nation; Dr. Peeranan Towashiraporn, Director of Geospatial Department, Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC); Mr. Tam Hoang, Sustainable Urbanization Specialist, UN-Habitat; Ms. Anchalee Kongrut, Editorial Pages Editor, Bangkok Post; and Dr. Tavida Kamolvej, Dean of School of Political Science, Thammasat University.
“We are excited to launch this much-needed platform in the region. Our mission is to gather the leading thought leaders, policymakers and cutting-edge companies on disaster risk reduction and emergency response here in Bangkok. We are convinced, that this event will spur cooperation from various sectors of the society for a more cohesive and decisive action when disasters strike,” says Mrs. Monika Baro, Project Manager of REDCON Asia.
“Cooperation” is our “salvation,” this is a key message in the opening speech of Mr. Saharat Wongsakulwiwat from DDPM Thailand. “Due to the world situation today, it is undeniable that all of us are facing more or less the challenges from the spread of COVID-19. This is a new challenge that the world is facing and we need to find solutions together.”
According to Dr. Sanjay Srivastava from UN ESCAP, REDCON Asia provides an avenue to capitalize on these three key opportunities to build a resilient Asia Pacific region: One, build policy coherence among multiple sectors to integrate disaster, climate and health resilience seamlessly into development planning; two, invest in integrated natural and biological multi-hazard early warning systems; and three, promote investments in climate adaptation and resilience.
This advocacy is supported by Dr. Peeranan Towashiraporn from ADPC saying that, “we need to work not only with the public sector but also with the private sector. So given what are we facing, it is a right time to have the upcoming REDCON Asia Conference where we can bring both the public and the private sectors together under one roof.”
However, “such coordination will not be easy,” according to Mr. Tam Hoang from UN-Habitat. “Tackling the combined threats of the Twin C’s: Climate change and COVID-19, requires innovative approaches, along with a readiness to finance new infrastructure and technologies towards longer-term durable solutions across the humanitarian-developmental nexus.
Meanwhile, the crucial role of media in disaster risk and emergency management was highlighted by Ms. Anchalee Kongrut and Ms. Neeracha Malisak, representing Bangkok Post and The Nation respectively. “As media, I believe that we can play a productive role, and become part of the effort. Because disaster management is becoming more important –not just events to be covered. Climate change –or even recent and ongoing war will become mankind’s problem. All of us will be affected, so everyone needs to be on the team, so does media,” stresses Ms. Anchalee Kongrut.
The Nation’s editor, Neeracha Malisak-Lemire has also participated in a short speech for this Resilience on Emergency and Disaster Conference, focusing on the media role and its power in raising awareness about the natural disasters, emphasising the current challenges of making our world a better and more sustainable place to live for our own existence and for the future generations.
“The Nation believes, as media, that we play a crucial role in serving as a medium linking all parties – the government, private sector, the public, etc. – through communication to raise awareness and visibility of the problems. This communication helps provide better information and understanding so all parties are prepared to deal with any new problems that may arise. This also helps protect vulnerable groups like children, women, the elderly, etc. Clear communication and awareness will bring us together locally, regionally and internationally so we can build a better, resilient, sustainable world,” said Ms. Neeracha.
Dr. Tavida Kamolvej from Thammasat University represented the academia’s voice at this event, saying that “Extreme weather will definitely add uncertainty and complexity to disaster risks that need collective action from all mechanisms one society has. Environment disruptions require all actions to be proactive and synergized. As we gather today, the strong intention of concerting effort to make the region safer leading by government agency, universities, international organizations and alliance, and REDCON Asia, will guide us to better constructive practices to reduce all risks we shared.”
The program was concluded by Mr. Igor Palka, Managing Director of VNU Asia Pacific, saying that “VNU is grateful for the continued support of our partners and speakers for REDCON Asia in December 2022. Organizing it this year could not be more than timely and relevant as we, together, find the solutions to address the nexus of disease-disaster-climate change phenomena.”
PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP) generated revenue of THB68.9 billion in the first quarter of this year, up from 66.2 billion, or 5 per cent, in the fourth quarter of last year, due mainly to higher oil prices, the company’s chief executive Montri Rawanchaikul disclosed on Thursday.
That translated into a net profit of THB10.5 billion in the first quarter, a slight decline from THB10.6 billion in the fourth quarter of last year, he said.
The CEO attributed PTTEP’s steady growth in its first-quarter operating results to rising petrol prices following spikes in global crude oil prices.
Meanwhile, PTTEP’s average sales volume in the first quarter improved to 427,368 barrels of oil equivalent per day, up from 420,965 in the previous quarter, due to the increased daily production and gas sales from its Arthit project.
However, the company recorded expenses from non-operating items in the first quarter, mainly a loss on oil price hedging of US$240 million (THB7.9 billion).
PTTEP takes part in managing greenhouse gas, solving global warming issues and supporting Thailand’s commitment in reaching carbon neutrality, according to Montri. He said the company has set a target to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2050 in order to create share value for stakeholders and sustainable growth.
Together with its partners, PTTEP is undertaking feasibility studies on generating green e-methanol, a clean energy source, and pursuing the development of technology in carbon capture and storage (CCS) to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, according to the CEO.
“PTTEP continues to execute our strategic direction with consideration to create the right balance of business, social and environmental aspects, for a low-carbon future and sustainable growth,” Montri said.
The company is collaborating with its Japanese partners Inpex Corporation and JGC Holdings Corporation to explore the potential development of a CCS project in Thailand. The collaboration involves identifying and evaluating facilities as well as procedures and technologies concerning CCS to accelerate the decarbonisation of Thai industries.
PTTEP recently signed a memorandum of understanding with five leading companies in the energy and logistics industries for collaboration on establishing a green e-methanol pilot plant to convert captured biogenic carbon dioxide into green e-methanol, a low-carbon fuel.
The baht opened at 34.44 to the US dollar on Friday, strengthening slightly from Thursday’s five-year low of 34.46.
The currency is expected to move in a range between 34.35 and 34.50 on Friday, said Krungthai Bank market strategist Poon Panichpibool.
Poon forecast the baht would fluctuate and likely test the resistance level of 34.50.
However, he did not expect it to drop much below 34.50 as risk-on market factors would support the currency.
He said the generally risk-averse market coupled with the Covid-19 situation in China could add downward pressure on the baht. The Thai currency is also being squeezed by dividend transactions and gold purchases, with investors buying more of the precious metal as the price drops.
However, foreign investors are currently making net purchases in the Thai stock market, meaning the baht may not breach the key resistance level, Poon added.
On Tuesday, the Bank of Thailand (BOT) said it would take action if the baht’s value became too volatile in the face of US rate hikes.
Poon advised businesses to use hedging tools such as options to manage risks in the highly volatile currency market.
Household debt in Thailand surged to around THB218,000 per household, the highest in 14 years, according to the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).
Thanawan Polvichai, director of the UTCC Centre for Business and Economic Forecasting, said that 99 per cent of people who earned a salary less than THB15,000 per month were in debt. He said the total household debt is 90 per cent of gross domestic product.
He said the indebtedness was caused by salaries not being enough to cope with the cost of living and increasing prices of products. Those who already have debts have to be careful when spending and repaying the debt. It is expected that spending on the Labour Day holiday this year will be only THB1.525 billion, down by 14.9 per cent from the previous year.
He said workers are requesting the government to increase wages to keep pace with the current cost of living. They also want the government to take care of unemployment and debt repayment. They believe the current wage is too low when compared to the increasing cost of living.
However, according to experts, increasing the daily wage to THB492 nationwide, as they have requested, might be too high because a 10-20 per cent increase in wages in a single time will be a huge burden, especially for small operators. They might lack the liquidity to increase the wages and may have to reduce the workforce instead.
He suggested that a tripartite committee in each province consider and adjust according to the situation.
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said on Thursday that his ministry had not yet allowed instant noodle manufacturers to increase their retail prices.
Jurin said reports about certain brands of instant noodles raising prices were related to internal marketing systems of the manufacturers that affected wholesale prices.
“An increase in the retail prices of instant noodles for consumers has not been approved yet,” Jurin said.
The Commerce Ministry will try its best to handle this, he said, adding, “We will try to maintain the current retail prices as long as possible to minimise impact on consumers.”
Instant noodles are popular among low-income people, who are hardly able to make ends meet. Economic experts fear an increase in retail prices of instant noodles would further pressure inflation, which is already rising.
Jurin admitted that the rising oil prices had affected the cost of manufacturing, but the Commerce Ministry would try to maintain the current retail prices as long as possible.
“But we will have to make sure that the manufacturers do not suffer losses because if they stop manufacturing activities, there will be a shortage of products in the market,” Jurin said.
He said the ministry is trying to maintain retail prices of consumer goods in 18 categories but they will have to strike a balance among the manufacturers of the products, farmers who provide raw materials, and consumers.
Jurin was speaking to reporters in front of the passenger arrivals lounge at the Phuket International Airport as he arrived to attend the 4th Joint Trade Committee meeting at the ministerial level with Bhutan.
The meeting was held on Thursday at the Dusit Thani Laguna Hotel in Thalang district.
Jurin said Thailand was hosting the fourth meeting, which was crucial for establishing trade and economic ties between Thailand and Bhutan.
During the meeting, he would discuss with his Bhutanese counterpart cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism affairs as well as other areas of cooperation.
Jurin said Bhutan could be a new export market for Thailand and tourists from Bhutan could also help boost the country’s economy.
Jurin said he would also preside over the opening of the E-Sport competition held by the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) on Friday.
The deputy prime minister added that he would also represent the Cabinet to hand over a budget to the Phuket PAO for starting a sufficiency housing project, or repairing homes of underprivileged people in the island province.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha asked truck operators on Thursday to be understanding, saying the government has run out of money after capping the diesel oil price at THB30 for months.
Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana quoted Prayut as saying he would like truck operators to understand that the government cannot afford to continue with the present diesel price cap after April 30.
Thanakorn said Prayut was referring to a demand by Land Transportation Association of Thailand members, who rallied in front of Government House briefly on Wednesday, that the government continue to cap the diesel price at THB30.
Thanakorn quoted Prayut as explaining that the government had spent tens of billions of baht from the Oil Fund until it had dried up. The government had also spent all of the loans borrowed for pegging the retail diesel price.
“As a result, this is the time everybody needs to cooperate and the government will try its best to take care of all sectors,” the spokesman quoted the prime minister as saying.
He also quoted Prayut as emphasising that the government would carefully use the remaining money to try to mitigate the impact of the oil price crisis.
Prayut said the Oil Fund had earlier used several measures to try to keep oil prices from rising and the government had also reduced the diesel excise tax by THB3 per litre to try to keep the price low.
Thanakorn said the government would start cutting the subsidy for diesel oil from May 1. The retail price would be adjusted to THB32 on the first day and be increased step by step until it reaches a cap of THB35. Without any subsidy, the price would be THB40 per litre, the spokesman pointed out.
He said the Fuel Fund Executive Committee and the Energy Ministry are now drafting measures to help blunt the impact from the rising diesel price. Other government agencies will also come up with solutions.
“The government will introduce measures to bring down manufacturing costs to minimise the impact on low-income people. I affirm that the prime minister and his government understand the grievances of all sectors and we will try our best to tackle the woes,” the spokesman added.
Kla party leader Korn Chatikavanij speculated that the reason why the price of bottled palm oil has increased so heavily is because Indonesia has banned palm oil exports.
Korn wrote on his Facebook page on Thursday that Indonesia, the world’s biggest palm oil manufacturer and exporter, had banned exports of the oil to keep prices down for its citizens, causing the price elsewhere to increase.
He said it was good news for farmers but not for consumers because the price of consumer products is already high.
Korn pointed out that the palm oil price increased drastically as sunflower oil was in shortage due to Ukraine being forced to halt manufacturing, while Indonesia had stopped exporting palm oil.
According to experts, the cost of bottled palm oil should be 75 baht. It is currently 64 baht.
Korn said manufacturers are able to retain the same price for now because there are still bottles left at earlier prices and they had gained a lot of profit in the past.
If the situation returns to normal quickly, the problem is not worrying, he noted. However, if the situation prolongs or worsens, the government needs to do something to help consumers.
Korn suggested the government use its reserve budget to insure the palm price for farmers is 4 baht per kg. The government could use this budget to compensate citizens to lower their burden, he wrote.
He said it’s not only money but also a question of health because Thais will have to reuse oil if the government allows the price of bottled palm oil to go too high.
“The world situation is always changing quickly. To manage the economy during these times, [the government] must not blink,” he added.
The Energy Ministry will announce on Thursday the new price structure for diesel oil that will be come into effect after the ministry ends the THB30 price cap.
The ministry will also announce details of price structure of other petrol varieties on Thursday.
The Energy Ministry decided to end the diesel price cap at THB30 per litre on April 30 as the Fuel Fund Executive Committee is running out of cash reserves.
The Cabinet had resolved to use the Oil Fund to subsidise half of the price above THB30. Currently, the real market price of diesel oil is about THB40 per litre, a source from the Energy Ministry said.
The source said the Oil Fund board has resolved to use a ladder price structure to minimise impact on the people once the THB30 cap is no longer used from May 1.
The source said the price is expected to be THB32 per litre when the global diesel price is about US$145 per barrel. The source added that the new price structure would cap diesel price at THB35 per litre.
The source said new diesel prices will be announced every week until it reaches the cap of THB35 per litre.
Jurin was speaking to reporters in front of the passenger arrivals lounge at the Phuket International Airport as he arrived to attend the 4th Joint Trade Committee meeting at the ministerial level with Bhutan.
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