Han Chon, general manager of Lenovo’s data center group for Asean, said the Chinese multinational tech giant has embarked on its third-stage transformation for such a capability.

Under the Transform 3.0 theme, Lenovo aims to build one of the world’s largest edge-to-cloud computing portfolios to better serve customers in Thailand and other Asean markets.

This will lead to the next generation of massive data processing using artificial intelligence (AI), face and object recognition, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and other features.

In the retail sector, for example, brick-and-mortar stores can remove long queues of customers and avoid pricing errors by using object recognition technology at their self-service checkouts.

With an integrated system of cameras, processors and sensors, shoppers can scan all items at once to shorten the queues since the need to detect individual barcodes of products is eliminated. In addition, the system can provide feedback to suppliers and manufacturers from the point of sales as well as facilitate a virtual wallet payment gateway.

Chon said retail chains can also take advantage of dynamic marketing features at the point-of-sales by providing pop-up online stores, for example, to targeted customers.

These new capabilities have potential use in public-sector security, government services, telecommunications and banking and finance, among others.

Lenovo purchased its personal computer and data center businesses from US-based IBM,

Lenovo has achieved a number of milestones in the data center business including recognition as one of the world’s best performers in computer server capability and reliability as well as in data storage.

During a recent Bangkok event, Lenovo also showcased new intelligent devices and solutions for enterprises in Thailand using AR, IoT, security and other software for workplace transformation and smarter businesses.

For the smarter business initiative, the firm highlights the potential of AR and VR capabilities such as those for workers to use AR applications to get help, reduce repair times for machinery, eliminate errors, streamline complex workflow, and improve training quality and collaboration.

Lenovo’s ThinkReality platform also allows workers to interact and collaborate with 3D digital information in the real world, helping to improve contextual awareness and efficiency.

Both AR and VR software can also be managed across multiple operating systems, cloud services and devices.

In terms of IoT solutions, an IoT device, for example, can capture information on various repeated actions in a given environment and, then, analyse the data to boost workplace efficiency and optimize performance.

The IoT platform includes sensors, high-power cameras, motion-enabled lighting, machine vision cashiers, and visual recognition devices that can detect and convey information quickly to make decisions at the edge such as at warehouses or showrooms to facilitate warehouse and showroom automation.

In logistics, a warehouse associate may use a high-performance camera sensor to identify if packages are on the right pallet within 200 milliseconds of picking up a box via a QR code on the sticker as part of the warehouse automation system.

In healthcare, a medical practitioner can use a pair of AR glasses to view a patient’s X-ray on the cloud platform to help diagnose a complicated ailment.

In addition to the existing monthly and annual subscriptions to iflixVIP, customers can now experience iflix’s premium service through recurring sachet subscriptions, offering customers greater flexibility and convenience. The wide availability of carrier billing (any prepaid or postpaid mobile customer can make payments) combined with new sachet pricing will help iflix reach a wider consumer audience.

“In many of our markets, direct carrier billing is often the only payment instrument available to our users to pay for online content. With a vast majority of telecom customers in these markets being prepaid customers with low average balance, it is crucial for iflix to be able to offer price points low enough to ensure people can pay,” said Kjetil Rohde Jakobsen, iflix Global Director of Expansion.

“Launching Fortumo HDCB was a no-brainer for us. Fortumo already had the capabilities we were looking for with a large number of operators across all our core markets. This meant we could effectively deliver the capabilities we intended 10 times faster than if we had to do each integration directly with the operators,” he added.

“Emerging markets are today seeing the biggest growth in new digital consumers, which creates an exciting opportunity for merchants to grow their user base. To become successful in these markets, merchants need to account for local market specifics and consumer behaviour. We are excited to be working with iflix, a leading player in the streaming space who understand their audience and has adapted a successful local strategy,” sauid Andrea Boetti, VP of Global Business Development at Fortumo.

In countries where iflix and Fortumo are working together, credit card penetration is less than 10 per cent while the majority of consumers already own a smartphone. This means digital content merchants are unable to convert a large majority of their user base to paying customers, as most of them do not have access to traditional online payment methods.

Carrier billing resolves this issue by allowing anyone with a mobile device to pay through their mobile operator – either by deducting the charge from their prepaid SIM card balance or adding it to their monthly phone bill.

iflix uses Fortumo’s Hosted DCB product to collect payments from its customers. This gives iflix the capability to connect to telcos’ direct carrier billing infrastructure through one integration with Fortumo, while taking advantage of features including dynamic pricing and automated refunds.

Fortumo’s platform is used by Google, Amazon, Spotify, Electronic Arts, Schibsted, OLX, EasyPark and thousands of other merchants. One integration with the platform enables merchants to collect payments from subscribers of more than 350 mobile operators.

The company also affirmed its readiness to compete on the online delivery market and boost sales to Bt500 million in four years.

Pitharn notes that Mos Burger is among the most successful fast food restaurants in Japan and has achieved tremendous success in other countries. It currently operates in China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia as well as in Thailand and since its launch at CentralWorld in 2007 has gained a positive response from Thai consumers.

By moving the ownership from the parent company in Japan, currently the major shareholder of Mos Foods Services (Thailand) Company Limited with a registered capital of Bt6 million, to Pitharn, who will became the major shareholder with 75 per cent of the stock, the Mos Burger brand in Thailand can be further strengthened in terms of both marketing and management. The chain currently has branches at Central World, Fashion Island, Century The Movie Plaza Sukhumvit, Central Plaza Bangna, Central Rama III, Emporium, Future Park Rangsit and Terminal 21 (Asoke) and is planning to open new outlets in major tourist destinations. Mos Foods Services (Thailand) has also adjusted its marketing strategies to better reach its target consumers, tapping into the online delivery and launching new promotions with delivery service operators as well as other marketing campaigns to boost sales to reach 500-million-baht in 4 years.

“Mos Burger is the business worth keeping an eye on and has potential to grow given its wide-ranging strength from the food quality to its true taste of Japan, which matches Thai consumers’ preference and gives us the leading edge. Combined with the robust marketing strategies, Mos Burger can thrive and emerge as a strong competitor in Thailand’s fast food market in the future. What we bring to the table is the management efficiency and a new menu that is fine-tuned to the Thai consumers’ palate, while Mos Burger Japan still takes charge of maintaining the product high standards including the food quality and prime ingredients of the original brand,” Pitharn says.

Growth has been slow for the loan programme, amounting to Bt400 million and Bt500 million since its launch early this year.

Chatchai attributed the main obstacle to growth to a condition that requires the borrower to secure signatory consent from his/her relatives on the loan. This has led to worries on the part of the relatives that they would have to share responsibility with the borrower, he said.

The new condition will require only that the relatives witness the transaction.

A reverse mortgage allows homeowners to convert their residence into cash. Instead of making monthly payments, they will gradually receive the loan amount in instalments over a long period until death or until the approved loan amount is fully exhausted.

GSB provides reverse mortgage loan at the proportion of 70 per cent of a house or a condominium unit’s value but not exceeding Bt10 million per person. In the case of condominium units, the appraised value has to be at least Bt1.5million.

As part of its reverse mortgage loan conditions, the age of borrowers has to be at least 60 but not exceeding 80 and being the owner of a property which is debt free. The maximum term for the loan agreement is 25 years.

The project was initiated by the Dairy Farming Promotion Organization of Thailand in collaboration with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, recycler Fiberpat Limited and SIG Combibloc Ltd. The aim of the project is to promote the collection of discarded UHT milk cartons from the school milk programme, which covers 437 schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and recycle them into furniture, roof sheets, and other useful products.

Tetra Pak (Thailand) Limited, represented by managing director Bert Jan Post, said the project is one of the important environment projects undertaken by the company, “which contributes to our commitment to the sustainable circular economy, waste reduction and environmental preservation”.

Until September 1, the Waterfront Plaza at Ocean Park Hong Kong will transform into an exhilarating water-battle zone where guests will face off against each other in classic scenes from One Piece.

Not only can kids and adults join the Straw Hat Crew on their summer adventure, they can also go on a gourmet voyage and take home memorabilia infused with One Piece snippets.

Timothy Ng, executive director of Ocean Park Hong Kong’s operations and entertainment department, said: “Water games have always been Ocean Park’s most-loved summer activities. We are thrilled to partner with the immensely popular One Piece to stage the Ocean Park Summer Water Battle presented by SKECHERS and throw a cool summer bash inspired by the Straw Hat crew’s battles with the Marines. We hope to attract One Piece fans from all over the world to visit Ocean Park Hong Kong for a summer filled with passion and dreams.”

Members of the Luffy and Straw Hat crew are also heading to the park to mark the 20th anniversary of One Piece. Adding to the excitement, fans can relive their epic adventures in seven encounters and photo spots at the Ocean Park Summer Water Battle.

Highlights include the Thousand.Sunny Ship by the Park’s lagoon, the bounty posters, a super-size fountain in the shape of Luffy’s signature straw hat, and more. Even better, guests can grab their water guns and join Luffy’s crew to fight against the Marines in a throwback to the Battle of Marineford, harnessing the \power of their friendships to dodge all kinds of water cannons and traps.

The contracts cover the civil works, structure and lighting system for the expressway project

Any bidders that object to the bid results can lodge appeals within seven days of the announcement.

The state agency is expected to sign the contracts with the winners by September this year, Exat acting deputy governor Nontajit Bangsomboon has said.

Running from today through August 31, the sale is being run in conjunction with leading department stores Amarin Plaza, Central Chidlom, Central Embassy, Emporium, EmQuartier, Erawan Bangkok, Gaysorn, Paragon, Terminal 21, and Zen.

Under this year’s campaign, both international and Thai shoppers stand a chance to win special prizes, including a voucher worth up to Bt1,000 when spending a minimum of 2,000 baht per receipt on their Visa credit, debit or pre-paid cards. In addition, Visa cardholders will be able to access a world of privileges through Visa’s own premium platform, including a number of attractive lifestyle privileges and experiences in Thailand.

Based on Visa’s travel insights, Bangkok is one of the top destinations for international tourist arrivals in 2018 alongside Paris, Tokyo London and Barcelona. The collaboration between Visa and the Tourism Authority of Thailand is built on a long-standing relationship between the two organizations and a shared aspiration to cement Thailand as top global destination among international travellers.

The improvement was mainly attributed to a 1.20-per-cent growth in operating income and a 31-per-cent decline in provisions, partially offset by a 16.9-per cent increase in operating expenses.

On a Y-o-Y basis, operating income rose by Bt80.5 million, or 1.2 per cent to Bt6.88 billion from a 3.8-per- cent increase in net interest income, on the back of loan expansion and higher interest income on investments, partially offset by a Bt40.7 million or 4.1-per-cent lower net fee and service income. Other operating income decreased by Bt77.5 million or 13.5 per cent from higher losses on financial instruments designated at fair value through profit or loss.

Operating expenses rose by Bt653.3 million or 16.9 per cent largely due to higher personnel cost attributed to a combination of the Fast Forward expansion strategy, and higher compensation for employees who have retired or have over 20 years of service due to an amendment to the Labour Protection Law. Coupled with a higher loss on sale of properties for sale, the cost to income ratio was higher at 65.8 per cent in the first half of 2019 compared to 57.0 per cent in the same period last year.

Net Interest Margin (NIM) over earning assets stood at 3.30 per cent in the first six months of 2019, compared to 3.87 per cent in the first half of last year, owing to higher cost of funds.

As at June 39, 2019, total gross loans (inclusive of loans guaranteed by other banks and loans to financial institutions) stood at Bt237.3 billion, an increase of 4.2 per cent from 31 December 2018. Deposits (inclusive of Bills of Exchange, Debentures and selected Structured Deposit Products) stood at Bt235.3 billion, a slight increase of 0.4 per cent from Bt234.3 billion as at end of December 2018. The Modified Loan to Deposit Ratio rose to 100.9 per cent compared to 97.2 per cent as at December 31, 2018.

The gross non-performing loans (“NPL”) stood at Bt10.7 billion, with an equivalent gross NPL ratio of 4.5 per cent from 4.3 per cent as at December 31, 2018, arising from the slower repayment ability from a few corporate and retail accounts. CIMB Thai continues to exercise high standards for credit risk underwriting and risk management policies. The Bank also focuses on improving productivity, monitoring collection and managing all accounts closely and effectively.

CIMB Thai Group’s loan loss coverage ratio stood at 106.5 per cent as at June 30, 2019 compared to 107.0 per cent as at the end of December 2018. As at 30 June 2019, total provisions stood at Bt11.3 billion, translating to a Bt5.2 billion excess over the Bank of Thailand’s reserve requirements.

Total consolidated capital funds as at June 30, 2019 stood at Bt48.4 billion. BIS ratio stood at 18.7 per cent, 13.7 per cent of which comprised Tier-1-capital.