Elle Homme offers fashion bargains at Bangkok ‘Happiness’ fair
Sep 23. 2020
By The Nation
French-based fashion brands Elle and Elle Homme are bringing panache – and bargains – to the “Happiness Drives Economy” fair in Bangkok’s Bang Na district from Thursday.
Leather fashions will be discounted by 50-70 per cent as part of a special sales promotion for various lifestyle brands, said Elle and Elle Homme distributor ICC International.
Also joining the bargains bonanza will be The Origin condo, Sahaphat Group products, CMG Group, Home & Garden, SCG Home, various hotel chains, Hitachi, Samsung, SME groups, popular restaurants, and Otop shops.
The “Happiness Drives Economy” fair runs Thursday to Sunday (September 24-27) from 11am-9pm at Toyota Driving Experience Park Bangna.
Attention Thai factory owners: Asia-Pacific’s first cobot expo boots up next month
Sep 22. 2020
By The Nation
Universal Robots, the global leader in collaborative robots (cobots), on Tuesday announced Asia-Pacific’s first and largest virtual expo of collaborative robots. “WeAreCOBOTS APAC” will be held on October 6-8, from 9am to 5.30pm (GMT+7).
“WeAreCOBOTS APAC” presents an opportunity for practitioners and factory owners in Thailand to meet with automation industry leaders and cobot experts from different countries online.
Participants can attend cobot demonstrations by exhibitors, listen to enriching keynotes from industry experts on overcoming manufacturing challenges in Asia-Pacific, and find actionable answers on cobot applications in the live question-and-answer sessions. Registration is free at https://wearecobots.apac.vfairs.com/.
Experts from Asia-Pacific speaking in the event include Yeong Che Fai, director of DF Automation & Robotics, associate professor in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, robotics visionary and inventor, and a winner of more than 50 national and international awards. Also appearing will be Amar Burud, senior manager in industrial engineering of Continental Corporation in India.
Topics presented by various experts include:
• Future-Proofing Assembly Processes With Human Robot Collaboration
• Joining the Fast Lane: Using Cobots to Achieve Automotive Manufacturing Excellence
The expo programme also features presentations and “live” demonstrations on cobot maintenance and programming, and many new ways cobots are quickly being deployed to address the Covid-19 crisis, including area-disinfection and the manufacturing of test kits.
GSB to back NHA bonds to fund affordable housing project
Sep 21. 2020
By The Nation
Government Savings Bank (GSB) announced on Monday (September 21) that it will underwrite National Housing Authority (NHA)’s social bonds worth Bt6.8 billion, which will be issued on Wednesday to raise funds for building homes for low- and middle-income earners.
The planned bonds will be supported by the Asian Development Bank and Public Debt Management Office (PDMO).
GSB and NHA signed a pact at an event chaired by Social Development and Human Security’s permanent-secretary Porametee Vimolsiri.
Also present were PDMO’s public debt adviser Ace Vibooncharern, NHA chairman Nattapong Punthakeirtpaisarn, NHA governor Taweepong Wichaidit, ADB Thailand country director Hideaki Iwasaki and GSB president Vitai Ratanakorn.
Taweepong said this is the first time that social bonds are being issued by a state enterprise to raise funds in the capital market so the business sector can play a part in social development. This is in line with Social Development and Human Security Minister Chuti Krairiksh’s policy.
This issuance is also in response to the Finance Ministry’s policy of helping state enterprises issue
environmental, social and governance bonds to raise funds for state development projects.
The NHA bonds will refinance the development of a housing project to serve low and middle-income people, who will be able to either buy or lease these housing units. The bond issuance is expected to benefit 13,569 households or 54,000 people.
The bonds will be divided into three tranches – 5-year maturity totalling Bt1 billion, 10-year maturity totalling Bt2.8 billion and 15-year maturity totalling Bt3 billion.
The 5-year bonds carry a coupon rate of 1.02 per cent per annum, the 10-year bonds carry 1.64 per cent per annum and 15-year bonds 1.90 per cent per annum, GSB’s Vitai said.
The Finance Ministry guarantees both the principle and interest. Investors have already registered their interest in the bonds and subscription will open on Tuesday.
Krungsri (Bank of Ayudhya) has appointed Duangkamol Limpuangthip as head of its SME Banking Group, succeeding Sayam Prasitsirigul who takes over as senior executive of the Information Technology Group and Digital Banking and Innovation Division.
Krungsri said Duangkamol has more than 28 years of experience in banking and finance, particularly in strategic planning, analysis and development of SME banking business, as well as client relationship management.
The bank said she will leverage her experience and expertise to strengthen Krungsri’s SME banking services covering funding resources, financial solutions and advice. Duangkamol graduated with a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin.
MEA keeps personnel ready to tackle disruptions from storm Noul
Sep 19. 2020
By THE NATION
The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) has advised people to stay safe from electrical hazards as tropical storm Noul hits the country this weekend.
MEA public relations director Phasuk Sampunnachote said the Thai Meteorological Department had forecast that tropical storm Noul was expected to hit the North and Northeast of Thailand over the weekend, and warned people in risky areas to beware of strong winds, flash floods and water runoffs.
“People who live in flood-prone areas should move their power outlets up to safer positions to avoid electrical hazards. Also check and make sure that electrical appliances and wires in your house are in good condition,” she said. “When you are outdoor during thundershowers, please keep away from large trees or billboards for your safety. Owners of billboards should also make sure that they are secured and located in a safe distance from power lines in case the wind knocks them over.”
Phasuk also advised homeowners to trim their tree branches that grow near power lines, as they pose risk of electrical shock and could cause power blackouts during strong winds.
“The MEA has prepared staff to perform emergency repairs to damaged power lines 24 hours a day during this weekend. We have also installed backup power systems in key areas to make sure that all MEA customers have uninterrupted power in all situations,” she added.
To report damaged or unsafe power lines and other electrical equipment, contact MEA Call Centre at 1130, Twitter: @MEA_news, Line: @meathailand, Facebook: @Metropolitan.Electricity.Authority or download the “MEA Smart Life” mobile app, available for both Android and iOS users at http://onelink.to/measmartlife
BGRIM CEO Preeyanart named among Asia’s top businesswoman
Sep 18. 2020
By THE NATION
Preeyanart Soontornwata, CEO of BGrimm Power Plc (BGRIM), has been named among 25 outstanding female business leaders on Forbes Asia’s Power Businesswomen List 2020. Preeyanart is credited with turning BGRIM into one of the top private power producers in Thailand, achieving strong recognition from local and foreign investors.
Under her leadership, BGRIM has become one of the prime businesses generating highest revenue for the B Grimm Group.
Preeyanart graduated from Chulalongkorn University with a Bachelor’s in banking and finance and a Master’s in Business Administration, before studying Advanced Management at Harvard School of Business in the US.
Since 2016, she has chaired the Association of Private Power Producers while also helming the Federation of Thai Industries Energy Group.
BGRIM supplies electricity to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and a host of factories located in various industrial estates.
MEA posts advice on what to do if powerline falls on your car
Sep 17. 2020
By THE NATION
The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) posted on Facebook a series of steps motorists should take in case a powerline snaps and falls on their car.
“You need to remain calm and not immediately get out of the car. First check the surrounding area and see if the powerline is touching the car or the ground and see if the ground is wet or dry,” it said.
MEA advises the following steps if the car can move:
• Do not leave the car until you are sure the powerline is not touching the vehicle and the ground is not wet;
• Notify passersby and tell them not to approach the car;
• If possible, move the car at least 10 metres from the powerline before getting out of the vehicle. Take care not to drive over the powerline as it can entangle with the car’s lower body or suspension.
If the car cannot move or has caught fire, the motorist is advised to:
• Avoid stepping out of the car and instead jump out with both feet and ensure no part of your body is touching the car;
• When you have made your way out, hop away as far as possible with both feet. Avoid walking or running as you may step on live wire;
• Do not return to the car for valuables or try to put out the fire until the authorities cut off the power in that area.
Call MEA hotline 1130 for accidents in Bangkok, Nonthaburi or Samut Prakan, and the Provincial Electricity Authority hotline 1129 for other provinces.
Zyxel Networks unveils all-new USG FLEX firewalls series
Sep 16. 2020
By THE NATION
Zyxel Networks showcased their all-new USG FLEX firewalls series at an AI Solution & Cyber Security press conference organised by the Bureau of Foreign Trade in Taiwan recently.
Caroline Kuan, Product Line Manager, presented USG FLEX 100/200/500 firewalls featuring hardware and software upgrades that increase SMB Firewall security performance by up to 125 per cent and Unified Threat Management (UTM) performance by up to 500 per cent.
The AI-driven algorithm classifies and calculates the severity level of each threat, then helps businesses identify the most active threats and take appropriate countermeasures.
Integrated with the McAfee anti-malware solution, the USG Flex series firewall box fits today’s business security landscape by securing crucial business data against threats.
Impact promotes hybrid meeting services after sales plunge 58% due to Covid-19
Sep 15. 2020
By The Nation
In the fight against Covid-19, Impact has shifted its focus to hybrid meeting services for meetings and seminars as part of the plan to increase revenue in the third and fourth quarters.
The Covid-19 crisis has caused a 58 per cent plunge in sales since the beginning of the year. Impact said the sales and IT teams are working together to promote a new normal for meetings by introducing attractive packages for public, private, and international clients. “The new system can definitely bring in more customers, as it can accommodate up to 3,000 participants, with an experienced IT team and well-equipped facility,” Acharawan Suparngkarat, director of sales of Impact Exhibition Management Co Ltd, said.
The overall number of reservations for meetings at Impact in the first half of 2020 was 113, down 58 per cent compared to the same period in the previous year which was as high as 270, or 352 for the whole year.
The cancellations were mainly a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to a temporary closure starting from the end of March to June 2020. Consequently, all the reservations for both national and international conferences had to be postponed or cancelled, Impact said.
“During the three-month closure, Impact has prepared the area to ensure the safety of visiting customers by following Covid-19 preventive measures and guidelines issued by the CCSA [Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration] and Nonthaburi province,” Acharawan said. “We have invested in acquiring UVC sterilisers to sanitise the area and thermometers for temperature checks. We also provide a proper facility in response to the new normal by using a hybrid meeting or virtual system for any meetings or seminars. This makes it possible to meet the conditions required by the government to limit the density to one person per 4 square metres.”
The hybrid meeting system can accommodate participants in the meeting room and those who are interested in joining it online. Both groups can communicate with each other and participate in the meeting as if they were physically in the same room. This system can register 100-3,000 participants at one time. Apart from the hybrid system, cameras, and other meeting equipment, Impact technical staff will also be present to provide any necessary assistance from start to finish to save the customers the hassle of acquiring the system and equipment from outside sources.
The most recent hybrid meeting held at Impact was the “BCG Assembly: The New Sustainable Growth Engine”, hosted by the National Science and Technology Development Agency.
Besides organising meetings and seminars with the hybrid system, Impact can still offer regular meetings as its Muang Thong Thani facility covers an area of over 140,000 square metres, with 55 meeting rooms, and three large ballrooms as well as standard hotels, the company said.
In order to boost sales in the third and fourth quarters, Impact is marketing special packages for public, private, and international clients.
One of them is the “Simply Within Budget” package, starting at Bt470 per person, including two coffee breaks, lunch and standard meeting equipment. Another is the “Complete Meeting” package, which includes hotel accommodation at Novotel Bangkok Impact at Bt2,900 or at ibis Bangkok Impact for Bt2,100. Impact is also offering the “Government Premium Plus” package for government agencies or public sectors. This package includes a full-service meeting starting at Bt750 per person with a chance to get a maximum cashback of Bt45,000 to be spent for additional services such as virtual meeting system, hotel rooms, coffee breaks, lunch boxes, etc.
Those who are interested, can get further information at 0-2833-5252.
Rittee Chookhiatti, director of information Technology and Communication, added that before the Covid-19 situation, Impact had been the venue of choice for hosting a lot of international meetings such as ITU Telecom World 2016 and Asean Summit 2019. “With effective communication technology, we are well-equipped with the hybrid meeting system, which is accurate and precise when registering participants, taking notes, downloading information, and making questionnaires or assessment,” Rittee said.
Bangkok Airways reopens lounges at Chiang Mai, Phuket airports
Sep 14. 2020
By The Nation
Bangkok Airways has reopened its Boutique Lounge and Blue Ribbon Club Lounge at Chiang Mai Airport and its Courtesy Corner and Blue Ribbon Club Lounge at Phuket Airport. The lounges are operating daily with social distancing, temperature checks and regular disinfection of all touch points, said the airline.
Bangkok Airways passenger lounges and courtesy corners at other airports will be reopened soon, it added.
Meanwhile, Bangkok Airways will resume serving in-flight meals for its domestic routes on Tuesday (September 15), marking another step back towards normality for air travellers.
The airline is required to serve food and beverages in a snack box, though tea and coffee are still off the menu. Passengers are still required to wear a mask during flights, except while eating and drinking.
The move is in line with a recent announcement from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) on guidelines for airlines during the Covid-19 outbreak. Bangkok Airways will also resume in-flight sale of souvenirs from October 1.
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