CEO Tassapon Bijleveld will take on the role of executive chairman to supervise the company’s executive board, while venteran executive and founding member Santisuk Klongchaiya, current director of commercial, has taken over as chief executive officer of Thai AirAsia, effective yesterday.

Tassapon Bijleveld, executive chairman of Asia Aviation Plc (AAV) and Thai AirAsia Co Ltd (TAA), said the changes to the leadership positions will improve business flexibility within the carrier. In his new role, Tassapon will be in charge of executive policy in the interest of sustainable growth. The company’s executive board and management directors have given their full support to the development, voicing confidence in promoting Santisuk Klongchaiya, who has been instrumental in the airline’s growth from its inception, to the role of CEO.

“ I am still a part of AirAsia. My focus will now be on the overall executive picture and the company’s direction in seeking out new opportunities for sustainable growth. I will also focus on enacting government policies and collaborating with private sectors to ensure Thailand establishes a leading position in the aviation industry. I am pleased to have Santisuk as the new CEO because he has been the key executive at TAA from the start. His visionary leadership, coupled with his marketing acumen, have been behind the success of TAA for the past 10 years. I am certain that TAA will continue to move forward stronger than ever,” Tassapon said.

Santisuk Klongchaiya, promoted to chief executive officer of both AAV and TAA, said that the past 11 years have been a time of pride and joy for him as he was able to watch the TAA family grow to its full potential, continually learning from mistakes and never ceasing to develop. The new challenge as CEO will bring about stable and sustainable progress for the company as he affirms his commitment to working closely with Allstars in steering TAA and AAV forward.

“TAA’s strong foundation is built on the capability of its staff and its robust internal culture, which will continue to power its growth. We will never stop developing and we have a clear plan for progress. We are ready to adopt innovations and to bring new opportunities and experiences to our guests,” Santisuk added.

Bedgear expects to open the first flagship store soon and up to 20 outlets next year.

Among the Performance bedding products, Bedgear largely focuses on innovative pillows for superior sleep quality to enhance people with active lifestyles. Bedgear delivers a wide range of over 100 series of pillows to suit the different demands.

Ross Stuart, Bedgear’s vice president, international sales/Asia Pacific, said that Bedgear is redefining the way people sleep, featuring innovation, personalisation and peformance. Bedgear delivers Performance bedding products with fabric technologies that wick away moisture and dissipate heat, helping to regulate body temperature so customers sleep more comfortably. Bedgear performs while you sleep, managing heat, moisture and airfolw.

“Working with Dunlopillo, Bedgear will continue to set a precedent in the industry in Thailand for innovative sleep products through its proprietary personalised Performance Sleep System. We’re changing shopping experience with retailing interaction via multi-channel communication.

A customer can contact the store to prepare for selection including body type, sleep temperture and sleep position. Then, the customer would arrive in the store to take a final test through pillow fitting, so within 10 minutes of arriving, you can choose your perfect choice. Bedgear is the first and only brand in the world to offer the pillow fitting,”said Stuart.

Pisit Ongsritrakul, managing director, Dunlopillo (Thailand) added that the Bedgear sleep shops currently offer over 30 series of pillows with prices ranging fom Bt5,000 to 20,000. All sales people are well-trained to help customers select the appropriate pillows for their good night’s sleep. Most people might think the reason they don’t get a good night’s sleep is because a lack a good mattress, but the pillow is also important.

In addition to the expansion of sleep shops, Bedgear has a plan to open its flagship store in Bangkok soon. Meanwhile, Dunlopillo is planning to form a partnership with a leading international-chain hotel group as another marketing channel for Bedgear.

Pisit said that the parent company Lotus Bedding Group, the largest bedding and mattress manufacturer, has the product line to meet all customer segments. Bedgear is the third global brand. This year, the group is planning to offer more import brands.

“Lotus Bedding Group now accounts for 60-65 per cent of market share with Bt5 billion in total sales. The bedding market remain strong with over 10 per cent growth annually,” said Pisit.

Top executives of Thai Aviation Co Ltd, recently attended the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Thai Aviation Academy – Squadron 101, a new aviation academy that will operate to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

The academy is being built on 10 rai of land at Nong Pok Village, Nong Pok Sub-district, Thawat Buri District, Roi Et province. The aviation academy, which will be one of the most modern in Southeast Asia, will help drive the local economy while establishing Roi Et as a new hub of aviation training.

Chalitrat Chandrubeksa, president of Thai Aviation Co Ltd, said that his family has been in the aviation sector for four generations, since ACM Boonchu Chandrubeksa, Royal Thai Air Force Former Commander-in-Chief, (B.E. 2503 – 2517).

“We know very well that being a good pilot requires knowledge, training, and the guidance of experienced flight instructors, along with a proper airfield for practicing and an environment that contributes to the development of professional pilots. We see an opportunity to train civil pilots in compliance with ICAO standards. The company is investing over Bt200 million in the Thai Aviation Academy – Squadron 101 in Roi Et, where the province’s flat plains provide optimum safety for aviation training. We will use Roi Et Airport for flight training as it is well-equipped with modern aviation technology and systems. The new aviation academy is expected to be completed by March 2019.”

SCG joins T2P in developing ‘SCG Wallet’

Siam Cement Group (SCG), the leading conglomerate in Asean, has joined hands with T2P Company Limited, the leading e-Wallet and payment solution provider that creates innovative payment platform for corporations, in developing SCG Wallet. This smart platform makes it convenient for users to make a payment online and at every SCG outlet. SCG Wallet, moreover, can settle a bill at any shop that accepts MasterCard.

Taweechai Pureetip, CEO of T2P Company Limited, said, “In the face of fast-changing social and economic environment, people yearn for even greater convenience. They demand something that enable them to live digital lifestyle. SCG therefore has decided to partner with T2P Company Limited, which is a prominent e-Wallet, Loyalty Platform and AI Data Analytics provider, for SCG Wallet development. SCG Wallet is available in two formats, as a mobile application and as a cash card. “We are extremely pleased to have contributed to this development. It’s a pleasure to support SCG efforts to make payments easier for various customers. We trust that SCG Wallet can influence customers’ purchase decisions and contribute to SCG further growth”.

Natwut Amornvivat, a co-founder of T2P, says, “We began T2P operations in 2011 with a firm commitment to develop innovations and financial technologies (Fintech) for leading organizations. To date, we have already created successful e-Wallet/Loyalty Platforms for many corporate clients. Our customer base grows solidly, with the average growth rate of 100 per cent a year. Currently, we have also launched Deep Data Analytics services, using machine-learning technology for our clients. Leveraging Artificial Intelligence, we have helped our clients develop deep and insightful engagement with their customers. Today, T2P has been the leading Fintech provider for corporate clients in various industries. The number of our e-Wallet users has reached several millions already”.

The top executives of T2P reveals that during the past several years, T2P has developed e-wallet for various industries including the restaurant sector. Transactions made through T2P innovations total Bt3billion a year. Moreover, T2P has won a MasterCard Payment Award in the United States due to its outstanding innovation in payment technology.

“Pfizer believes it can significantly alleviate the problems facing the country’s overstretched health services,” said Luksanawan Thangpaiboolm head of its vaccine unit in Thailand and Indochina.

“Ageing and obesity are placing greater stress on the health system, which suffers annual shortfalls. It will hurt the economy as productivity falls as more sick leave is taken,” she noted.

Obese children face a host of ailments quite different from their parents, Luksanawan. Ageing citizens will likely not receive the care they need as the budget is not structured to meet new threats.

Even the Bt129 billion set aside last year for the Public Health Ministry’s budget, failed to cover the requested Bt142 billion sought.

Worse, the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), a respected think tank, warned that in 15 years the ministry would need Bt1.4 trillion, which it will not be able to raise.

The TDRI gave a worst-case scenario where billings top Bt1.8 trillion as the country’s elderly now live longer and require more medicines and care. At best, the ministry can only cover a third of that cost.

“We recognise this problem and do not blame officials for deliberating hard before purchasing new drugs,” said Dr Nirutti Pradubyati, a medical director at Pfizer. “They have constraints to expand new vaccines in the national immunisation programme.

The cost of vaccines is about Bt1.3 billion per year, a small fraction of the budget. Some 40 per cent of the budget goes to pay for the universal healthcare scheme known as the Bt30-a-visit plan created in 2002 for the uninsured and poor.

Luksanawan noted most of the vaccines in the state-funded vaccine scheme are aimed at infants and mothers, not the elderly and other adults who are prone to suffer sicknesses that can cripple or kill.

“There has been a big demographic shift that planners need to address before it is too late,” she said.

Pfizer has new breakthrough vaccines for pneumococcal disease caused by Streptococcus bacteria. The disease brings on pneumonia in infants and the elderly, often fatal,

Luksanawan says the vaccine is available at hospitals but not reimbursable.

“Another vaccine for meningitis is recommended for people travelling to undeveloped areas and on pilgrimages like the Haj. Meningitis is brought on by unsanitary conditions and overcrowding and can be fatal,” she said.

For the moment they are viewed as second priority and are unlikely to make the national immunisation plan yet. These diseases will affect far more people now and in the future, she warned.

“Today one in five people are 60 years old or over. The number of elderly will rise so such infections rise with it. The number of cases and the cost of treating them will escalate alarmingly.”

“A pneumonia shot costs about Bt2,000, cheaper than millions of baht to treat each serious case,” she observed.

“In the medical field, doctors realise prevention is far better than cure,” she said. “We need to review the problems with this solution in mind and not be confused by purely bringing down cost alone.”

Dr Nirrutti agrees. “There are so many new trends in Thailand and the shortcomings of urban lifestyle that will harm health,” he said. “The scope has to be expanded but we are still using old scenarios such as reducing mortality rates and old scourges.”

“A third of the population today live in cities and urban children have become addicted to smartphones, Internet and fast foods. They live a life of inactivity which is bad,” he noted.

“A recent survey showed Thais spend 12 hours on smartphones. “This can be crippling,” he noted.”New problems arising are obesity.

“When confined indoors and lacking exercise, these children and young adults become excessively overweight and suffer many ailments such as diabetes, heart diseases and deteriorating physiology.

“Because they do not go outside much, their bones will wither without sunlight to produce Vitamin D, vital to strong bones.”

The body replaces bone every 7 years and without sunlight, such children can develop skeletal deformity, Pfizer experts noted.

One other aspect often overlooked is the rise in mental health illnesses in the digital age where depression and lack of sleep brig on stress an sometimes suicidal tendencies, they observed.

Watsons believes its strong store network, digital capabilities and growing eCommerce platform means it is well placed to meet customer expectations as they evolve in this new retail world. Highlighting this strategy as “O+O” or “Online+Offline” Watsons outlined it’s significant investments in its Store network and eCommerce capability.

Rod Routley, Regional Managing Director/Asia says, “Watsons vision is the integration of the offline and online shopping experiences to create a seamless and exciting experience”. Watsons physical stores have always been a key part of our success as we expanded rapidly to serve our customers in Thailand. We have built a brand known for innovation, trust, great value and a wide range of beauty and health products and our focus on O+O will enable us to seamlessly deliver our Watsons concept to more customers across a wider geographic spread with more convenience.

Fully operational since 2017, our online business has received excellent feedback from both new customers and Watsons regular shoppers. Our sales continue to grow exponentially with volumes now three times what they were 12 months ago. Our online platform is complementary to our store offer in that it offers expanded ranges, exclusive products, and an exciting promotional programme combined with the convenience of 24-hour access and convenient payment options. Watsons is confident these high levels of growth will continue and this has been supported most recently by its 5-5 campaign on May 5 to raise awareness and attract new customers.

Watsons is continuing to invest strongly in its store network. After opening 50 stores in 2017 Watsons will open another 50 stores in 2018 ending this year with around 515 stores.

Our store concept is also being substantially updated with our latest version evident in Central World. This new concept store is designed to appeal to modern consumers that demand more exciting shopping environments. Improved categorisation, brand presentation, lighting and digital integration are all very evident in this new store.

“In addition to our new store expansion we will refit approximately 75 existing stores, invest substantially in our digital and eCommerce capability with an overall investment budget of Bt600 million.

The increase in online shopping has not affected our new store opening plan. Beauty and Health Products are still a growth category in Thailand and we see continued growth in physical store distribution as a way to serve our customers in Thailand better,” Routley says

The Watsons Membership programme has continued its success of recent years. Now with over 4 million members that have the advantages of improved communication, exclusive promotions and special event invitations . In addition we have recently launched our new Watsons Elite Card. This upgraded membership is awarded to our most loyal members and brings with it another exciting range of benefits.

Social Media engagement remains an important part of Watsons customer strategy. Now with over 2.3 million facebook fans and nearly 4 million Line friends Watsons believes this combination with it growing membership base will help it engage with customers better than ever.

Watsons Own Brand product development will also see another exciting year in 2018. Now with over 770 SKU’s we have plans to launch over 150 new products from various countries including Korea and Japan. In 2017 we had great success with our Dermaction Plus Brand (DAP) as we expanded “DAP Advanced Sun”, introduced “DAP Alive Plankton” and continued to evolve our “DAP Cleansing Water” range.

Highlighting numerous business initiatives, the event also showcased Watsons’ focus on the seamless connection of its offline and online customers.

The company believes its strong store network, digital capabilities and growing e-commerce platform mean it is well placed to meet customer expectations as they evolve in the new retail world.

Highlighting this strategy as “O+O”, or “Online+Offline”, Rod Routley, regional managing director – Asia for Hong Kong-based AS Watsons, outlined significant investments in the business’s store network and e-commerce capability.

The signing ceremony was held May 11 in Ho Chi Minh City, with BHMA represented by chief executive officer Anthony McDonald, and Ixora represented by its founder, David Chang.

BHMA Hotels is headquartered in Bangkok.

Meanwhile, Thai AirAsia had revenue of Bt11.64 billion and a record net profit of Bt1.83 billion in the period, with a load factor of 91 per cent, up 2 percentage points.

The number of passengers carried was 5.64 million, up 16 per cent year on year and higher than the carrier’s 15-per-cent growth in seat capacity.

Thai AirAsia delivered three aircraft during the quarter, taking its fleet to 59, said Tassapon Bijleveld, chief executive officer of both Thai AirAsia and Asia Aviation, which is a listed company.

Thai AirAsia saw continued growth in the first three months of the year, mainly due to its enthusiastic work in the domestic market, especially in secondary provinces in support of government policy, Tassapon added.

The airline also started operating seven new routes during the quarter: from Bangkok (Don Mueang) to Ranong, Johor Bahru, Chengdu and Chumphon; from Phuket to Macau and Kunming; and from Chiang Mai to Udon Thani.

It also increased flight frequency on 12 routes from Bangkok (Don Mueang) and Pattaya (U-Tapao), while the routes from Bangkok (Don Mueang) to Tiruchirappalli, Chiang Mai to Ubon Ratchathani and Ubon Ratchathani to Pattaya (U-Tapao) were suspended as a result of route revenue and capacity management.

For the international market, Thai AirAsia continued to focus on the CLMV countries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam by increasing flight frequencies to offer more options to a variety of customer bases, Tassapon said.

Together with a strong base in the Chinese market, the company sought new opportunities in the high-potential market of India in order for Thai AirAsia to grow and be able to compete in the future, he explained.

For the current quarter, Thai AirAsia is set to continue in accordance with its plan, including increased flight frequencies on popular routes, the CEO said.

Thai AirAsia aims to serve 23.2 million passengers this year and maintain its load factor at 87 per cent, and plans to add seven new aircraft to bring its fleet to 63 overall, he added.

He will serve as executive chairman, with Santisuk Klongchaiya – the current commercial director – taking over as CEO of the airline.

Tassapon Bijleveld, now executive chairman of both Asia Aviation – the carrier’s major shareholder – and Thai AirAsia, said the changes to the leadership positions would improve business flexibility within the carrier.

In his new role, he will be in charge of executive policy in the interest of sustainable growth. The company’s executive board and management directors have given their full support to the leadership changes, voicing confidence in promoting Santisuk, who has been instrumental in the airline’s growth from its inception, to the role of chief executive.