It expressed confidence that Phase 1 will go into commercial operation by the end of the year.

Banpu is a power generator and distributor in Thailand, Laos, China, Japan and Vietnam

The new features enable users to optimise their Web pages more efficiently to position themselves on the first page of search engines.

Previous search engine optimisation (SEO) processes involved website revision, content updating, and adding quality links, relying mainly on high search volume keywords. However, these methods alone are not enough in today’s artificial intelligence-driven landscape because search engines such as Google incorporate AI into its algorithms to learn about individual behaviour and understand people’s intent, resulting in big SERP changes.

In this new AI-driven landscape, various features affect SERPs provided by Google to not only address keywords but also user’s intent, including questions, images, videos, voice search, and even Google Ads and social media links. Consequently, positioning Web pages on the first page of Google becomes increasingly difficult if the same method of SEO which relied only on keywords is used.

The new SERP features a suite of tools with intelligent technology developed by Pi Datametrics, which helps analyse the results page ecosystem, revealing what combination of features Google prefers a Web page to display when ranked on the results page. This is done to understand the user’s intent of what they would like to see.

“Geekcon Valley has been operating a search engine business for more than three years, while Pi Datametrics has been in the business in England for more than 13 years,” Geekcon chairwoman Titima Udom said. “Both companies entered into a joint venture to conduct business for just two years. In the past year, Geekcon Valley achieved revenue of Bt40 million. This year, I expect it to generate revenue of up to Bt80 million. This is considered good amid the Covid-19 situation that is currently spreading in many countries around the world, leading more consumers to choose or buy products from various websites.”

Geekcon CEO Wilert Orawanwong expects the company to have more than 30 supervised customers this year from the existing 20.

“We have supervised small and medium companies such as Unilever, Nivea, Index, Big C, Land and Houses, Eucerin and Jaspal, and generate sales for customers in the real estate business. After promoting a page to do with condominium sales, it shows up on page 1 in Google within two months. Skincare firm Eucerin has successfully created a product page that appears on the first page in Google search and has received quite a good response from customers, leading to a 50 per cent increase in sales,” Wilert said.

“Search engines have rapidly evolved,” said Pi Datametrics CPE Jonathan Earnshaw, an expert in search engines. “For instance, Google’s algorithms change almost every week, not including the 4-5 annual core updates. Google’s search engine results page has disruptively changed. It is therefore important to have equally advanced technology to analyse three factors – understanding customers’ intent, analysing Google and the combination of features its algorithms choose to display and rank results on the first page based on AI learning from past searches, and understanding the digital landscape and connectivity in both search engines and social media.”

The programme offers professional air-conditioner cleaning service at only Bt300 per unit for users of the MEA Smart Life application.

Phasuk Sampunnachote, director of organisation relations, said that the MEA, as a state enterprise, is responsible for providing electricity-related services with focus on promoting electricity users’ safety and reducing the impact on the environment. It will launch the “AC cleaning against global warming 2020” programme next month to prepare for the upcoming summer. “During summer more people will use air-conditioners for longer hours, which could lead to accumulation of dust and germs in the filters of AC units,” she said. “Air-conditioners need to be cleaned regularly for sanitary reasons and prevention of respiratory diseases, not to mention that a properly maintained AC will consume less electricity and produce less heat compared to ones in poor condition.”

The MEA has suggested that people clean their AC at least twice a year and adjust the temperature to 26 degrees Celsius to save electricity.

“The campaign will start from March 3. Interested persons can register via MEA Smart Life Application, which is available for both iOS and Android devices at http://onelink.to/measmartlife,” she added. “To be eligible, you must have used e-payment service via the application at least once from October 31, 2019 to March 3, 2020. The programme is offering limited cleaning services — a total of 25,000 units — with a maximum of four units per household.”

Phasuk has also urged people to beware of individuals who claim to be MEA representatives and offer to provide cleaning service for air-conditioners which might cause damage due to their inexperience. “Registration for the MEA programme is via MEA Smart Life application only and not available elsewhere. If you find someone pretending to be an MEA representative, please contact MEA Call Centre on 1130, which is available 24/7,” she added.

The construction of the new plant represents Spiber’s first expansion overseas. This new plant is expected to be the world’s largest structural protein fermentation facility (as of January 27, 2020; independent research), with a planned production capacity of several hundred tons per year, and will serve as a base of operations for research and development into fermentation and purification technologies for structural proteins. Commercial production is expected to begin in 2021, and the BOI is granting tax exemption status for 10 years.

The primary factor that led to Spiber’s investment in Thailand is the country’s ideal location, plentiful in biomass resources needed in the company’s fermentation production process. Additionally, Thailand boasts strong supply chains in several industries of interest to Spiber, such as clothes and automotives, which may be useful for potential future operations.

In line with this expansion, Spiber is looking to recruit employees for roles in fields such as production engineering, plant engineering, human resources, administration, accounting, and finance, as well as drivers.

Spiber will be holding recruitment sessions in Bangkok on March 7, 2020, and in Rayong on March 8, 2020. For more details, please refer to: https://www.spiber.jp/en/archives/2337

It will give MG owners and prospective buyers a network of 150 authorised distributors and service centres across the country.

“MG has been active in Thailand for six years,” noted MG Sales (Thailand) vice president Pongsak Lertruedeewattanavong. “Beyond the products, after-sales is of equal importance to us.

“MG has 125 distributors and service centres nationwide and we are determined to expand the network. MG is certain that at least 25 new dealers and service centres will be in operation by the end of 2020, and this should increase the number across the nation to 150, ensuring our capabilities to serve current MG owners and potential customers.”

THAI Smile offers more than 396 weekly flights to 32 destinations in nine countries and regions. As a Connecting Partner, the airline will extend the Star Alliance network by ten new destinations.

From Tuesday (February 25), passengers travelling on any itinerary, which includes a transfer between certain Star Alliance member airlines and THAI Smile on a single booking, will enjoy comforts such as passenger and baggage through check-in.

In addition, customers who hold Star Alliance Silver and Gold status in any Star Alliance member airline’s frequent flyer programme will enjoy a tailored set of privileges.

Currently, such privileges are available on eligible connections between THAI Smile Airways and Austrian, Lufthansa, SWISS, and THAI Airways International.

Star Alliance CEO Jeffrey Goh, said: “Our Connecting Partner model was introduced three years ago to offer airlines an attractive way to connect to our global alliance network without requiring full membership, and we are continuing to expand the model to provide customers with more travel options. I am pleased to welcome THAI Smile Airways today as a Star Alliance Connecting Partner, from which customers will benefit through greater connectivity and enhanced services in Asia”.

Some 450,000 people are expected to attend the six-day event, and generate more than Bt10 billion worth of business transactions.

Sakchai Pattarapreechakul, president of NCC Exhibition Organiser Co Ltd (NEO), said that “2020 is regarded as the year of challenges for NEO because we have a mission to organise many events. One of them is the marvellous expo of Thai architects “Architect’20 Expo: Refocus Heritage”. We have been entrusted by the Association of Siamese Architects Under Royal Patronage to manage the event for the second time.”

“With the capability and extensive experience in organising trade exhibitions, we have got hundreds of alliance networks in the building and construction industry from various countries across the world. This enables us to bring in existing and new entrepreneurs from those countries to exhibit products over 75,000 square metres, together with country pavilions from Europe, USA, Australia, Russia, South Korea, Japan and India, etc. It is expected that the Architect’20 Expo will generate total trade value of more than Bt10 billion.”

He said that to strengthen the positioning of the expo as Asean’s No 1 event, NEO has arranged to meet major alliances and entrepreneurs related to the building and construction industry across the region. Furthermore, they will hold press conferences to promote the event in Myanmar and Cambodia to attract new buyers in Asia. Thai entrepreneurs who want to be distributors can connect with foreign manufacturers through the online business matching programme. “The aim is to support the expansion of construction and building material businesses in Asia, and we expect more than 500 matches at the event,” he said.

According to Vasu Poshyanandana, the chairperson of Architect’20 Expo, “the global and Thai economy have gradually slowed down. This makes several sectors, especially in the industry of construction and real estate, pay more attention to the renovation of existing old buildings to adjust their functions for new usage. By doing so, however, it requires experts in all areas such as architects, interior designers, and contractors. The most important issue is, of course, materials for preservation works. To fulfil this, the coming Architect’20 Expo under the concept “Refocus Heritage” will collect all requirements within one place.”

Sakchai added that “consumers nowadays gradually turn to renovate, repair and restore old buildings, and this keeps the industry of building materials expanding constantly. We are willing to drive Architect’20 Expo as a dedicated expo that gathers materials for building renovation and covers a wide range of profiles, for instance, sanitary ware, kitchen, tile, stone, pipe, pump, waterworks, pool & spa, finishes, furniture, paint, wood, laminate, glass, curtain and decoration, door, windows, roof, metal and services, safety and security, lighting, electronic appliances and international building materials and decorations. More than 850 exhibitors from Thailand and foreign countries have already booked over 90 per cent of the exhibition space.”

Vasu added that apart from the trade fair, there will be consultation services on design and construction by architects, engineers and experts on building preservation via the activity “Mobaan ASA”.

Another highlight is various exhibitions with different themes such as “A Crisis of Heritage on the Online World” that aims to present hot issues widely discussed on the social network and invites people to raise questions and find out answers together.

Regarding other exhibitions, they also involve preservation and make attendees refocus heritage with new perspectives and realise their role as the owner who wants to cherish and keep such heritage.

Regarding concerns about the outbreak of Covid-19, Sakchai said they have set up measures and vigilance against the spread of the virus such as hand-gel service points, temperature scanners, separation of suspected patients who need more follow-ups, medical rooms to exclude patients, an increase in frequency in cleaning the event’s areas and a campaign to ask attendees to wear hygienic masks to prevent the outbreak.

Architect’20 Expo: Refocus Heritage will be held from April 28 to May 3,at Challenger Hall 1-3, Impact Exhibition Centre, Bangkok. For more information, visit www.architectexpoasia.com or www.facebook.com/ASAArchitectExposition

Noting that the current condition of the global economy presents many challenges, Chang said he nevertheless he believes Delta Thailand can rely on its financial health and talents to find new opportunities and strengthen its sustainability.

Chang is currently Delta vice president for Southeast Asia and India, responsible for leading the regional sales teams in their respective markets.

Starting in April 2020, Hsieh will serve as senior adviser to the president at Delta Thailand and will continue to contribute to the company’s business growth.

Parisotat Punnabhum, CP Foods’ Executive Vice President of Human Resources, said CPF operates with ethics, responsibility and transparency, particularly when it comes to the recruitment of both Thai and foreign workers.

CPF has strictly followed its labour policy and guidelines. Under the policy, child labour is prohibited. It also forbids the collection of any payment from workers or the confiscation of workers’ personal documents. It highlights respect for workers’ differences and equal treatment. Workers shall not be rewarded unfairly or deprived of labour rights regardless of their nationality, citizenship, ethnicity, complexion, religion, gender, age, physical disabilities, political views and marital status. Preventive and rectifying measures on sexual harassment are also included.

Regarding remuneration, CPF adheres to the pay scale and other payments, including overtime and other benefits, as stipulated in the labour law. The payments are on time and deducted only for the reasons allowed by law. Hours of work and overtime are set within legal limits. The company promotes, improves and maintains safety at workplace, protecting workers and relevant individuals against health risks. It also strives to conserve the environment and reduce impacts from the operations of the company and its partners , in compliance with environmental laws.

“We emphasise legal recruitment in all dimensions and encourage our suppliers to comply with laws and international labour standards. Given that these are aligned with our policy, their best practices will help push all parties towards the shared goals,” Parisotat said.

Meanwhile, CPF collaborated with Labour Protection Network Foundation (LPN) in establishing “Labour Voices Hotline by LPN”. Through the centre, operated by a neutral organisation, workers of all nationalities can express their views and recommendations, file complaints or seek assistance. The centre also offers training on human rights and legal knowledge about labour, occupational health and safety in Thailand.

S Hotels & Resorts (SHR) through its subsidiary S Hotels and Resorts (SC) Co., Ltd. (SHR SC) which holds 100% in Prime Locations Management 3 (Prime Locations), has completed the sales of 50% stakes in Prime Locations worth US$16.2 million to EWD on the 19th February 2020.

Mr. Chairath Sivapornpan, Chief Financial Officer of S Hotels & Resorts Plc, said having EWD as its business partner will enhance the company’s financial and operational strengths. SHR is even more confident that the resort on Island 3 in CROSSROADS will be successful and achieved commercial operation in time.

Under the joint venture agreement between SHR and EWD, Prime Locations Management 3 has a wholly owned subsidiary Dream Islands Development 3 Private Limited to enter a Sublease Agreement with Dream Islands Development 2 Private Limited (DID2) to obtain sublease rights of Island 3 in the CROSSROADS. DID2 has a Head Lease Agreement with the Government of Maldives.

Late 2019, SHR announced its joint venture cooperation with EWD, a business conglomerate from Myanmar which has various business interests in property development, mining, automotive and food, to develop a high-end lifestyle resort worthUS$60 million on Island 3 in the CROSSROADS.

The new high-end lifestyle resort on Island 3 will have 80 spacious villas with majority of inventory as water villas at a price point of $900-$1000 per night. The new resort development will support SHR to have a more diversified portfolio in the Maldives. The construction is expected to start this year and will be completed in 2022.