EGCO Group acquires Chaiyaphum and Theppana Wind Farms
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2022
Electricity Generating Public Company Limited or EGCO Group expands its renewable power generation business portfolio with the successful acquisition of 10% additional shares in “Chaiyaphum Wind Farm” and “Theppana Wind Farm” power plants in Chaiyaphum province.
This acquisition enables EGCO to be the whole owner of those two wind power plants and the company will recognize the immediate earnings in the proportion of its additional shares.
Additionally, it will support the company’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Thepparat Theppitak, EGCO Group’s President, disclosed that “EGCO has successfully acquired an additional 10% of the common shares in Chaiyaphum Wind Farm Company Limited and Theppana Wind Farm Company Limited, which operate “Chaiyaphum Wind Farm” and “Theppana Wind Farm” power plants respectively, from the existing minority shareholders.
The transaction was completed with share transfer on 22 September 2022, resulting in EGCO’s 100% ownership in the two wind power plants.”
The “Chaiyaphum Wind Farm” wind power plant is located in Subyai district, Chaiyaphum province. The power plant, commercially operated in 2016, has a total installed capacity of 80 MW and sells its net electricity output to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) under a non-firm PPA for Small Power Plant (SPP) scheme.
Meanwhile, the “Thappana Wind Farm” power plant with an installed capacity totalling 7.5 MW is located in Thepsathit district, Chaiyaphum province. It started commercial operation in 2013 and sells its net electricity output generated to Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) under the non-firm PPA for Very Small Power Plant (VSPP) scheme.
Furthermore, both power plants operate efficiently with high availability and the machines are well-maintained in a good condition. They are placed in potential and good locations where the wind blows throughout the year.
“The additional investment is in line with EGCO Group’s “Cleaner, Smarter and Stronger to Drive Sustainable Growth” business direction in support of the global low-carbon objectives. It will support the company’s mid-term goals to increase the portion of renewable energy to 30% of the total generating capacity and reduce carbon emission intensity by 10% by 2030. Our ambitious goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050,” added Thepparat.
Central opens membership store of ‘affordable premium imports’ to beat price crisis
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2022
Nongluck Ajanapanya
Central Retail aims to soften the cost-of-living crisis for Thailand’s middle class with Tops CLUB, a new membership-based store selling premium imported products at “affordable prices”.
Stephane Coum, Central Retail Food Group CEO, said Tops Club will be the first store of its kind in Southeast Asia when it opens on Wednesday (September 28).
Tops CLUB will be an exclusive source of premier brands from all over the world, with new additions weekly, he said.
The stores will sell five categories of products: dried groceries and beverages, fresh food and ingredients, alcohol, general goods including sports equipment and pet products, and household goods.
Of the 3,500-plus items on shelves, 75 per cent will be imported while the remainder – including chicken, eggs, and some local fruit – will be sourced from domestic producers.
Coum said Tops CLUB expects strong growth after positive feedback from pop-up stores in July. It said about 12,000 members have already registered with 10,000 more expected to follow this year.
Tops CLUB spans 15,000 square metres of warehouse-style space behind Central Rama II and is divided into three product zones.
“Customers can try products before purchasing them at over 40 sampling points,” general manager Jitlada na Chiangmai said.
She added that all prices at Tops CLUB were comparable or lower than the equivalent prices overseas. Thai and expat consumers have long complained about inflated prices of imported products in Thai supermarkets.
Jitlada said Tops CLUB target group is upper-middle-class families.
Nation Group establishes new subsidiary for Post Today, NewsClear acquisition
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2022
THE NATION
Nation Group Thailand Plc notified the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) on Monday that it has approved the establishment of a subsidiary for Post Today and NewsClear online media that it purchased from Bangkok Post Plc.
Nation Group expects the acquisition will strengthen its media empire, as Post Today brings over 20 years of experience in reporting business, economic and social news.
The new subsidiary, named Post Today Co Ltd, will serve as the recipient for licences and services of the newly acquired media.
On September 7, Nation Group notified the SET that the acquisition contract with Bangkok Post was finalised at a price of 58.85 million baht. Nation Group paid a deposit of 10 million baht, with the remainder due by September 30 or when the asset inspection is complete.
Post Today Co Ltd has registered capital of 120 million baht and 12 million ordinary shares priced at 10 baht per unit. Nation Group holds 99.99 per cent of shares in the company, whose business is listed as media and news services. The company is expected to start generating commercial earnings within this year.
Explaining the reason for the acquisition, Nation Group CEO Shine Bunnag said Post Today was a strong media outlet with 20 years of credibility and stature in Thai society.
“Post Today is an outstanding media outlet for both economic and social news. It is a crucial piece of the jigsaw that will help Nation Group grow stronger, as well as build new communities within our media group under the One Nation policy,” said Shine.
He added that the Post Today editorial team is committed to producing high-quality news and analysis that help sharpen public debate and thinking, while adhering to the highest ethical and journalistic standards. “Their dedication is compatible with Nation Group’s ideology, and this is another reason behind the acquisition,” he said.
Post Today has over 4 million followers on its online platform while NewsClear has about 1 million. The acquisition is part of Nation Group’s “One Nation” policy to maximise synergy, under the principle of press freedom, among all its media, including Krungthep Turakij, Nation TV Channel 22, Kom Chad Luek, The Nation Thailand, Nation Online, Spring Online, ThaiNews, OKNation, The People, and Khob Sanam. The acquisition also highlights Nation Group’s position as one of Thailand’s oldest and largest media organisations.
PTG joins hands with CBS to open a coffee shop and convenience store in Chulalongkorn University
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2022
THE NATION
Aiming to promote students as future entrepreneurs under the concept of “The Real Business in The School”
PTG Energy Plc (PTG) on September 12 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chulalongkorn Business School (CBS) to promote student education under the project “CGS Lounge by PTG”.
PTG president and chief executive officer Pitak Ratchakitprakarn said that under the project, PTG and CBS will together open a coffeeshop “CBS Café by Punthai” and a convenience store “CBS Mart by Max Mart” in Chulalongkorn University, where students can learn how to build and manage a business from early steps until they become future entrepreneurs under the concept of “The Real Business in The School.”
“The MoU signing and the opening of CBS Café by Punthai and CBS Mart by Max Mart are part of a pilot project between PTG and CBS that aims to maximise the learning efficiency in business administration among college students,” he said. “It also enables students to build their own businesses while studying and gain real-world experiences and skills that can be adapted to other industries in the future.”
The project also aligns with PTG’s policy in corporate social responsibility as the company has realised the importance of students who are the country’s future and is therefore committed to promoting their education and personnel development, added Pitak.
PTG will be responsible for the opening and initial operation of the coffee shop and convenience store, while CBS will supervise all the administration of the stores.
Assoc. Prof. Dr Wilert Puriwat, Dean of Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy at Chulalongkorn University or Chulalongkorn Business School (CBS), added that this project will turn CBS into a real business in the school and allow students of the faculty to work as employees of Chula Business Enterprise.
“This project will help students become familiar with working in the real world in all aspects, both online and offline. It also solves the issue that new graduates lack real-world working experience when they try to apply for a job,” he added.
In the early stage of the project, PTG will support the opening of CBS Lounge, a learning space that also provides working experience. CBS Lounge comprises three parts: CBS Café sponsored by Punthai coffee, CBS Mart sponsored by PT Max Mart, and CBS coworking space which provide training in customer service for students.
Students will not only learn how to make coffee or be a cashier at a convenience store but they will also be trained in all aspects of business administration in different capacities, such as online business executives, marketing managers and accountants.
“The CBS Lounge uses Ed-Enterprise model in building a real business in the school to promote students’ learning as well as generate profit to support underprivileged students and other social charity projects,” said Wilert. “The project will serve as a model for business administration education in the digital era that creates a true digital social enterprise while allowing students to establish their own startups while they were studying. In the future, there will be more of this project in the faculty, which will further help prepare students to embark on a real-world career at their full potential.”
Thailand’s exports in August expanded by 7.5 per cent year on year to 861.16 billion baht, the Commerce Ministry reported on Monday.
Meanwhile, trade value in the first eight months rose 11 per cent from the same period last year to 6.63 trillion baht.
In August, however, Thai export of agricultural products dropped 10.3 per cent to 77.08 billion baht.
The export of agro-industrial and industrial products expanded by 27.6 per cent and 9.9 per cent to 71.01 billion baht and 680.47 billion baht, respectively.
The Commerce Ministry expected Thailand’s exports to gain positive sentiment, especially the demand for foods which is expected to rise in the remainder of this year despite rising food prices.
“In addition, the weakening baht in response to many trade partner countries’ move to raise their policy interest rate also has helped Thailand maintain export competitiveness,” the ministry added.
India’s control on rice exports, new orders from Iraq a boon for Thai rice industry
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2022
THE NATION
India’s ban on broken rice export and increased tax on rice shipments, as well as the resumption of orders from Iraq have been a blessing for Thailand’s rice industry.
The Thai Rice Exporters Association said on Sunday that thanks to these developments, Thailand’s total rice exports could reach 8 million tonnes.
Chukiat Opaswong, the association’s honorary chairman, said India’s recent ban on the export of broken rice and imposition of a 20 per cent duty on shipments of white and brown rice could benefit Thailand as it would bring the price of Indian rice close to that of Thai rice.
“This will encourage customers to switch to Thai rice due to superior quality and on-time delivery,” he said.
Chukiat added that Indian white rice, which went for US$340 per tonne, now costs $390-$400 per tonne, while Thai white rice is priced at $420 per tonne.
He said India has imposed these measures to curb exports because rice harvests in the country have plummeted due to a severe drought and there may not be enough rice for domestic consumption.
The association had initially estimated Thailand’s total rice export this year at 7.5 million tonnes, up from 6.1 million tonnes in 2021.
“With India’s new measures in effect, we expect their rice export to drop to 17 million tonnes from 21 million tonnes recorded last year. This missing ratio will go to other exporters like Vietnam, Myanmar and Thailand,” he said.
“This could bring our rice exports this year up to 8 million tonnes worth approximately 150 billion baht.”
Chukiat said another factor contributing to the surge in rice export this year is that Iraq has resumed buying rice from Thailand since late last year. Iraq had banned the import of Thai rice for nearly nine years because it failed to meet standards.
“Thanks to the Commerce Ministry’s negotiations and continued marketing campaigns, Iraq is now importing as much as 100,000 tonnes of Thai rice monthly and will therefore contribute 1.2 million tonnes of total rice export this year,” Chukiat added.
As of August 20, Thailand has exported 5.35 million tonnes of rice worth 9.57 billion baht, up 46.46 per cent and 40.11 per cent year on year respectively.
The story behind major changes at Nation Group, Thailand’s eminent media organisation, was revealed by vice chairman Adisak Limparungpattanakij at the Trusted Media Summit APAC 2022 event, held virtually on September 20-21.
The seminar was organised by Google News Initiative, Cofact (Thailand) and network partners after their recent public survey of trust in Thai media’s political reporting. The survey revealed that Bangkokians had highest trust in media when it came to news reporting and presentation techniques (score 3.42), but lowest trust when it came to transparency and professional ethics of journalists (2.91).
“Trusted media is the most valuable asset for the journalistic profession,” affirmed Adisak, executive committee vice chairman at Nation Group (Thailand). “However, it is also the asset that is hardest to maintain.”
During a “Lightning Talks” seminar, Adisak revealed the core mission to “bring The Nation back to earth” as well as outlining changes and challenges that have shaken up Nation Group and Thai society over the past few years.
“What severely damaged our credibility as journalists was allowing Nation TV news anchors and moderators to influence the editorial team,” said Adisak. “There was no filtering whatsoever on what was presented on Nation TV programmes during 2019-2020. Anchors and moderators selected whatever they liked, including one-sided information and fake news, and then persuaded the audience to agree with them.”
“It is as though Nation TV audiences were being hypnotised during those two years,” he added.
Adisak said the decline of audience trust and confidence in the company was the turning point that spurred major change within the organisation over the past few years.
“The voice of news consumers made us think about what we had done wrong that caused over 50 of our employees to resign at the same time,” said Adisak, clarifying that the mass resignation had happened before his return to Nation Group as a vice chairman.
“This incident was the beginning of our return to the ‘Nation Way’ – the way of professional media. Since then, we have embarked on a mission to restore trust among news consumers and external parties, as well as raise the morale of employees through communication,” he said.
Adisak said Nation Group had learned from this lesson that trustworthiness is the most important asset of a media organisation. It is the hardest asset to keep but is also of the greatest value to all journalists.
“Trust in your media output leads to you being trusted as an organisation. I constantly reiterate the message to all Nation Group employees: stay committed to this principle,” said Adisak.
Thailand to work with partners in accelerating actions to achieve Sustainable Development Goals
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2022
THE NATION
On September 22, Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, hosted a side event “Regional Pathways to the Global Goals: ASEAN’s Approach towards SDGs Implementation and Sustainable Post-COVID-19 Recovery” in the margins of the 77th Session of the UNGA High-level Week.
The event was co-organised by Thailand, as ASEAN Coordinator on Sustainable Development Cooperation, and the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue, with the aim to exchange ideas and views on approaches to regional collaborations and partnerships in advancing the sustainable development agenda especially in the context of the post-COVID-19 recovery.
Activities in the event include High-level segment with remarks by the Foreign Minister, Senator the Honourable Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, and Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General of ASEAN, followed by a panel discussion. The event was attended by representatives from ASEAN Member States, ASEAN’s external partners and UN agencies.
In his opening remarks, Don emphasised the need to accelerate actions to achieve the SDGs, particularly as a quadruple shock – COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, conflicts, and supply chain disruption – has undone hard-won progress made thus far on sustainable development. He suggested two key elements that are preconditions for taking forward SDGs implementation, namely (1) ensuring a peaceful environment conducive to sustainable development and reinforcing constructive cooperation to build strategic trust and create mutual benefits; and (2) enhancing partnerships through synergies, the whole of society approach, and multi-stakeholder engagement for the UN 2030 Agenda.
Reiterating ASEAN’s commitment to promoting these two key elements, the Foreign Minister highlighted ASEAN’s undertakings to promote peace and partnerships for sustainable development through frameworks and mechanisms such as the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), the Complementarities Initiative, and the ASEAN Centre for Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue (ACSDSD). Meanwhile, Senator Wong reiterated Australia’s commitment to deepen engagement and increase sustainable development cooperation with ASEAN to realize a peaceful and prosperous region for the benefit of the peoples.
During the panel discussion, representatives from Indonesia, as the incoming Chair of ASEAN in 2023, the European Union, the FAO, and the Rockefeller Foundation exchanged views on how ASEAN and partners, through the 4Ps – public, private, people, partnership – model, can help turn crisis into opportunities and concretely translate regional development vision into actions. The importance of inclusive collaboration based on mutual benefits was also highlighted as one of the key enabling factors in addressing both short-term and long-term challenges of the SDGs implementation. Panelists commended Thailand for taking the lead in convening dialogue on this issue and reiterated commitments to continue working closely with ASEAN to deliver the SDGs.
This side event serves not only to provide a platform for ASEAN and various stakeholders to deepen engagement and brainstorm ways forward for accelerating SDGs implementation, but it also reflects ASEAN’s continuing contribution to the global efforts in realizing the SDGs and to promoting sustainability in all dimensions at the global level.
AIS launches Thailand’s first “Aunjai Cyber Course” to level up digital education
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2022
In a collaboration between AIS and 3 key ministries – MOE, MOPH, MOI and King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, they are building cyber-immunity from a young age with effective education nationwide
AIS has partnered with four key institutions: Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Interior and King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi in signing an MoU to launch “Aunjai Cyber”, a course in cyber immunity, for the first time ever in Thailand.
It is a joint effort between the state and private sectors to upgrade education in the digital age, protect against cyber threats and build immunity in digital lifestyles for all ages from children to members of the public.
Teachers can learn for themselves and then apply that to their students on the digital LearnDi platform and the Aunjai Cyber App.
Content has been designed in reference to the DQ Framework (Digital Intelligence Quotient) standards. Materials have also been adapted to the context of Thai society by mental health professionals.
This is now a target for rollout to over 30,000 educational institutions around the country which are under the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Interior.
All Thai people, regardless of gender or age, are invited to test their digital skills with the “Aunjai Cyber” syllabus, and upgrade their knowledge of Digital Citizenship.
Somchai Lertsutiwong, CEO of AIS, said, “At AIS, the focus of our work is more than developing our network quality to meet users’ needs. We are also actively aware of building a better digital society. Since 2019 we have implemented our Aunjai Cyber program as the hub of a network for every sector to come together and make positive changes to Thailand’s digital society. We use digital tech both as a tool for secure use, and to enhance digital intelligence. The body of knowledge promoting digital skills for Thai people gives them adequate warnings, so they can enjoy the digital world securely and creatively.
“AIS is fulfilling this mission in cooperation with the country’s three most important ministries. Digital learning materials have been created for the Aunjai Cyber Course. The Department of Mental Health under the Ministry of Public Health has developed a course in partnership with King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, which has a strong graphics and animation component. The Ministry of Education, through the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC), has been helping to certify that these courses are compliant with educational standards, and hence can be made available to students. The Ministry of Interior will also bring this course to the schools under their supervision.”
“Aunjai Cyber course” is presented in 4 Professional Skill Modules (4P4) covering the following digital skills:
1. Practice: Instilling the knowledge and understanding of using digital tech correctly and appropriately
2. Personality: Recommendations to protect online privacy
3. Protection: Learning how to prevent online cyber threats
4. Participation: Interactive learning of appropriate online communications skills and behaviour
Since January 2022, the program has been trialled in a virtual sandbox. Over 160,000 teachers and students have taken the course and passed the test
Amporn Benjaponpitak, M.D., FRCPsychT Director-General of the Department of Mental Health said, “One of our missions at the Public Health Ministry is mental health, executed by the Department of Mental Health as the responsible body for mental healthcare in Thailand. Our mission is focused on providing the Thai public with the resources they need to look after their mental health sustainably. Working with AIS to develop the Aunjai Cyber Course is a very concrete application of this policy. The Department of Mental Health has provided content suitable for every social group and age cohort in the form of warnings, recommendations and suggestions to cope with online challenges securely and creatively, very much in tune with our vision at the Ministry of Public Health.”
King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) President, Assoc Prof Suvit Saetia, commented on the university’s cooperation to develop educational materials for the Aunjai Cyber Course. “This cooperation came about from the sincere intention to work together of the faculty and other personnel, particularly by unleashing the potential of the Faculty of Industrial Education and Technology. This is in line with our long-term goals to develop educational innovation. We have developed digital media for the Aunjai Cyber Course. Alongside digital media for teaching, there is a test to assess the student’s digital skills and understanding of digital citizenship. We sincerely hope that by following this course, everybody will be helped to adjust their lifestyles in the digital age and be good digital citizens, able to access the online world securely.”
Treenuch Thienthong, Minister of Education, noted, “The Aunjai Cyber Course is another important step for Thai education in keeping abreast of a rapidly changing digital world. The mission of the Education Ministry is dedicated to expanding access to educational services. The course we are launching today has been certified by the Office of the Teacher Civil Service and Educational Personnel Commission (OTEPC) as a course suitable for teachers and instructors at institutions under the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC). Teachers have been able to count development hours in requests for promotion, as stipulated by OTEPC.
“Now, educational supervisors, teachers and instructors from different educational institutions around the country have all come together. They all have a part in disseminating the Aunjai Cyber Course with the provided media to students nationwide, at schools under the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC), Office of Vocational Education Commission, Office of the Private Education Commission (OPEC) and the Office of Non-Formal and Informal Education (NFE). We will continue to expand our coverage as much as possible, so that both teachers and kids have the necessary digital skills to deal with hidden cyber threats on the Internet. They will also get the maximum use out of the technology.”
Songsak Thongsri, from the Ministry of Interior, added that the Ministry was disseminating the course to schools governed by local administrative organisations: “As well as our goal of maintaining order, public safety and internal security, the Ministry of Interior is committed to making communities and local economies more resilient. This includes supporting urban development and infrastructure. One of our goals is to enable the public to spend time online happily and securely by having the necessary skills to use the Internet properly at the current time. We will support our teachers and instructors, as well as over xxx,xxx students at institutions under local administrative organisations to study the “Aunjai Cyber” course, which will be of the greatest usefulness in their lives.”
The Aunjai Cyber course has become a key element of teaching in the official system. The public can learn more and grow their digital skills for free at https://learndiaunjaicyber.ais.co.th/
Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University grants honorary certificates to professors and students
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2022
THE NATION
Associate Professor Dr Luedech Gridwichai (6th from the left), President of the University Council of Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, presented the honorary certificates to the professors and students who did the benefits to the university from winning the innovation competitions in various countries.
Assistant Professor Dr Natnaporn Aeknarajindawat (5th from the left), Lecturer of the Graduate School and Consultant of Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Udon Thani Education Center, was a leader of the team and Associate Professor Dr Chutikarn Sriviboon (7th from the left), President of the university, attended as the witness of the ceremony.
The stores will sell five categories of products: dried groceries and beverages, fresh food and ingredients, alcohol, general goods including sports equipment and pet products, and household goods.
Tops CLUB spans 15,000 square metres of warehouse-style space behind Central Rama II and is divided into three product zones.
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