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Finschia Foundation upgrades blockchain mainnet, Renaming Crypto Asset LINK to FINSCHIA
The Finschia Foundation, the Abu Dhabi-based non-profit organization that is the independent successor to LINE Blockchain’s mainnet Les mer >>>
ASPHERE and BIG BANG THEORY launches Metaverse as a Service
Asphere Innovations Plc. teams up with Big Bang Theory, a Metaverse and Block Chain Expert, to launch ready to use Metaverse as a Service Platform. Les mer >>>
L’ORÉAL fund for Nature Regeneration accelerates
L’Oréal Group has accelerated its longstanding commitment to recover biodiversity worldwide and preserve the ecosystem Les mer >>>
Tourists from four Asian countries and regions can now pay in Thailand with mobile wallets
Ant Group, the operator of Alipay+, today announced that a total of four mobile wallets are now accepted in Thailand. Les mer >>>
NIA unveils the success of the YMID with the “Innovation Sharing” model
The National Innovation Agency or NIA, has continuously driven the development of the Yothi Medical Innovation District (YMID) Les mer >>>
SCB 10X collaborates with VISTEC to boost Thailand’s AI industry with specialized “WangChanGLM”
SCB 10X, has partnered with the Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC) to collaborate on the research and development of WangChanGLM. Les mer >>>
Modern governance: reaching, understanding and serving the Thai public through LINE
The pivotal general election in Thailand recently saw a tidal change in political communication methodology in the country Les mer >>>
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- Finschia Foundation upgrades blockchain mainnet, Renaming Crypto Asset LINK to FINSCHIAThe Finschia Foundation, the Abu Dhabi-based non-profit organization that is the independent successor to LINE Blockchain’s mainnet
The Finschia Foundation, the Abu Dhabi-based non-profit organization that is the independent successor to LINE Blockchain’s mainnet and digital asset operations, has completed the transition of the second-generation blockchain mainnet, “Daphne”, to the third-generation public mainnet, “Finschia.” It also changed the name of the native crypto asset LINK (LN) to FINSCHIA (FNSA).
The Finschia Foundation (“the Foundation”) was established in March by LINE’s blockchain business subsidiary LINE Tech Plus to expand its Web3 business and to achieve a sustainable token model for Web3 users around the world.
The mainnet upgrade, which was completed on May 25, was conducted to establish a consortium structure — where leading companies in a variety of industries will participate as members and make direct decisions on major policies for the Finschia ecosystem. The new structure, Finschia Governance 2.0, will be introduced later this year when the Foundation will transfer key decision-making power to governance members to build a fair and transparent token economy.
The integrated mainnet now offers the issuance and management services of both FINSCHIA (FNSA) and FTs/NFTs (Fungible/Non-Fungible Tokens). The IBC (Inter-Blockchain Communication) technology that enables data transportation between different blockchain ecosystems, was also introduced to help external developers securely onboard the Finschia ecosystem.
Data from the 2nd generation mainnet Daphne has been integrated into Finschia so that the amount of crypto assets and staking history held by the existing Finschia will remain the same. Users will be rewarded for their contributions to the existing Finschia ecosystem in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with the Token Economy 2.0 policy.
Along with the mainnet integration, the Finschia Foundation also renamed its crypto asset LINK (LN) to FINSCHIA (FNSA). By renaming both the existing mainnet to Finschia and the crypto asset to FINSCHIA, the Foundation aims to build a public blockchain platform that can be easily used by partners and users not only with LINE, but also from various fields.
“The new blockchain mainnet will be able to provide a more stable and transparent blockchain platform,” said Youngsu Ko, Chairman of the Finschia Foundation Council. “Our goal is to grow into an ecosystem centered on the popularization of Web3 under the new name ‘Finschia’.”
Moreover, following the Foundation’s announcement of the service contribution reward policy for users who enhance the value of the Finschia ecosystem in April, the global NFT platform DOSI was introduced as the first service contributor on May 24. Any user who contributes to Finschia by making payments and transactions with FINSCHIA (FNSA) can register as a contributor and will be rewarded based on their contribution.
ASPHERE and BIG BANG THEORY launches Metaverse as a Service
NIA unveils the success of the YMID with the “Innovation Sharing” model
31 May 2023Technologyhttps://www.thestorythailand.com/?p=101473 - ASPHERE and BIG BANG THEORY launches Metaverse as a ServiceAsphere Innovations Plc. teams up with Big Bang Theory, a Metaverse and Block Chain Expert, to launch ready to use Metaverse as a Service Platform.
Asphere Innovations Plc. teams up with Big Bang Theory, a Metaverse and Block Chain Expert, to launch ready to use Metaverse as a Service Platform.
Kittipong Prucksa-aroon, Chief Executive Officer of Blockchain & Innovation Technologies Group,Asphere Innovations Public Company Limited [previously known as Asiasoft Corporataion Public Company Limited) says that the company is committed to continuously expanding the Blockchain & Innovation Technologies business. We see tremendous opportunities in metaverse technology. It’s becoming more important in everyday life, as a survey of the world’s leading research firms suggests.
With strong market growth from 2021, which has a market value of $ 58,500 million, will increase to $ 1.5 trillion by 2030. This represents an average annual growth of 43.7% and it is expected that by 2026, 25% of the population will log in to the metaverse at least 1 hour a day, whether for work, education, shopping, social media or various entertainment. In addition, in 2023, we are entering the Marketing 6.0 era or Metaverse Marketing where brands. It is necessary to create immersive experiences for consumers by creating a seamless connection between the offline and online worlds.
ASPHERE Innovations trusts in the capabilities of Big Bang Theory, the world’s first metaverse-led Platform As-a-Service, by acquiring a 27% stake in Big Bang Theory. As for the collaboration, Big Bang Theory will develop the metaverse, create token and NFT for use for the purpose of doing CRM for Playpark Company Limited, an online game service company affiliated with Asphere. In the future, Asphere Innovations also plans to help bring the Big Bang Theory platform to expand into the South East Asia region as well.
Pongwud Praipaisankij, Chief Executive Officer of Big Bang Theory Co., Ltd. revealed that Big Bang is one of the leading Metaverse developers and blockchain software developers. We are a subsidiary of Mi group, specialized in the development of information technology infrastructure systems software development and the development of blockchain technology and the Metaverse.
“Big Bang Theory develops Metaverse as a service platform, the core product aimed at providing the Metaverse platform. Without programming or coding, the system helps create a virtual world for all types of businesses by focusing on the business sector to see the importance of technology. That can be used in terms of creating a good experience for customers.
As well as changing the traditional business into the virtual world as if imagining. There are many parts of the tools that are on the Big Bang Theory platform that will benefit businesses such as E-Commerce online shopping that can buy, pay and deliver to your home, steaming in the form of doing activities in the online world in a virtual world that are easy to do without programmers, in the corner of Online meetings in a virtual world, with virtual world building tools as easy as you play games on a computer screen, etc.
The company intends to push the Metaverse world into a virtual world. This year we plan to expand the platform to cover comprehensive virtual business solutions such as AR/VR/XR as a Service and the use of Ai technology in various fields such as Ai Generative Verse, Ai Virtual Influencer to meet the needs. Being a tool in Marketing Technology (MarTech) that everyone can easily access, this can be customized by yourself without programming knowledge.
Moreover, it must be accessible in a budget that is economical, as well as being a part of an important force that will help drive the business sector in Thailand to understand and see the importance of using the virtual world to drive business in Thailand wirelessly, across the Borders to lead to more convenient and efficient international business.
The functions of the Big Bang
Steaming
This function can be used in terms of organizing seminars, film screenings, live broadcasts, etc. Using this function will give the experience of attendees being in the real event venue. Viewers can view this in two ways as the view of the rate seen on screen in the metaverse world. Streaming in the metaverse has a full screen video view, which is familiar to viewers. Same as watching the video clip through an application on the screen.
E-Commerce online shop
In terms of selling products online, this function can provide a shopping experience in the form of a virtual world that can be used easily. Select products, pay, and wait for delivery at home. Payment will support the QR code system and can pay with credit or debit cards. Payment methods on Meta works are easy, convenient, and familiar to buyers, and sellers can easily upload the products. It is no different from up-stocking in common e-commerce applications.
Private Meeting room
The meeting function is a meeting function on a virtual world that has the same perspective as the meeting participants actually entering the room. And there are sub-functions in the meeting room that are no different from the current meeting, for example, there is a chat channel, microphone and camera can be turned on and off with easy sharing of the screen of the meeting, similar to the system we are used to use online meeting.
Mini Game
It is a function that entertains Metaverse participants which is a game that easy and familiar to users Metaverse creators can set rules to take advantage of this game and create an experience for the customers or users of the Metaverse creators. This part of the function may be one of the functions that attracts people to the creator’s metaverse.
Hologram
The latest new function to create a world of imagination into reality. It can be used in view of annual meetings, fan meetings, political speeches. The outstanding feature of this function is the virtual projection of the speaker or real time speaker. The advantages will make the listeners and viewers closer to other speakers.
However, the company is committed to developing technology that can be applied to various industries in Thailand, as well as to the international level. And ready to be a service provider for developing various systems in the organization to increase the efficiency of work management in terms of target group. Expansion over and reach customer needs online under the creation of a virtual world and creating a metaverse experience for customers effectively, Pongwud says.
Modern governance: reaching, understanding and serving the Thai public through LINE
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31 May 2023ASPHEREhttps://www.thestorythailand.com/?p=101462 - L’ORÉAL fund for Nature Regeneration acceleratesL’Oréal Group has accelerated its longstanding commitment to recover biodiversity worldwide and preserve the ecosystem
L’Oréal Group has accelerated its longstanding commitment to recover biodiversity worldwide and preserve the ecosystem with its Fund for Nature Regeneration by supporting innovative approaches to carbon capture in soils, reforestation and mangrove restoration, and for their potential to have a far-reaching, positive impact on the environment and local communities with three projects in 2023:
- NetZero is a French climate venture operating in tropical areas such as Cameroon and Brazil, that specializes in long-term carbon removal from the atmosphere by turning agricultural residues into biochar. It is recognized by the IPCC as a viable solution with the potential to remove one-to-two billion tons of CO2 emissions from the planet’s atmosphere each year.
- ReforesTerra will engage with smallholder farmers to directly plant new trees and create a favorable environment for natural regeneration in the lower Rio Jamari basin of Rondônia, covering 75 per cent of the project area. The remaining 25 per cent will benefit from strategic planting in small clusters that attracts wildlife to naturally propagate new forests. This project is one of the largest Afforestation, Reforestation and Revegetation (ARR) projects in Brazil. The project aims to restore 2,000 hectares of land degraded by pastures – one of the greatest challenges facing the Amazon.
- Mangroves.Now will facilitate community-based mangrove restoration projects in South Asian countries such as Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka. This region has been the most affected by mangrove deforestation in the last thirty years. Mangroves.Now will provide access to financing for small-scale projects with local NGOs. The aim is to restore approximately 20,000 hectares of previously degraded land and provide equitable benefit-sharing with local communities.
“At L’Oréal Groupe, our environmental duty goes beyond our business. It is our responsibility to address today’s most pressing challenges, like the erosion of biodiversity and its social and ecological impact,” said Rachel Barré, Environmental Leadership Director, L’Oréal Groupe. “The L’Oréal Fund for Nature Regeneration is an important vehicle in our efforts towards a more sustainable future for all. With the new projects signed, our aim is to help restore the planet’s biodiversity and preserve its abundant ecosystems. Until now, we have provided more than 22 million Euros funding support for various projects worldwide.”
“Our vision for value creation is one where financial performance and environmental and socio-economic impact are inextricably linked,” said Muriel Atias, Chief Investment Officer, L’Oréal Groupe. “The L’Oréal Fund for Nature Regeneration is a catalyst for sustainable value creation through private capital, enabling the acceleration of environmental solutions with long-term benefit. Through our impact investing strategy, we can play an important role in tackling biodiversity loss with expert local partners.”
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31 May 2023Sustainabilityhttps://www.thestorythailand.com/?p=101464 - Tourists from four Asian countries and regions can now pay in Thailand with mobile walletsAnt Group, the operator of Alipay+, today announced that a total of four mobile wallets are now accepted in Thailand.
Ant Group, the operator of Alipay+, today announced that a total of four mobile wallets are now accepted in Thailand. These include AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR), Kakao Pay (South Korea), Touch ‘n Go eWallet (Malaysia) and Alipay (Chinese mainland), which has been accepted by Thai merchants since 2015.
Enabled through Alipay+, the latest development and the addition of three more mobile wallets will expand the seamless digital travel experience for more Asian tourists visiting Thailand, in the midst of a rapid rebound in the local tourism industry.
Ant Group also unveiled new collaborations with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (“TAT”), to promote the Amazing Thailand campaign and to stimulate travel in Thailand.
In addition to facilitating purchases and transactions made by mobile wallets familiar to tourists, Ant Group will also provide digital solutions to local businesses in areas such as digitalisation of service operations, digital marketing efficiency and customer experience enhancement. This is targeted at helping local merchants to engage tourists more effectively throughout their journey from pre-trip to post-trip. Local businesses can leverage solutions including the Alipay+ D-store to build digital stores in the form of mini programmes, leveraging digital platform to reach and engage tourists.
Speaking of the partnership, Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of TAT said: “Building on the trust and collaboration we have had with Alipay for many years to engage tourists from the Chinese mainland, we are excited to further expand the reach through Alipay+ to tourists in three more Asian countries and regions, which are important source locations for Thailand.”
“We also welcome Ant Group’s efforts to contribute to the digitalisation of the tourism industry by providing innovative digital solutions and close collaborations with local merchants. We are confident that this will lead to a revenue boost and growth opportunities for local businesses.”
Thailand’s flag carrier Thai Airways is one of the first airlines to integrate Alipay+ as a payment method. Users of all four mobile wallets can now seamlessly pay for purchases of flight tickets using their wallets, and enjoy competitive foreign exchange rates.
Commenting on the latest expansion of Alipay+ in Thailand, Dr. Cherry Huang, General Manager of Alipay+ Offline Merchant Services at Ant Group, said: “We strongly believe that the acceptance of more Asian mobile wallets in Thailand will enhance the travel experience and further promote Thailand as an attractive and sustainable destination for travellers. Our focus now is to onboard more local merchants in sectors including travel, retail, hospitality, F&B to integrate the Alipay+ solution.”
“We look forward to working with local merchants, not only in the popular locations but also those in the lesser known areas, to help them grow and thrive with added digital solutions and capabilities,” she added.
The Ministry of Commerce recently announced a significant surge in new registrations of tourism-related businesses, where the number of new registrations doubled year-on-year during the first four months of 2023.
Introduced by Ant Group in 2020, Alipay+ aims to enable local businesses, especially small and medium-sized businesses, to process a wide range of mobile payment methods and reach 1 billion regional and global consumers, through one-time integration and simple technical adaption. In addition to Thailand, Alipay+ is also widely accepted in destinations including the Chinese mainland, Macao SAR, Singapore, Japan, South Korea among others.
NIA unveils the success of the YMID with the “Innovation Sharing” model
31 May 2023Businesshttps://www.thestorythailand.com/?p=101416 - NIA unveils the success of the YMID with the “Innovation Sharing” modelThe National Innovation Agency or NIA, has continuously driven the development of the Yothi Medical Innovation District (YMID)
The National Innovation Agency or NIA, has continuously driven the development of the Yothi Medical Innovation District (YMID) to respond to the needs of the country and to create a central medical hub in Asia. It aims to reduce imports of medical innovations from foreign countries and to establish a Thai medical innovation brand. Currently, there are over 163 supported projects within the district, including the bed sharing systems for patient transfers between hospitals, 11-billion-baht investments in scientific research, technology and innovation from establishment of the Medical Innovations Development Center (MIND CENTER), adaptable co-working, along with a Clinical Research Center for managing clinical research including expanding services for an increasing number of patients.
All of these are in the new Ramathibodi Hospital building. Additionally, the Board of Investment (BOI) has implemented measures to stimulate investment, and currently, three innovative businesses have applied to qualify for benefits within the investment promotion zone.
Dr. Pun-arj Chairatana, Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) or NIA, said that the global COVID-19 pandemic has led to dramatically changes in the healthcare and medical technology situations. The demand for medical and healthcare solutions has increased exponentially, transforming the industry into an important sector worldwide as it benefits both social and economic dimensions. This trend has been observed in Thailand which has been ambitious in building a medical hub in the Asian region.
Apart from attracting investments, this initiative aims to create job opportunities and provide linkages to related businesses by focusing on driving in 4 key areas: 1) Medical Service Center, 2) Health Service Center, 3) Pharmaceutical and Health Product Center and 4) Academic and Research Service Center, he said.
Dr. Pun-Arj added that for more than 5 years the NIA has been supporting the “Yothi Medical Innovation District (YMID)” as an area conducive to education, research, and medical innovations in the country. This initiative aims to foster effective collaboration among government, private sector, startups, innovative entrepreneurs, and investors.
YMID has become a highly successful model for innovation development, showcasing advancements in this and in both development and network connectivity within the area, circulating investment capital, and with the implementation of a bed-sharing system across healthcare facilities to accommodate patients in vulnerable groups.
This is operated by a group of hospitals within the YMID, such as Ramathibodi Hospital, Rajavithi Hospital and Phramongkutklao Hospital. The working model is a data-sharing model that facilitates patient transfers to hospitals equipped to provide appropriate treatment based on their conditions. This system caters to different patient groups, including those requiring immediate care, post-operative recovery, or who are undergoing diagnostic processes, thereby enhancing the efficiency, speed and convenience of healthcare management, he said.
NIA has supported startups and innovative businesses to benefit hospitals and public sectors about 7 projects, such as the Knock-down Airborne Infection Isolation Room (AIIR) and Smart Pulz, a remote heart rate and vital signs monitoring device. These initiatives have significantly reduced the risk of infection among medical personnel, he added.
In addition, this also supports the use of a science, technology and innovation infrastructure in 3 co-working spaces, 36 laboratories, 27 research/technology centers, and 2 startup incubators in the field of health and medicine. Also, the BOI’s approved investment measures designating the YMID as an investment promotion zone, aiming to support Thailand in becoming a central hub for medical innovation and research. These measures support the development of human resources, innovation, and technology exchange, particularly deep technology between businesses and public institutions such as educational institutions, hospitals, medical institutes, and research institutions, said Dr Pun-Arj.
“These measures offer a 50% reduction in corporate income tax for a period of 5 years, top up from normal benefits. Currently, 3 innovative businesses have already been granted benefits within the investment promotion zone, with a focus on 11 specific sectors, including electronic design, software development platforms for digital content, innovation incubators, maker spaces, research and development businesses, biotechnology businesses, engineering design services, scientific testing services, standard calibration services in vocational training institution businesses and for clinical research, covering both Thai and foreign entrepreneurs.”
Dr. Pun-Arj added that in 2022, NIA had evaluated the worthiness of the Yothi Medical Innovation District project and found that within a year, 30 new SMEs and startups had been created in the area, generating a network of 150 innovators, while 20 projects had been supported in the area while there were 7 projects that had been developed for innovative research which could create an economic value of 103 million baht. The projects’ worth is 5 times the value of the investment which is the result of working together, both in research support and network development within the district along with investment support. The Yothi district is also the area with the most medical personnel in the country.
“Being the initiator of the Yothi Medical Innovation District, NIA does not only aim to create a conducive environment for innovation investment but also aspires to reduce Thailand’s dependence on imported medical innovations. It aims to provide Thais with access to medical services through advanced Thai deep-tech brands that are accurate and efficient. This initiative aims to alleviate the burden on healthcare professionals and to address emerging complex diseases.
Furthermore, it sets the path towards new medical innovation trends such as digital health, telemedicine, carbon reduction in the healthcare industry and in enabling access to advanced medical treatments at an accessible price for the Thai population,” he said.
SCB 10X collaborates with VISTEC to boost Thailand’s AI industry with specialized “WangChanGLM”
30 May 2023medical innovationhttps://www.thestorythailand.com/?p=101406 - SCB 10X collaborates with VISTEC to boost Thailand’s AI industry with specialized “WangChanGLM”SCB 10X, has partnered with the Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC) to collaborate on the research and development of WangChanGLM.
SCB 10X, has partnered with the Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC) to collaborate on the research and development of WangChanGLM. This language model, specializing in Thai and capable of supporting other languages, is a Generative AI and Large Language Model available under a commercial-use permissible license. With its promising abilities in content summarization, idea generation, and article writing in Thai, this innovative technology aims to enhance equal and effective access to AI for the Thai population. Interested individuals can now try out and provide feedback on the WangChanGLM model at https://www.wangchanglm.com
Speaking about the new technology, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sarana Nutanong, CEO of Visai AI Co., Ltd. and Dean of VISTEC’s School of Information Science & Technology, noted that “VISTEC is committed as a research university leading advancement in science, technology, and innovation. Recognizing the importance of technology and innovation in our society, we prioritize conducting research on artificial intelligence to facilitate the integration of high-quality AI technology into Thailand’s business and industrial sectors for their growth and development. As part of this endeavor, we have developed WangChanGLM, an AI language model that specializes in Thai and can support other languages through a commercial-use permissible license.
This Generative AI and Large Language Model will provide businesses with easier access to advanced artificial intelligence technology. We are delighted to have received assistance from SCB 10X in studying and developing the WangChanGLM demo interface, facilitating its accessibility to the business sector. Our aim is to foster the widespread adoption and development of artificial intelligence technology by the Thai community.
Kasima Tharnpipitchai, Entrepreneur in Residence at SCB 10X Co., Ltd. said, “SCB 10X recognizes the great potential of AI technology in addressing global financial challenges. While prioritizing the financial and banking sectors, we also place significant value on the Thai language, culture, and heritage. Through our collaboration with VISTEC in the release of the WangChanGLM Public Demo, SCB 10X has created and deployed a user-friendly web application and high-performance AI inference services that showcase the technology in a smooth and reliable manner.
Leveraging its capabilities in content summarization, idea generation, and article writing, with a strong focus on Thai language performance, this initiative aims to bridge the language gap prevalent in most English-centric AI research. By doing so, it enhances the accessibility and effectiveness of AI technology for Thai individuals. This collaboration aligns with SCB 10X’s vision of fostering exponential growth through investment and collaboration with promising startups in the digital technology landscape of the future which help improve the effectiveness of finance and banking services.”
Furthermore, SCB 10X has made an investment in the Pre-Series A funding round of VISAI, a provider of comprehensive artificial intelligence technology for the business sector. This investment, carried out in collaboration with the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa), aims to facilitate the accessibility of high-quality AI technology for businesses and industries in Thailand, while also encourages the advancement of AI technology by Thai individuals.
VISAI offers three key services to achieve these goals: the AI Cloud Platform, which delivers top-notch AI models through cloud infrastructure; AI Solutions, providing consultancy and the development of tailored AI solutions for business applications; and AI Training, a service dedicated to organizing training sessions on artificial intelligence and data science for businesses and organizations.
The WangChanGLM language model, designed specifically for Thai and other languages, operates as a Generative AI and Large Language Model under a commercial-use permissible license. It utilizes the Meta XGLM model, comprising 7.5 billion parameters, which is accessible on GitHub and Google Colab as an open-source resource for developers to utilize and train the model on their own. It is now available for interested individuals to explore and provide feedback to further enhance the model’s development.
To try out the WangChanGLM language model and contribute feedback, please visit https://www.wangchanglm.in.th
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30 May 2023New Product/Servicehttps://www.thestorythailand.com/?p=101400 - Modern governance: reaching, understanding and serving the Thai public through LINEThe pivotal general election in Thailand recently saw a tidal change in political communication methodology in the country
The pivotal general election in Thailand recently saw a tidal change in political communication methodology in the country, especially the extensive use of digital media. These media tools were used so extensively that they essentially became the main platforms for the campaigns. Social media platforms connected with the public in a variety of ways, with differing goals, and were predominantly used to raise policy awareness among the wider population.
LINE was the platform used by several parties during campaigning, due to its remarkable reach of more than 53 million Thai individuals. It enabled access to all genders, ages and regions across the country. Prior to the election, the LINE Official Account (LINE OA), served as an online home for each politician or political party. This ‘home’ opened its doors to the public, inviting them in as friends, to become acquainted, to receive news updates and learn about the party’s policies.
It also offered a space for increased interaction and to get to know each other, even without meeting in person. Consequently, this made the public feel more connected and included. Importantly, the public could trust that the source was authentic and that the information was accurate, because these were verified official accounts.
With these characteristics, LINE proved to be more than just an effective digital tool during the campaign period. It has emerged as a powerful platform that government agencies can continue to use for the benefit of national administration. Government agencies can invite the public to follow them as friends, to receive news updates and monitor the implementation of manifesto promises closely. It can also serve as a channel through which to hear the public’s concerns and enables one-to-one communication.
This transforms LINE into a significant source of information, helping government agencies to understand the needs, and mood, of the public, both broadly and in-depth. These insights can be analysed to improve operations and to respond to the public effectively.
The post-election leveraging of LINE OA’s features will extend far beyond political communication. It can also be used to enhance and improve people’s quality of life, as exemplified in the case study of Fukuoka in Japan. There, the government uses LINE OA to distribute news and information to its citizens, categorised and sent according to target groups, which are identified based on their area of residence and by age range. This ensures that citizens receive necessary and beneficial information, such as emergency alerts, forecasts of PM2.5 dust levels, and it serves as a channel through which complaints can be submitted easily.
This allows both the state and citizens to identify and resolve issues collaboratively and promptly. Meanwhile, in Thailand, many government agencies have adopted LINE OA for public service, with visible and widespread usage. Examples include “Moh Promt”, which provides health information and services, and the Provincial Waterworks Authority, which facilitates water bill payments and accepts service-related complaints via LINE OA. These services continue to benefit the Thai people today.
NIA unveils the success of the YMID with the “Innovation Sharing” model
30 May 2023Technologyhttps://www.thestorythailand.com/?p=101466 - Grab launching “Amazing Thailand, Travel Confidently with Grab” campaignGrab Thailand in partnership with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) today announced the launch of the "Amazing Thailand, Travel confidently with Grab" campaign
Grab Thailand in partnership with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) today announced the launch of the “Amazing Thailand, Travel confidently with Grab” campaign, aiming at promoting Thai tourism among local and foreign tourists as well as boosting the economy through promotional and engagement activities and elevating travel experiences with Grab mobility service. The campaign highlights three key activities including the launch of Grab & Go tourist guidebook; the development of an online training course for Grab driver-partners t0 be “Super Host” for travelers in Thailand; and consumer engagement activity to win prizes and discounts from Grab services.
Worachat Luxkanalode, Country Head of Grab Thailand, said, “Elevating the quality and standards of our mobility service in support of tourism promotion is one of our missions. Grab’s ride-hailing service has been popular among travelers, particularly with foreign tourists, due to the application’s convenience, safety, and price transparency. The number of our foreign users grew by 25%2 in the first quarter this year, compared to the previous quarter.”
“To support the tourism industry in Thailand, Grab has collaborated with TAT in various initiatives including the launch of the ‘Amazing Thailand, Travel confidently with Grab’ campaign to promote key tourist destinations while enhancing the service standards and our driver-partners qualities to become ‘Super Host’ to welcome the tourists”
The “Amazing Thailand, Travel confidently with Grab ” campaign comprises 3 key initiatives namely:
- The launch of Grab & Go tourist guidebook: The travel guide compiles a selection of tourist destinations, restaurants, festivals, and exciting activities that tourists should not miss across 4 major cities namely Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. This comes in 2 versions, English and Chinese languages. Foreign tourists can find the guide book in GrabCar Premium service, or various travel destinations such as hotels, restaurants, and TAT’s alliances. The e-guidebook is also available for download at www.grab.com/th/campaign/travel-guidebook-2023/
- The development of “Super Host” online training course for Grab driver-partners: As part of the GrabAcademy learning platform for our partners, the course features knowledge shared by an expert from TAT. This will educate and provide guidance to GrabTaxi and GrabCar driver-partners as the frontliners of the country, to better serve tourists and introduce them to the tourist attractions.
- Consumer engagement activity called “Travel Confidently with Grab” to win a trip to Phuket and many prizes, along with discounts on Grab services: The activity encourages local travelers to go traveling and share photographs of their travel experiences in Thailand with the activity’s hashtag on GrabTH’s Official Facebook. Participants will stand a chance to win a round-trip to Phuket for 2 and a 2-night accommodation worth THB 50,000 in total, or other prizes such as a SmartWatch, travel luggage, and discounts from Grab services. The activity runs from June 5 – 30, 2023.
In addition to this, Grab offers discounts for JustGrab, GrabCar, and Grab Electric VIP Taxi services users. By simply entering the “NEWTRAVEL” promo code, new user will get a maximum discount of up to THB 100, while existing users will get up to THB 80 discount when using the “TRAVEL” promo code. Besides, the user can enjoy a 15% discount on GrabFood and GrabMark services3 after taking a ride, from June 1 – July 15, 2023.
Nithee Seeprae, Deputy Governor for Digitalization, Research and Development, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said, “We have seen an exponential rise in foreign tourists after Thailand’s borders fully reopened. Since the beginning of the year until now, the number of foreign tourists have reached an impressive statistic of 9.9 million visitors, generating more than THB 400 billion in revenue for the country.1 We forecast an increase of up to 25-30 million visitors to Thailand within this year which would generate up to THB 1.5 trillion in income, combined with 880 billion from domestic tourism, resulting a total of THB 2.38 trillion by the end of this year.”
“TAT will continue to drive tourism for both domestic and international markets to ensure full recovery of the Thai tourism industry as per set targets in regards to income and qualitative changes. To continue creating the ‘Meaningful Travel’, TAT will also emphasize on upgrading the supply chain to align with experiential tourism to uplift Thailand as the ultimate tourist destination with memorable experiences. Therefore, we have collaborated with partners from all sectors including Grab Thailand, Thailand’s No.1 ride-hailing service platform, to organize this mid-year campaign to promote Thai tourism and enable tourists to travel with confidence.”
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29 May 2023Marketinghttps://www.thestorythailand.com/?p=101245 - COMMY announces biggest rebrand in 30 Years with debut of “Commy Super Hydrogel Film”COMMY takes strategic initiatives to reclaim its position as the market champion in Thailand's smartphone accessories sector.
COMMY takes strategic initiatives to reclaim its position as the market champion in Thailand’s smartphone accessories sector. Through a budget of more than 100 million baht in marketing, the brand undertakes a comprehensive rebranding campaign after three decades with the debut of its hero product, “Commy Super Hydrogel Film,” Thailand’s first high-performance screen-protection film. The innovative screen protector solves all consumer pain points with flexibility, impact dispersion, and quick scratch healing in just two minutes. Besides, the brand plans to utilize distribution channels across all dimensions: offline, online, and O2O (online-to-offline) and expects revenue growth to exceed 100% this year.
Ornpreeya Manovilas, Vice President of Commy Corporation Co., Ltd., said that “COMMY” is a Thai manufacturer and distributor of batteries and IT equipment with a strong presence in the market for over 30 years. The company was established in 1989 with the emergence of mobile phone services in Thailand. At the time, access to essential accessories such as batteries, chargers, and cables was limited. In response to the market needs, the company began importing and selling these accessories directly to retailers, shops, and customers.
Meanwhile, as demand grew and technology advanced, the company recognized the need to establish a battery assembly plant and created the brand “COMMY”, which has successfully gained widespread recognition from customers nationwide.
COMMY’s enduring success lies in a business concept that prioritizes “Quality” as its core principle, complemented by a firm commitment to fostering exceptional “Innovation.”
Currently, the brand offers a wide range of products catering to diverse needs, encompassing two categories: Mobile Gadgets, which include screen-protection films and cutting machines, chargers, cables, batteries, power banks, headphones, Bluetooth headphones, Bluetooth speakers, and smartphone cases. Additionally, the company has expanded its product portfolio to include Health Products, such as portable air purifiers for personal and car use, N95 masks, and oxygen-generating and measuring devices. These offerings target a diverse customer base, including B2B groups, entrepreneurs, dealers, and B2C customers.
Ornpreeya also add that “The smartphone accessories sector in Thailand demonstrated steady growth, reaching a market value of 14,000 million baht. This growth, however, stood in contrast to the decline observed in the smartphone market. According to a market analysis by Canalys, in 1Q 2023, global smartphone sell-in shipments experienced a 12% decline to 269.8 million units. Meanwhile, the average sales of smartphones in Thailand stood at 13 million units per year. The decrease is attributed to changing consumer behaviors influenced by the pandemic. Rather than purchasing new smartphones, consumers tend to repair their existing devices and invest in accessories like batteries, smartphone cases, and screen protectors to prolong the usability of their smartphones.
To reclaim its position as the market leader in the digital transformation era, COMMY has budgeted over 100 million baht in marketing that focuses on a customer-centric approach across three key areas. The first area of focus is Rebranding. In an ever-evolving landscape of IT products and changing consumer preferences, it is essential for the brand to stay ahead of these transformations. As a result, COMMY embarks on repositioning its brand to cater specifically to those seeking distinctive and high-quality IT products, with an emphasis on personalized product offerings.
The second area of focus revolves around the development of Hero Products, specifically screen-protection films. The company aims to tap into this market in Thailand, now valued at over 6,500 million baht and exhibiting consistent growth. Sales of these films are projected to surpass 1.1 million units this year. COMMY is among the market leaders in manufacturing and distributing premium screen-protection films and has witnessed a surge in the popularity of hydrogel screen film products in the last 2-3 years. These thin films, measuring only 0.15 mm, offer a smoother surface than tempered glass types. The hydrogel screen films also possess excellent impact dispersion features, making them more durable than tempered glass and solving all customer pain points. They offer flexibility to fit various screens, including normal, curved, and even folding screens. Notably, these films boast an innovative self-healing feature, repairing scratches within minutes to enhance longevity and usability.
To accommodate the market demand, COMMY has recently introduced the first-ever “Commy Super Hydrogel Film” in Thailand. This innovative film incorporates an enhanced gel texture and self-healing technology, providing an exceptional user experience. With this technology, minor scratches can self-heal within 30 seconds, while larger scratches require no more than 2 minutes for a seamless repair.
Lastly, the third area of focus is the Hybrid Distribution Channels. COMMY aims to cater customers needs via all dimension of distribution channels. For online, customers can place orders at the official store and receive services at a representative store near their homes. Alternatively, customers who prefer to apply screen protectors themselves can conveniently order COMMY products through popular e-commerce platforms like Lazada and Shopee. Meanwhile, for offline channels, COMMY offers the availability of its products through various dealers and retail chains, including 7-Eleven, TG Fone, and Jaymart. The brand also plans to set up its kiosks at leading department stores by the end of the year.”
Ornpreeya added, “COMMY is gearing up communications to enhance awareness among new target groups. Throughout this year, there will be a series of on-ground marketing activities for customers to experience the quality of our products. Also, online activities will leverage the power of influencers and employ entertainment marketing to strengthen consumer awareness of our products. COMMY is confident that the successful execution of this plan will result in revenue growth of over 100% by the end of 2023.”
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29 May 2023Businesshttps://www.thestorythailand.com/?p=101225 - Chadchart seeks unused state land to build lungs for BangkokBangkok needs more green spaces to tackle pollution, the governor said as he called on state agencies to let him turn their unused land into pocket parks.
Bangkok needs more green spaces to tackle pollution, the governor said as he called on state agencies to let him turn their unused land into pocket parks.
Chadchart Sittipunt said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will work with the central government to take over empty plots belonging to state agencies, including the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT).
He said there is more than 1,000 rai (160 hectares) of unused land in the capital.
The governor was speaking to reporters while planting trees at the Phya Thai Pirom Park in Ratchathewi district on Saturday.
Chadchart, who was elected by a landslide last year, has promised to plant a million trees in the capital to provide a filter against fine dust pollution.
The Phya Thai Pirom Park is a classic example of unused land being turned into a park by the BMA. The 10-rai plot in Soi Satsana off Rama VI Road was handed over by EXAT and the BMA has used it to build a sports ground, children’s playground and a park. A small area has also been devoted to herbs, so people can learn about medicinal plants, while the neighbouring canal-side walkway has been improved and more lights installed.
Apart from seeking unused land for state agencies, Chadchart is also calling on the private sector to let the city turn their unused plots into parks. Bangkokians, meanwhile, are advised to plant more trees near their homes to serve as dust filters.
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29 May 2023Bangkok Storyhttps://www.thestorythailand.com/?p=101192