Customers of Kasikornbank, KTC and Siam Commercial Bank can add their Visa credit or debit card to their device, enabling them to make payments on the go directly from their wrists.

Visa’s Consumer Payment Attitudes Study found that seven in 10 Thais preferred electronic forms of bill payment, including cards, mobile devices and wearables, to cash.

“At Visa, we continue to provide payment experiences across a wide range of form factors and are pleased to partner with Fitbit,” said Suripong Tantiyanon, country manager for Visa Thailand.

“There is much potential and opportunity for such wearables to create convenient and relevant payment experiences that truly change the way people make their day-to-day payments, particularly at places that are traditionally heavy on cash.

“This is another step forward in the growth of Internet of Things and shows how Visa is enabling companies across the technology industry to help us all move towards a cashless future.”

The cinema operator has converted the fourth movie theatre at Esplanade Cineplex Ratchada into the “Dell Gaming Esports Cinema”.

Narute Jiensnong, chief marketing officer of Major Cineplex Group, said the move is in line with the company’s strategy to cater to Thailand’s growing market for e-sports competition, which is estimated to grow 12 per cent annually to Bt10 billion in market value this year. There are about 2 million gamers in Thailand.

“The target customers of our e-sports theatre are a new generation, those aged between 12 and 35, same as those of moviegoers. We want to go beyond just ordinary theatres. The launch of an e-sports theatre will help Major Cineplex to expand its revenue as well as customer base,” he said.

Dell Corporation (Thailand), the world leading manufacturer of computer equipment for gamers, is to be the main sponsor for the new e-sports theatre. In addition, leaders in IT technology and computers like Intel, Neolution and True Online are also partnering the venture. This joint effort will ensure e-sports will be an official sport and will encourage gamers to utilise the e-sports theatre for practice sessions and later international stage competition.

Narute said that Major Cineplex Group was strongly entrenching its position as a leader in the lifestyle entertainment business, especially in an era when technology and digital gadgets are the prerequisites, making the cinema business more than just a theatre.

“As a leader in the lifestyle entertainment business, we are determined to incorporate the latest developments in innovation and technology to the cinema business, for Thai users to experience the impeccable entertainment service, especially in the tech and digital era,” said Narute.

The launching of the e-sports theatre is considered to be a significant leap in the cinema business and is expected to expand to more outlets.

In February, Major Cineplex Group initiated its business expansion into the gaming business for the first time by partnering with Imax, the world leader in screening technology. It opened the first Imax VR in Southeast Asia at Paragon Cineplex, considered as the first to offer a hands-on experience in virtual reality and it has received a huge response from Thais and foreigners, drawing up to 300 people per day, Narute said.

With governmental support, the registration of e-sports as an official sport has been approved and it is likely to be included as a new sport in the Asian Games and the Olympics in the near future.

Dell Gaming Esports Cinema will be a mixed-use theatre, designed to fit screening as well as e-sport activities. With a 4K screen, 14.6 x 6.1 metres in size equal to a 622-inch TV screen, Dolby Surround Sound System 7.1, and stadium-style seating, it can host up to a maximum of 60 contestants with 200 in the audience. The optimum quality of visual and sound system is expected to enhance the experience.

The service fee for the e-sport theatre comes in two types: an all-day pass for Bt200,000 and a half-day pass for Bt100,000, with time options of 10am to 3pm or 5pm to 10pm. The fee is inclusive of equipment and Internet usage.

Anothai Wettayakorn, vice president of Dell EMC Indochina, said that Dell Gaming and Alienware was delighted to join Major Cineplex Group in opening the Dell Gaming Esports Cinema. The venue will become a centre of e-sport service to support massive gamers as well as interested peers in computer games.

Dell Gaming Esports Cinema, offers multiple gaming equipment in various models, from Dell Gaming and Alienware, to ensure an exciting experience for users of Laptop Dell G7 Gaming, Desktop Alienware Aurora (R7), Dell 24 Gaming Monitor Screen (S2417DG) and others.

Sontiya Nujeenseng, president of distribution of CCG Platform in Asia Pacific and Japan, Intel Technology Asia Pte Ltd, said that Intel truly valued the potential of the e-sports market and gaming in Thailand. Therefore, the investment in the support of e-sport and gaming competition in international leagues has long been planned, as well as the creation of a partnership ecosystem to facilitate collaboration with partners and the continuous development in technology to deliver advanced gaming experience for gamers.

The invited speakers shared their experiences about animal welfare and innovative technologies to an audience of doctors, veterinarians, pharmacists and executive from Bayer. The event was held to celebrate World Animal Day on October 4 at Bayer’s office in Bangkok.

They should also promote investments that generate returns in parallel with driving sustainable growth in Thailand and global communities.

KBank issued sustainability bonds totaling US$100 million (Bt3.3 billion) for foreign investors, making it the first bank in Thailand and Southeast Asia to offer such bonds.

The proceeds will be used to finance projects to bring about environmental and social benefits in accordance with international standards set up by the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) and the Asean Capital Markets Forum (ACMF).

The sustainability bonds of KBank are senior, unsecured bonds with a floating interest rate based on LIBOR plus 0.95 per cent.

Under a five-year term, the maturity will be in 2023. The entire amount was offered to foreign institutional investors via KBank’s Hong Kong Branch.

Related parties include BNP Paribas, which acts as the sustainability bond framework structuring advisor and sole lead manager. Also, Sustianalytics – an independent global provider of ESG and corporate governance research – will provide a second party opinion on the sustainability bond framework.

The two new Minute Maid variants are Tomato Juice with Orange Pulp and Passion Fruit flavoured with Honey and Lime. This is Coca-Cola’s first cross-brand collaboration in the ready-to-drink juice category in Thailand, aiming to combine Minute Maid’s position as the world’s number one juice brand with Doi Kham, the most popular juice brand in the country This partnership offers consumers a combination of high quality ingredients from natural fruits harvested from sources that are worlds apart but responds to the growing health trends in Thailand with tasty and healthy ready-to-drink juices.

Pornwut Sarasin, chairman of ThaiNamthip Company Limited said: “At Coca-Cola, we not only try our best to understand what people want and respond accordingly, but we are also committed to support sustainability practices in every country in which we operate in. Our partnership with Doi Kham is a perfect opportunity for The Coca-Cola system in Thailand to support the country’s farmers and sustainable agriculture by sourcing local ingredients. This step marks the first of many to come that Minute Maid will pursue to source fruits locally through Doi Kham. Minute Maid Tomato Juice with Orange Pulp and Minute Maid Passion Fruit Flavored with Honey and Lime offer the perfect alternatives to Thais who are now more health-conscious than ever before.”

In response to this growing health trend, Coca-Cola is offering its latest innovation, a ready-to-drink juice that will further expand on its current portfolio of extensive choices, responding to the evolving needs of today’s consumers. The two new product variants will strengthen the company’s position as the leader in the non-alcoholic ready-to-drink market in Thailand and aims to reinforce its image as a total beverage company.

According to the Retail Index Data from The Nielsen Company (Thailand), Thailand’s ready-to-drink juice market is estimated to be worth Bt12 billion and Minute Maid has 11.5 per cent of market value.

Under this partnership, Coca-Cola will be using locally-sourced high quality, chemical-free tomatoes and passion fruits from Thai farmers on Doi Kham in the two new variants of Minute Maid ready-to-drink juices.

Pipatpong Israsena Na Ayudhya, President and CEO, Doi Kham Food Products Company Limited, said: “Doi Kham was founded as a royal project of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and has been operating as a social enterprise for more than 50 years.

It is one of His Majesty’s many legacies and vision to enhance the quality of life of Thais through the concept of “Agro-industry for well-balanced society”. We are delighted to offer quality products which we can be proud of, including our signature tomato juice, which is currently number one in the market, and the passion fruit juice so loved by Thai consumers. We believe that this partnership will help promote Thailand’s agricultural sector, aiming to elevate the livelihood and well-being of Thai farmers as the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej – founder of the Doi Kham brand – would have wanted.”

The two new variants of Minute Maid, Tomato Juice with Orange Pulp and Passion Fruit Flavored with Honey and Lime, is a latest innovation representing uncompromisingly great taste and health benefits. Minute Maid Tomato Juice with Orange Pulp from Doi Kham, is a tasty and healthy juice that combines perfectly. A 335-millitre bottle of Minute Maid with Tomato Juice and Orange Pulp contains 2,418 micrograms of lycopene. Minute Maid Tomato Juice with Orange Pulp in 280ml and 335ml containers and Minute Maid Passion Fruit Flavored with Honey and Lime in 280 ml packs are now available to consumers.

The Department of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, has unveiled Thailand’s tourism policy for 2019 with a major focus on strengthening community-based tourism in line with the country’s 20-year national strategy on sustainable development.

According to Anan Wongbenjarat, Director General of the Department of Tourism (DOT), community-based tourism plays a key role in creating jobs, stimulating local economy, and strengthening a “Good Host” image awareness to achieve tourism satisfaction and community success.

The 2019 tourism policy was unveiled at a media event entitled “Happy Travels, Happy Tourists, Sustainable Communities” at the Sukosol Bangkok on October 5, 2018.

The policy announcement, also attended by DOT Deputy Director General Wantana Jangprajak and DOT high-ranking executives, highlights on the DOT’s readiness to support community-based tourism by developing new destinations, improving tourism operations to increase convenience, safety, and cleanliness in accordance to international standards, and using digital technology and innovations to strengthen Thai tourism as a whole.

“Tourism is a key driver of the country’s economy,” said Mr Anan. “The DOT policy is in line with the government’s 20-year national strategy to sharpen Thailand’s competitiveness in the service sectors and to improve people’s quality of life and income.”

The DOT tourism policy also follows the 12th National Economic and Social Development Plan which outlines strategies to foster sustainable economic competitiveness and enhance the competitiveness of the service sector to meet the government’s development goals. The goals are to bridge disparity, increase access to government services, create job opportunities and sustainable sources of income, stimulate local economy, empower local communities under the Pracharat participatory development model, create community-based tourism networks between communities, provinces, and regions, and to develop OTOP Tourism Village.

New showroom in Phitsanulok

BMW Group Thailand and authorized dealer Nithiboon officially unveiled a new showroom and service center for BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad in Phitsanulok province after decades of successful business in the lower northern region. The new facility stands ready to deliver an enhanced and comprehensive range of services and sales offerings as well as lifestyle products in response to growing customer demand in the area, bringing the ultimate BMW experience to Phitsanulok and nearby provinces in the process.

Christian Wiedmann, President, BMW Group Thailand, said, “Nithiboon has been an important partner driving BMW Group Thailand’s sales and services in the lower northern region of Thailand and led towards many successes and milestones since the beginning of our partnership in 1998. With a showroom and service center for BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad, we can better serve the growing demands of customers across the region and this, in turn, will elevate Nithiboon’s potential and expertise in the industry. The trust that Nithiboon has been cultivating amongst our customers over the years, combined with their expertise in the industry, will certainly take our success here to greater heights in the years to come.”

The Nithiboon Phitsanulok facility spans an area of 5 rai and offers services to customers in Phitsanulok and in the lower northern region of Thailand. Located in this strategic location, the showroom and service center provides services across BMW Group’s three brands and can support up to 22 cars and 8 motorcycles per day, an increase from the previous facility that could support 11 cars and 4 motorcycles per day.

Firm explains plant explosion

Tata Steel (Thailand) Public Company Limited has revealed details on the recent explosion at the electric arc furnace of Siam Construction Steel Company Limited in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, Muang District, Rayong Province. Four workers working near the furnace at the time were injured by the explosion. However, no leakage of hazardous chemical substances in the environment was found and also no impact on neighbouring factories and surrounding community.

Pornchai Thangworakulchai, vice president, Siam Construction Steel Company Limited revealed that Siam Construction Steel Co Ltd which manufactures billet and hot rolling into rebars, located in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, Muang Rayong District, Rayong Province, had an explosion at about 8:15 am on October 6, 2018. The primary cause found malfunction of the ignition of Natural Gas (NG) system while the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) had been warming after relining resulting in the accumulation of NG in the furnace. When the ignition of fuel system was started, accumulated NG immediately caught fire and exploded inside the furnace. From an investigation, some properties were damaged such as the roof and part of steel plant’s wall including EAF control room’s glass. There is no diffusion of chemicals found and surrounding areas around are all safe.

Pornchai further disclosed that the four injured workers were immediately taken to Bangkok Rayong Hospital. Two had minor injuries and one was allowed to leave . The other two had burn injuries requiring them to stay at hospital in the intensive care unit.

The process to bring the steel plant back to operation has started. Review and practice of an emergency response plan would be done as per the norms of Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT). The progress of corrective and preventive action would be submitted to the Office of Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate and relevant government agencies, Pornchai said.