Philip Morris Trading (Thailand)’s Pongsathorn Ansusinha said: “Neither Philip Morris Thailand nor Philip Morris International [PMI] have anything to do with any activities held by the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World, which is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to reducing the negative health impacts from smoking.

“PMI provided initial funding to the foundation but PMI and the tobacco industry are prohibited from having any influence over how the foundation spends its funds or focuses its activities.”

Pongsathorn, the external affairs director for PMI’s Thailand business, was speaking at a press conference titled “A Smoke-Free Index Dialogue”.

“Our vision is to transform our business away from cigarettes and towards smoke-free alternatives, as soon as possible,” he added.

“There are nearly 11 million smokers in Thailand today and many of those will continue smoking. Our message to these smokers is clear: the best option is to quit tobacco and nicotine use entirely. Those smokers who do not quit should have access to information about scientifically substantiated better alternatives to continued smoking.

“We are disappointed to see activists opposing meaningful discussions initiated by the independent organisation based solely on dogma”, he said.

Industry watchdog Tobacco Tactics states that Philipp Morris agreed to contribute US$80 million to the foundation annually for the next 12 years starting from 2018. The World Health Organisation has refused to partner with the foundation and recommended that governments follow its lead, stating that “research and advocacy funded by tobacco companies and their front groups cannot be accepted at face value. When it comes to the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World, there are a number of clear conflicts of interest involved with a tobacco company funding a purported health foundation, particularly if it promotes sale of tobacco and other products found in that company’s brand portfolio.”

Founded in 2010, this latest order takes ALC’s cumulative orders to 387 Airbus aircraft, making it Airbus’ third largest lessor customer.

The A220 is the only aircraft purpose built for the 100-150 seat market and it delivers unbeatable fuel efficiency and widebody passenger comfort in a single-aisle aircraft. The A220 brings together state-of-the-art aerodynamics, advanced materials and Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation PW1500G geared turbofan engines to offer at least 20-per-cent lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft. The A220 offers the performance of larger single-aisle aircraft.

With an order book of 536 aircraft at the end of May, the A220 has all the credentials to win the lion’s share of the 100- to 150-seat aircraft market estimated to represent at least 7,000 aircraft over the next 20 years.

Over the past three years, traditional media have been disrupted by digital technology, and while some magazines, newspapers, radio stations and TV channels have managed to survive through adaptation, many have inevitably closed. Coolism Limited, which operates Cool Fahrenheit under RS Public Company Limited, continues to enjoy steady growth and aims to grow by 30 per cent this year.

Coolism’s managing director Prin Minsuksaeng notes that the radio industry has remained flat over the last three years and to counter this, Coolism has revamped its plans to grow its revenue channels through “Living Young & Beyond” strategy.

The company’s main revenue currently comes from its radio station, with 50 per cent of its revenue from advertising. Its online channel has seen a growing number of hits, with people increasingly preferring to listen to music online. According to a global survey by www.shouteast.com, a website that features more than 90,000 radio stations worldwide, Cool Fahrenheit has been voted Asia’s #1 online streaming station in both 2018 and 2019.

In 2019, Cool Fahrenheit has 49 million users online each month, 35 million of which visit the station via its website, 11 million on iOS and 3 million via Android. On average, it has 162,000 users a day, spending 3.40 hours per day. Its iOS users spend 4:24 hours on the station, followed by website users. Each month, Cool Fahrenheit has a billion minutes airtime, which breaks the record and makes it the #1 streaming radio station.

“Although many new music platforms have been introduced, this has not made radio stations less popular. The beauty of listening to music on radio stations is interaction between the DJs and their listeners, something online music streaming doesn’t offer. This is why radio stations continue to attract audiences on various platforms,” says Prin.

Cool Fahrenheit has remained Thailand’s #1 radio station for 19 consecutive years, loved by Gen C people aged between 20-44. These are working people who are affluent and spend a lot of time online. The peak time of each day is office time, between 9am and 6pm. In 2018, the company enjoyed a billion baht in revenue, representing 15-per-cent growth.

Another strategy contributing to Cool Fahrenheit’s success is the expansion of its online radio shopping business which debuted in 2018 to maximize the use of its advertising time on the radio station. It also builds on the success of RS’s MPC business, which began last year and has been reaching new highs constantly. Currently, the MPC business generates 7-figures in revenue every month.

“We maintain our concept of playing good songs all day long, which has always been our selling point. The launch of online radio shopping makes us the first radio station in Thailand to do this, and it has been well-received by our target consumers. We’re passing on good news to our audience without interrupting their music enjoying experience. Rather, we make use of our advertising time. We expect that Coolism will enjoy a 30-per-cent increase in revenue compared to last year,” Prin says.

Events and concerts also enjoy support from sponsors. Recently, the station invested Bt30 million in a much anticipated concert that marked the return of the famous duo from the ‘90s – “Cool Fahrenheit presents Raptor Evolution 25 Years”. Tickets went on sale on June 26 and were sold out in 20 minutes, and the company decided to add a second show. The concert will take place on September 7 at IMPACT Arena Muang Thong Thani. There will be another concert for ‘90s fans in November featuring Dan from D2B.

Cool Fahrenheit other successful activities include Ink Eat All Around and Cool Outing.

Prin adds that building a radio station business amidst changing technology and consumer behavior is challenging, yet the success has proven that Coolism is all about quality.

The business saw double-digit growth in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, reveals Electrolux Thailand general manager Ratchata Suttapattanon. The success was driven by sales of air conditioners, air purifiers, washing machines and dryer, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners and blenders.

“Electrolux has a very strong brand that has lasted for 100 years,” said Ratchata.

“Few brands enjoy such a legacy. In Thailand, Electrolux has been a familiar name to Thai people for 42 years and we have a strong bond with our consumers.”

Ratchata cites a loyal customer named “Pa Noi” who bought an Electrolux refrigerator 25 years ago that still works today.

“When we called to tell her she had won a product as part of our 100-year anniversary campaign, she said straightaway she did not want a replacement for her old fridge. This is how deep the relationship with our customers has become,” said Ratchata.

He added that all Electrolux products must reflect a commitment to improve life quality through state-of-the-art technologies and innovation, modern design, superior functions and sustainability.

“Our front-loaded washers, for instance, are fully equipped with advanced technology that boosts washing while saving energy and water. Using sensors that detect dirt and stains as well as detergent residue on clothes, each wash is specifically designed to ensure the best results while saving 50 per cent of water compared to front-loaded machines.

“Our refrigerators address the same issue, making the best use of food and reducing waste.

“Innovation is not for innovation’s sake, but to help improve lives as well as to support sustainable development and the circular economy.”

Ratchata notes that Electrolux has been named a leader in the household durables category of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for the 12th year in a row. Sustainability is a company goal, from product design and materials to assembly.

“For the century to come, we will focus even more on sustainability,” Ratchata said.

“Electrolux launched ‘green’ products made from recycled plastic almost 10 years ago, and will continue to emphasise environmental-friendly products and processes.”

The company has also been recognised as a global leader in corporate sustainability. It ranks among the Global 100 companies who represent the top 1.3 per cent in the world for sustainability performance, and has made the 2019 Climate Change A List for the third year in a row, for its efforts to cut emissions, mitigate climate risks and develop the low-carbon economy. The appliance industry sustainability leader, Electrolux reported a 66 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions, achieving its climate targets.

Ratchata said a key challenge for the company was to track and respond to fast-changing consumer trends.

“We pay a great deal of attention to understanding consumers and foreseeing future trends,” he said.

“We have a large loyal customer base as well as strong distribution network, ranging from dealerships and traditional stores to hypermarkets and e-commerce. We are planning to expand spare-part warehouses to better service our customers by the end of this year as well as enhance technical skills for a more satisfactory after-sale service.”

Electrolux Thailand is marking its centenary with a campaign to give away 100 machines to loyal customers. For more info call the customer service centre on 02 725 9000 or visitwww.electrolux.co.th/100yearsofbetterliving andwww.facebook.com/electroluxthailand.

For the third quarter, Channel 8 aims to attract its audience by revamping its prime-time programmes with the addition of two new dramas in two different genres. A new variety show, Siang Sawan Rangwan Cheewit, will also air alongside Chiad, while news teams will strengthen the position of the channel’s news, increasing it to 13 hours daily, the highest among variety channels.

Ong-art Singlumpong, managing director of Channel 8, says, “Today, 70 per cent of the TV audience watches TV alongside using their smartphones, tablets and computers. This means we have to be more alert when it comes to TV content, and have to constantly develop new strategies to attract them at any given time.”

The digital station “will continue our success as a leader in digital TV by utilising our Big Data from our TV channel, which is watched by around 10 million people a day, in order to better understand our fans more and present content that attracts our viewers and suits their lifestyle.”

Those viewers are aged 35 and over and live in both Bangkok and the provinces, said Ong-art. The channel will continue its three “O’s”: On Air, Online and On Ground Promotion.

“We will develop magnetic content for every platform and leverage it through marketing activities alongside our primetime focus strategy, which is to use premium content for our prime time slots, 6-9am and 6-10.30pm,” he said. “Channel 8 is highly agile and flexible and we can increase air time if a show gets good feedback, or take it out if it’s not popular. This is in line with today’s viewers who can change their mind quickly.”

He added, “Our revamped programme timetable will see more edutainment and entertainment programmes in the third quarter, as well as programmes that get highly positive feedback. We’ve received really good feedback for our exclusive content in three main genres: dramas, news and variety shows. We will also run marketing activities such as roadshows with prizes worth more than Bt100,000. Viewers can also join the fun on screen and win prizes such as Hilux Revo trucks, Yamaha Finn motorcycles and AIS smartphones, worth up to Bt1 million in total. Our shows have witnessed a rise in popularity and we have more than 10 million viewers on average. Our online platforms, such as Facebook, YouTube, LINE TV and the website have seen a 150 per cent increase from late 2018. Currently, we reach 20 million viewers through online platforms.”

The food ordering service is now available both online and offline. They have launched their “click & collect” service through their website, oishidelivery.com, which enables customers to place an order online and then pick up their food at any Oishi restaurant free of charge.

The oishidelivery.com website has been developed to provide convenience and speed to for customers who enjoy Japanese food. It boasts detailed information on a variety of Japanese food and drinks.

The company new “click & collect” service enables customers to place their orders online and choose to pick up the food at any Oishi branch and at any day and time of their choice at no extra cost.

Meanwhile, the hotline 1773 continues. The home delivery remains in service, with the goal of ensuring the restaurant’s online service is pleasant and user-friendly for the customers.

Compass Hospitality’s flagship store is now available through the Meituan and Dianping apps, allowing consumers to browse and inquire about the price, location and room availability in all hotels run by Compass Hospitality across Thailand, Malaysia and the United Kingdom.

This gives tourists the opportunity to make their choices based on their needs and preferences along with a chance to learn about the speciality restaurants on offer by Compass Hospitality.

“Meituan is an ideal platform for us to engage with Chinese travellers who are looking for peerless hospitality when travelling abroad. Indeed, the last few years has seen Chinese tourists establish themselves in the region as commercially savvy and astute travellers. From a strategic perspective, we hope this partnership will enhance our reach with this demographic and we look forward to welcoming them at our destinations,” said Tejinder Sidhu, senior vice president of business development and operations at Compass Hospitality.

Under the agreement, Meituan and Compass Hospitality will also cooperate on brand development, comprehensive hotel income management and data analysis.

In terms of brand development, apart from strengthening the presence of its online store, Meituan will also help Compass Hospitality promote its brand and enhance its brand awareness among Chinese consumers, especially the younger generation.

The models – ranging from Nokia 9 PureView to Nokia 2.2 – offer the latest AI innovations at a price everybody can afford.

The Nokia 9 PureView features the world’s first five-camera array with ZEISS Optics that puts next-generation imaging technology in the hands of photography enthusiasts. Every picture taken on this phone is in HDR, with the five cameras simultaneously capturing the image and fusing it together into a 12MP photo with outstanding dynamic range and depth.

Designed with the needs of photography enthusiasts in mind, the Nokia 9 PureView also features the ability to capture images in uncompressed RAW DNG format, so they can be edited directly on the phone thanks to Nokia’s partnership with Adobe Lightroom.

It is said that 50 per cent of the art of photography is in the post-production stage, and Nokia 9 PureView gives photography enthusiasts every opportunity to shine.

NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith said on Tuesday that the regulator would borrow Bt3.785 billion from the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Research and Development Fund for Public Interest to compensate six digital TV licence holders who will return seven licences to the watchdog.

The regulator will also borrow Bt552.8 million to subsidise the broadcasting network rental fee for all digital TV broadcasters from June 1 next year to September 30 the following year.

The subcommittee on Monday also concluded that Voice TV digital channel would get a compensation of Bt378.054 million for returning its licence.

The subcommittee set August 31 as the date for Voice TV to switch off its channel, pending final approval from the NBTC board.

The NBTC will use proceeds from its recent sale of 700MHz licences to the three telecom operators for the digital TV bailout. But these telecom operators will not pay the first instalment of the licence purchase until next October, according to the NBTC payment timeframe. The NBTC will use the proceeds from the 700MHz sale to cover the amount it borrows from the fund

The same subcommittee had recently resolved that the NBTC pay a compensation of more than Bt675 million to Spring 26 Channel (formerly NOW26), more than Bt500 million to Spring News Channel 19, and Bt371.983 million to Bright TV after they return their digital TV licences to the watchdog.

These three channels will go off the air at midnight on August 15.

Six commercial digital TV broadcasters had announced on May 10 that they were returning seven licences they had secured from the NBTC. May 10 was the deadline for broadcasters to declare their intention to return their licences.

The six broadcasters who opted to return their licences were: Spring News Television Co Ltd’s Spring News Channel 19, and Nation Multimedia Group’s Spring 26 Co Ltd, which will hand back its licence for Spring 26 Channel. The others are Bright TV, which is returning its licence for Channel 20, Voice TV for Voice TV Channel 21, MCOT for MCOT Family Channel 14, and BEC World’s Channel 3 for its Family Channel 13 and 3SD Channel 28.

The NBTC’s move to ease the financial burden of all digital TV broadcasters and pay compensation to these six broadcasters is in line with the junta’s measure to ease the financial burden of the struggling digital TV industry.