The Singapore deals will provide the latest Honeywell technologies and services to help improve operational capabilities for Singapore Airlines, SilkAir and Scoot, Honeywell’s vice president for airlines in the Asia-Pacific region, Brian Davis, said in a group interview at Air Show 2018 in Singapore yesterday.

“Thailand’s aviation business is experiencing faster growth and needs to further modernise technology to serve that business growth, with Thailand being a hub to link with the Indochina countries, comprising Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos, as well as Myanmar,” Davis said.

Thailand is a key market for the company’s business in Indochina and needs more technology to develop its aviation facilities to serve the strong demand in the market, he said.

The company also is negotiating with other airline operators elsewhere in Asia, including in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and China.

Davis said that its connected aircraft business will provide the software to improve flight management, flight safety, passenger experience, maintenance, flight operations, aircraft turnaround times and reduce costs.

He said the connected aircraft will anticipate opportunities and offer unique insights by harnessing the power of analytics with the confidence of the secure communication link.

The company says the connected aircraft service reduces fuel costs and emissions by up to 5 per cent and operational disruptions by up to 35 per cent, while cutting maintenance and operations costs.

Davis said connected aircraft will provide “the best experience” for airline passengers.

“For example, it provides 10x100x faster Wi-Fi speeds and smoother and safer flights,” he said. “Flight operators also will save up to 5 per cent in flight time with ATC priority, and improve arrival times and dispatch speed. The ground operation also cuts troubleshooting time by up to 25 per cent.”

According to the company’s research, the market value of the connected aircraft business worldwide will reach as much as US$6 billion in 2020. This provides for an opportunity for the company to expand its business globally and in the Asia-Pacific region, Davis said.

The company’s president for Asia-Pacific, Steve Lien, said Honeywell is eyeing business expansion in the Asia-Pacific, especially in Southeast Asia and China, where it sees strong growth in the aviation business.

“From 2017 till 2036, the Asia region will have demand for 16,050 aircraft worth US$2.5 trillion,” said in a group interview yesterday at the air show.

“This will drive aviation business in the region to sustain strong growth. This challenge for our business expansion in this region, especially with the connected aircraft services, is to help airlines better manage their traffic and services for their customers.”

At the end of 2016, Honeywell Group announced a total sale values of US$39.4 billion, with US$14.8 billion from is aerospace business, US$10.7 billion from home and building technologies, US$9.3 billion from performance materials and technologies, and the remaining US$4.6 billion from safety and productivity solutions.

Amway has reaffirmed its leadership in consumer air treatment systems by launching “Atmosphere Drive”, the first and only car air purifier to receive Allergy UK Seal of Approval. Atmosphere Drive addresses urban lifestyles in which people spend several hours a day in their car amid the rising trend for healthy living.

With its marketing campaign and sales promotion in place, the new product is set to spur its market with a sales target of Bt300 million.

Kittawat Ritteerawee, managing director of Amway (Thailand) Limited, said, “People are increasingly health-conscious today. With a surging trend in favour of prevention rather than therapeutic healthcare, people are trying to stay healthy and live a long life.

However, a lot of Thais continue to live with health problems, particularly allergies. It is estimated that more than 18 million people have an allergy, among them over 10 million suffer from respiratory allergy and 5 million others with asthma. Protecting ourselves from exposure to pollutants and allergens is not easy because these allergenic substances exist everywhere, including in cars. A recent study revealed that car air quality can be up to 15 times worse than the air outdoor, makes it a health threat to humans.”

“Besides, road traffic is getting worse. In 2017, Thailand topped the world’s ranking of cities with the most severe rush hour traffic, suggesting that Thais have to spend more time in their car as if it is their third home after their residence and workplace,” he pointed out. “This translates to longer exposure to airborne contaminants in the car, which increases the risk of respiratory diseases, including allergies.

Although allergies are chronic conditions, they can be prevented by minimizing one’s exposure to allergens. As a leading provider of health products and the global leader in consumer air treatment innovation, Amway foresaw a promising market for our car air treatment system to Thai consumers.”

CASH-BACK AT H&M BRANCHES

TMB credit card is joining forces with H&M and invite cardholders to enjoy shopping with double bonus: 1) For each Bt2,000 sales slip, get Bt100 cash back (5 per cent); for each Bt5,000 sales slip, get a refund of Bt750 (15 per cent),effective through 30 April 2018. Limited up to Bt2,250 per card throughout the campaign. Shoppers can register via SMS to receive a privilege by typing TMBM followed by the last 12 digits of the TMB credit card and send it to 4806026 and send it to 4806026 (Bt3/message).

2) pay by instalments with TMB So GooOD with zero per cent interest for three months (Minimum Bt1,000 per sales slip). Simply use a credit card and call 1558, press 1 followed by 01 or choose to make a transaction manually via TMB Touch/ TMB Internet Banking before the credit balance cutoff.

THAI DEBUT FOR NEW GREEN TEA

Lipton Ice Tea, the No 1 ready-to-drink (RTD) tea in 24 countries around the world, has expanded its product portfolio with the launch of a new Asian-inspired RTD green tea “Lipton Green Tea Mango Pandan” in Thailand’s Bt13-billion RTD tea market .

Tuangporn Siriwatwitoon, group product manager – Lipton Ice Tea of Pepsi-Cola (Thai) Trading Company Limited, said “In 2017, Thailand’s RTD tea drink – including green tea, black tea and white tea – was worth about Bt13.7 billion, which shrank by 8.5 per cent when compared to the previous year.

However, Lipton Ice Tea was the only major players achieving a growth rate of 40 per cent, outperforming the total industry.

Last year’s success was apparently the result of our business transformation to a company-owned bottling operation with a focus on pack-price strategy, the launch of ‘Lipton Food Buddy’ campaign, and proactive channel expansion.”

“This year, aside from strengthening our leadership position in the black tea segment, we aim to expand the consumer base through the introduction of our latest innovation ‘Lipton Green Tea Mango Pandan’, with Thailand as the first market.

The new drink is planned to be launched in other Asean countries,” added Tuangporn.

The campaign offers shoppers up to 50 per cent discount on purchases and a chance to win a trip to Taiwan. It is expected to bring in Bt2.7 billion in sales revenue during the period.

The Mall Group’s executive vice president Chamnarn Maytaprechakul said the retail market has been growing since November 2017 when the government announced the shopping tax break. As a result, the The Mall Group achieved its revenue target of Bt56 billion, posting a four per cent growth from 2016.

From the beginning of 2018, consumer spending has remained strong with The Mall’s starting the year with ‘Discount Overload’ from January 31 to February 4, generating at least Bt300 million in sales. The spending trend is expected to continue into Chinese New Year, which falls around Valentine’s Day, with both being spending occasions. Hence, The Mall Group have combined these two occasions for a single campaign, Chinese New Year Joy Luck Love, scheduled for February 8 to 28.

Promotions include:

lCustomers will be offered Ang Pao with discount vouchers ranging from 10 to 50 per cent when they spend Bt1,500 to Bt15,000 or use M Card points. Participating credit cards are offering additional discounts, vouchers and cash backs worth up to 20 per cent off.

lEnter for a chance to win a trip to Taiwan to worship sacred sites to enhance fortune and romance, as well as enjoy great meals and popular sites including Sun Moon Lake and Jiu Fen. There are also 10 prizes worth a million baht combined up for grabs.

lFortune for Year of the Dog: Receive fortune reading and premium gifts at The Mall Bangkapi, Bangkae, Korat, Emporium and Paragon.

The US company, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron, is also pursuing sales opportunities in other Asia-Pacific countries, especially China, the Philippines and Indonesia, where demand is rising for both military and medical helicopters, Moulay said.

In 2017, the company sold 200 helicopters to China, 16 to the Philippines, eight to Thailand, and two each to Asian Aviation Resources Pte Lte in Cambodia, Vietnam Helicopter Corporation, and Japan.

In Indonesia, the company has signed a contract with PT Travira Air, a charter operator based in Jakarta, for Bell’s Customer Advantage Plans support services for three of its Bell 412 EPs.

The deal raised the company’s business growth last year by 75 per cent when compared with the previous year, Moulay said.

In Thailand, the demand for helicopters continues to grow, especially for medical helicopters, he said.

Market recovery

He said the overall helicopter market recovered to post strong growth last year, thanks to demand from Asia-Pacific countries. However, sales have declined in the US and Europe over the past three years ago amid global economic uncertainties.

With strong demand in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in China, the company is studying whether to set up a maintenance or service centre in China that that may open in the next two to three years, he said. The company has a service centre in Singapore.

“We cannot says how much the investment could come to for maintenance or service centre in China as that depends on the size of the centre,” Moulay said. “However, that would be the next step for our business when we expand our market in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Bell Helicopter’s maintenance and training centre in Singapore has supported 1,260 bell helicopters operating throughout the region, the company’s general manager of Asia-Pacific and Oceania, Chris Schaefer, said in a press release yesterday.

Bell Helicopter produces commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical-lift aircraft and claims to be a pioneer in development of the revolutionary tiltrotor aircraft.

Bell’s global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120 countries.

It said this year’s presales are projected at Bt33.5 billion with total revenue turnover projected to reach Bt28.1 billion based on its plans to launch 34 new projects worth Bt49 billion, comprising four condominium projects worth Bt19 billion and 30 low-rise projects worth Bt30 billion.

The company said it aims to achieve further success through five strategic drivers: building on successful partnership with Mitsubishi Estate; launching super luxury products; making a difference through mass-customised design in low-rise developments;) expanding international portfolio; and developing digital innovation for good quality of life.

Last year AP recorded over Bt42.900 billion in presales, exceeded its Bt26 billion projected presales goal in 2017, representing 92 per cent growth, compared to Bt22.365 billion projected presales in 2016.

According to Anuphong Assavabhokhin, chief executive officer, in 2018 the company will continue to work for its major goal of making AP a top-three company in Thailand’s real estate industry under the main mission to deliver good living quality in every aspect.

In the pipeline to be launched this year are 34 projects worth Bt49 billion, of which four are condominium projects worth Bt19 billion and 30 are low-rise developments worth Bt30 billion. Presales from these developments are projected at Bt33.5 billion.

Total revenue turnover in 2018 is projected at Bt28.1 billion.

In the fifth year of partnership with Mitsubishi Estate, the companies will continue to develop middle-to high-end condominiums together. They have signed an agreement to invest in four new condo projects worth around Bt23 billion. This March, AP will be ready to start selling the first of their projects – Life Sukhumvit 62. To date, AP and Mitsubishi Estate Group have 15 condo projects worth up to Bt73 billion in their portfolio.

In 2018, AP will unveil many new house models in the launches of the 30 low-rise projects worth around Bt30 billion. These include 17 townhome projects worth Bt15.3 billion and 13 detached house projects worth Bht 14,700 million.

The envelops feature a Pekingese dog guarding treasure by sitting on a pile of ancient gold coins.

The dog is believed to bring good fortune and wealth to its owner due to its resemblance to a Chinese guardian lion. The ang pao are available at KBank branches nationwide.

The outbound flights will leave Chiang Mai International Airport at 9.55am and arrive at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport at 12 noon.

The inbound flight will leave Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport at 12.45pm and arrive at Chiang Mai International Airport at 2.50pm.

The flights will be on a 70-seater ATR72-500/600.

Kiyoyasu Asanuma, fourth from right, managing director of AEON Thana Sinsap (Thailand) Plc, Kunio Kawamura, third from left, company’s director, together with Chotiwat Saritvejvorakul, fourth from left, chief executive officer of BB Smart Car, and Napop Ramkomut, third from right, managing director of The Best 5, at the launch of the first phase of “AEON Auto Loan” an innovate loan servicing for used cars in Bangkok . AEON Auto Loan offers hassle-free financial loan approval, low interest rate, and also an installment plan of up to seven years. The used-car loan segment opens up a growth opportunity for AEON to reach Bt500 million in loans by the end of 2018.

Promotion, starting today until June 30, includes a special Esprit Shopping bag worth Bt1,590 upon complete documents submission and an additional Esprit Gold 29” luggage worth Bt8,990 or Caggioni 20” luggage worth Bt4,990 will be offered according to the approved loan amount.

Chula spearheads innovation hub

Chulalongkorn University is leading the development of Siam Square and Pathumwan area to become Siam Innovation District (SID), in a joint bid to drive the country’s education and industrial sector to the Thailand 4.0 era, as well as support and develop new entrepreneurs and build new Thai startups through CU Innovation Hub.

Professor Bundhit Eua-arporn, Chulalongkorn University’s President, says that according to the vision of the university as a world-class national university generating knowledge and innovation necessary for the creative and sustainable transformation of Thai society, the university has collaborated with public and private organisations to establish CU Innovation Hub, an innovation ecosystem for creative startups to develop new ways of living, learning and creating for Thai society.

“CU Innovation Hub, with the mission to support Thai society to become an intellectual community, is an innovation ecosystem that links expertise, research and innovation with creativity skill, critical thinking and entrepreneurship. The hub’s goals are identifying and empowering talented innovators, nurturing innovations and sustaining Thailand’s start-ups as we believe that innovative society can help enhance the country’s competencies. CU Innovation Hub will be also a project that can jointly change the future of Thailand,” said Bundhit.

CU Innovation Hub will focus on 4 strategic areas comprising Aging Society, Digital Economy & Robotics, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Community & Smart City.

Return of alice + olivia collection

Starbucks Coffee (Thailand) celebrates this year’s Valentine’s Day by bringing back the alice + olivia drinkware collection for the third year in a row. The latest collection is inspired by the ‘simply show some love’ concept dreamed up by wellknown fashion designer, Stacey Bendet, the artist behind the original ‘Stace Face’ with its chic black sunglasses and bright red lips.

Starbucks fans can now enjoy a touch of effortless elegance from this fashionable collection, choosing from a ceramic mug, a tumbler, a tote bag or a cute bearista. All are available from 6th February 2018 onwards at Starbucks stores nationwide.

The campaign “Siam Delightful Chinese New Year” has been launched to attract both Thai and international shoppers to experience the excitement throughout the Siam area. With more than 999 Chinese lanterns, imported performances from China, auspicious events, as well as promotions and special prizes, the campaign aims to draw both Thai and international tourists to the shopping areas through March 11 this year.

Mayuree Chaipromprasith, senior executive vice president/marketing of Siam Piwat Co Ltd, said that to welcome the shopping season and the high season of tourism at the beginning of the year, the company has launched the “Siam Delightful Chinese New Year” campaign, thanks to its synergy as “One Siam” to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

The three shopping centers offer different types of activities, which will focus on new experience and innovations, and create something new to impress our customers.

Moreover, the company has decorated the shopping centres to create a auspicious atmosphere during the beginning of the year, emphasising our shopping centers as the number one destination in Bangkok.

“Under the ‘One Siam’ concept, Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery as one of the leading retailers in Thailand, we are confident that the number of visitors to three shopping centers will increase by more than 20 per cent during the period with higher spending.

This corresponds to the rising traffic and strong tourism growth, which is expected to rise by 9 per cent annually.

For this year, we have a strategy to reach targeted tourists by focusing more on the fully independent traveler or FIT,” she said.

According to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), the number and spending per head of FIT have increased largely during the past year.

Hence, we will focus on this group of customers because they have strong purchasing power, especially Chinese tourists who love branded products and are ready to spend their money.

The incoming Chinese New Year will be a long holiday of about 15-30 days, the Chinese tourists will travel abroad and one of the most popular destinations is Bangkok.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects that in 2018, the Chinese tourist market will generate revenue of Bt5.61 billion, an increase of 10.5 per cent from the previous year with average spending of Bt55,000 per person per trip, rising 4.38 per cent from the previous year. Businesses that will benefit from rising spending include hotels, retail and shopping, and food.

Chanisa Kaewruen, senior deputy managing director for marketing event and business relationship division, said that under the theme of “Lantern Festival”, this year’s event will be illuminated with 999 dazzling sculpted lanterns that symbolise prosperity to welcome the Chinese New Year.

The installations in the shape of 12 Chinese zodiac animals measuring 2.5 metres in height dot the open space, dwarfed by the 5-metre-tall dog-shaped centerpiece marking the Year of the Dog.

The airline will serve two starred menus including “Chicken Tart” and “Egg White Tart” with scented Ulong Tea from Chiangrai, on the flights during February 14-16, according to its press statement.

THAI Smile wishes all passengers the happiness and prosperity throughout the year, “Kong Xi Fa Shai”.

The menus will not be served on the flights no. WE177, WE696 / 697, WE288 WE333 / 334, WE335 / 336, WE343 / 344, WE420 and WE426.