AIS to host Thailand’s first global Esports summit next week
Oct 20. 2020
By The Nation
No longer just entertainment, computer games and Esports are increasingly seen as a key driver of Thailand’s digital economy, accelerating development and bringing new jobs and professions.
To harness this power, leading 5G operator AIS has joined forces with Techsauce Media to host the first fully accredited international Esports and games industry seminar in Thailand.
The online AIS x Techsauce Esports Summit is packed with content, plus international games developers, publishers, policymakers, educators, leading international brands, professional players, and entrepreneurs at the forefront of the industry. All will share their knowledge, from the global Esports industry with investors, Thai game developers seeking global expansion, gamers and others.
Participants can live stream every session through the Techsauce Thailand and AIS Esports Facebook pages or via the AIS Play application. For free registration for each session, visit aisesportssummit.techsauce.co.th.
The day-long summit begins at 10am on October 28 (next Wednesday).
Krungsri takes 50% stake in Filipino finance company
Oct 20. 2020
By The Nation
Krungsri (Bank of Ayudhya) has acquired a 50 per cent stake in SB Finance (SBF), a subsidiary of leading Filipino bank Security Bank Corporation (SBC).
Krungsri said on Tuesday the acquisition had been completed after getting the green light from regulators in Thailand and the Philippines. The deal stems from a share purchase agreement announced on August 8, 2019.
Krungsri president and CEO Seiichiro Akita said the partnership with SBC extends the Thai bank’s reach beyond peninsular Southeast Asia. Krungsri said it will support SBF through its expertise in consumer finance encompassing product development, marketing and sales channel enhancement as well as risk management.”
“Having [Japan’s] MUFG Bank as a common shareholder, this transaction clearly demonstrates that both Krungsri and MUFG have strong confidence and commitment to the Philippine economy, and meanwhile reaffirms Krungsri’s aspiration to become an Asean financial powerhouse,” Akita added.
The partnership is set to offer various loan products that cater to the personal and small business needs of the Filipino market.
Dusit sets up Vice Room for virtual conferences at all its hotels, resorts
Oct 20. 2020From left: Chatupol Sitichai, CEO of The Pixel One Production, Suphajee Suthumpun, Dusit International Group CEO and Puripan Bunnag, director, executive and legal affairs, TCEB
By The Nation
Dusit International, one of Thailand’s top hotel and property development firms, is teaming up with Bangkok-based event management company, Pixel One Production, to offer virtual and hybrid meeting services at all Dusit hotels and resorts nationwide.
Dubbed Vice Room (Virtual Interactive Conference Experience), the service will see meeting rooms in Dusit hotels and resorts transformed into high-end recording, live-streaming and presentation studios for worldwide linkups.
A multi-screen video wall allows for real-time interaction with remote participants, while a green screen backdrop can be incorporated for high-definition virtual backgrounds. Dedicated professional event specialists are also on hand to ensure swift, seamless connectivity.
Officially introduced recently at an event held in Dusit Thani Hua Hin for travel industry specialists and representatives from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the Vice Room showed how virtual meetings can be held safely, sustainably and economically in the new normal.
Dusit Group’s CEO Suphajee Suthumpun said these meeting models will be essential for stimulating Thailand’s meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry in a post-Covid world.
Grab has partnered with SWAG EV to launch “Grab Green Wheels X SWAG”, boosting the use of electric motorcycles in its food delivery service.
The scheme aims to reduce annual carbon emissions by over 100 tonnes by providing 50 electric motorbikes to GrabFood delivery-partners in Bangkok and its vicinity for one year.
Each delivery-partner will receive one SWAG EV Type X motorcycle with two batteries, with a driving range of 70 kilometres per charge (140 kilometres in total), a charging time of 2 hours 35 minutes, and maximum speed of 63 kilometres per hour.
ADB, BGRIM reaffirm long-term partnership with green loan for Vietnam’s largest solar venture
Oct 20. 2020
By THE NATION
B Grimm Power Plc (BGRIM), Thailand’s leading industrial power producer, has signed a US$186-million syndicated loan with a group of lenders, including Asian Development Bank (ADB), to support the largest solar farm project in Vietnam.
The syndicated financing for the 257-megawatt (MW) solar power scheme in Vietnam’s Phu Yen province represents the first green loan in Asia and the Pacific to be certified by the Climate Bonds Initiative, part of an independent global environmental movement.
The financing has in particular further cemented the long-term partnership between BGRIM and ADB which is one of the major financiers of the Phu Yen scheme.
ADB has extended $27.9 million to Phu Yen TTP Joint Stock Co, the sponsor of the solar power project in which BGRIM has an 80 per cent stake and Truong Thanh Viet Nam Group Joint Stock Company (TTVN), which holds a 20 per cent interest.
The group of commercial banks, which agreed to provide a total of $148.8 million to the project includes Bangkok Bank, Kasikornbank, Kiatnakin Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China from China and Standard Chartered Bank.
The other lender is the Leading Asia’s Private Infrastructure Fund, which contributed $9.3 million.
BGRIM chairman Harald Link said the loan accord marks another successful milestone of the company.
The Phu Yet solar farm has already started supplying electricity to the Electricity of Vietnam under a 20-year contract at a feed-in-tariff of 9.35 US cents per kilowatt-hour.
That means the project has begun to generate revenue to BGRIM and its Vietnamese partner.
The Phu Yen project serves as a catalyst to promote the use of renewable energy in the socialist republic as well as drive the country’s economic growth, said Link.
Preeyanart Soontornwata, chief executive officer of BGRIM, said the green loan showed the company has once again pioneered a new form of financial innovation that focuses on the development of clean energy.
BGRIM had earlier launched Thailand’s first green bond issue in association with ADB.
Jackie B Surtani, infrastructure finance division director for East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific at ADB’s private sector operations department, said: “ADB is committed to supporting BGRIM, one of our most valued clients, with its long-term expansion into Vietnam and its important work in renewable energy. We’re also excited to work for the first time with TTVN.
This project will support the rapid development of solar power capacity in Vietnam, advance the country’s low-carbon growth goals, and, we hope, catalyse further commercial bank financing for renewable energy.”
The Phu Yen solar energy project is the largest in Vietnam and one of the largest power plants in Southeast Asia.
The facility will save 123,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year and the power plant will support the electricity needs of Quang Ngai and Nha Trang as well as the surrounding areas in the region, one of Vietnam’s major tourism hubs.
MEA urges caution due to danger of electric shocks in rainy season
Oct 20. 2020
By THE NATION
The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) has advised people to beware of electric shocks during the rainy season, as thundershowers and floods could increase the risk.
Boonthin Aimyanyao, Occupational Health, Safety and Environment director at MEA, said that during the rainy season the risk of electrical shock becomes greater, and advised users to be more cautious.
“Electrical users must make sure that the power lines, main switch, breakers, ground lines and appliances in their home are in good condition and safe from water damage. Most importantly, avoid touching electrical appliances when your body is wet,” he said. “If the floodwater is about to enter your house, immediately turn off the main switch if you live in a one-storey house. If your house has two storeys, then release the breaker on the subcircuit of ground floor and outer building.”
“Rainy season is also a risky time for street food vendors who usually set up power lines and appliances in outdoor settings,” he added. “Make sure that the vending area is dry and high enough from flood that might occur and check the condition of power lines and electrical appliances before using them outdoor. Also, avoid placing powerlines on a steel structure that might get wet when it rains.”
To report damaged power lines or other electrical equipment, contact MEA branch offices or MEA Call Centre 1130, Twitter: @MEA_news, Line: MEA Connect, Facebook: @Metropolitan.Electricity.Authority or download the “MEA Smart Life” mobile app, available for both Android and iOS users at https://onelink.to/measmartlife.
MEA organises community service activity in Nonthaburi community
Oct 19. 2020
By THE NATION
The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) on October 17 launched a community service campaign to commemorate the death anniversary of two kings in October, King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great on October 13 and King Chulalongkorn on October 23.
The “MEA’s Community Service on National Holidays” was organised at Wat Bangchak community in the Pakkred district of Nonthaburi province.
“MEA staff as well as volunteers from the community have been working together to clean up the public venues of garbage, install solar-powered streetlights, as well as provide maintenance service for people’s electrical appliances,” said MEA governor Keerapat Jiamset. “We focused on replacing rubber door seal on refrigerators, which will greatly help save energy expenditure in each household.”
MEA technicians also provided training courses on electrical safety and giving first aid to victims of electrical shock to community representatives to raise awareness of electrical safety during the rainy season.
CP Foods wins five Asian Excellence Awards this year
Oct 19. 2020
By THE NATION
Charoen Pokphand Foods (CP Foods) won five Asian Excellence 2020 awards this year in recognition of its achievements and excellence.
The awards championing sustainable and environmentally friendly corporate governance are handed out yearly by the Hong Kong-based magazine “Corporate Governance Asia”. This is the 16th year this ceremony has been held.
Prasit Boondoungpraser, CP Foods chief executive office, won the Asia’s Best CEO award for his leadership in leading the company towards sustainable growth and equitable responsibility for society, investors and stakeholders.
Paisarn Chirakitcharern, CP Foods’ chief financial officer, was recognised for his financial management skills at a time of volatility. Under his stewardship, CP Foods has stood out in terms of debt management, financial performance, business planning and strategic procurements.
Kobboon Srichai, company secretary and chief of the Investor Relations Office, was named Asia’s Best Investor Relations Professional for her skills in communicating with investors.
Charoen Pokphand Foods was named Asia’s Best Investor Relations firm for its standards in transparently disclosing information to not just regulators but also all stake holders.
CP Foods was also named the Best CSR Company for following sustainability standards based on the pillars of food security, self-sufficient society and balance of nature. It was also recognised for its measures to protect employees and improve their quality of life.
The food industry giant also stepped in to lend a helping hand in the initial stages of the outbreak through the “Food from Hearts against Covid-19” campaign, in which food was delivered to medical personnel, health volunteers, returnees under quarantine and poor communities.
The Asian Excellence Awards are bestowed to organisations and leaders who demonstrate corporate governance in countries across the region, including China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
Siam City Insurance rebranded as FWD after acquisition
Oct 16. 2020Siam City Insurance’s successful rebranding as FWD General Insurance was announced at a press conference led by Bob Wouters – CEO, second from the left.
By The Nation
Siam City Insurance (SCI) has changed its name to FWD General Insurance, after the latter acquired the insurer in December 2019.
SCI’s policies will now be underwritten and delivered by FWD General Insurance, with a strong focus on digital insurance to meet changing demand.
“We’re thrilled to build out our general insurance business with this rebrand and look forward to creating a new and exciting insurance experience to help more people in Thailand protect things they value,” said Bob Wouters, CEO of FWD General Insurance, Thailand.
Existing customers of SCI will not be affected by the rebrand and will continue to receive protection, benefits and customer services in accordance with the terms of their policies, said FWD.
From left: Chatupol Sitichai, CEO of The Pixel One Production, Suphajee Suthumpun, Dusit International Group CEO and Puripan Bunnag, director, executive and legal affairs, TCEB 
Siam City Insurance’s successful rebranding as FWD General Insurance was announced at a press conference led by Bob Wouters – CEO, second from the left. 
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