Thai Airways International Public Company Limited launches ‘THAI ValuePlus Card’, a prepaid airfare card to a more affordable journey of faith to cultural travel and pilgrimages to Buddhist landmarks across Asia. The THAI ValuePlus Card offers the traveling to many faith destinations across Asia includes the Republic of China – Hong Kong, Taiwan, Myanmar, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Korea, Japan as well as the site of the Buddha’s enlightenment in India and Nepal. The launching event is held at Fashion Gallery, Siam Paragon.
Ms.Ratanawalee Loharjun, THAI’s Director of Brand Management and Commercial Communications Department said ‘the world is now chaotic where more and more people are seeking peace and finding out how to lessen the tense. In view of peak period for faith journey, THAI is proud to be the national carrier of Thailand for passenger satisfaction and trust to variety faith routes. In addition, throughout our business alliances and supports, the passengers will earn an extra convenience to various faith destinations.’
Mr.Krittaphon Chantalitanon, THAI’s Director Area Thailand, Indo-China & The Union of Myanmar said ‘in order to serve traveling demands of the faith market, THAI increases the non-stop flights to Varanasi and Bodhgaya in India to seven flights/ per week, effective since October 25, 2009. In addition, the increasing frequencies to other routes in winter schedule have also been added.’
Today, THAI introduces THAI ValuePlus Card, the more affordable way to reach to wisdom and peace. Passengers can fly to the spiritual journey in nine countries across Asia includes the Republic of China – Hong Kong, Taiwan, Myanmar, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Korea, Japan to the site of the Buddha’s enlightenment in India and Nepal. The THAI ValuePlus Card is priced from 9,000 Baht (inclusive of airport tax and charges). The card is available in a package of 2 cards.
Economy class
Bangkok-Colombo, Taipei, Yangon, Hong Kong at 9,000 Baht net / per card
Bangkok- Jakarta, Shanghai, Denpasar at 12,900 Baht net / per card
Bangkok- Seoul, Tokyo, Busan, Osaka at 15,900 Baht net / per card
Bangkok- Gaya, Kathmandu, Delhi, Varanasi at 20,000 Baht net / per card
In addition, there is a bonus coupon of 1,500 Royal Orchid Plus Miles per pack for route Bangkok- Colombo/ Taipei/ Yangon/ Hong Kong/ Jakarta/ Shanghai/ Denpasar. There is a bonus coupon of 2,000 Royal Orchid Plus Miles per pack for route Bangkok – Seoul/ Tokyo/ Busan/ Osaka. For the route to Gaya/ Kathmandu/ Delhi/ Varanasi, passengers are qualified to earn miles in offering distance as Royal Orchid Plus members. For more information, please contact at Tel 0-2356-1111 or visit website www.thaiairways.com / www.thaiairways.co.th.
The launching event also invites guest celebrities to share their experience on the faith journey including Ajarn Paothong Thongchua, a guru on fine arts and archaeological consultant; Ms.Siriluck Maithai, Executive Director of Emporium Shopping Complex, Ms.Saithip Montrikul Na Ayudhaya, Managing Director of A-Time Traveller and Ms. Arunosha Bhanupan, Producer of Broadcast Thai Television.
Ajarn Paothong Thongchua, a guru on fine arts and archaeological consultant said ‘faith is untouchable. Having faith in yourself is a ticket to success. In life something we do either succeed or fail; however, if there is a faith in yourself, it will push you forward and start to try again until the goal is reached.’
Ms.Siriluck Maithai, Executive Director of Emporium Shopping Complex said ‘faith is more than belief, it is the powerful strength. Faith means trusting in something external. It is considered to imply that there is a being or power which create life practicing and shape our destiny. If we understand the Buddha Dharma, faith becomes more intense. It will motivate us to ground our lives in true morality. It is not merely an appreciation of the ideal but a desire to move towards it.’
Ms.Arunosha Bhanupan, Producer of Broadcast Thai Television said ‘strong faith will purify mind and lead to happiness life. People are of varying natures and types, have different demands and passions. Buddhist faith develops through the cultivation of wisdom and deeper understanding of a life that is born with nothing.’
Travel with THAI Value Plus Card to the journey of faith. For more information, visit website www.thaiairways.com / www.thaiairways.co.th.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Northrop Grumman unloads government consulting unit
Northrop Grumman agreed on Sunday to sell its TASC government consulting unit to the private equity firms Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and General Atlantic for $1.65 billion in cash, in another sign that private equity firms are back to their core business of deal-making.
The sale follows last year's deal by the Carlyle Group for Booz Allen Hamilton's government consulting business.
Northrop began talking about selling TASC, which provides technology con-sulting services, several months ago to satisfy stricter requirements on conflicts of interest facing military contractors,according to a person briefed on the matter. These companies cannot provide consulting services to the government while also trying to sell it products.
Northrop's options included arranging an initial public offering of the unit,selling it to a strategic buyer or striking a deal with private equity firms.
Of those, the last option emerged as the most attractive, allowing TASC to reap additional investment for expansion and for holding onto its management team, led by Wood Parker, the business'general manager and prospective chief executive.
"This transaction is in the best interest of Northrop Grumman's customers, employees and shareholders," Ronald D.Sugar, Northrop's chairman and chief executive, said in a statement."It reflects Northrop Grumman's desire to align quickly with the government's new organisational conflict of interest standards,while preserving TASC's unique organisational culture and its status as the advisory services employer of choice."
Based in Chantilly, Virginia, TASC has about 5,000 employees. Northrop said the unit expected to earn about $1.6 billion in revenue this year.
Northrop said it expected to reap about $1.1 billion of net cash proceeds through the sale. It will use that money to buy back stock.
The deal is expected to close by the end of the year.
Several other big private equity firms have announced leveraged buyouts over the last month, including the Blackstone Group's purchase of Anheuser-Busch InBev's theme parks and TPG and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board's acquisition of IMS Health.
With the improvement of the credit markets over the last year, private equity firms have been able to put their billions of dollars in capital to use. Their investors,who had previously been reluctant to provide the money for new takeovers,are now pressing for more deal-making to see better returns on their capital.
However, even the largest leveraged buyout this year, the $4 billion takeover of IMS, was dwarfed by the sweeping takeovers of TXU and Equity Office Properties in 2007. That is partially because private equity firms can borrow less debt for their deals.
KKR and General Atlantic will receive financing from Barclays Capital,Deutsche Bank and RBC Capital Markets and the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board.
Sunday's deal demonstrated some of KKR's efforts to expand its business and become less reliant on outside banks for help. Its KKR Capital Markets unit will arrange a sale of bonds supporting the transaction, having already lined up Highbridge Mezzanine Partners, a unit of Highbridge Capital Management, as the lead investor.
The sale follows last year's deal by the Carlyle Group for Booz Allen Hamilton's government consulting business.
Northrop began talking about selling TASC, which provides technology con-sulting services, several months ago to satisfy stricter requirements on conflicts of interest facing military contractors,according to a person briefed on the matter. These companies cannot provide consulting services to the government while also trying to sell it products.
Northrop's options included arranging an initial public offering of the unit,selling it to a strategic buyer or striking a deal with private equity firms.
Of those, the last option emerged as the most attractive, allowing TASC to reap additional investment for expansion and for holding onto its management team, led by Wood Parker, the business'general manager and prospective chief executive.
"This transaction is in the best interest of Northrop Grumman's customers, employees and shareholders," Ronald D.Sugar, Northrop's chairman and chief executive, said in a statement."It reflects Northrop Grumman's desire to align quickly with the government's new organisational conflict of interest standards,while preserving TASC's unique organisational culture and its status as the advisory services employer of choice."
Based in Chantilly, Virginia, TASC has about 5,000 employees. Northrop said the unit expected to earn about $1.6 billion in revenue this year.
Northrop said it expected to reap about $1.1 billion of net cash proceeds through the sale. It will use that money to buy back stock.
The deal is expected to close by the end of the year.
Several other big private equity firms have announced leveraged buyouts over the last month, including the Blackstone Group's purchase of Anheuser-Busch InBev's theme parks and TPG and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board's acquisition of IMS Health.
With the improvement of the credit markets over the last year, private equity firms have been able to put their billions of dollars in capital to use. Their investors,who had previously been reluctant to provide the money for new takeovers,are now pressing for more deal-making to see better returns on their capital.
However, even the largest leveraged buyout this year, the $4 billion takeover of IMS, was dwarfed by the sweeping takeovers of TXU and Equity Office Properties in 2007. That is partially because private equity firms can borrow less debt for their deals.
KKR and General Atlantic will receive financing from Barclays Capital,Deutsche Bank and RBC Capital Markets and the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board.
Sunday's deal demonstrated some of KKR's efforts to expand its business and become less reliant on outside banks for help. Its KKR Capital Markets unit will arrange a sale of bonds supporting the transaction, having already lined up Highbridge Mezzanine Partners, a unit of Highbridge Capital Management, as the lead investor.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
INDEX CREATIVE IN WORLD EXPO TOUR VENTURE
Event-organiser Index Creative Village has joined hands with Total Reservation and travel agency Starbridge to be the ticket sales agent and organiser of World Expo Tour, aiming at generating revenue of more than Bt100 million next year.
This is part of the company's Spider Web Strategy, targeted at extending its event-organiser business to other areas.
Index co-chief executive officer Kreingkrai Kanjanapokin yesterday said it had set up joint ventures with Total Reservation, the ticket-sales firm under Impact Exhibition Management, and with Starbridge. The investment proportion of each JV is 50:50.
Index won the bidding to create the Thai Pavilion at the World Expositin Shanghai China 2010, or World Expo, the world's biggest exhibition featuring the latest architecture, arts and technology of each participating country.
The expo will be held from May 1 to October 31 next year. The Thai Pavilion is being constructed onsite in shanghai at a cost of Bt600 million.
"This World Expo is the biggest one in term of investment size and countries taking part, as well as the closest venue to date for Thai people wishing to experience the world phenomenon. I, as one of the World Expo gurus who have a passion for the event, think this is a good time to organise a tour and sell tickets for Thai people and open the opportunity for them to experience the expo," Kreingkrai said.
The Chinese government and attending countries are investing a combined Bt1 trillion to build facilities for the expo and create pavilions, he added.
He said Total Reservation had been authorised as the sales agent for the World Expo in Thailand. It plans to start selling tickets next month. Index and Total Reservation expect to sell Bt25 million worth of tickets for the event.
Meanwhile, Starbridge - the other partner in the venture - will organise the Fast Track World Expo Shanghai Tour during the exhibition. Index and Starbridge hope to generate revenue of Bt80 million from this activity.
Kreingkrai said Index aimed firstly to target corporate clients and others interested in experiencing the latest architecture from several countries.
"This is not the first time Index has entered the tour business. We used to organise small group tours with people to the World Expo many times in the past. But this is the first time that we have joined hands with tour-agency and ticket-agency experts. This is a project in our Spider Web Strategy, aiming at extending our operations to other businesses. We expect to have more projects under this strategy next year," he said.
The World Expo 2010 covers 3,300 rai in Shanghai, equivalent to 489 football fields. Exhibitors from 166 countries will be taking part, creating 230 pavilions.
The Chinese government expects 70 million people to attend, generating Bt70 billion from ticket sales.
This is part of the company's Spider Web Strategy, targeted at extending its event-organiser business to other areas.
Index co-chief executive officer Kreingkrai Kanjanapokin yesterday said it had set up joint ventures with Total Reservation, the ticket-sales firm under Impact Exhibition Management, and with Starbridge. The investment proportion of each JV is 50:50.
Index won the bidding to create the Thai Pavilion at the World Expositin Shanghai China 2010, or World Expo, the world's biggest exhibition featuring the latest architecture, arts and technology of each participating country.
The expo will be held from May 1 to October 31 next year. The Thai Pavilion is being constructed onsite in shanghai at a cost of Bt600 million.
"This World Expo is the biggest one in term of investment size and countries taking part, as well as the closest venue to date for Thai people wishing to experience the world phenomenon. I, as one of the World Expo gurus who have a passion for the event, think this is a good time to organise a tour and sell tickets for Thai people and open the opportunity for them to experience the expo," Kreingkrai said.
The Chinese government and attending countries are investing a combined Bt1 trillion to build facilities for the expo and create pavilions, he added.
He said Total Reservation had been authorised as the sales agent for the World Expo in Thailand. It plans to start selling tickets next month. Index and Total Reservation expect to sell Bt25 million worth of tickets for the event.
Meanwhile, Starbridge - the other partner in the venture - will organise the Fast Track World Expo Shanghai Tour during the exhibition. Index and Starbridge hope to generate revenue of Bt80 million from this activity.
Kreingkrai said Index aimed firstly to target corporate clients and others interested in experiencing the latest architecture from several countries.
"This is not the first time Index has entered the tour business. We used to organise small group tours with people to the World Expo many times in the past. But this is the first time that we have joined hands with tour-agency and ticket-agency experts. This is a project in our Spider Web Strategy, aiming at extending our operations to other businesses. We expect to have more projects under this strategy next year," he said.
The World Expo 2010 covers 3,300 rai in Shanghai, equivalent to 489 football fields. Exhibitors from 166 countries will be taking part, creating 230 pavilions.
The Chinese government expects 70 million people to attend, generating Bt70 billion from ticket sales.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
THE ORIENT EXPRESS TO ULTRA-LUXURY
In December, Christie's will auction off "the Vivid Pink," a bubble-gumcoloured five-carat diamond with an estimated value of US$5 million to $7 million (about 167 million baht to 234 million baht). But instead of scheduling the sale for New York or Geneva,the city chosen was Hong Kong.
Asia's role in the market for super highend luxury goods is mushrooming, reflecting an underlying shift in consumer spending power that has been creeping along for years,but which received a boost from the global economic crisis.
Christie's and its rival Sotheby's say that in the last few years Hong Kong has emerged as a top location for sales of expensive jewelry,gems and fine wines. Asians have also become major buyers of ultra-luxury goods at their auctions in London, New York and Geneva.
Christie's clear 101-carat Shizuka diamond,for instance, sold in Hong Kong for $6.2 million in May 2008. That sale, and the one coming on Dec 1 of its big pink diamond,"are both great examples showing how important this market has become at the very top end", said Vickie Sek, head of jewelry at Christie's Asia.
In another telling example, Rolls-Royce,which did not even have dealerships in Asia until 2003, immediately received 20 orders for its new $250,000 Ghost when it presented the car in Hong Kong last month - despite taxes that double the price.
More broadly, household spending in developing Asian nations is expected to increase as continued growth, rising populations and improving government health and retirement safety nets reduce the need for families to save.
At the same time, many of the world's economies are struggling to return to growth after the financial crisis. Russia and the Middle East are taking a hit from lower oil prices.And consumers in the world's traditional spending powerhouse, the United States, are weighed down by debt and expected to be much more cautious about opening their wallets for quite some time.
"The United States is in the early stages of a multi-year retrenchment," Stephen Roach,chairman of Morgan Stanley's Asia operations,said in a speech last week in Hong Kong.
The result is a gradual rebalancing in spending power toward emerging nations in Asia - and China, in particular.
Japan, mired in a long economic slump, is a big exception in the region. Recently Yohji Yamamoto, the Japanese clothing designer, filed for bankruptcy protection, and Gianni Versace, the Italian fashion brand, announced it would close its Japanese stores.
But China, the world's most populous nation, has already become the biggest global car market, having overtaken the United States earlier this year. And Credit Suisse forecast last month that China's share of global consumption would overtake that of the United States by 2020.
China's population of "high net worth individuals", those worth $1 million or more,surpassed that of Britain for the first time last year, according to an annual study published by Capgemini and Merrill Lynch in June.
North America, Japan and Germany together still accounted for 54% of the global total, but the authors of the report also predicted that the Asia-Pacific region would surpass North America by 2013. Last month, a list compiled by Hurun Report, a research and publishing company based in Shanghai, found that the number of known billionaires in China had grown to 130 from 101 in 2008.
To be sure, the shift in consumption and wealth is slow, and much will depend on how quickly Asian governments manage to improve social safety networks, stimulating domestic spending. Still, Asia has already seen a large rise in the number of individuals who can splash out in the auction halls of Christie's and Sotheby's.
Buyers at Sotheby's autumn sales in Hong Kong this month spent $7.9 million for fine wines - well above the $6.1 million estimate and above the $6.4 million raised at the Hong Kong spring sale. A painting by the Chinese master Sanyu comfortably beat estimates,
going for $4.7 million to a Chinese buyer
bidding by telephone.
And Sotheby's jewelry auction last Wednesday raised more than $32.6 million, up from just less than $20 million a year earlier. A 28.88-carat round brilliant-cut diamond fetched $4.7 million.
And a "fancy intense blue diamond" went for $5.6 million, just short of the record percarat price for a diamond of that type, drawing applause from those in the hall.
Though some prices remained below their pre-crisis peaks, the results bode well for sales at Christie's in December.
In the mid-1990s, Sotheby's jewelry auctions in Hong Kong raised only about 5% of its total in the jewelry category, said Terry Chu, deputy head of the jewelry department at Sotheby's in Asia.
In 2004, its Hong Kong jewelry auction raised $47 million, surpassing the Geneva auction for the first time. Since then, the Hong Kong auctions have represented about one-third of the total each year.
In December 2008, when the credit squeeze set off by the collapse of Lehman Brothers was at its most severe, Christie's raised $33.5 million at its jewelry sale in Hong Kong,more than at any of the other jewelry auctions it held elsewhere that season.
Asia's role in the market for super highend luxury goods is mushrooming, reflecting an underlying shift in consumer spending power that has been creeping along for years,but which received a boost from the global economic crisis.
Christie's and its rival Sotheby's say that in the last few years Hong Kong has emerged as a top location for sales of expensive jewelry,gems and fine wines. Asians have also become major buyers of ultra-luxury goods at their auctions in London, New York and Geneva.
Christie's clear 101-carat Shizuka diamond,for instance, sold in Hong Kong for $6.2 million in May 2008. That sale, and the one coming on Dec 1 of its big pink diamond,"are both great examples showing how important this market has become at the very top end", said Vickie Sek, head of jewelry at Christie's Asia.
In another telling example, Rolls-Royce,which did not even have dealerships in Asia until 2003, immediately received 20 orders for its new $250,000 Ghost when it presented the car in Hong Kong last month - despite taxes that double the price.
More broadly, household spending in developing Asian nations is expected to increase as continued growth, rising populations and improving government health and retirement safety nets reduce the need for families to save.
At the same time, many of the world's economies are struggling to return to growth after the financial crisis. Russia and the Middle East are taking a hit from lower oil prices.And consumers in the world's traditional spending powerhouse, the United States, are weighed down by debt and expected to be much more cautious about opening their wallets for quite some time.
"The United States is in the early stages of a multi-year retrenchment," Stephen Roach,chairman of Morgan Stanley's Asia operations,said in a speech last week in Hong Kong.
The result is a gradual rebalancing in spending power toward emerging nations in Asia - and China, in particular.
Japan, mired in a long economic slump, is a big exception in the region. Recently Yohji Yamamoto, the Japanese clothing designer, filed for bankruptcy protection, and Gianni Versace, the Italian fashion brand, announced it would close its Japanese stores.
But China, the world's most populous nation, has already become the biggest global car market, having overtaken the United States earlier this year. And Credit Suisse forecast last month that China's share of global consumption would overtake that of the United States by 2020.
China's population of "high net worth individuals", those worth $1 million or more,surpassed that of Britain for the first time last year, according to an annual study published by Capgemini and Merrill Lynch in June.
North America, Japan and Germany together still accounted for 54% of the global total, but the authors of the report also predicted that the Asia-Pacific region would surpass North America by 2013. Last month, a list compiled by Hurun Report, a research and publishing company based in Shanghai, found that the number of known billionaires in China had grown to 130 from 101 in 2008.
To be sure, the shift in consumption and wealth is slow, and much will depend on how quickly Asian governments manage to improve social safety networks, stimulating domestic spending. Still, Asia has already seen a large rise in the number of individuals who can splash out in the auction halls of Christie's and Sotheby's.
Buyers at Sotheby's autumn sales in Hong Kong this month spent $7.9 million for fine wines - well above the $6.1 million estimate and above the $6.4 million raised at the Hong Kong spring sale. A painting by the Chinese master Sanyu comfortably beat estimates,
going for $4.7 million to a Chinese buyer
bidding by telephone.
And Sotheby's jewelry auction last Wednesday raised more than $32.6 million, up from just less than $20 million a year earlier. A 28.88-carat round brilliant-cut diamond fetched $4.7 million.
And a "fancy intense blue diamond" went for $5.6 million, just short of the record percarat price for a diamond of that type, drawing applause from those in the hall.
Though some prices remained below their pre-crisis peaks, the results bode well for sales at Christie's in December.
In the mid-1990s, Sotheby's jewelry auctions in Hong Kong raised only about 5% of its total in the jewelry category, said Terry Chu, deputy head of the jewelry department at Sotheby's in Asia.
In 2004, its Hong Kong jewelry auction raised $47 million, surpassing the Geneva auction for the first time. Since then, the Hong Kong auctions have represented about one-third of the total each year.
In December 2008, when the credit squeeze set off by the collapse of Lehman Brothers was at its most severe, Christie's raised $33.5 million at its jewelry sale in Hong Kong,more than at any of the other jewelry auctions it held elsewhere that season.
THE DESIGN CONSULTANT
FACT BOX Anon Pairot,30, is the founder of Anon Pairot Design Studio (www.anonpairot.com)and a design consultant.His upcoming exhibits will be on display at Bangkok Design Festival 2009 (Oct 12-18, Bangkok Art and Culture Center)and at Bangkok International Gift Fair and Bangkok International Houseware Fair 2009(BIG+BIH)(Oct 13-18, Impact Challenger).
HOW ESSENTIAL IS DESIGN CONSULTANCY?A designer is like a hairdresser. When a client needs us to help with a design solution, we need to get our hands on the work. I believe, these days, with a changing business structure, suppliers no longer simply supply materials - the
first thing is to educate people. People can produce OTOP products, but again, do they know how to run a business, how to export their merchandise, how to fill in customs forms? Before we force something upon the people, we need to educate them as well.GTo see an extended interview with Anon visit gurubangkok.com.y're supplying something with a design. What I do is, primarily to design, and secondly to research and to come up with solutions. Each case is different it's like a hairdresser working with different conditions of hair. So that's our work, to find the best solution for them.
SO IT'S A COMBINATION OF BUSINESS AND ART?Yes it is. I believe the work for an architect or a designer is an integration of different fields. The one who can cook best makes the best dish. It's not just about designing - it involves news, current updates, culture.Art-wise, we love to work because it allows us to think positively. We are, at the same time, hopeful for everyone involved - from the entrepreneur to the supplier, to the worker - that we can come up with the best design solution.
WHY IS THAILAND'S DESIGN INDUSTRY NOT THRIVING AS MUCH AS IN SOME OTHER COUNTRIES?I started designing and entering competitions in my college days. I'd say, I'm lucky to have learned from the experiences, from the experts at the Department of Export Promotion. If I didn't know what business is, what national structure is, I wouldn't have understood the difference between our products and those of other countries. The worth is just different, and that reflects a lot of factors from the business per se,the culture, the lifestyle, the history of each country. So if we say we
can make a bag exactly like Louis Vuitton,why doesn't it sell equally as well? That's because there are many differences.History can't change; a business profile can't change. People don't just buy an object. Again, it goes back to education.
SO WILL "CREATIVE ECONOMY" WORK?We have to go back to "who knows what 'creative economy' is?" It's like eating instant noodles. But do you know why we need to have instant noodles? What's the purpose of them when we have cheap street food everywhere? So the first thing is to educate people. People can produce OTOP products, but again, do they know how to run a business, how to export their merchandise, how to fill in customs forms? Before we force something upon the people, we need to educate them as well.
HOW ESSENTIAL IS DESIGN CONSULTANCY?A designer is like a hairdresser. When a client needs us to help with a design solution, we need to get our hands on the work. I believe, these days, with a changing business structure, suppliers no longer simply supply materials - the
first thing is to educate people. People can produce OTOP products, but again, do they know how to run a business, how to export their merchandise, how to fill in customs forms? Before we force something upon the people, we need to educate them as well.GTo see an extended interview with Anon visit gurubangkok.com.y're supplying something with a design. What I do is, primarily to design, and secondly to research and to come up with solutions. Each case is different it's like a hairdresser working with different conditions of hair. So that's our work, to find the best solution for them.
SO IT'S A COMBINATION OF BUSINESS AND ART?Yes it is. I believe the work for an architect or a designer is an integration of different fields. The one who can cook best makes the best dish. It's not just about designing - it involves news, current updates, culture.Art-wise, we love to work because it allows us to think positively. We are, at the same time, hopeful for everyone involved - from the entrepreneur to the supplier, to the worker - that we can come up with the best design solution.
WHY IS THAILAND'S DESIGN INDUSTRY NOT THRIVING AS MUCH AS IN SOME OTHER COUNTRIES?I started designing and entering competitions in my college days. I'd say, I'm lucky to have learned from the experiences, from the experts at the Department of Export Promotion. If I didn't know what business is, what national structure is, I wouldn't have understood the difference between our products and those of other countries. The worth is just different, and that reflects a lot of factors from the business per se,the culture, the lifestyle, the history of each country. So if we say we
can make a bag exactly like Louis Vuitton,why doesn't it sell equally as well? That's because there are many differences.History can't change; a business profile can't change. People don't just buy an object. Again, it goes back to education.
SO WILL "CREATIVE ECONOMY" WORK?We have to go back to "who knows what 'creative economy' is?" It's like eating instant noodles. But do you know why we need to have instant noodles? What's the purpose of them when we have cheap street food everywhere? So the first thing is to educate people. People can produce OTOP products, but again, do they know how to run a business, how to export their merchandise, how to fill in customs forms? Before we force something upon the people, we need to educate them as well.
BRIDAL BANQUETS BY THE BEACH
For decades, Thailand has been one of the most popular destinations for honeymooners around the wourld. Thanks to the country's geographical location and convenient access points that make it easily accessible from the US, Europe and Asia, the kingdom is blessed with a diversity of destinations that can be enjoyed at anytime of theyear. Throw in its cultural aspects and a few fun quirks and it's easy to see why Thailand has also becom a popular place for lovers to exchange vows. Growing alongside that popularity is the prufessinal wedding service offered by boyh independent studios and luxurious hotel chains. Among many famous locations, one new option for the soon-to-be-married is Pattava.
Taking advanage of its vicinity to Bangkok and the mushrooming of luxurious four and five star hotels, Pattaya is now offering mid-range but quality wedding receptons for both local and foreign lovers.
Those who want a cultural setting can choose to go up North for a Lanna style reception, or head Northeast to enjoy a nuptial experience on elephant back, Ocean lovers can tie the knot underwater in Trang and follow up with a romantic, candle-lit party on the beach to celebrate the union.
But the vast majority of couples simply want the "perfect" reception, shich includes a decent meal and drinks, exquisite wedding cake, nice set up with romantic music anc, most importantly, convenience for their gurests.
Phuket, Krabi and Samui have long been big wedding markets, as they all have stunning ocean cackdrops, easy access by plane and professional event organisers from many five-star beachside hotels, They mainly cater to high-end clients looking for an exclusive event.
In Pattaya, couples will find both mid-range to super high-end and everything in between. Prices range from Bt15,000 to Bt 100,000 and cover both traditional Thai and Western style potions.
Pattaya has worked hard to drop its "Sin City" tag and today is recognised as a family resort, It's busy expanding its territory int he wedding market thanks to expanding its territory in the wedding market thanks to its growth and strength in hospitality business. With its four to five-star hotel chains booming, ti attracts not only the higher-end vacationers and MICE groups but also wedding cuples who want convenient, quality reception in reasonable prices.
Amari Orchid Resort & Tower in Pattay has been a pioneer in wedding business. For the third consecutive year, the hotel organised its Wedding Fair last weekend at Central Festival Pattaya Beach. The hotel offers a special wdding package and has now introduced a range of professionsl services from wedding planners, aestheitc spas. wdding dress designers and jewellers. The hotel also has additional packages for honeymoon and spa pampering after the wdding.
"What we've been trying to do is tio fill the demand in Pattaya's wdding market." David cumming, General Manager, said in an interview after the opening ceremeny on Sturday. "Of course people get masrried here, both the Thais and the foreigners that live here, but it's not professionally organised. We're running a hotel business, we have the facilties and we have the manpower, we can cater to that."
For teh first year, the fair claimed 26 weddings at the hotel and the figure went up to 45 last year. Amari hopes to double that number during the upcoming high season, While other hotel cahins in Pattaya slowly pick up on the wedding market, Amari ranks weedings as important as vacations and other functions.
"What we do is the ensure the couple that they'ss get what they pay for, and they'll get the best for their money. We set up the banquets, full scale, for them to see, And we guarantee that they will get exactly what they choose on their wedding day. We sell the promise, and we deliver it." Cumming confirmed.
Taking advanage of its vicinity to Bangkok and the mushrooming of luxurious four and five star hotels, Pattaya is now offering mid-range but quality wedding receptons for both local and foreign lovers.
Those who want a cultural setting can choose to go up North for a Lanna style reception, or head Northeast to enjoy a nuptial experience on elephant back, Ocean lovers can tie the knot underwater in Trang and follow up with a romantic, candle-lit party on the beach to celebrate the union.
But the vast majority of couples simply want the "perfect" reception, shich includes a decent meal and drinks, exquisite wedding cake, nice set up with romantic music anc, most importantly, convenience for their gurests.
Phuket, Krabi and Samui have long been big wedding markets, as they all have stunning ocean cackdrops, easy access by plane and professional event organisers from many five-star beachside hotels, They mainly cater to high-end clients looking for an exclusive event.
In Pattaya, couples will find both mid-range to super high-end and everything in between. Prices range from Bt15,000 to Bt 100,000 and cover both traditional Thai and Western style potions.
Pattaya has worked hard to drop its "Sin City" tag and today is recognised as a family resort, It's busy expanding its territory int he wedding market thanks to expanding its territory in the wedding market thanks to its growth and strength in hospitality business. With its four to five-star hotel chains booming, ti attracts not only the higher-end vacationers and MICE groups but also wedding cuples who want convenient, quality reception in reasonable prices.
Amari Orchid Resort & Tower in Pattay has been a pioneer in wedding business. For the third consecutive year, the hotel organised its Wedding Fair last weekend at Central Festival Pattaya Beach. The hotel offers a special wdding package and has now introduced a range of professionsl services from wedding planners, aestheitc spas. wdding dress designers and jewellers. The hotel also has additional packages for honeymoon and spa pampering after the wdding.
"What we've been trying to do is tio fill the demand in Pattaya's wdding market." David cumming, General Manager, said in an interview after the opening ceremeny on Sturday. "Of course people get masrried here, both the Thais and the foreigners that live here, but it's not professionally organised. We're running a hotel business, we have the facilties and we have the manpower, we can cater to that."
For teh first year, the fair claimed 26 weddings at the hotel and the figure went up to 45 last year. Amari hopes to double that number during the upcoming high season, While other hotel cahins in Pattaya slowly pick up on the wedding market, Amari ranks weedings as important as vacations and other functions.
"What we do is the ensure the couple that they'ss get what they pay for, and they'll get the best for their money. We set up the banquets, full scale, for them to see, And we guarantee that they will get exactly what they choose on their wedding day. We sell the promise, and we deliver it." Cumming confirmed.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Adecco boosts high-margin business with MPS deal
Adecco, the world's largest staffing company, is buying American rival MPS Group for $1.3 billion, boosting its high-margin and more recessionresilient professional staffing business.
Adecco also said it was launching a 900 million Swiss franc ($888 million)mandatory convertible bond to accommodate the cash deal, though one rating agency promptly put its investment grade credit rating on watch.
This deal, plus the recent acquisition of Britain's Spring Group, means close to 25% of group revenues will be generated in the more lucrative professional staffing arena, up from 17% in 2008.
"We are delighted to have MPS Group become part of the Adecco Group, in a move that will see Adecco taking the worldwide lead in professional staffing,"CEO Patrick De Maeseneire said in a statement, who later added that this was the last big acquisition on the cards.
Adecco also sounded a more upbeat tone on its trading environment, saying market conditions had improved during the third quarter. The group will post quarterly figures on Nov 5.
"This acquisition is fully in line with Adecco's strategy to strengthen its professional staffing business, which offers higher margins and more attractive growth opportunities," Helvea analyst Chris Burger said in a note.
The move marks a significant coup for De Maeseneire who took over the helm in June from Dieter Scheiff. Adecco failed last year in its bid to buy professional staffing group Michael Page, which many believed was the reason behind Scheiff's departure.
"After the unsuccessful try to take over Michael Page, MPS Group was chosen, which has a similar, or even slightly bigger, size in terms of sales,"Burger said, adding the deal put Adecco ahead of rival Robert Half in professional staffing.
Adecco would now focus on organic growth, De Maeseneire told Reuters."The big acquisitions are done now," he said."We now have a strong platform to grow organically."
MPS Group's board of directors has unanimously backed Adecco's offer of $13.80 per share, which represents a premium of 24% over the Florida-based company's last closing price.
Standard & Poor's said yesterday it had placed its BBB rating on Adecco on CreditWatch with negative implications as a result of the deal.
But chief financial officer Dominik de Daniel said he was confident Adecco would be able to keep its investment grade rating thanks to the convertible mandatory bond offering.
The MPS deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2010.
Adecco's news comes as Dutch group Randstad NV said Britain's NorthgateArinso was buying its human resources services unit Cian.
Adecco also said it was launching a 900 million Swiss franc ($888 million)mandatory convertible bond to accommodate the cash deal, though one rating agency promptly put its investment grade credit rating on watch.
This deal, plus the recent acquisition of Britain's Spring Group, means close to 25% of group revenues will be generated in the more lucrative professional staffing arena, up from 17% in 2008.
"We are delighted to have MPS Group become part of the Adecco Group, in a move that will see Adecco taking the worldwide lead in professional staffing,"CEO Patrick De Maeseneire said in a statement, who later added that this was the last big acquisition on the cards.
Adecco also sounded a more upbeat tone on its trading environment, saying market conditions had improved during the third quarter. The group will post quarterly figures on Nov 5.
"This acquisition is fully in line with Adecco's strategy to strengthen its professional staffing business, which offers higher margins and more attractive growth opportunities," Helvea analyst Chris Burger said in a note.
The move marks a significant coup for De Maeseneire who took over the helm in June from Dieter Scheiff. Adecco failed last year in its bid to buy professional staffing group Michael Page, which many believed was the reason behind Scheiff's departure.
"After the unsuccessful try to take over Michael Page, MPS Group was chosen, which has a similar, or even slightly bigger, size in terms of sales,"Burger said, adding the deal put Adecco ahead of rival Robert Half in professional staffing.
Adecco would now focus on organic growth, De Maeseneire told Reuters."The big acquisitions are done now," he said."We now have a strong platform to grow organically."
MPS Group's board of directors has unanimously backed Adecco's offer of $13.80 per share, which represents a premium of 24% over the Florida-based company's last closing price.
Standard & Poor's said yesterday it had placed its BBB rating on Adecco on CreditWatch with negative implications as a result of the deal.
But chief financial officer Dominik de Daniel said he was confident Adecco would be able to keep its investment grade rating thanks to the convertible mandatory bond offering.
The MPS deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2010.
Adecco's news comes as Dutch group Randstad NV said Britain's NorthgateArinso was buying its human resources services unit Cian.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)