Analyst sees long-term risk for Thai firm after purchase of Miss Universe Organisation
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022
An investment analyst on Thursday pointed to a potential “long-term risk” for Thai company JKN Global Group Plc after its purchase of the US-based Miss Universe Organisation (MUO).
Kitpon Praipaisarnkit, vice president of UOB Kay Hian Securities Thailand, said that MUO’s annual revenue is estimated at 1.3 billion to 1.4 billion baht, which is much higher than the 800 million baht spent to acquire the organisation. However, JKN’s business of media production is investment intensive, so the company requires more cash beyond its regular business revenue to pay for the acquisition, he added.
“There will be some risk in the long term. There may be a need to increase the capital and inject more cash,” the analyst said, implying that the purchase of MUO could raise JKN’s debt burden.
He noted that the price of JKN’s stock has seen a continuous decline since the latter half of last year, from 10 baht to a little over 4 baht.
“Capital is also an essential factor that should be taken into account,” he said, adding that JKN would later look for a domestic partner to promote the international beauty pageant.
The analyst said he was unsure if MUO was still making a big profit, which could explain why the previous owner sold it to JKN.
On Tuesday, JKN announced MUO’s acquisition after successful negotiations with the previous owner, IMG Worldwide, a subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings, for US$20 million (about 762 million baht).
Senior market analyst Padon Vannarat, who is a vice president at Yuanta Securities (Thailand), said on Thursday that JKN’s acquisition of MUO was a positive move, as its new business could generate more income for the company.
“We have to wait and see how much revenue and profit will be made and what their expectations are. Let’s wait for more details from the executives [of JKN],” the analyst said.
He expected the purchase of a famous business like MUO to help boost the price of JKN shares.
Meanwhile, JKN chief executive Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip said that her company has set up its new subsidiary called JKN Metaverse Inc in the US to acquire five businesses owned by MUO — IMG Universe Llc, IMG Universe FranchCo Llc, Miss USA BR Production Llc, MUO Productions Llc, and Miss USA Productions OH Llc.
IMG in the company names will be replaced with JKN, according to Jakkaphong, who is a media tycoon and an advocate of transgender rights.
Book Expo Thailand 2022 attracts 1.3 million attendants and generates THB347 million
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022
The Book Expo Thailand 2022 concluded with 1.3 million attendants who spent 347 million baht during the 12-day event, said the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand (PUBAT) on Thursday.
This year’s expo, held under the concept of ‘Booktopia: Utopia for book lovers’ from October 12-23, returned to its original site, Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre for the first time since the centre went under renovation in mid 2019.
PUBAT president Thipsuda Sinchawarnwat said a total of 1,355,893 book lovers have visited the event throughout 12 days, with a high volume of visitors seen on the weekend of October 22-23, during King Chulalongkorn Memorial Day.
Total sales of books during the event were recorded at 347,331,734 baht, increasing 74 per cent from the previous book fair held in March this year. “This shows that the reading trend is bouncing back and people still prefer buying physical books,” said Thipsuda.
Best-selling genres this year are novels, literatures, cartoons, and young adult books, respectively.
Apart from booths selling Thai and international books, the fair also featured various activities including the Booktopia exhibition, Reader Road, Envelope Letters of the Wall, Book Blind Date, and Book Playlist.
Thipsuda said the most popular activity this year, despite being available for only a few days, is the “Human Book” in the Live-Brary zone by PUBAT and publishing partners.
PUBAT will host the next book fair on March 30-April 9 next year at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, and will use suggestions it received for this year’s expo to further improve the next event.
Discover professional audiovisual and integrated experience technology solutions that are transforming and equipping businesses for the tech-hungry post-pandemic world.
October 14, 2022, Bangkok – InfoComm Southeast Asia which debuted in 2019 was a huge success. Now, after the Covid-resultant pause, the Show is back – as an in-person show, with access to new pre-show planning and engagement tools that will enhance the visitor experience. InfoComm Southeast Asia 2022 will take place from 2 to 4 November at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC).
InfoComm Southeast Asia is the region’s premier Professional AudioVisual (Pro-AV) and Transformative Technology tradeshow, featuring trailblazing international and local solution providers. Powerful solutions on show and insightful learning sessions cater to a spectrum of industries, including the government sectors of transportation, public security and defense, education, healthcare, hospitality, retail, and others.
The Show specially caters to AV industry players as well as embedded technology decision-makers and business end-users. For these stakeholders who are serious about transforming their organization and growing their business in and beyond the post-pandemic landscape, this is a show not to be missed.
“After the 2-year hiatus due to the global pandemic, InfoComm Southeast Asia is happy to once again bring together Pro-AV technology providers and business users; technology experts, industry leaders and open minds ready to learn,” said Richard Tan, Executive Director of InfoCommAsia. “Much has changed in terms of available tech-enhanced solutions and marketplace needs and trends. So, besides the opportunity for all stakeholders to reconnect face-to-face, InfoComm Southeast Asia 2022 is going to be an exciting space for visitors and delegates as they get up close and personal with exhibitors and experts – the drivers of tomorrow’s technology and solutions. The Show is the place to seek out the most advanced Pro-AV ideas to-date, to create and deliver an exceptional customer experience in an increasingly hybrid world.”
THE EXHIBITION
Transformative Solutions for All Industries
The world has just begun to emerge from a painful yet revitalizing lesson. It has learnt the urgency of technology adoption and the importance of constant upgrading along with technological evolution, to be future-ready and disruption-proof. Increased technology implementation and integration lead to greater reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) to mitigate the consequent increase in security risks. This reality is already fast unfolding, driven by Pro-AV technologies, making InfoComm Southeast Asia an important show for AV and IT professionals and business decision-makers.
InfoComm Southeast Asia is where entrepreneurs, business leaders and technical professionals will discover the latest Pro-AV solutions that are transforming every industry. More than 130 exhibiting companies from over 20 participating countries will gather under one roof to showcase their innovations for the post-pandemic marketplace. These include brands like Epson, Lenovo, Microsoft, Panasonic, Philips, and more. Visitors can expect to see:
• Large screen, projection mapping, AR/VR solutions for live events, museums, education and simulation training • Security, flood and surveillance monitoring systems for network operations centers • Control and automation solutions for smart city management • Room automation and centralized systems for smart homes and offices • Collaborative conferencing systems for in-person and hybrid meetings • Smart classrooms • Digital signage and display solutions for advertising and information • Virtual and hybrid learning solutions … and more
DISCOVER SOLUTIONS WITH vBOOTH
Pre-Show Engagement for Better Show Experience
To enhance show experience for visitors, InfoComm Southeast Asia has introduced facilitative tools on the Show website. These tools will allow solution-seekers to identify exhibitors that have those solutions, and connect with them.
• An intuitive business matching system instantaneously presents visitors with a list of exhibitors, based on their industry and the solutions they seek. • vBooth gives every exhibitor a dedicated page online, where visitors can explore the exhibitor’s solutions via multimedia presentations. Information will include the exhibitor’s range of solutions as well as products and solutions being presented at the Show. • Business card drop facility lets visitors leave their details for callback by exhibitors, and appointment scheduler allows visitors to pre-arrange meet-ups with exhibitors at the Show.
All these will help visitors organize their visit way before the Show begins. Fully-utilised, visitors can look forward to a productive time at InfoComm Southeast Asia 2022.
THE SUMMIT
Insights into Developments and Trends for Informed Business Decisions
Concurrent to an exciting show floor is the InfoComm Southeast Asia 2022 Summit line-up. Multiple conference tracks cater to different industries and learner profiles. Delegates can look forward to more than 30 free-to-attend learning sessions in the form of keynotes, panel discussion and case studies.
Tracks for Vertical Market Solution-seekers and AV Professionals • The two-day NIXT Summit focuses on end-to-end emerging tech solutions for businesses. Sessions delve into the successes and challenges of digital transformation practices in industries and enterprises.
Tracks for AV Professionals and Technology Decision-makers • AVIXA Seminars help AV professionals stay in touch with technical updates, industry practices and trends across various industries and application scenarios. • Asia AV Leaders Connect (By invite-only) gathers the AV industry’s C-suite and directorate leaders across Asia for the exchange of intelligence; discussions on geopolitical and economic concerns as well as emerging technology trends and disruptions; and identification of growth opportunities. • AV Managers Day sessions are designed for mid-level AV managers and use real-life case studies to delve into AV project challenges and how to overcome them.
There is also the AV Technical Tour which offers an opportunity to see Pro-AV solutions in situ. The “Smart Traffic Systems – Expressway Traffic Management Centre and Control Rooms” tour will take delegates into the very heart of command and control scenarios, where condition monitoring, situational management, emergency response, etc are critical. Visitors can learn how advanced technologies and control systems enable the Expressway Authority of Thailand to effectively and efficiently provide the best experience for expressway users.
For the full Summit line-up and latest updates, please visit the official Show website at www.infocomm-sea.com.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Admission to Exhibition and Summit is Free
InfoComm Southeast Asia 2022 will be at BITEC from November 2-4 (Days 1 and 2: 10am – 6pm; Day 3: 10am – 4pm local time). Visitors can register to visit the Show at www.infocomm-sea.com. Admission is free.
Siriraj faculty researchers up the ante in battle against neglected tropical diseases like dengue
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022
The Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, is working with international agencies to tackle neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), especially dengue fever.
According to the faculty, 24 per cent of the world’s population was affected by NTDs, such as leprosy, filariasis, tuberculosis and dengue fever. Meanwhile, 70 per cent of the global dengue fever cases were in Asia.
As many as 19,380 dengue fever cases were found in Thailand from January 1 to August 24 this year. Most patients were children and adolescents. During the period, 17 people reportedly died due to dengue fever.
The faculty’s former dean and consultant, Prof Dr Prasit Watanapa, said NTDs are largely ignored by mainstream medical science because they do not represent clear viable commercial markets for the private sector.
This continues to hinder the progress in medical research and development, and therapeutic solutions, he pointed out.
“NTDs continue to affect one in five people in the world. A staggering 1.7 billion people affected are from the poorest communities,” he said.
Prof Dr Prasit Watanapa
He said that collaborative efforts from individuals, organisations and governments were necessary to control, prevent and eliminate NTDs.
He added that the faculty had signed a partnership agreement with the Drugs for Neglected Disease initiative (DNDi) on January 25 to develop accessible and effective prevention and treatment for dengue fever for a period of five years.
“There is a long way to go, but the collaboration to tackle NTDs will never happen if we do not start and work together,” he added.
Prof Apichat Asavamongkonkul
Meanwhile, faculty dean Prof Apichat Asavamongkonkul said they have set up strategies to eliminate NTDs in the next four years, including cross-sector partnerships, building strong political will and generating resources necessary to eliminate the disease.
He added that there is an opportunity to apply our collective knowledge in endemic countries to form collaborations to address NTDs.
“Collaborations to address NTDs is very challenging, but we can do it,” he said.
Buakaw fuelled by desire for revenge against Japanese boxer
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022
Muay Thai legend Buakaw Banchamek has his sights on one goal: to avenge his defeat 14 years ago to the only fighter to have knocked him out in his entire career.
Buakaw will fight against Japanese boxer Yoshihiro Sato in the Rajadamnern World Series (RWS) at Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok on Friday.
Sato knocked Buakaw unconscious in their quarter-final bout of the K1 World Max 2008 at Nippon Budokan Arena in Tokyo. Buakaw partially avenged that knockout loss in 2013 with a victory by a decision over the Japanese fighter.
“Even though I had stopped boxing for a while, I have always conditioned my body,” Sato said as he prepares for the big fight.
“This time, I will fight against Buakaw again. I have fully prepared my body to knock him out for the second time.
“Buakaw and I made the kickboxing scene in Japan grow and made it famous. I have to say that Buakaw is a boxer with the best technique and strength. He has no weakness.
“If you want to ask me what is his weakness, I think it could be when I knock him out.
“I fought against him four times and this will be the fifth time. I did not think I will fight against him that much. I am happy to have a chance to fight against a great boxer like Buakaw but I am also a top Japanese boxer. This match will be great,” Sato said.
Buakaw vowed on stage that he will knock Sato out to get rid of a 14-year stigma.
“It was due to his confidence that he knocked me out on the stage. He has always been confident. I think he wants to become the only boxer to win against me twice but I am really determined this time to erase all old images with a win tomorrow [Friday]”, Buakaw responded.
Prawit issues instructions to secure World Cup broadcast rights
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan has told the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) to secure the broadcast rights for the 2022 Fifa World Cup.
He was following up on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s instruction during a Cabinet meeting on October 18 to find a solution as soon as possible for the broadcast of the 2022 Fifa World Cup.
Prawit, who also chairs the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, recently presided over a meeting with the committee of SAT and the National Sports Development Fund.
He said that Thai people must be able to watch the World Cup and told the SAT to cooperate with the NBTC.
The 2022 Fifa World Cup is scheduled to be held from November 20 to December 18 in Qatar with 32 participating teams.
Meanwhile, the SAT also summarised the statistics of the 2022 Thailand Grand Prix (MotoGP) held from September 30 to October 2 at Buriram International Circuit.
The race drew 178,463 spectators to the stadium while more than 800 million people around the world watched the broadcast.
It is scheduled to be held from October 27-29 next year and the SAT expects it will woo more tourists.
The meeting also approved 10 plans to develop Thai sports for the period 2023 to 2026 to improve athletes, personnel, organisations, facilities, systems, and management.
The NSDF approved the budget and plan for 2022 including the overall plan for 2023 to 2026.
Meanwhile, the committee approved benefits for boxers, which includes compensation for injuries and support for former boxers.
The committee also approved a bonus budget for outstanding performances in 2022 and also a plan to support the first Amazing Thailand World Mountain & Trail Running Championships, which will be held in Chiang Mai from November 3 to 6.
Chiang Mai expects Mountain & Trail Running event to bring in THB450 million
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022
Chiang Mai aims to generate more than 450 million baht in the first Amazing Thailand World Mountain & Trail Running Championships next month, which is expected to see as many as 4,000 participants from 50 countries.
Governor Nirat Pongsitthithavorn said his province has teamed up with the Athletics Association of Thailand and the Tourism Authority of Thailand to hold the competition from November 3 to 6.
He said Chiang Mai is appropriate because of its “high mountains and trail routes, beautiful culture, and generous, kind people” who are ready to welcome athletes and tourists.
Moreover, the competition could help Thailand’s economic recovery and improve the country’s image while also building trust in the potential and readiness of the province and the country to organise world-class events, he noted.
Suladda Sarutilavan, director of TAT’s Chiang Mai office, said the competition, across a 10km route, is open to the general public and professional athletes from 50 countries.
She hoped the event would also attract participants to travel in Chiang Mai and stay on for the Yee Peng, or Loy Krathong, festival, so it could generate added revenue and promote the province.
Sports fund looks to beef up key staff amid shortage
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022
The National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) held a seminar on the national strategy for sports development as it hopes to boost its personnel amid a dire staff shortage.
NSDF manager Supranee Guptasa chaired the annual seminar for a project to improve NSDF staff numbers at Navela Hotel & Conventions in Ratchaburi.
The NSDF invited senator and former Thailand national team head coach Charnwit Polcheewin to talk about the national strategy for sports development. A lecture on laws related to funding management will be conducted by Supranee.
The NSDF currently has a staff of around 40, she said.
According to her, this number is low and the staff have been forced to work hard for two years, almost without any vacation.
The objective of the seminar is to improve unity among NSDF personnel.
Supranee said the NSDF has a role to support and assist athletes, staff and sports associations, so it is important to prepare staff, which is limited.
The 40 staff have had to manage a large amount of money, but they have worked hard and used their knowledge to communicate with sports associations, the media and the public, she added.
Liverpool qualify for Champions League knockouts with win at Ajax
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022
THE NATION
Liverpool qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 3-0 away win at AFC Ajax on Wednesday night.
Goals from Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott guaranteed the Reds at least second place in Group A and, therefore, a spot in the last 16 of Europe’s premier club competition.
Salah opened the scoring at Johan Cruijff Arena in the 42nd minute, before Nunez and Elliott increased the visitors’ lead early in the second half.
Backed by a sold-out crowd in what was a must-win game, the hosts could have gone ahead inside three minutes.
Liverpool, though, had the post to thank after a one-two between Brian Brobbey and Steven Berghuis inside the box saw the latter crash an effort against the woodwork and bounce clear.
Ajax proceeded to create a number of other openings during the rest of the first half.
Berghuis curled a shot just wide from around 25 yards out, before Jorge Sanchez’s curler forced Alisson into a comfortable save.
The Reds’ first opportunity came down the left flank, with an incredibly lengthy spell in possession ending with Andy Robertson hitting the side-netting from a tight angle.
At the other end, another big chance fell to the Eredivisie champions but Alexander-Arnold was in position to put in a vital block, stopping Dusan Tadic’s hit following a counter-attack from finding the back of the net.
Klopp’s men finished the half off strongly, however, and crafted the breakthrough a few minutes prior to the interval.
An outside-of-the-boot pass from Henderson was clipped brilliantly over the onrushing Remko Pasveer by the left boot of Salah, who watched the ball enter the unguarded net.
A second could have immediately followed but Nunez hit the post from close range after Roberto Firmino teed him up with a typically unselfish pass across the face of goal.
Liverpool
But Nunez would not have to wait long after half-time to get on the scoresheet.
The No.27 added his side’s second four minutes following the restart, glancing a header into the far side of the net off Robertson’s out-swinging corner.
It was 3-0 three minutes later, too, when Salah played an inch-perfect pass that was fired into the roof of the net by Elliott from an unfavourable angle.
Ajax came closest to pulling one back through substitute Kenneth Taylor and Jurrien Timber, who were both off target with shots from inside the penalty area.
But Liverpool successfully saw the game out to secure qualification with a game to spare.
Barcelona out of Champions League, lose to merciless Bayern
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022
THE NATION
Goals by Sadio Mane, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Benjamin Pavard earned Bayern Munich a 3-0 win at already-eliminated Barcelona on Wednesday (October 26) as the German giants clinched a spot in the Champions League round of 16 as group winners.
Bayern top Group C on 15 points, five ahead of Inter Milan who also reached the knockout stage after a 4-0 win against Viktoria Plzen earlier on Wednesday, a result that eliminated Barcelona in the group stage for the second year in a row.
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez said his team needed to leave their Champions League disappointment behind them as soon as possible and focus on improving their game in order to compete for the LaLiga and Europa League titles.
“If there is failure, there is learning, and we must learn,” Xavi Hernandez told a press conference at Camp Nou after the match.
Since winning the Champions League title for the last time in 2015, Barca have reached the semi-finals only once, in 2019. They lost 8-2 to Bayern in the 2020 quarter-finals, were knocked out in the round of 16 by PSG in 2021, and failed to make it past the group stage in the last two editions.
Last year, Barca’s exit at the group stage came after the departure of Lionel Messi to Paris St Germain and the financial crisis that led to the resignation of the entire club board.
Prof Dr Prasit Watanapa
Prof Apichat Asavamongkonkul
