“The debut of Merimen marks an important step forward, [helping] AIG Thailand to enhance services and management for the entire automobile claim chain,” said Isorasak Thesratanavong, CEO and president of AIG Thailand Group.

Merimen is an evolution that responds to the modern world and the lifestyles of current customers as AIG Thailand gears itself towards the concept of “Make the World a Safer Place,” he said.

AIG has introduced the Merimen system to the whole auto claims service chain which will greatly facilitate customers, surveyors, garages, auto parts suppliers and auto glass shops – and streamline the process of claim notification and claim management. It can be used to build on to add new innovative services to match the needs of more complex customers, according to the release.

With the efficiency of the Merimen system, claim management is made effective, said Isorasak. For instance, more than 95 per cent of garage quotation and repair details can be reviewed and approved within 24 hours. And more than 97 per cent of payments for repair costs can be approved within one day after garage operators submitted documents through the system. Most garage operators are satisfied with the speed and process and willing to provide service priority for AIG-insured vehicles, he said.

“In addition, the system enhances our communication with customers, such as when the company approves repairs quotation and executes the works to the garage operators, customers will also be notified via SMS. AIG clients will soon be given new forms of service, such as ‘live’ service and the ability for customers to open their claim via mobile interactive-video with claims completely opened in five minutes. That will help increase convenience and speed in making claims by customers.”

In the future, the Merimen will be used for other personal claims management such as home insurance and personal accident insurance.

The company posted a recurring net profit of Bt1.006 billion, which is up 113 per cent year on year. This was supported by progress of the company’s rail transit expansion and innovation across the advertising, payment and logistics platforms under VGI PLC, its media subsidiary, the company said.

Kavin Kanjanapas, chief executive officer of BTS Group Holdings PLC, said: “On the back of another decent quarterly performance, BTS Group continues to beat prospects”, in reference to the company’s five-year guidance of recurring net profit to grow 25 per cent per annum on average.

“This is the culmination of groundwork laid in the previous two years and we anticipate the growth trajectory to continue from securing additional mass transit projects to be bid in the future,” he said.

“This quarter (April to June) was a remarkable start for our mass transit business. mass transit revenue soared to Bt7.208 billion, representing growth of 298 per cent year on year, largely from the recognition of construction revenue for the Pink and Yellow lines of Bt4.335 billion and an increase in services revenue from the provision of E&M works and the train procurement for the Southern and Northern Green Line extensions, which rose by 48 per cent year on year to Bt1.370 billion.

“Additionally, the full opening of Southern Green Line extension (Bearing – Kheha) in December resulted in higher operating and maintenance (O&M) revenue of Bt378 million, up 84 per cent year on year to Bt830 million.

On the media side, VGI saw revenue rise 25 per cent year on year or Bt274 million to Bt1.392 billion.

“The springboard for top-line growth in this quarter was from higher revenue in the digital services segment, which was mainly from the consolidation of Trans.Ad Group (a system integration and total solutions services provider) and organic growth from Rabbit Group. Net profit stood at Bt304 million as a result of considerable increase in realisation of synergies from all segments under VGI,” Kavin said.

“VGI continues to innovate via expansion into adjacent businesses and technologies as well repackaging product offerings to customers, creating unique value for its customers. Synergies on product development in collaboration with PlanB are already materialising and these are already driving revenue growth.

“It is encouraging to see the government reinforcing policy priority in favour of further mass transit projects both in Bangkok and upcountry. With the strategic focus of the group firmly directed towards the deployment of mass transit, we expect significant benefit to our mass transit business as well as follow on benefits to our media, property and services segments.

“With over 19 years of experience in rail mass transit, we are now standing ready and extending our interests wider to explore further opportunities within the transportation and related Infrastructure arena to serve our mission that we aim to be the leading and sustainable solutions provider to Bangkok’s residents. This will not only help improve their quality of living, but also create value and enable us to deliver sustainable returns to our shareholders.”

Daniel Ross, BTS Group chief investment officer, said: “Our mass transit business will continue to be the primary driver of our revenue and earnings growth. The new government has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding Bangkok’s rail mass transit network. We are working full steam ahead to concurrently develop the new Pink and Yellow lines, as well as extensions to the Green Line which will triple the length of track that BTS currently operates, by the end of 2021.”

On August 9, the first station of the Northern Green Line extension (N9: Ha Yaek Lat Prao station) began trial operations. Subsequently, the opening of four more stations (up to N13: Kasetsart University station) is expected by the end of this year.

Ross said: “We are confident that the opening of these first five stations in this fiscal year will feed additional passengers to our core network as well as to significantly bolster our O&M revenue. The full operation of this entire route from Mochit-Khu Khot is expected to begin in 2020.”

Sathit Riyatanon, director of after sales services at Scania Siam, said: “Scania has been marketing the marine engine for about two years since 2017, with EA Mechanics becoming an official distributor. We work with ship structure manufacturers to penetrate the boat engine market, so we will sell and service only the Scania marine engine.”

Sathit said that the marine engine market in Thailand is growing rapidly and that costumers know the importance of a good engine.

“A wooden boat that transported passengers and tourists on the Chao Phraya River Before was converted into an all-aluminium vessel, because of the problems in maintenance.

“Certainly, the engine is the heart of the boat. For the Scania marine engine market, the market is classified into three main groups. These consisting of the Chao Phraya Express boat, which provides pick-up and drop-off services on important locations on the Chao Phraya River, towing boats such as sand boats and other boats that Scania will continue to market. By 2020, it is expected that 32 Scania engines will be sold.

“It is not difficult to select a Scania marine engine because we are famous, with outstanding features such as fuel saving and environmentally friendliness.

“The oil change cycle at each cycle is 500 hours apart and the engine is durable. We have expertise and agents like EA Mechanics have received training according to the Scania standards.”

The new industrial waste-power plant will use Japan’s gasification with ash-melting technology. Located in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, this plant is a spinoff business built on the principle of a circular economy. It will be the first in Southeast Asia to feature this world-class industrial waste-disposal technology, with the ability to handle both hazardous and non-hazardous waste using a closed-loop process.

This plant is expected to conduct a test run later this year and start operating early next year. Its target is to process at least 50,000 tonnes of industrial waste by the end of next year. SCG is confident this industrial waste-power plant will become a model business in demonstrating how resources can be utilised efficiently through a value chain based on the circular economy principle, paving the way for sustainable growth in business, industrial, social and environmental sectors.

Chana Poomee, vice president for Cement and Construction Solution Business at SCG Cement-Building Materials Company Limited, said SCG recognises that circular economy is key to sustainable economic, social, and environmental development. The company has applied this concept to its business operation under the SCG Circular Way with the belief that such guidelines will usher success when its implementation begins.

SCI Eco Services Company Limited, in line with SCG’s Circular Way and its “Zero Waste to Landfill” policy, has launched many initiatives, especially in the area of industrial waste management. Among them are solid pre-treatment plant, liquid waste mixing and community waste management projects. Most recently, the company developed an industrial waste-power plant in Map Ta Phut as a prototype business based on the principles of the circular economy.

“We are aware that industrial waste without proper management can affect the environment and communities a great deal,” Chana said. “As a first in Thailand to properly treat industrial waste in cement kilns, SCI Eco Services is leveraging our expertise spanning more than 20 years to take industrial waste management to new heights. We have spent over three years working with the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, the Department of Industrial Works and Map Ta Phut community leaders to conduct an environmental health impact assessment [EHIA] and a feasibility study to set up an industrial waste disposal and power plant that complies with law and supports the concept of circular economy. With a budget of more than Bt2.4 billion, we are bringing Southeast Asia’s most advanced technology to this plant, which is being constructed with green supply chain management on 15-rai expanse of land in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate.”

Sanit Kessuwan, business stakeholder engagement director at SCG Cement Company Limited, added, “We always keep our eye on modern innovations and technologies that can be introduced to help drive our business progress. Gasification with ash melting is the most advanced industrial waste disposal technology in Southeast Asia, and it coincides with SCG’s circular economy and ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’ approaches. This process leaves no residues for disposal, but by-products that can be reused to make the most of resources.”

Panya Sopasriphan, deputy director for business stakeholder engagement at SCG Cement Company Limited, said: “The plant’s operation is a closed-loop system. It will feature pollution and waste control systems that comply with internationally recognised standards, from reception of industrial waste from entrepreneurs and transport to sorting centre for pre-disposal evaluation and analysis through to the disposal in gasifier and ash-melting furnace. While post-combustion residues such as aluminium, steel and fly ash are recyclable, others that are incombustible can be used as alternative materials for road construction. The power derived from the process can used for electricity generation while the water can be treated for reuse. This plant will have a capacity to process 65,000 tonnes of industrial waste per annum.”

Chana said: “We have implemented the plan to raise public awareness among target groups and local communities, highlighting the plant’s remarkable technologies, standards, and residue-free waste disposal. Our main target groups are industrial plants in the East, particularly those from automotive industry, refinery industry and electronics industry. Also, we want to invite entrepreneurs from all industries to accord importance to the need of properly disposing industrial waste so as to drive Thai industries towards sustainable growth. To reaffirm our commitment to Circular Economy promotion, SCG will hold the 10-year SD Symposium ‘Circular Economy: Collaboration for Action’. This seminar will address environmental issues that affect society and present success stories from various parts of the world.”

The symposium will be held on August 26 at Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld. More information is available at www.scg.com/sdsymposium.

The main sources of its revenue are the mobile phone service, data communication service, overseas call service and the leasing of telecommunications towers.

CAT is also continuing to roll out its Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN), which will be available nationwide this year to serve provinces that want to develop smart cities.

The state agency has also developed smart solutions such as smart tracking, smart lighting and smart energy to serve state agencies and private companies, which Sanpachai said has good growth potential.

CAT also marked its 16th anniversary on August 14 by introducing new staff uniforms and launching all-year activities to promote what it calls the “CAT new brand DNA” under its CATALYST concept.

This new DNA concept focuses on trying to gain deeper insight into customers and provide solutions to solve their problems.

Recently the other state telecom agency TOT said it was confident of achieving its net profit target of Bt2.49 billion this year, higher than last year’s target of Bt2.17 billion. Of the projected figure, Bt1 billon was achieved in the first half of this year.

TOT’s total revenue target is Bt56.5 billion, of which Bt25.3 billion will come from its own operations, while the remainder will come from its business partners.

TV and radio remain the core business. Revenue from almost all central radio stations increased compared to the previous quarter. The company plans to broadcast new quality content in the third quarter of the year, with the aim to increase ratings after the return of the licence to operate the MCOT Family 14 channel.

Kematat Paladesh, president of MCOT Plc, said profit for the first half of the year came to Bt255 million, an increase of 187 per cent compared with the same period of last year, due to revenue recognition from the order of the chief of National Council for Peace and Order on the Solution for Television and Telecommunications Industries No. 4/2019 given on April 11 and the offer in May allowing operators to return their digital terrestrial channel licences to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC).