URC Thailand, recognised as a Top Socially Responsible Manufacturer after being awarded CSR-DIW
Awarded by the Department of Industrial Works, the CSR-DIW award was presented to 63 companies from a total of 75 applicants in Thailand. Mr. Tanant Suwanraks, General Manager of URC (Thailand) Co., Ltd. said, “We are pleased to be recognised and presented the CSR-DIW award. This year, the company has put together some initiatives to embrace the welfare of Thai employees, communities, and environments. URC Thailand has announced the Solar Roof project, which will be able to produce around 8.3 million kWh of electricity in one year. The CSR-DIW award featured the 7 major dimensions of measurement, including Corporate Governance, Human Rights, Labor Practice, Environment, Fair Operating Practice, Consumer Issues, and Community Involvement and Development.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 17, 2021 19:39 UTC
Handling crises amid climate flux
At last month's United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, nearly 40 countries and institutions pledged to end public finance for oil, gas, and coal projects overseas. Unfortunately, similar progress on the demand side for coal, oil, and gas has been lacking. The current surge in fossil-fuel energy prices reflects a multitude of highly idiosyncratic factors. Hydrocarbon lobbyists have been quick to exploit the recent uptick in fossil-fuel energy prices to advocate for renewed government financing and subsidies. That means focusing on the inevitable, well-managed decline of coal, oil, and gas and their substitution by sustainable clean energy.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 17, 2021 05:11 UTC
Govt parties to file voting law changes
Govt parties to file voting law changesThe government coalition is planning to submit draft amendments next week to two organic laws to reflect constitutional changes in the election system, according to Chinnaworn Boonyakiat, Democrat MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat. Mr Chinnaworn, who is also deputy chief government whip, said the bills -- one involving the election of MPs and another on political parties -- deal particularly with the reinstatement of the two-ballot system. Party leader Cholnan Srikaew said the drafts seek to change the calculation and distribution of party-list MPs and the primary voting system, but these proposed revisions are in line with the charter. As for the primary voting, he said the party's draft does not seek to scrap primary voting, which is required under the charter's Section 45. The proposed change is aimed at cutting steps involved in the candidature process and making it easier for political parties to field constituency candidates, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 17, 2021 04:32 UTC
TAT gimmick rides on 26 influencers
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is planning a massive marketing campaign engaging 26 global and regional influencers to promote the country's reopening, including Thai-British Formula One driver Alex Albon among the candidates. The campaign will be launched at ITB Berlin, a virtual international travel trade show, in March 2022 with 26 influencers from different fields who have more than 1 million followers on their social networks, he said. The goal of the project is to reach at least 26 million people globally. Part of the gimmick is the 26 influencers will be selected based on the 26 letters in the Roman alphabet, said Mr Yuthasak. Mr Albon has 1.3 million followers on Instagram and around 427,000 Twitter followers, as well as 325,000 followers on Facebook.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 17, 2021 04:00 UTC
State offers perks to increase sales
The requirement is in line with government efforts to maintain Thailand as a regional auto hub, said Mr Arkhom. The price subsidy measure will also be launched next year to support consumers wanting to buy full EVs, he said. For the price subsidy, the money will be drawn from the existing fund for promoting the country's competitiveness, he said. Mr Arkhom said many foreign car makers, such as US firms, are keen to produce EVs in Thailand. Thailand plans to support EV production throughout the supply chain, including the production of car bodies, batteries and spare parts, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 16, 2021 19:15 UTC
NY planning begins
People shop for gifts for the festive season at Sampheng market in Samphanthawong district, Bangkok, last Friday. The rule relaxation by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) was welcomed by tourism operators and other businesses in these major tourist destinations. A meeting was called on Wednesday to brief business operators on what they can and cannot do during the New Year festival, said Bun-anan Phatthanasin, president of Pattaya City's business and tourism association. Sa-nga Ruangwatthanakul, president of the association of business operators on Khao San Road, now expects some 10,000 people, twice the usual number of visitors on a busy night. Phuket aims to offer revellers the maximum time limit in terms of celebrating New Year's Eve with alcohol.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 16, 2021 10:31 UTC
Arkhom launches SME lending initiative
Arkhom launches SME lending initiativeFinance Minister Arkom Termpittayapaisith (Bangkok Post file photo)The government is ready to relax the rules to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access loans from financial institutions more easily, says Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith. His ministry also supports the use of digital technology to help SMEs expand their businesses, Mr Arkhom said on Thursday at an event launching a digital supply chain finance project. Mr Arkhom said the digital supply chain finance platform will be a key driver of economic growth next year. The central bank, in collaboration with the private sector, launched the digital supply chain finance project for businesses to provide them with greater access to finance. Payong Srivanich, chairman of the TBA, said the digital supply chain finance solution would open up opportunities for SMEs to access more bank loans via information-based lending.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 16, 2021 03:40 UTC
Tourism ministry unveils portal to assist visitors
Tourism ministry unveils portal to assist visitorsEntry Thailand, a new tourism websiteThailand has launched a new tourism website, aiming to make travel to the country easier for the 8-15 million tourists expected to visit next year. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the tourism and sports minister, said the ministry created the portal website as a part of its e-service roadmap between 2022 and 2024 to facilitate tourists who face more difficulties due to complicated requirements during the pandemic. The ministry wants this platform to help reduce their difficulties when planning trips to Thailand," said Mr Phiphat. According to the ministry, the portal website will help centralise the scattered information regarding travel experiences in Thailand, such as attractions, transportation and food. The first phase of the website has been allocated a 49.6-million-baht budget and the ministry hopes the system can help connect Thailand with 7 billion tourists globally.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 16, 2021 03:32 UTC
Innobic collaborations drive life science solutions
Mr Buranin said PTT Group is synergising its energy and engineering know-how with the expertise of its business partners in the life sciences field. Innobic (Asia) is also keen on developing Thailand's first pharmaceutical factory to make cancer treatment drugs. FIGHTING CANCERInnobic (Asia) teamed up with the Queen Sirikit Center for Breast Cancer in September to further develop modern treatments for patients. The centre earlier announced it is the first in the world to successfully use immunotherapy to treat a breast cancer patient who is now in remission with minimal side effects. A team of doctors, led by Kris Chatamra, gave the patient new hope, taking her back to a healthier life after the invasive breast cancer previously caused her to stop treatments.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 15, 2021 11:59 UTC
Central Village mulls upcountry outlets
Pictured from left are Mr Nattakit, Mr Chart and Mr Eguchi at a press conference held yesterday to announce plans to open the second phase of the Central Village luxury outlet on Jan 28, 2022. Central Village Co, a joint venture between SET-listed retail and property developer Central Pattana (CPN) and Mitsubishi Estate (Thailand) Co, plans to develop five new luxury outlets in the provinces to tap high purchasing power and international tourists in the area. He said few details about the investment have been decided, though a second luxury outlet is projected to be opened in two years. In a related development, the company yesterday announced its plans to open the second phase of the Central Village luxury outlet on Jan 28, 2022. Central Village opened in August 2019.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 15, 2021 07:23 UTC
World Bank upbeat on Thai growth
(Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)The World Bank predicts Thai economic activity will return to 2019 levels by the end of 2022, helping support GDP growth of 3.9% next year, up from 1% this year. The World Bank left its estimate for 2021 Thai GDP growth unchanged at 1%. However, Mr Kiatipong said the Thai economy still faces downside risks based on several uncertainties both internationally and locally. The sustained reopening of international borders will undoubtedly affect the country's tourism and GDP growth, said Mr Kiatipong. However, a recent 2021 World Bank household phone survey indicates the impact of the pandemic has been particularly severe on vulnerable groups.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 15, 2021 05:23 UTC
Airlines Association of Thailand seeks visa waiver for global travellers
Airlines Association of Thailand seeks visa waiver for global travellersForeign tourists arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport during the first day of the country's reopening campaign on Nov 1, 2021. (Reuters photo)The Airlines Association of Thailand (AAT) is urging the government to consider implementing a visa waiver for international travellers to attract more demand as global competition is getting intense. Visa exemption is a measure that will help increase the number of international tourists next year to the goal of 10 million. Speaking at the "Thai Aviation Industry Conference 2021: flying to the new era of Thai aviation" seminar, Mr Puttipong said Thailand's aviation industry will return to 20-30% of the pre-Covid level despite the Nov 1 reopening. However, they were not adequate to shore up business until Thai Airways submits its rehabilitation plan.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 14, 2021 19:42 UTC
World Bank keeps Thai growth outlook at 1% this year, sees better 2022
World Bank keeps Thai growth outlook at 1% this year, sees better 2022FILE PHOTO: A participant stands near a logo of World Bank at the International Monetary Fund - World Bank Annual Meeting 2018 in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, Oct 12, 2018. "A major surge in Covid-19 cases severely slowed economic activity in Thailand during Q3 of 2021, but a recovery is now underway," the World Bank said in its latest Thailand Economic Monitor. Growth risks, however, are skewed to the downside due to uncertain variables, the World Bank said. The new Omicron variant is one such risk and if there were new containment measures and border closures, the economy could contract 0.3% in 2022, Kiatipong Ariyapruchya, senior World Bank economist for Thailand, told a briefing. Monetary policy is expected to remain accommodative to support the recovery, with the policy interest rate still seen unchanged at a record low of 0.50% in 2022, the World Bank said.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 14, 2021 19:02 UTC
NY countdown gets green light
The number of provinces declared control zones (orange zones) will increase from 23 to 39. The number of high surveillance zones (yellow zones) will rise from 24 provinces to 30 provinces. The number of blue-coded tourism-oriented zones will increase from seven to eight: Chon Buri, Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Krabi, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phangnga and Phuket. Another 18 provinces also have some districts declared as tourism-oriented zones, and altogether such zones will exist in 26 provinces. Previously, the CCSA had downgraded the dark-red maximum and strict control zones in six provinces along with the nationwide curfew, effective on Dec 1.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 14, 2021 11:37 UTC
Central Village prepares to open phase two
Central Village, a joint venture between Central Pattana Plc. Watch a sneak peak of Central Village Phase II from this link https://youtu.be/kyKGOyV2b_wMr. Central Village is, therefore, one of Central Pattana’s best and most complete lifestyle destinations that is beyond a place to shop for branded items.”Central Pattana has developed five key strategies to ensure a long-lasting success for Central Village. Central Village has been successful in creating lifestyle communities such as:For the family group, Central Village will add more renowned Japanese brands of home & living products, kitchen products, and toys and clothing. Expanding the nationwide intensive omnichannelThe Chat & Shop services are key to the “perfect integration” with all Central shopping centres across the country with the ability to target high-spending customers of other Central shopping centres for CRM marketing.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 14, 2021 11:06 UTC