Fourgle – Thailand’s latest social-networking app with a difference
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2022
THE NATION
A Thai startup firm is launching a social-networking application under an “economy sharing” concept this month and hopes to draw a million users within this year.
Anuchit Anuchitanukul, CEO and co-founder of Fourgle (Thailand), said the Fourgle app will put make it easier for people to access information about everything, including people, places, timings and activities. He said the app aims to respond to changing lifestyles and give online businesses an added boost.
Anuchit said the app will allow users to tailor the content to match their lifestyles, as well as create or join communities that focus on their topics of interest.
The Fourgle (Thailand) startup has a registered capital of US$1 million and is currently valued at 400 million baht.
Co-founder Supat Pornnapha, who once worked in the United States’ Silicone Valley, said the app is currently at a closed-beta stage with some 160,000 users and a major e-commerce operator has expressed interest in it. He added that the app, set to be officially launched sometime this month, will initially focus on food communities, with its CookKlich feature allowing users to exchange recipes and cooking tips and tricks.
Fourgle has also joined hands with restaurants in Gaysorn Plaza, Amarin Plaza and other malls in Bangkok’s Ratchaprasong area.
Supat said next year the app expand to cover other topics like home decoration, interior design, fashion and tourism and will link up with relevant businesses.
“Fourgle aims to link up communities to create a useful legacy,” Supat said. “Users will be allowed to create their own content and the successful ones will be rewarded Fourgle coins that can be redeemed for goofs and privileges.”
Ticket to the MARS: The Special NFT on Bitkub Chain
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 01, 2022
THE NATION
Bangkok, September 27 – Bitkub Chain announced KUB to the MARS, the Lock & Drop package on September 1, 2022.
It is the first time on Bitkub Chain to distribute the reward as KUB Coin. Lock & Drop is one of the main utilities of KUB Coin as provided on Bitkub Chain White Paper. The exclusive NFT airdrop called “Ticket to the MARS’’ will be airdropped according to the total value of KUB locking.
The schedule of KUB to the MARS locking package is concluded as follows:
1. From the 1st of September 2022, 12.00 pm. to the 7th of September 2022, 23.59 pm. (estimated 13% of annual percentage yield) 2. From the 8th of September 2022, 12.00 pm. to the 14th of September 2022, 23.59 pm. (estimated 12% of annual percentage yield) 3. From the 15th of September 2022, 12.00 pm. to the 21st of September 2022, 23.59 pm. (estimated 11% of annual percentage yield) 4. From the 22nd of September 2022, 12.00 pm. to the 5th of October 2022, 23.59 pm. (estimated 10% of annual percentage yield)
Ticket to the MARS NFT will be airdropped to the users according to the total value of KUB locking. You can see more detail about the special privileges as follows:
1. For the users who lock from 1 to 1,000 KUB ● Ticket to the MARS NFT Airdrop: Normal rarity ● Special Activities on Bitkub Chain ● Free Training Creator Studio Class ● Creator Studio Fee Credit: 10 BCS ● Free Access to Bitkub M Social 5 times per year ● Social DAO Voting 100 Power ● Bitkub Academy 5% Store Discount (Participating Items)
2. For the users who lock from 1,001 to 10,000 KUB ● Ticket to the MARS NFT Airdrop: Rare rarity ● Special Activities on Bitkub Chain ● Free Training Creator Studio Class ● Creator Studio Fee Credit: 50 BCS ● Free Access to Bitkub M Social 10 times per year ● Social DAO Voting 1,000 Power ● Bitkub Academy 5% Store Discount (Participating Items)
3. For the users who lock from 10,001 to 50,000 KUB ● Ticket to the MARS NFT Airdrop: Super Rare rarity ● Special Activities on Bitkub Chain ● Free Training Creator Studio Class ● Creator Studio Fee Credit: 100 BCS ● Free Access to Bitkub M Social 15 times per year ● Social DAO Voting 5,000 Power ● Bitkub Academy 5% Store Discount (Participating Items) ● Free Meeting Room Booking at Bitkub M Social 1 time per year ● Space Rental Discount for 30% at Bitkub M Social
4. For the users who lock from 50,001 KUB or above ● Ticket to the MARS NFT Airdrop: Ultra Rare rarity ● Special Activities on Bitkub Chain ● Free Training Creator Studio Class ● Creator Studio Fee Credit: 1,000 BCS ● Free Access to Bitkub M Social 30 times per year ● Social DAO Voting 10,000 Power ● Bitkub Academy 10% Store Discount (Participating Items) ● Free Meeting Room Booking at Bitkub M Social 2 times per year ● Space Rental Discount for 50% at Bitkub M Social ● Fast lane to buy NFT (Participating Stores)
The exclusive NFT Airdrop will be distributed on the 17th of October 2022 (12:00 pm onwards).
Disclaimer*: 1. The price of digital assets is highly volatile. Please examine the details carefully before participating. 2. KUB TO THE MARS is a long-term locking. 3. Reward distribution will be on a daily basis, and the users can claim the reward 1 time per day. 4. The first reward distribution date is on the 7th of October 2022 (12.00 pm onwards). 5. Exclusive NFT will be airdropped on the 17th of October 2022, 12 pm onwards (1 wallet address per 1 NFT airdrop). For more detail, please visit Bitkub Chain Official Facebook Page. 6. The company reserves the right to change the conditions for the product. Please consider the risks before participating in this activity. Lock KUB and Get Bonus feature was announced on the 1st of September 2021, and it is one of the main utilities of KUB Coin as provided on Bitkub Chain White Paper. It is the first activity on Bitkub Chain to allow users to lock KUB and earn rewards as digital tokens.
Caroline Link honoured ‘outstanding female leader’ for doing business with social responsibility and environmental friendliness
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
THE NATION
Caroline Link, the fourth-generation heir to B.Grimm, Thailand’s oldest business institutions founded in 1878, was named “Outstanding Women Leaders for Green Growth Awards 2022” by the Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Associations of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of H.M. the Queen.
The 2022 award recognises Caroline for conducting business with social responsibility and environmental friendliness. The award presentation ceremony was held at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok recently.
Caroline carried her family’s 144-year tradition of “doing business with compassion in harmony with nature.” She has long been known for her commitment to sustainable business practices in all dimensions, and her philanthropy both with B.Grimm and other organisations.
Caroline is President of B.Grimm Joint Venture Holding Ltd and Director of B.Grimm Power Public Co Ltd. She plays a crucial role in driving B.Grimm’s businesses, especially in energy, industrial systems and healthcare, by adhering to good corporate governance and sustainable business practices. High on B.Grimm’s agenda is becoming a net-zero carbon emissions organisation by 2050.
“With global warming and climate change issues becoming more critical, B.Grimm has dedicated efforts to find ways to reduce greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emissions as much as possible,” said Caroline.
“We started by presenting information on global warming issues to educate and increase awareness among our employees. We also promote clean energy at our facilities such as installing solar panels on roof-tops of various buildings at B.Grimm’s headquarters as well as setting up EV charging stations for use by employees.”
In terms of innovation, Caroline prioritises adopting digital and IoT technologies for developing renewable or clean energy and for securing new solutions to help save B.Grimm’s energy usage.
After closely surveying across B.Grimm’s joint ventures, Caroline identified and pulled together various best practices in energy efficiency innovations and launched a new comprehensive industrial energy efficiency enterprise. The new business aimed to provide a one-stop solution for industries and companies looking to increase energy savings in power and air quality management.
Caroline attached great importance to the conservation of nature and the environment. She plays a pivotal role in driving B.Grimm’s comprehensive forest conservation, by initiating a continuous reforestation project to restore forests and the environment in Chon Buri province together with the Thai Polo and Equestrian Club. This included planting of economic trees over 250 rai of land in 2020.
B.Grimm has worked with the WWF-Thailand and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to restore the forest ecosystem through “Save the Tiger” project to conserve and rehabilitating the tiger population — a mission which has continued unabated for more than eight years.
Like her father, Dr Harald Link, Caroline also believes that, with compassion, a business can exist in harmony with nature and community. Tigers are one of the top predators that maintain the balance of the ecosystem. When the top species are endangered, the ecosystem in which they live is endangered as well. There are only approximately 150 tigers remaining in the wild in Thailand, so strong actions are needed to increase the population.
The cooperation calls for the provisions of equipment and welfare for rangers who help protecting resources and the land as well as campaigning and educating about tiger conservation among students and communities living in areas near the forest reserves.
The Outstanding Women Leaders for Green Growth Awards 2022 event is a collaboration of the Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Associations of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of HM the Queen, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Ministry of Industry and Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
They seek to honour exemplary female executives who conceptually developed businesses to grow with an environmentally friendly approach along with improving the quality of life and well-being for employees, customers, communities and society in a sustainable way. Four other awardees for this year are Supatra Chirathivat, Lalana Srikram, Tippaporn Ariyawararom and Peerada Patitat.
Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University distributes “Sawasdee Nursing Robot” to hospitals
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
THE NATION
Ms Ajarin Pattanapanchai (9th from the left), permanent secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, presided over the distribution ceremony of “Sawasdee Nursing Robot” to support medical professionals at hospitals under the Public Health Ministry’s network.
Assistant Professor Dr Tanapol Kortana (6th from the left) and Assistant Professor Dr Natnaporn Aeknarajindawat (8th from the left), Head of Sawasdee Nursing Robot Project, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, gave a warm welcome at the University Council Meeting Room.
COVID-19 vaccines continue to protect against death and hospitalization worldwide while boosters can help top up immunity for vulnerable
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
THE NATION
Special interview with Professor Sir Andrew J. Pollard, FMedSci, Director of Oxford Vaccine Group and Professor of Paediatric Infection and Immunity, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford
It has been two and a half years since the COVID-19 virus was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. After multiple lockdowns, social-distancing protocols, vaccines, and debates over how to move forward and live with this virus, the world finally recognized the COVID-19 vaccines’ critical significance as a prophylactic measure against death and hospital pressures. Despite the heightened infectiousness of the new Omicron variants, infection rates have finally declined globally. However, the World Health Organization recently issued a warning: “Although reported cases and deaths are decreasing internationally, and several countries have eased restrictions, the epidemic is far from over—and it will not be over anywhere until it’s over everywhere.”
A number of world-class experts in the field of epidemic immunisation say that after the primary shots, the world population should continue to receive the COVID-19 vaccines. Professor Sir Andrew J. Pollard, Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, expressed his thoughts on the subject:
Vaccines are highly effective against severe COVID-19 infection, and vaccinated populations with the first two primary doses had relatively few hospital admissions or deaths from the severe lung disease prevalent in the pre-vaccine period in 2020-21. However, many patients with underlying health issues or age-related frailty feel poorly with any viral disease and may require hospitalization. We now know that immunizations, while effective in avoiding severe COVID-19, are less effective in preventing infection. Boosters, on the other hand, play an essential role in preventing infection and keeping these people safe, he revealed.
New findings from Chiang Mai University in Thailand suggest that when given as a fourth dose booster on top of any previous primary or booster vaccine, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine successfully prevented COVID-19 infections caused by the Omicron variants, Professor Pollard noted.
“This shows the potential of boosters to be used to top up immunity for vulnerable individuals and help defend health. We don’t yet know how best to use boosters in future years, but careful monitoring of the virus will help determine the future frequency and timing of boosters. If we can get this right, boosters will help protect people and health systems,” he said.
When asked about the trial results for Oxford-COVID-19 AZ’s vaccine, which showed overall vaccine efficacy of 70.4% versus the reported 90% efficacy of other mRNA vaccines. Professor Pollard explained that such a difference could lead to misconceptions and that viral-vector vaccines yield similar efficacy in protecting against death and severe symptoms related to COVID-19:
“Differences in licensure trial design and clinical goals make a direct comparison of trial efficacy of different vaccines tested in different nations in two very distinct studies extremely challenging. Indeed, neither research was large enough to measure the impact of severe COVID-19, the outcome that matters the most. However, we now know that both the Oxford-AstraZeneca and mRNA vaccines had a significant influence in preventing deaths and relieving demands on hospitals and health systems during the pandemic. According to a recent AirFinity estimate, the Oxford vaccine spared 6.3 million fatalities while the Pfizer vaccine averted 5.8 million deaths in their analysis of lives saved in 2021. The remarkable global reach of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, with its ease of distribution and the developers’ devotion to low cost, has saved so many lives.”
“COVID-19 will be with us for decades to come, but it is difficult to be sure at the moment exactly what the future patterns of infection will look like. We don’t know how often, how big, or how long future peaks will be. Most experts think that we will need to continue to use boosters to protect the most vulnerable in society, and perhaps the virus behaves a bit like influenza with winter peaks,” he added.
The major issue is that the virus evolves quicker than we can develop and license updated vaccines. Given the recent global outbreak of Omicron variants, the following cases this year will likely to be caused by a new variant. Fortunately, the original vaccines continue to provide significant protection against severe COVID-19, and we can utilise them to protect people who require it. In the future, we anticipate that COVID-19 seasons will be more predictable, similar to flu seasons, and that we will be able to provide updated vaccines for each “season”.
“The fight against the pandemic is a complex mix of vaccine coverage and effectiveness, and timeliness. A highly effective vaccine that comes late, or doesn’t reach people who need it, is no good to anyone,” he said.
The Oxford-AstraZeneca operation was successful because dosages were provided early in the pandemic, beginning in January 2021, and reached hundreds of millions of people before they were infected with COVID-19, Professor Pollard remarked.
Mouawad may have become a celebrated brand in high-end jewellery, but the story began in the 19th century, when David Mouawad (1865-1951) left his native Lebanon in 1890. He spent almost two decades in New York and Mexico, honing his skills as a watchmaker, goldsmith and jeweller.
Brand Mouawad started a new era at the turn of the second decade of the 21st century. Fred Mouawad is currently the fourth-generation of Mouawad’s “co-guardians”.
“Five generations of the Mouawad family have contributed to the company’s legacy of innovative jewellery designs and timepiece craftsmanship spanning more than a century,” says Fred Mouawad, “co-guardian” and CEO of Synergia One Group .
Since its origin in Lebanon in 1890, the brand’s storied ideals have been revitalised to provide genuine elegance and sophisticated jewellery masterpieces to an increasingly global market.
Mouawad is headquartered in Thailand, and uses highly skilled Thai craftsmen at the jewellery hub where their products are crafted with care and exported around the world.
Watch the interview on the Business Story Programme on October 1, 10am, at www.nationthailand.com.
Prayut tenure ruling a boon for Thai economy, says TCC chief
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
Business leaders hailed General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s restoration as prime minister as a big boost for the Thai economy on Friday.
Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), said the Constitutional Court verdict earlier in the day would spur the confidence of both domestic and overseas investors. The government could now get back to work, approving budgets and making policy decisions, he explained.
The court ruled that Prayut had not served his maximum eight-year term as stipulated in the current charter and could remain as prime minister until 2025.
“That is a positive sign for efforts towards economic recovery as the work can now resume. The prime minister can return to work and has full authority, as before,” Sanan said.
Also, the Thai delegation at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit, to be held in Bangkok in mid-November, would have full power to enter into agreements with other member states, he said.
Sanan voiced concern however about “political issues outside of Parliament”, which he said should be followed closely.
Referring to possible protests against Prayut following the court verdict, he called on the government to show patience and compromise while avoiding the use of force.
Sanan also serves as chairman and president of Srithai Superware Plc, the world’s largest melamine manufacturer.
Thailand’s health & beauty industry rejuvenates thanks to ageing society
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
THE NATION
Covid-19 and Thailand’s ageing society are driving recovery in the health and beauty industry, the Commerce Ministry said on Friday.
The number of operators registering businesses in the industry rose 90 per cent over the first eight months this year, it said. A total of 353 health and beauty businesses were registered from January to August, compared to just 167 in the same period last year.
August alone saw 56 registrations, up 211.12 per cent from the same month last year.
A total of 1,621 health and beauty business were operating in Thailand as of August 31, accounting for capital value of 7.51 billion baht. More than half (836) are operating in Bangkok.
Deputy Commerce Minister Sinit Lertkrai attributed recovery in the industry to seniors paying more attention to their health and looks.
He added that health and beauty businesses had also gained a boost from pandemic trends such as working from home, exercise, and healthy foods, vitamins and supplements.
“More people are seeking out health and beauty services,” he said.
The largest investors in health and beauty businesses this year are Thais, at 7.28 billion baht. The biggest foreign investor is mainland China (80.92 million baht), followed by Hong Kong (38.69 million baht), and Italy (34 million baht).
The Thai health and beauty industry generated 16.08 billion baht in 2019 before Covid-19 emerged. That figure fell to 14.31 billion baht in 2020 before recovering to 15.15 billion baht last year.
The Commerce Ministry expects the global health and beauty industry to generate 206 trillion baht this year as the rising elderly population drives continuous growth.
The same ageing trend in Thailand should also spur expansion of the industry here.
“The Foundation of Thai Gerontology Research and Development Institute predicts Thailand will have 20.5 million seniors, one-third of the total population, in 2040,” Sinit said.
As of December 31 last year, 12.24 million or 18.5 per cent of Thailand’s population were aged 60 or above, according to Department of Provincial Administration data.
Of these, 5.42 million were men and 6.81 million women.
Bangkok has the highest elderly population in Thailand with 1.17 million, followed by Nakhon Ratchasima (495,452), Chiang Mai (379,118), Khon Kaen (340,855) and Ubon Ratchathani (303,720).
Bank of Thailand ready to respond if baht gets too volatile
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
THE NATION
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) is monitoring the baht and will take steps to tackle abnormal volatility immediately, so it does not affect economic recovery.
BOT governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput said on Friday that the central bank does not want to see abnormally fast and high fluctuations, especially since the baht is weakening.
However, he said, the central bank can only step in if the currency’s volatility starts affecting importers and exporters who cannot use hedging tools.
He added that the BOT has not set a target for the baht, as it depends mainly on the dollar, which has strengthened by 18 per cent. The baht, meanwhile, has weakened by 12 per cent, which is moderate when compared to other countries.
Sethaput believes the baht’s weakening will not boost inflation by much, because the rate of inflation has only risen by 0.06 per cent for every 1 per cent weakening of the baht.
He also does not expect a recurrence of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, as the country’s economy is strong.
He said the Bank of Thailand was ready to adjust the rate of interest if necessary, especially if the country’s economic situation is not where it should be.
Sethaput added that the central bank is monitoring core inflation, especially after it rose for four consecutive months and eventually reduced last month.
He believes the core inflation rate will be 6.3 per cent this year and less than 3 per cent next year.
He went on to say that the bank will hold an extraordinary meeting if the situation changes, especially since the Monetary Policy Committee now only meets six times a year.
Thailand-United States discuss trade and investment collaboration and promotion of supply chain resilience
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
THE NATION
On September 19, Mr Arun Venkataraman, the United States Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Thani Thongpakdi, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, during his trade mission to Thailand and the region.
The Permanent Secretary and the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce discussed the long-standing cooperation and trade relations between the two countries, as well as the way forward for cooperation between the Thai Government and the Thai private sector with the United States to advance concrete implementation of the Communique on Strategic Alliance and Partnership and the Memorandum of Understanding on Promoting Supply Chain Resilience. Both sides discussed enhancing trade and investment in health innovation and technologies, drugs and pharmaceuticals, the digital economy, electric vehicles (EVs), and clean energy, as well as cooperation in all dimensions under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).
The Permanent Secretary reiterated Thailand’s readiness to continue working closely with the United States to further collaboration on trade and investment, while enhancing Thailand’s economic capabilities and elevating the Ease of Doing Business (EODB). He also affirmed Thailand’s readiness to work closely with the United States to ensure a seamless transition to its APEC host year in 2023.
On this occasion, the U.S. side expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Thailand, especially in supporting Thailand’s goal of becoming a regional health and medical hub, strengthening regional supply chain resilience, advancing the digital economy and digital transformation, developing clean energy, and promoting the S-Curve Industries.
Fourgle has also joined hands with restaurants in Gaysorn Plaza, Amarin Plaza and other malls in Bangkok’s Ratchaprasong area.
SootinClaimon.Com 