Jakgrich Pibulpairoj, EGCO Group president, said: the company “completely transferred its entire stake of 18.72 per cent in East Water to Manila Water Company Inc in the Philippines on March 14, 2018”.

Jakgrich added that the company would “immediately recognise the proceeds from the divestment transaction”, which would be used for further business expansion.

The product was launched at an event titled “Play with Light”, which featured a short demonstration of Hue’s functions.

Chalermpong Darongsuwan, managing director, Philips Electronics (Thailand), said: “As an expert in lighting with the aim of leveraging the quality of life, we’ve captured the changing behaviour in today’s consumers whose lives had become more dependent on smartphones.

“Therefore, technology that brings together the connectivity between everyday objects, or the Internet of Things (IoT), is becoming more dominant.”

Philips Hue system allows home lighting to be changed into 16 million combinations via a mobile phone app on both IOS and Android systems.

In a media release, the company said customers “can choose to set the colours, the intensity of the light, dimming, and timing functions, as well as setting a ‘scene’ for specific uses”.

All of the functions can be operated on demand through voice control.

According to a media release from by Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand) Co Ltd, the brand will also being a Bt70 million marketing campaign – “Aquafina Clean, Clear and Quality” – this summer to capitalise on consumers’ increased focus on health and wellness.

Somchai Ketchaikosol, marketing director for beverages of PepsiCo Services Asia Limited, said: “In 2017, Thailand’s liquid refreshing beverage industry experienced a decline of 3 per cent, due to the result of the country’s economic downturn, the slowdown in household spending and also climate conditions, because the rainy season was longer than usual.

“Nonetheless, packaged drinking water was still among the top three categories with highest growth, with an increase of approximately 0.7 per cent compared to the year before. Especially the mineral water segment, which accounts for around 12 per cent of the entire drinking water category, grew by 8 per cent given new players stepping into the market last year including our Aquafina Minérale

“Thanks to the growing trend of healthy lifestyle and eating perceptions, Thailand’s Bt4 billion mineral water segment continues to grow year by year, especially in convenience stores, which are the main distribution channel.

“Last year, mineral water saw 9 per cent growth in this channel while plain drinking water rose by only 3 per cent. Launched only a half year ago, Aquafina Minérale has received a highly positive feedback from consumers and become one of the five best-selling mineral water in the channel.”

Lucky Union Food and Lawson108 set up the “Kani Family” viral campaign to promote Kani Taraba Red King crab stick, which is prices at Bt43 and is targeting office workers and healthy eaters.

Wantanee Saenguthai, Lucky Union Foods vice president, organised the product trial in association with the Lawson108 Mercury branch on Chit Lom Road.

The activity involved a product trial, where participants drawn from an online promotion compare the “tightness” of the meat in the product. A video is available on the Kani Family Facebook page.

The product is also available at Family Mart, Jiffy, Tops, Lawson108, Spar, Betagro, Big C and 7-Eleven, from Thursday this week.

The groups will be factory Sspplies, supplies for hotels/ restaurants/ cafés (Horeca supplies), and medical supplies and equipment. Together, they will offer more than 10,000 products “encompassing these businesses’ specific industrial needs, and meet the requirements of Thailand’s growing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)” the company said in a media release.

“Customers will discover greater ease in making purchases through an omni-channel that makes the most of the increasingly strong demand for online channels,” OfficeMate said.

In 2018, the company aims to grow total revenue to more than Bt8.6 billion, or 15 per cent over last year.

Worawoot Ounjai, chief executive officer of parent company COL Public Co Ltd, said that OfficeMate grew steadily over the past year with total revenue in 2017 overshooting its target to Bt7.5 billion, representing 7 per cent growth.

This was a result of a positive responses from SMEs, Worawoot said. Revenue from this customer segment rose by 10 per cent after OfficeMate increased the number of products in the business equipment and supplies category to include items such as cash registers, banknote counters, barcode scanners, printers, and office furniture.

With the cooperation of Kerry Express, OfficeMate stores was able to offer express delivery, which saw a jump in interested customers that was equivalent to more than 7 per cent of total OfficeMate store customers.

Over the past year, OfficeMate also developed a new online shopping channel, with revenue grow of 46 per cent to more than Bt1.2 billion.

Wilawan Rerkriengkrai, managing director of OfficeMate, said the company has set a target to grow 15 per cent to Bt8.6 billion in 2018.

The company said in a press release that Virgin Active Chiang Mai would opens its doors on March 17, and it would “redefine the way of life for many of Chiang Mai’s residents as they begin working out in a premium and sophisticated fitness facility”.

It will feature 2,000 square metres of floorspace, with facilities including Virgin’s Mind & Body Studio, Ride Studio and High Energy Studio, where more than 200 exercise programmes and classes will be conducted each week.

“Located in the popular Lanna Futuristic-styled Central Festival Chiang Mai, Virgin Active Chiang Mai is Virgin Active’s first club to be opened outside of Bangkok and is also its only club in South East Asia to have a dedicated Boxing Studio,” the company said.

The club is Virgin Active’s seventh to be launched in Thailand.

“Expanding outside of Bangkok has always been a goal of ours,” said Christian Mason, managing director, South East Asia, Virgin Active. “People today are becoming savvier when it comes to health and fitness. They are looking for services, experiences and workouts that offer not just the best value for money, but also ‘speak’ to them.

“Yet these were sorely missing in Chiang Mai, home to some of the world’s best Muay Thai fighters. We saw this as an opportunity to enter the market, to deliver to the residents of Chiang Mai a workout venue that does not simply match what gyms in Bangkok can offer, but far exceeds peoples’ expectations of what a gym can and should be.”

DTAC has already initiated the process of appointing a new CEO.

Norling, who assumed the post in April 2015, will remain in his current role until September 1 this year, or until a successor has been appointed.

Boonchai Bencharongkul, chairman of DTAC board of directors, said: “I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Lars Norling for his hard work and dedication. During his time with DTAC, the company has consolidated its position as a leader in 4G innovation and digital inclusion for all Thais. I wish Lars all the best on his new endeavors.”

Norling said: “It has been a true honour to lead DTAC over the last few years. I am proud to have been a part of DTAC’s leadership team as we kickstarted the company’s digital transformation journey, and I look forward to seeing the DTAC team continue to achieve great results for our customers.

“For the next months, I will focus on ensuring a continued strong business momentum and a smooth transition to my successor.”

Digital TV, radio, cinema, outdoor, and internet media continued to show growth in advertising spending, while falls were recorded for traditional TV channels, cable and satellite channels, newspapers, magazines, transit and in store media.

Top five advertising spenders in the first two months of this year are TV Direct Sale, Government Savings Banks, Korea King Cooking Pan, Coke Soft Drink, and DTAC Corporate, Nielsen said.