Suntory with National Blood Centre launch the “BRAND’S Young Blood”
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2022
Now in its 23rd year, the campaign – organized under the “Give Blood…Give Lives” concept – invites the new generation, especially university students to give the “gift of giving” by becoming new blood donors or making blood donations once every three months.
Other activities include short songwriting, singing, lip-syncing and dancing contests as well as the “TikTok Challenge” to win royal trophies, scholarships and other prizes. With roadshows and mobile blood donation centres to be located at academic institutes nationwide, the campaign expects to receive 90,000 donated blood units from across the country.
Associate Professor Dootchai Chaiwanichsiri, M.D. The Director of the National Blood Centre said “The main mission of the National Blood Centre, the Thai Red Cross Society in 2023 is to ensure the national blood supply is sufficient and of the best quality. And each year the Blood Centre expects to receive an estimated 2.5 million units of donated blood in response to the demand which rises by 8-10% annually,”.
Currently, Thailand still sees an unpredictable frequency of public blood donations and sometimes blood supply shortages such as during the Covid-19 pandemic when donations plunge significantly.
Therefore, it is important for the National Blood Centre to create a network of alliances to raise awareness and send messages across to encourage more people to make blood donations which bring about an adequate blood supply and sufficient blood reserve in case of emergency or other unavoidable circumstances where blood is urgently required for at least two to five days.
“Potential and sustainable donors – our main target group – are university students across Thailand as they still have many years to make blood donations. The campaign aims to raise awareness and understanding among Thai youth that blood donations are important and require mutual responsibility and that they can give the “gift of giving” by becoming new blood donors or regular donors who make blood donations once every three months. Their donated blood will become the national blood supply to be used in case of emergency. The campaign also encourages them to be socially responsible and to make voluntary blood donations without expecting anything in return. This year, the National Blood Centre expects to receive 90,000 donated blood units nationwide,” Dootchai said.
Mathuvalee Stithyudhakarn, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Corporate Affairs, Suntory Beverage & Food Thailand and Indochina
Mathuvalee Stithyudhakarn, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Corporate Affairs, Suntory Beverage & Food Thailand and Indochina said “Under ‘Giving Back to Society’ corporate value, Suntory organizes various activities to give back to the society both in terms of the environment as well as people’s health and wellbeing. The company, therefore, initiated the “BRAND’S Young Blood” campaign in collaboration with the National Blood Centre, the Thai Red Cross Society.”
In 2020-2021, the Blood Centre received 68,701 donated blood units under the campaign, a reflection of the power of giving among students and youth who truly had the volunteer spirit. Furthermore, Suntory also organized the BRAND’S Young Blood Game Creator contest under the topic of BRAND’S Young Blood Hero where participants were encouraged to create computer games, and present their concepts alongside audio and visual communication to create public awareness with regard to blood donations and the power of giving. The team I am Alone from Rangsit University won the top award from the computer game competition.”
Now in its 23rd edition, the BRAND’S Young Blood 2023 campaign also sends mobile blood donation units to various academic institutes and organizes roadshow activities to raise national awareness and to provide a space for university students to shine and be part of the campaign. Major activities include:
1. Short songwriting contest on the topic of “Give Blood…Give Lives”: University students aged 17-22 years old can use this opportunity to show off their songwriting skills to compose a song encouraging the young generation to make blood donations and to create the power of giving. The winner shall receive a trophy from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, a certificate and a scholarship worth 30,000 baht as well as BRAND’S Essence of Chicken for one-year consumption. Entries can be self-submitted or sent by mail from 5 January to 31 March 2023. The winner will be announced on 31 May 2023.
2. “TikTok Challenge” dancing contest featuring “Give Blood…Give Lives” short song: University students aged 17-22 years old can now showcase their dancing skills and creativity by singing, dancing or lip-syncing “Give Blood…Give Lives” and post it on TikTok to create public awareness with regard to the importance of blood donations among the new generation. The winner shall receive a certificate and a scholarship worth 10,000 baht along with BRAND’S Essence of Chicken for one year of consumption.
The application can be sent by email via Project.nbc@redcross.or.th. Entries can be posted on TikTok from 1 June to 30 September 2023. The winner will be announced on 10 November 2023.
University students interested in joining activities in the campaign including blood donations can visit www.blooddonationthai.com and http://www.brandsworld.co.th or call 02-255-4567 and 02-263-9600 ext 1743 for more information.
Translation app gets Korean restaurant menu upgrade
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2022
Naver’s translation app Papago has added a service to help tourists understand Korean menus, in partnership with the Culture Ministry and the Korea Tourism Organization.
The service uses the app’s image translate function. Users can take a picture of a Korean menu to translate it as normal, but tapping “select all” at the bottom brings up a “Food info” tab, with translations that have been tailored for food, and provides additional information about some of the dishes.
The service currently supports translation into English, Chinese (simplified and traditional) and Japanese.
The food info tab also includes links to the KTO‘s “Food Trip in Korea” website, which has detailed information on popular Korean dishes, including recipes and how to enjoy each dish.
“We will work to add 500 new items to the list in the first half of next year, and also carry out another menu translation project with the restaurant reservation app Catchtable, for users to conveniently book restaurants while in Korea,” the leader of KTO’s tourism strategy team said.
Meanwhile, an e-book version of KTO’s 2021 publication, “Standards for Translating Foods in Korea,” a handbook of official translations of Korean food in foreign languages, can also be found on KTO’s food trip website. Restaurant operators can also create a foreign-language version of their menu for free by following the instructions on the website.
Kempinski Hotel Bangkok renamed “Hanuman Bar” after Hindu protest
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022
Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok has reportedly renamed its bar carrying the name of Hindu deity Hanuman; after Hindus protested calling it “highly inappropriate”.
Its “Hanuman Bar” is now called “1897 Lounge”. A martini concoction of Hanuman Bar called “Hanumantini”, which included Vodka and which Hindus also objected; has also been renamed as “1897TINI”.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who spearheaded the protest, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, thanked Kempinski Hotels for understanding the concerns of Hindu community, which felt that such nomenclature was insensitive.
Zed, who is President of the Universal Society of Hinduism, had said that Lord Hanuman was highly revered in Hinduism and was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not for selling liquor and beef.
Inappropriate usage of sacred Hindu deities or concepts or symbols or icons for mercantile greed or other agenda was not okay, as it hurt the devotees.
We were still waiting for a formal apology from Kempinski Hotels and its CEO Bernold Schroeder for naming a bar and a martini after a sacred Hindu deity in the first place, Rajan Zed pointed out.
Selling beef and liquor in the name of a Hindu deity was a desecration. Cow, the seat of many deities, was sacred and had long been venerated in Hinduism. Kempinski, which claimed “people-centred principles”, should have shown some maturity when naming a bar; Zed had indicated.
Luxury hotels should not be in the business of religious appropriation, sacrilege, and ridiculing entire communities. It was deeply trivializing of the immensely venerated Lord Hanuman to be treated like this; Rajan Zed had emphasized.
Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion in the world with about 1.2 billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken frivolously. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled; Zed had noted.
Rajan Zed stated that such trivialization of a greatly venerated Hindu deity was disturbing to the Hindus. Hindus were for free artistic expression and speech as much as anybody else if not more. But faith was something sacred and attempts at trivializing it were insensitive, Zed added.
In Hinduism, Lord Hanuman is known for incredible strength and was a perfect grammarian.
Menu of “Hanuman Bar” at Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok included wagyu beef tartare, grilled beef, angus beef burger, beef ragout, beef khao pad; besides various kinds of vodka, gin, tequila, whisky, rum, liqueurs, beer, brandy, etc.
Headquartered in Geneva and Munich, Kempinski, hoteliers since 1897 with reportedly about 81 hotels around the globe, claims to be “Europe’s oldest luxury hotel company” and also claims that their bars “are the epitome of elegance”. Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok describes itself as a “five-star luxury resort-inspired haven”.
Ashes are circle of life in Thai artist Korakrit Arunanondchai’s paintings
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2022
Fire and ash have been at the centre of Thai artist Korakrit Arunanondchai’s art practice for the past 10 years. The artist’s solo exhibition at Kukje Gallery in Seoul is a place where visitors can contemplate death and life.
The gallery’s K3 space appears to be a completely different space from the rest of the gallery – the floor is made from compressed ash mixed with earth and paint, making visitors feel as if they were standing on volcanic rock. Prayer text is sculpted into the floor, which the artist said is like subtitles to the show.
“(A prayer) is almost like the promise that may never be fully fulfilled, but then until it’s fulfilled, it’s also not broken,” Arunanondchai said at the press preview on Dec. 15. “So, it’s something that’s in this state where it’s neither-nor, and that’s the kind of feeling I have towards spirituality or even art itself.”
The prayer includes: “We create this world through unanswered prayers/ There is a splendour beyond the upheaval/ A nostalgia for unity/ In the landscape of mourning/ Give yourself to the air, to what you cannot hold.”
While the artist has displayed video work at the show since 2014, his inaugural show at the gallery focuses on paintings from his two series — “History Paintings” and “Void (Sky Painting).”
“History Paintings” use bleached denim as the primary material. On the denim, Arunanondchai builds layers of paint and photographs, which are remnants of a fire. He sets paintings on fire and photographs them as they burn away. The remaining fragments of the paintings and their resultant ashes are reassembled with photographic documentation.
“I started to work with bleached denim, partly due to the idea of its relationship to Western globalism, specifically America. I heard the saying that the first minute you paint on canvas you enter a Western history, and I am always aware that being a contemporary artist, everywhere in the world, we, as a non-Westerner, engage in something that is other than us, and then it becomes us,” he said.
Korakrit Arunanondchai (Kukje Gallery)
“(Denim) also feels like the texture of the Earth or something that you look from far away, almost as you are in the plane looking on the texture of the Earth itself,” he added.
“Who Will Testify to the Time when the World Was Ablaze?” by Korakrit Arunanondchai (Courtesy of the artist, Kukje Gallery)
The artist’s first solo exhibition in Seoul, “Songs for Dying and Songs for Living,” took place at Art Sonje Center in October. His video installation “Songs” was shown at the 13th Gwangju Biennale in May.
“Image, Symbol, Prayer” runs through Jan. 29 at Kukje Gallery.
Serbian performance artist to address Bangkok gathering on Jan 25
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022
Serbian conceptual and performance artist Marina Abramović is scheduled to participate in a special talk at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) in Bangkok on January 25 next year.
The special talk on “History of Long Durational Work and Marina Abramović Institute (MAI)” is a part of Bangkok Art Biennale 2022 (BAB 2022), an international contemporary art festival, which is held every two years.
The festival, which showcases more than 200 contemporary artworks from 73 artists worldwide, kicked off on October 22 this year and will end on February 23, 2023.
The festival is being held at 11 venues across Bangkok, namely Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Wat Prayun, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, QSNCC, Museum Siam, Central World, Samyan Mitrtown, The Park, The Prelude One Bangkok and JWD Art Space.
During the press interview, Abramović said artists nowadays must be able to create hope among people as the world is facing various turmoils, such as war, pandemic and natural disasters.
She said her special talk will gather everything that people need to know about performance art via photos and videos, as well as explanations about the connection between performance art and media.
“In addition, I will explain the history of performance art, which is not only in terms of visual art, but also music, opera and theatre,” she said.
She said her works are in line with BAB 2022’s concept “Chaos: Calm”. Her works, such as Sea Punishing, 8 Lessons on Emptiness, City of Angels and Boat Emptying, are being showcased at QSNCC.
She added that Bangkok is a perfect example of chaos and calm.
“In Bangkok, people have to face noise, air pollution, traffic jams and crowds on the roads,” she said, “Meanwhile, people can find temples where people pray and meditate for peace.”
CLMV, Mideast markets, future products crucial to business survival in 2023 slowdown: EXIM Thailand
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022
EXIM Thailand has advised Thai businesses to stay adaptable penetrate CLMV and Middle East markets – which have strong prospects and demand for Thai goods – in order to survive and thrive in 2023.
The export-import bank said companies should develop products in response to global trends of the new era, leveraging EXIM Thailand and public sector mechanisms as tools for business development toward the Next Normal world. This would respond to expected 3.5% expansion of the Thai economy in the new year, against decelerating global economic growth of 2.7%, driven by recovery of Thai tourism and private sector consumption, while exports could slow down in line with global economic outlook, it said.
Rak Vorrakitpokatorn, President of Export-Import Bank of Thailand, revealed that the Thai economy in 2023 tends to continue to grow by around 3.5% against the slowing global economic growth predicted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to 2.7%, the lowest in 21 years (excluding the years with crisis eruption).
Thailand is among only a few countries whose economic growth is on an upward trend compared to the foregoing year fueled mainly by the clearly improving tourism with foreign tourist inflows expected at more than 20 million, doubling that of the previous year, along with support from domestic demand, particularly private sector consumption which has expanded on the back of the increased farm income and improving employment in service sectors in line with tourism recovery.
Meanwhile, export which has for the past 2 years been the main engine in propelling the Thai economy has tended to slow down as reflected by EXIM Index which has consistently declined and hit the lowest level in 8 quarters.
Thai export in 2023 is forecast to expand by only 1-2%, decelerating from 7-8% in 2022, pressured by slowing global demand, particularly from Thailand’s major trade counterparts like the US and Europe which are at risk of falling deeper in economic recession, coupled with the slower than expected Chinese economic recovery.
Furthermore, global supply chain disruption, though having relieved to some extent, still carries high uncertainties, and the prevailing foreign exchange fluctuations as well as geopolitical tensions could inevitably dampen Thai export looking forward.
EXIM Thailand President said that there are certain ways for Thai entrepreneurs to make it through the global economic slowdown and capture opportunities in the markets where there is still room for Thai goods, comprising:
1. Penetration of the CLMV (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam) and the Middle East markets, such as Saudi Arabia. In the first 10 months of 2022, Thai export to such markets recorded a growth of over 15% and 26% respectively.
2. Export of goods that would fill upmarket gaps, such as tourism-related goods like foods, fruits, cosmetics, home appliances, etc., and products that cater to conflicting countries in international politics, such as the export of Thai electrical appliances in substitution for Chinese ones in the US market, and the increasing relocation of production bases from China to Thailand for several industries, e.g. electric vehicles and electronics products. With such developments, Thai entrepreneurs should also be enabled to make a presence in the supply chains of the future.
3. Export of goods responsive to the trends of new generation consumers, such as wellness and eco trends which have become the New World Order.
Rak further said that EXIM Thailand is fully equipped to work alongside the public and private sectors to assist Thai entrepreneurs including individuals in doing business, capturing upcoming opportunities to drive business development in linkage with global supply chains, and developing strategies and product lines to cater to the demand of new generation consumers who support businesses conducive to sustainability in economic, social and environmental dimensions, and better quality of life and health of consumers toward balanced and sustainable development of all sectors.
“The year 2023 could still be embattled with numerous risks but fresh opportunities are poised to emerge in the markets where Thai goods could access with a competitive edge. EXIM Thailand is well-positioned to give advice and offer full-fledged financial solutions to strengthen Thai business sectors from individuals to community enterprises and business entities of all levels who aspire to expand their businesses beyond Thailand,”.
In view of this, it is easier today to do business on various online trade platforms. What really matters is business operators’ capability to adapt to and catch up with global advancement making the best use of mechanisms and supports from the public sector, including EXIM Thailand.
” We are committed to performing our role as Thailand Development Bank which dares to take ‘One Step Ahead for All Development’ to transform Thailand and the world at large into a better place of tomorrow for all,” added Rak.
The top three delivery trends in the coming year will be healthy foods, afternoon snacks, and subscription-based delivery service, according to the latest Grab study.
The “Delivery Trend Report 2022” surveyed behaviours and attitudes of over 30,000 users of the platform in six Southeast Asian countries – Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand.
It found three big trends emerging as people move into the “new normal” post-pandemic lifestyle.
People are increasingly focused on their health and wellness, which is driving growth of associated products, said Chantsuda Thananitayaudom, senior director of Commercial & Marketing for Grab Thailand, in the report issued on Wednesday.
Healthy and plant-based alternatives are no longer niche, as 74% of Thais say they eat at least one healthy meal every two to three days, and 2 out of 5 consumers have tried plant-based in the last six months.
Meanwhile, as people return to the office, snack breaks at work have become a popular option for group activities. According to the report, 2 out of every 5 Thais snack at least once a day, and 64% admit to ordering snacks for more than one person.
The rising popularity of delivery services is driving up Grab revenue as calculated by delivery Gross Merchandise Value (GMV).
Chantsuda said Grab’s regional GMV soared by 24% in 2022 from last year, with 7 out of 10 consumers polled saying deliveries are now a permanent part of their lives.
“In Q2 2022, Grab’s total transacted delivery sales volume increased by 24% year on year, while average basket sizes of spending via GrabFood and GrabMart increased by 17% year on year,” she added.
Air purifiers, high-waist jeans, and kitty beds are among Alibaba’s trending products for next year
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022
E-commerce will continue roaring ahead next year as sales of medicinal supplements, fashion, and kitchen products surge, e-commerce titan Alibaba said.
Globally, e-commerce sales will surpass US$5 trillion this year, resulting in a surge of money circulating in business-to-business portals.
E-commerce has remained vital for B2B business despite the war in Ukraine, supply chain hiccups, and energy shortages, Alibaba said.
Sales of health and wellness products will rise next year, Alibaba said, citing a survey by the World Economic Forum that found 62% of respondents were more concerned with their health now than they were before the pandemic.
Unease about health and the environment will foster greater use of eco- and health-friendly products, such as medicinal supplements, air purifiers, and reusable water bottles, Alibaba said.
Fashion products, especially shapewear and high-waist jeans, will also see rising demand due to the resumption of social and outdoor activities. Demand for beauty and personal care products, like sleeping masks and electric toothbrushes, will surge by more than 50% over the next few years, reaching $131 billion in revenue by 2026.
Kitchen items, like portable blenders and air fryers, are likely to post strong sales next year as consumers continue to dine at home. Even after the pandemic, seven out of 10 consumers will continue to cook at home, Alibaba said.
The company also said that home decor products would continue to see high sales, with growth forecast to rise by 4.8% a year. Online sales of home decor products saw revenue of $641.4 billion in 2020, Alibaba said.
Spending on childcare-related products – including baby monitors, swings, and toys – is rising. In the US alone, demand for these goods climbed by 17% in 2021, according to Alibaba.
Demand for pet-care products, like kitty beds, will also rise, it said, citing Google Trends.
Sales of office supplies and gadgets will continue to surge as more people work from home, Alibaba said.
Mathuvalee Stithyudhakarn, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Corporate Affairs, Suntory Beverage & Food Thailand and Indochina
Korakrit Arunanondchai (Kukje Gallery)
“Who Will Testify to the Time when the World Was Ablaze?” by Korakrit Arunanondchai (Courtesy of the artist, Kukje Gallery)
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