#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Airbnb hosts in Thailand given new safety standards to follow

Jun 25. 2020

By THE NATION

In line with the lifting of lockdown measures under conditions of safety, Airbnb announced the launch of its “enhanced clean” programme in Thailand on Thursday (June 25), offering a standardised protocol for cleaning and sanitisation in the home-sharing industry.

Before launching the protocol, Airbnb sought guidance from the Public Health Ministry’s Department of Health, which provided recommendations in line with the country’s standards when it comes to sanitisation materials and cleaning methods.

Following guidelines from the World Health Organisation, the enhanced clean programme was developed in consultation with experts in the hospitality and medical hygiene sector, including Prof Dr Vip Viprakasit, the professor of Paediatrics and Haematology at the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University.

Airbnb also collaborated with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) to support guidelines for the short-term rental industry, and its standards have earned the WTTC Safe Travels seal.

The enhanced clean programme will be progressively rolled out in the coming weeks, providing local hosts step-by-step guidance on how to clean and sanitise their homes to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Hosts who follow the programme will receive a special badge on their listing, making it easy for guests to identify and book listings that are safe.

“Airbnb hosts in Thailand pride themselves on offering a great guest experience and cleanliness is a key part of that. This new protocol will empower hosts and guests with the information they need to keep themselves safe and restore traveller confidence. We believe these standards set the bar for short-term rental accommodation and could form the foundation for a new industry-wide standard in Thailand,” said Mich Goh, chief of Airbnb’s public policy department for Southeast Asia.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Watsons distribution centre coming up in Frasers’ Khon Kaen logistics park

Jun 25. 2020

By THE NATION

Frasers Property (Thailand) Pcl and Central Watson Co Ltd (“Central Watson”) have joined hands to open Watsons first modern distribution centre in Khon Kaen province.

The centre will be located in Frasers’ Khon Kaen logistics park project, situated on Mitrapap Highway No. 2 close to the Muang district of Khon Kaen province.

The establishment of this regional distribution centre would allow Central Watson, a global health and beauty products retailer, to strengthen its supply chain and logistics management efficiency while minimising the cost of operation in the focused markets of the Northeast region, they said.

In addition to Central Watson’s existing distribution centre in Frasers’ Bangplee cluster, this centre will increase Central Watson’s operational capabilities with faster delivery to online shoppers. Upon completion of this centre, the total area leased to Central Watson by Frasers will be over 21,000 square metres.

The total built area covers 9,000sqm and the new warehouse is expected to facilitate future expansion.

The Central Watson’s distribution centre is expected to be completed by the first half of 2021.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Line Thailand launches campaign to ‘Debut’ new influencers

Jun 24. 2020

By THE NATION

Line Thailand is launching the “Debut” campaign to find new influencers in the local social media industry and offering up to Bt5 million in awards.

Contestants, aged between 15 and 28, are required to submit photographs and videos. 

Photographs must comprise a portrait, a mugshot and a full-body shot, while videos must include an introduction clip and one displaying the contestant’s talent. Clips can be no longer than three minutes. 

Winners will not only get awards but will also get a chance to attend the “Line Debut Camp”, where they will be trained in the art of influencing by five professional influencers. 

Winners will also get to appear in Line TV dramas as well as participate in content produced by content provider, Good Day Official.

Those interested have until July 8 to register via @lineidolth. Additional details can also be found in the official account.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Grand Mercure hotel prepares to reopen under new normal

Jun 24. 2020

By The Nation

Bangkok’s Grand Mercure Fortune hotel is launching several promotions as it prepares to reopen on July 1 under the “new normal”.

The promotions include:

• Deluxe rooms at Bt2,499 net per night including breakfast from July 1 to September 30.

• Late check-out at 2pm based on room availability.

• Early check-in from 8am based on room availability.

• Welcome drink.

• Free upgrade to Grand Deluxe (without benefits) for patrons staying for a minimum of two nights.

• 50 per cent discount on buffet lunch and dinner at the One Ratchada Restaurant (food only).

• 30 per cent discount at the SilpArt Wellness and Spa.

Call (02) 641 1500, email H5931-SM7@accor.com, or visit official website for more information.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Electricity authority warns of bill collection, services scam

Jun 24. 2020

By THE NATION

The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) has warned customers to beware of individuals claiming to be MEA staff and offering to collect money due on their power bill, change their meter or clean their air conditioner.

Phasuk Sampunnachote, MEA public relations director, on Tuesday (June 23) said there had been reports of individuals pretending to be MEA staff and providing services for a fee.

“MEA has no policy of dispatching staff to provide services at houses of customers who haven’t booked a service with us in advance,” she said.

“Our annual aircon cleaning campaign started in March, but users must register via the MEA Smart Life application to receive the professional service, which costs only Bt300.” However, she added that this year’s campaign had ended after the service limit was reached, while registration for next year’s campaign hasn’t started yet.

“MEA is not offering meter-changing or maintenance services at the moment,” she said. “Furthermore, customers can conveniently pay their power bills via credit card, internet banking, ATMs, mobile banking, the MEA Smart Life app or at MEA branch offices.”

For the latest updates on MEA’s campaign activities, contact the call centre at 1130, or see twitter: @MEA_news, Line: @meathailand, Facebook: @Metropolitan.Electricity.Authority or download the “MEA Smart Life” mobile app, available for both Android and iOS users.

“If you witness or have information about individuals pretending to be MEA agents, please alert local police or contact MEA via the above-mentioned channels,” said Phasuk.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

KBank launches Wealth Plus to help customers manage personalised investment portfolios

Jun 23. 2020

By THE NATION

Kasikorn Bank has launched a “Wealth Plus” feature on its KPlus mobile application to serve as a personal assistant in portfolio management for customers.

The feature is designed for customers who seek financial security but have no time to keep track of their investments, which causes them to miss out on good opportunities, the bank said in a press statement.

The new feature “personalises portfolio arrangement” to best suit each individual, monitoring and rebalancing a person’s portfolio regularly based on market circumstances.

According to KBank, Wealth Plus is suitable for the new generation wanting to get into investing. They can choose a portfolio with long-term security or one with a clear goal, such as saving to buy a car, or for travel or retirement.

To get started, customers simply make an initial investment of Bt10,000 without needing to go to any branch or submitting any documents, and no fee is charged. For subsequent investments, a minimum of Bt1,000 is needed.

Wealth PLUS allows customers to:

• Design an investment portfolio tailored to their personal financial goals. It selects mutual funds that diversify risks and offers appropriate returns according to each customer’s risk appetite and investment period, with market conditions also in mind.

• Enjoy automatic risk diversification without the need for exhaustive calculation. It focuses on portfolio investment – investing in myriad mutual funds at an appropriate ratio, helping customers to automatically diversify risks without the need to calculate by themselves.

• Monitor and maintain portfolios around-the-clock. It will auto-rebalance portfolios when they are affected by drastic changes in market conditions, letting customers remain “worry-free”. In normal circumstances, portfolios are auto-rebalanced every six months.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Dow supports “MueWiset X Won” project in Thailand

Jun 22. 2020

By THE NATION

Dow Thailand Group, a global leader in material sciences, points out that sustainable plastic waste management demands all parties’ engagement, particularly the general public.

Chatchai Luanpolcharoenchai, President of Dow Thailand, said, “As one of the world’s largest materials science companies, Dow is aware of the loss of plastic waste to the environment and has explored sustainable management solutions given that plastic is too valuable to be discarded as such. Plastic plays significant roles, particularly in the light of the current coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), when plastic is turned to medical protection equipment and packaging. Nevertheless, sustainable plastics cannot be achieved by just one organization. It requires the engagement of all involved parties.”

In Thailand, Dow helped found Public-Private Partnership for Sustainable Plastic and Waste Management (PPP Plastics) in 2018. Together with its partners, Dow supported the government’s drafting and implementation of the Roadmap on Plastic Waste Management (2018-2030). The roadmap provides an operational framework in tackling plastic waste under the circular economy concept and fully recycling plastic waste by 2027.

The latest effort, “MueWiset X Won” (the magic recycling hand), involves Dow and over 60 members of PPP Plastics. The project calls for the donation of used plastic items like shopping bags, diaper wraps, water bottle packaging films, and shockproof films used in-home delivery services. These products are destined for recycling, to prevent the loss to the environment and reduce plastic waste to landfill. The goal is to reduce ocean waste and maximize resource utilization accordingly to the circular economy concept.

“The MueWiset X Won Project showcases the engagement of all involved parties, from producers, recycling business operators, and regulators to consumers in tackling plastic in a sustainable manner. The project will promote awareness and inspire a behavioral change, as plastic waste will be appropriately tossed away and sorted at the start,” Chatchai said.

Under the project, in June, “bag recycling buckets” are located at 300 donation spots, including big department stores such as Central, The Mall and Tesco Lotus, including Bangchak gas stations in the Greater Bangkok and Rayong. The coverage areas will be later extended to neighboring provinces and other provinces. The donated bags and films are valued at Bt5 per kg, and the proceeds will go to the Marine Endangered Animals Rescue Center to fund rescue missions.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

MEA invites applications from state agencies, private businesses to build EV charging stations

Jun 19. 2020

By THE NATION

The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) announced on Friday (June 19) that it is seeking applications from government/state enterprise agencies and private companies who are interested in joining the MEA EV Smart Charging System project.

Under this project, MEA will provide fifty 22KW smart chargers to selected candidates free of charge along with two-year maintenance servicing. The smart chargers will be equipped with data analysis software and can be connected to the MEA EV mobile application that displays the locations and status of EV chargers in coverage areas.

Eligible candidates must be government or state enterprise agencies or private business operators located in Bangkok, Nonthaburi or Samut Prakan. They must also have a suitable area to build an EV charging station for public use.

To apply, register via the MEA EV application, which can be downloaded at http://onelink.to/meaev. Or register through the website at https://evccc.mea.or.th/WebEV

Application closes on July 15, while results will be announced on September 30 at the website www.mea.or.th

For more information, contact (02) 348 5000 ext 2828 during office hours or the MEA Call Centre at 1130 (24/7), e-mail ladthanun.ka@mea.or.th

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Hospitality giant slowly reopening hotels with safety measures under new normal

Jun 18. 2020

By THE NATION

Minor International, a leader in international hospitality, food and lifestyle, said it will reopen its 535 hotels worldwide in line with the “new normal” by improving sanitation and hygiene measures to curb the transmission of Covid-19.

Chaiyapat Paitoon, chief strategy officer for Minor International, said the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the global economy, though there are signs of recovery in countries that have controlled the outbreak and are lifting restrictions.

Meanwhile, Minor is reopening some hotels under the new normal:

• 28 hotels in Thailand that generated 14 per cent of Minor’s hotel revenues last year began reopening from the end of May, starting with Anantara Siam Bangkok, followed by the company’s hotels in Hua Hin in early June. Some hotels in Phuket, Koh Samui, Pattaya and Khon Kaen are also scheduled to reopen in June and July.

• 29 hotels in other Asian countries that generated 4 per cent of Minor’s hotel revenue. Its hotels in China and Vietnam reopened in April, showing a positive sign in Asia’s tourism sector.

• 343 hotels that are part of the NH Hotel Group, which generate 67 per cent of revenue, will reopen soon. Up to 60 per cent of these hotels are expected to reopen by the end of June. Also, many countries in Europe have started lifting lockdowns, while some have even announced the end of the pandemic.

In addition, many countries have also launched economic stimuli to support the tourism sector. For instance, Vietnam has launched a special campaign to improve domestic tourism. by cutting down the prices of hotel rooms and flights, while Taiwan has cut down on utility bills and subsidised labour in the tourism industry.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), meanwhile, has proposed several schemes for the government to implement to boost domestic tourism, such as “Thiao Pan Suk”, which allows Thai citizens to register and purchase digital vouchers for hotel discounts.

The second is “Rao Pai Thiao Kan”, which supports accommodation providers, while the third is “Kamlangchai”, which provides approximately 1.2 million medical personnel working in the Covid-19 frontline to go on study tours organised by travel agencies.

The government also recently exempted operation fees for hotel businesses, while Minor International has said it will organise marketing activities in line with the government’s support measures for businesses to jump-start the tourism sector.

Chaiyapat said the group believes the Covid-19 outbreak will be resolved gradually and many sectors will recover slowly. Tourists will also start travelling once the crisis ends.

Meanwhile, in line with its aim to reopen its 535 hotels, Minor has appointed a health and safety committee comprised of senior execs and experts to oversee the implementation of hygiene and safety measures.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

EGCO appoints new president

Jun 18. 2020Thepparat Theppita

By THE NATION

Thepparat Theppitak has been appointed new president of the Electricity Generating Plc (EGCO) Group. Appointed by the board of directors on June 17, he will officially assume his post on July 1.

Thepparat will lead the company in pursuing its vision “to be a major sustainable Thai energy company with full commitment to environment protection and social development support”, said EGCO, “strengthening its leadership in the power generating business and expanding its wings in energy-related business, as well as exploring new investment opportunities in core-related business for sustainable growth”.

Since 2018, Thepparat, 54, has served as deputy governor of Power Plant Development and Renewable Energy at the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand.

Previously, he was assistant governor of Renewable and New Energy at EGAT (2017-2018). He has extensive experience in engineering techniques, including power plant development and management.