Bangkok February 2021

JAN / FEB 2021

FREE

COPY

TM

BANGKOK

BUSINESS

FIRST DRIVERLESS

MASS TRANSIT LINE

OPENED IN BANGKOK

Cover Story Overleaf

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

- So Having Survived 2020, What Are The Key Technologies To Watch Out For In 2021?

- Bangkok Ranks As The 7th Most Affordable Office Market To Fit Out In Asia Pacific

- Thailand Should Push To Become a Leading Medical Hub

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Cover Story

BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT

FIRST DRIVERLESS MASS TRANSIT

LINE OPENED IN BANGKOK

The first mass transit

line in Bangkok featuring

driverless trains, namely

the Gold Line, opened in

mid December. The line

has a connection at Krung

Thon Buri station with the

Dark Green Line, widely

known as the BTS Silom

Line. It runs from there to

Khlong San station with a

stop at Charoen Nakhon on

the way.

............................................

The line employs what

is known as an automated

guide-way transit system.

It features Bombardier Innovia

APM300 automated

people-mover trains. They

use proven technology and

are very popular in airports

and in some urban settings.

Predecessors of the

APM300 were in service as

early as 1971, with the first

airport people mover system

opening at Tampa international

airport in Florida

in that year. Bombardier

acquired the holding company

in 2001 and continued

to develop new models.

............................................

You may well have taken

a ride on an APM300 or

an earlier model if you happen

to have been at Beijing

International airport or in

Kuala Lumpur’s main airport.

It is also widely used

in many other airports in

the United States, the UK,

Germany and Italy.

............................................

As for urban transportation

systems, the same or

similar driverless models

are used in Shanghai on

the Shanghai Metro Pujiang

Line as well as on the

Singapore LRT Bukit Panjang

LRT Line. The trains

can reach a speed of up to

80km per hour.

The Gold Line in Bangkok

was not part of the original

master plan for mass transit

services. The owners of

the Icon Siam development

suggested it 5 years ago to

provide access to the new

mall. The 3.8 Billion baht

cost of the project was fully

funded by the owner of Icon

Siam, (Siam Piwat Co Ltd.).

They stand to gain all of the

revenues and advertising

profits from the line for the

next thirty years, as well as

to reap the benefits of extra

customers coming to the

mall.

............................................

The recently opened

line is actually just the first

phase of at least three

phases planned for rollout

between now and 2023.

Eventually it will run all the

way to Prajadhipok Road in

Thon Buri District.

............................................

At the same time of the

launch of the Gold Line,

another mass transit line

opened, this being the last

leg of the Green Line. It has

seven new stations, namely,

Khu Khot, Yaek Kor Por Aor,

Royal Thai Air Force Museum,

Bhumibol Adulyadej

Hospital, Sai Yud, Saphan

Mai, and Phahon Yothin 59.

The overall Bangkok

mass transit master plan is

proceeding very well. There

will be more new lines opening

over the next 3 years

with the Dark Red and Light

Red Lines slated to open in

2021. The Dark Red Line

will run from Rangsit to

Bang Sue and the Light Red

Line will connect Bang Sue

with Taling Chan.

............................................

In 2022 the Pink Line will

open linking Khae Rai to

Min Buri and the Yellow Line

will commence services

between Samrong and Lat

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1. ARTIFICIAL

INTELLIGENCE (AI)

AI is undoubtedly one of the

biggest tech trends at the moment,

and during 2021 it will

become an even more valuable

tool for helping us to interpret

and understand the world

around us. The volume of data

we are collecting on healthcare,

infection rates, and the success

of measures we take to

prevent the spread of infection

will continue to increase. This

means that machine learning

algorithms will become better

informed and increasingly sophisticated

in the solutions they

uncover for us.

From computer vision systems

monitoring the capacity

of public areas to analyzing the

interactions uncovered through

contact tracing initiatives,

self-learning algorithms will spot

connections and insights that

would go unnoticed by manual

human analysis. They will help

us predict demand for services

from hospitals and other healthcare

providers, and allow administrators

to make better decisions

about when and where to

deploy resources.

For business, the challenge

will be to understand the changing

patterns of customer behavior.

More human activity will take

place online – from shopping

and socializing to virtual working

environments, meetings, and recruitment

2. ROBOTICS, DRONES, AND

VEHICLE AUTOMATION

As the volume of passengers

using public transport fluctuates

from week to week, depending

on local conditions, initiatives

around self-driving vehicles will

continue at an increasing pace.

Driving efficiency across public

transport networks will be a

priority for service providers as

well as civic authorities, where

reducing human labour costs

BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT

“Bits n Bytes”

will help balance the uncertainty

around customer demand.

In recent years we have

seen the emergence of robots

in the care and assisted living

sectors, and these will become

increasingly important, particularly

when it comes to interacting

with members of society who

are most vulnerable to infection,

such as the elderly. Rather than

entirely replacing the human interaction

with caregivers that is

so important to many, we can

expect robotic devices to be

used to provide new channels of

communication, such as access

to 24/7 in-home help, as well as

to simply provide companionship

at times when it may not be

safe to be sending nursing staff

into homes. Additionally, companies

finding themselves with

premises that, while empty, still

require maintenance and upkeep,

will turn to robotics providers

for services such as cleaning

and security. On my last visit

to Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, I

noticed an autonomous cleaning

robot hard at work!

Drones will be used to

deliver vital medicine and,

equipped with computer vision

algorithms, used to monitor

footfall in public areas in order

to identify places where there

is an increased risk of viral

transmission.

STEVE DICKENS

SO HAVING SURVIVED 2020, WHAT ARE THE KEY TECHNOLOGIES TO

WATCH OUT FOR IN 2021?

3. THE AS-A-SERVICE

REVOLUTION

“As-a-service” – the provision

of services that we need

to live and work through cloudbased,

on-demand platforms

– is the key that has put the

other tech trends we talk about

today in reach of anybody. It’s

the reason why AI and robotics

are a possibility for just about

any business or organization,

regardless of their size or budget.

Thanks to cloud offerings

from companies like Google,

Microsoft, Amazon, and an

ever-growing horde of startups

and spinoffs, innovators in all

fields can deploy cutting-edge

tech with little upfront investment

in tools, equipment or

specialized people.

As the ongoing pandemic

rages around the world, we

have clearly seen that companies

that rely on cloud to

provide scalable solutions asa-service

are prospering. Take

Zoom, for example, which has

quickly become a household

name thanks to the speed with

which it was able to add servers

and increase its coverage and

quality of service.

4. EXTENDED REALITY (XR) –

VIRTUAL AND

AUGMENTED REALITY (VR/MR).

These terms cover technology

that uses glasses or headsets

to project computer-generated

imagery directly into the

user's field of vision. When it

is superimposed over what the

user is viewing in the real world,

it is AR. And when it is used to

place the user into an entirely

computer-generated environment,

it is VR.

During next year we can

again expect to see these,

in conjunction with the other

trends discussed here, assisting

in tackling challenges posed

by the current world situation.

Largely this will involve allowing

us to avoid potentially dangerous

situations where there could

be a risk of viral transmission.

For example, medical examinations

and diagnosis can increasingly

be carried out remotely. A

solution available to opticians

allows eye tests to be carried

out entirely in VR, as high-definition

cameras give a clear image

of the patient's eye. An AR

tool then allows the customer to

browse the range of glasses on

offer and see what they look like

on their own face without having

to leave their home.

We will also see an increase

in the use of VR and AR tools

within education. This will reduce

the need for us to work in

crowded classroom conditions

– if not totally, then at least in

areas and during times when it

is known that transmission rates

are high.

Let’s hope that at least technology

will improve our lot in

2021.

Steve Dickens

has worked in managerial and consultancy

roles for over 40 years with international

technology companies,15 of which

have been here in Thailand

He can be contacted at

stevedickens@hotmail.com



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MOS BURGER TO

EXPAND TO 90 OUTLETS

Mos Burger (Thailand) aims to

open 90 branches by 2024, up from

its current 16 outlets. The Covid-19

era has not fazed the company, indeed

it is focusing on the advantages

that it brings.

Chief executive Surasak Jintananarumit

was quoted as saying,

"The Covid-19 outbreak offers us

a great opportunity to acquire new

retail space to open our shops next

year,” adding, “The pandemic not

only boosted Mos Burger's brand

visibility, but also raised awareness

about food safety, benefiting us because

of our focus on cleanliness.”

Japanese based Mos Burger

had a great start in Thailand thirteen

years ago, as unprecedented

queues were pictured outside its

Central World branch. The brand’s

arrival was hailed as a craze that

was unlikely to be short-lived.

As for the future expansion

plans, look out for new outlets in

BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT

THAILAND BUSINESS NEWS

Mega Bangna, Central Pinklao and

CentralPlaza Westgate in Bangkok

amongst many other places.

The company also plans to expand

into the provinces with an outlet

to be opened in Central Complex

in Sri Racha.

SMARTPHONE SALES

DECLINE IN THAILAND

According to global research and

advisory firm Gartner, smartphone

sales in Thailand in the third quarter

of 2020 dropped 7.6% compared to

the same period last year. A total of

4.7 million units were sold against 5

million in the third quarter of 2019.

The decline in Thailand came at a

time of a worldwide drop of 5.7 per

cent.

Anshul Gupta, senior research

director at Gartner, was quoted as

saying, “Consumers are limiting their

discretionary spend even as some

lockdown conditions have started to

improve.”

The commencement of 5G offerings

didn’t make much of a positive

impact, although in future this may

become an important factor for people

deciding to refresh their phones

for newer models.

On a global level, Samsung was

still the leading brand, clocking up

sales of 80.8 million units representing

22% of market share.

Huawei took second place with

14.1 per cent of market share, followed

by Xiaomi with 12.1 per cent.

Apple dropped to fourth position

with 11.1 per cent of market share

and sales amounting to 40.6 million

units.

KASIKORN BANK TO

MAINTAIN ITS BRANCH

NETWORK

Even though much more banking

is done these days with mobile

applications, online banking portals

and ATMs, Kasikorn Bank (KBank)

intends to maintain its branches,

currently numbering 873. Although

a few branches will relocate where

there is an overlap, the overall total

will not be cut. It will also retain all its

19,990 staff.

This will come as welcome news

to consumers, at a time when some

other large businesses are reducing

their brick and mortar branches in

favor of less friendly call centers and

digital services.

Bank branches are considered

superior when it comes to discussing

loans, mortgages, complicated

financial instruments and debt relief

especially during the Covid era.

As well, many customers still value

in-branch banking for its personal

touch.

KBank co-president, Patchara

Samalapa, was quoted as saying,

”With services provided by

staff members based at physical

branches nationwide, this allows us

to ensure customers have a better

understanding of debt solutions and

can ease their financial burden at

this difficult time. Human resources

and face-to-face services are still

required in the digital age."



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BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT

FOREIGN CURRENCY UPDATE

THE U.S. DOLLAR

The U.S. Dollar lost ground and

hit a two-and-a-half year low

as confidence in the currency

ebbed, adding to losses in the

previous month. The DXY Dollar

index, the index that measures

the U.S. Dollar’s value against

a basket of major currencies,

fell from 92.64 down to 90.98.

With more stimulus expected,

even a scaled-back plan will

still mean the printing presses

will be hard at work. Against the

Thai Baht, the U.S. Dollar briefly

dipped below the all-important

30.00 level to hit 29.98, before

rebounding to 30.07. Whether

or not the Baht will be subject

to central bank intervention in

the future remains to be seen,

but the 30.00 mark could well

be an area where defenses are

mounted.

THE BRITISH POUND

The British Pound rose from

1.3181 to a high of 1.3519 likely

due to dollar weakness and also

on hopes of a breakthrough on

the Brexit front. As Brexit talks

became more complicated the

Pound retreated back to 1.3232

but remained volatile as deadlines

were extended. Vaccine

rollout news did little to move

Sterling’s value, with the UK

stock market making gains instead.

Against the Thai Baht,

the Pound rose to 40.70 before

falling back to 39.84. Going forward,

GBP/THB rates will likely

be kept in check by the spectre

of a weak dollar.

THE JAPANESE YEN

The Japanese Yen once again

strengthened against the U.S.

Dollar moving from 105.24 to

104.02 but this time held on to

the gains. With stock markets

looking as though they have the

potential to top out, and with

the dollar falling out of favor,

there is a chance that the Yen

could see more strength.

Against the Thai Baht, the Yen

rose from 0.2849 to 0.2899 before

moving back to 0.2871.

THE RUSSIAN RUBLE

After 6 months of a generally

weakening trend the fortunes of

the Ruble reversed and the currency

strengthened from 77.60

to the U.S. Dollar to 72.88,

more than a six per cent move.

This puts it back to levels last

seen in September. Yet volatility

remains elevated and as a

result, future direction is hard

to predict. The Ruble strengthened

against the Thai Baht

from a low of 0.3910 to reach

0.4130, reversing last month’s

move.

THE EURO

The recent consolidation of

the EUR/USD cross rate gave

way to a strong upside breakout

with the Euro moving from

1.1784 all the way to 1.2117.

As the main constituent in the

basket of currencies that the

USD trades against, it is unsurprising

that the Euro would take

up the slack on the other side

of the Dollar’s weakness. This

comes even in spite of the fact

that the ECB continues to take

an easing bias. Against the Thai

Baht the Euro rose from 35.59

to 36.44 a rise of nearly 2.5 per

cent.

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ÍâÈ¡

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5

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Supermarket


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Bangkok

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10

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Hilton

Sukhumvit

Bangkok

13

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11



P15

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in Bangkok

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MRT Tickets

MRT Single Journey Token

Bangkok MRT Single Journey Token

Single Journey Token is an electronic plastic chip that all single-journey passengers have to touch it on the top surface of the

entry gate and drop out to the slot of the exit gate when departing. Rates depend on the distance of starting and ending stations.

MRT PLUS / MANGMOOM Cards – Adult

● Mangmoom Card - Adult

- Mangmoom: The minimum value for the first issue is

150 baht (100 baht travel value + 50 baht card deposit). No

issuing fee.

- Can be added value 100 THB/Time at ticket offices.

● MRT PLUS – Child

- For a child under 14 years old and 91-120 cm tall.

- MRT Plus: The minimum value for the first issue is 180

baht (100 baht travel value + 50 baht card deposit + 30 baht

issuing fee).

- ID Card must be presented when required.

- Can be added value at least 100 THB at ticket Vendor.

- Each top-up must be at least 100 baht and the total value

must not exceed 2,000 baht.

- Can be issued at Purple Line ticket offices.

- Can be used at all stations of Blue and Purple lines.

- Can be used for car parking at Purple Line Parking Building

- Can be refunded (except a card is lost).

● MRT PLUS - Adult

- MRT Plus: The minimum value for the first

issue is 180 baht (100 baht travel value + 50 baht

card deposit + 30 baht issuing fee).


MRT PLUS / MANGMOOM Cards – Student

- For an adult aged 24 – 59 years old.







BTS Tickets

● MRT PLUS - Student



issuing fee).


MRT PLUS / MANGMOOM Cards – Senior

● MRT PLUS - Senior



issuing fee).



● Mangmoom Card- Student



issuing fee.


- For a student age not over 23 years old.

- ID Card or Student Card must be presented when required.







● Mangmoom Card - Senior



issuing fee.


- For a senior aged 60 years old up.

- ID Card must be presented when required.







STANDARD RABBIT CARD

There are three kinds of Standard Rabbit Card, namely Adult, Student and Senior,

● Standard Rabbit Card are available for sales at all BTS Ticket Offices.

● Standard Rabbit Card can be obtained for 200 Baht, which include 100 Baht issuing fees and 100 Baht

initial stored values.

● There is no annual fees for Standard Rabbit Card.

● Subject to the rules and regulations of BTS, Student Rabbit Card and Senior Rabbit Card will enjoy

special fare discounts and promotions when travelling on BTS.

● Student Rabbit Card may only be used by current full-time students, aged not over 23 years, a valid ID

may be requested on purchase and/or usages.

● Senior Rabbit Card may only be used by Thai Senior Citizens aged 60 years and over, a valid ID may be

requested on purchase and/or usages.

STANDARD RABBIT CARD FOR ADVERTISING

● Standard Rabbit Card for Advertising is a normal Rabbit card with special printed graphics specificity

designed for our business partner to promote their company or product through the front of a Rabbit card

within a certain period of time.

● Standard Rabbit Card for Advertising will be available for sales at all BTS Ticket Offices.

SPECIAL RABBIT CARD

● Special Rabbit Card is a limited edition that is issued and sold by Bangkok Smartcard System Company

Limited.

● Special Rabbit Card can be issued to celebrate special occasions, or as souvenirs or collectable items.

● Special Rabbit Card can be provided in various form factors such as cards, other products and devices.

CORPORATE RABBIT CARD

● For companies that wish to issue their own Rabbit card with customized graphics.

CO-BRANDED RABBIT CARD

● Issued by financial institutions or corporations that wish to add standard Rabbit card functionalities into

credit cards, debit cards, or other card types or devices.


HOW TO MAKE MORE SALES

USING THE SCIENCE OF

NEUROMARKETING

BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT

First of all, neuromarketing isn’t

as complicated as it sounds. It simply

takes long known psychological

facts and implements them into

marketing.

Let’s start with the area of web

copy, instead of talking about your

product and what it can do - write

about your customer and what they

get from it.

EXAMPLE 1

Our product has a range of benefits

to increase sales and maximise

profit.

EXAMPLE 2

You will sell more of your products

and make more profit from

your website with this product.

Which sentence entices you

more to buy? Most people say sentence

2.

Neuromarketing appeals to the

unconcious mind or the old brain,

the part that is associated with

survival, food and sex - the most

primitive part of our brain.

This part of the

brain is wired to be

selfish, to take care

only of ourselves.

That’s why we

need to use the

words you and

yours a lot to attract

and

keep the interest of users.

We can also take advantage of

the power of reprocity, when you do

something for someone they feel

obliged to give something back so

handing out a freebie is always a

great way to start. Do you remember

when charity donation forms

came through the door? They often

came with a free pen!

The unconcious mind is also

trained to notice change, so any

moving items on a website are likely

to attract it. Rotating banners and

banners are a good way to show

change on your website, just stay

away from full width sliders as they

slow your website down and reduce

conversion rates.

Users are most likely to buy

from someone who is similar to

them and who they find attractive,

so try to add photos of yourself and/

or your team onto the website and

make them more casual than business

like.

Add plenty of testimonials and

social proof to your website and include

as much information as you

can about your reviewers: name,

company, location and a photo if

possible.

This gives your users a sense

of security that other people similar

to them have bought and liked your

product.

Neuromarketing and design

are the future of online sales, if

you would like to know more then

please contact Gemma via email -

gemma@pdsconsultingsolutions.

com

Gemma Purnell

+66 33 039 399

gemmapurnell.com

gemma@gemmapurnell.com



BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT

THAILAND SHOULD PUSH TO BECOME A LEADING MEDICAL HUB

Thailand may be famous as

a tourist destination, but not so

much as a hub of medical excellence.

Of course plenty of people

come to the Kingdom for medical

treatment, and after doing some

research it is clear to see that

Thailand can offer superior medical

care often at a lower cost than

other countries.

Yet Thailand has not fully solidified

its place as a major medical

hub and does not widely enjoy this

status on the world stage just yet.

At a recent forum held by

Forbes Thailand called 'Thailand's

Mega Trends Forum 2020' the

positive and negative impacts of

becoming a leading medical hub

were discussed. The opportunity

exists for Thailand to become

South East Asia‘s first medical hub

before new pandemics emerge.

The dean of Siriraj Hospital's

Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Prasit

Watanapa, was quoted as saying,

"Humans, animals and the environment

are intertwined. As long

as we cause climate change, we

will face new diseases, as the migration

of [animal] vectors brings

about the rapid spread of viruses,”

adding, "Covid-25 and Covid-30

will come. Three months ago, I

warned of a second wave [of the

coronavirus]. We should learn to

tackle it and identify an opportunity."

He noted that there had been

four other pandemics already

in just the last 20 years including

SARS, ZIKA, Swine Flu and

MERS, but these had been more

successfully con- tained

worldwide than

the current Covid

19 outbreak.

As well,

prevention

should be

a priority

since vaccines

may

be in short

supply at critical

times as

developed nations

rush to secure hundreds

of millions of

doses.

Dr. Prasit

Watanapa was also

quoted as saying,

"Our local development

is very limited

because we still import

vaccines from abroad.

However, vaccination is

now a matter of national security,"

adding, "I don't think CLMV [Cambodia,

Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam]

countries will set up vaccine

factories. Indonesia is the only

exception [in the region]. Thailand

should tap into this opportunity

now that we know our strengths in

handling Covid-19."

Technology should also play

a leading role in diagnostics and

tracing. IT systems should better

help communication of health

protocols as well as improve

the targeting of medical

care.

Dr. Prasit Watanapa

was further quoted as saying,

"If we can enhance our

health literacy, everything

will become much

more convenient.

We

can

predict the risk of cancer, drug

allergies, and optimize medical

procedures. With the help of AI

technology we have received from

China, we have been able to diagnose

Covid-19 much faster and

with increased accuracy," adding,

"5G technology has helped support

telemedicine. Currently, we

are collaborating with Huawei to

develop AI and Deep Learning

technology for healthcare, which

other countries in the region are

not able to do. Thailand is

a leader.”



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TO MOVE IN

LUXURY LIVING AT

AFFORDABLE PRICES

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Contact Info

Tel: 090-226-4287 (EN)

063-382-1881 (TH)

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While bar charts, line graphs

and simple numbers are hardly

capable of providing the defining

answer to many economic,

social and political questions,

they are certainly a good way of

obtaining a general overview of

any particular subject.

Each month the Business

Supplement will look into a

brace of statistical information

and provide readers with what

we consider to be the central elements

of these figures.

BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT

JUST THE STATISTICS

THAILAND’S LARGEST

SHOPPING MALLS

Thailand is famous for its

abundance of opulent and sizeable

shopping malls even at a

time when more and more shopping

is done online.

Malls enable customers to

touch and feel goods, engage

in real world retail shopping with

immediate satisfaction and dine

at a wide choice of restaurants.

Whilst many of Thailand’s

largest malls are in Bangkok

there are plenty outside of the

capital too.

The largest shopping mall

in Thailand is the CentralPlaza

Westgate Mall in Bang Yai, Nonthaburi

with a total gross leasable

space of 550,278 square

meters. It was opened in 2015

and incudes a Central department

store, an Ikea store and a

Cineplex.

In second place is the iconic

Icon Siam mall in Bangkok with a

leasable area of 525,000 square

meters. A dazzling fountain show

using high-pressure water jets attracts

visitors as well as the mall’s

riverside location.

The well-established Central-

World and the famous Siam Paragon,

both in central Bangkok, take

3rd and 4th positions with 429,000

and 300,000 square meters of

leasable space respectively.

Outside of Bangkok, in 5th position,

is Central Phuket, also with

300,000 square meters of leasable

area

CentralPlaza Nakhorn Ratchasima,

Future Park Rangsit, Kadsuankaew

in Chiang Mai, Central

Festival Pattaya Beach, and Mega

Bangna in that order take the remaining

five positions in the top

ten. All have over 200,000 square

metres of leasable space.

MOST POPULAR CARS

AND PICKUP TRUCKS

IN THAILAND

Thailand’s best selling vehicles

continue to be dominated by

pickup trucks but there have been

some interesting changes over the

years.

In 2020 the Toyota Hilux was, at

the time of writing, the best selling

model overall with sales of 107,110

units. The Isuzu D-Max was in

close second place with 106,346

vehicles sold.

The feature is available for

both smartphone and PC versions

of LINE.

LINE Meeting is suitable for

daily usage, both for Work From

Home and for Stay at Home

Key functions:

• Quickly creating a URL to

invite other LINE users to a meeting

• Meeting windows can be

minimized, allowing attendees to

answer chats, and type replies to

an automatically created special

chat room for the meeting that

will disband after the meeting

• LINE Meeting supports LINE

Group VDO Call, which is suitable

for work and pleasure. The

function is available for both

smartphone and PC version of

These two models have been

in a tussle for first position for the

last 18 years, with the Toyota Hilux

making the top spot every year

from 2006 to 2016 and the D-Max

in second place for most of those

years. In 2017 the D-Max took the

top position but gave it up the following

year.

The Ford Ranger, another pickup

model, did well in 2017, 2018

and 2019 reaching third place but

slipped to sixth position in 2020

with 19,982 units sold, about a fifth

of the two frontrunners.

Away from the pickup market,

the now very easy to spot Mazda 2

with its quite distinctive shape was

the top selling sedan car in 2018

and 2019 and third best in 2020

with 21,323 vehicles driven off the

forecourt in the latter period.

Other top selling sedans have

been the Toyota Yaris and the Honda

City, coming in at 3rd and 4th

place respectively for all vehicles

in 2020.

Mitsubishi’s Triton pickup put in

a respectable showing scoring 7th

position and Honda did well with its

Jazz model in 2020, with the car

coming in at 9th place.

A notable new entry into the top

10, in tenth place, was the Nissan

Almeria with 15,517 units sold.

LINE REVEALS THE SKYROCKETED USAGE

OF "LINE VDO CALL" AND "LINE MEETING"

Proven its mission of Closing

The Distance and perfect features

for Work From Home practice

LINE Thailand solidifies its

position as the number 1 chat

platform among Thais, revealing

that the usage of LINE VDO Call

and LINE Meeting increased by

400% and 480% respectively

since the beginning of 2021. The

development is in line with the

new wave of COVID-19 outbreak

and the embrace of Work From

Home policy in Thailand. These

features make working at home

simple and effective, while staying

connected with friends and

family at all times.

The COVID-19 pandemic --

which started in 2020 -- forced

Thais to adopt online tools in

works and communications as

their daily drivers. When the

new wave of outbreak broke out

at the beginning of 2021, LINE

users went back to using Group

VDO Call and checked out the

recently debuted LINE Meeting

for both business and pleasure.

As a result, Group VDO Call usage

skyrocketed by more than

400% (on January 5th compared

to January 3rd). Meanwhile,

LINE Meeting -- a newly debuted

feature that allows LINE users

to attend meetings without being

friends -- saw its usage rise

by more than 480% (on January

5th compared to January 3rd).

The development reflects the

popularity of the platform and its

features that satisfy the need of

users in terms of social affairs and

communications, be it personal affairs

or works. The majority of usages

were from Smartphones, with

"Youth" being the most popular filter

and "Christmas" being the most

popular effect.

With LINE Meeting, users can

create a link to an online meeting

and share it to other LINE users

without creating a chat room or inviting

users to a chat group, complete

with a background image and

facial filters to customize avatars.

LINE*, with the maximum capacity

of 500 attendees

• LINE Meeting organizer can

remove unwanted attendees from

a session, making LINE Meeting

secured and free from disturbing

or ill-mannered attendees

• LINE Meeting also has other

useful functions that will make

your meetings smooth, such as

"Watch Together" that shares a

screen or a YouTube video during

a meeting, complete with a myriad

of effects and filters* that can be

previewed, as well as read-to-use

and customizable background

images, i.e. blurring background

image for outdoor meeting

LINE has become the 5th essential

element of the Thai people,

an important channel in living

with the New Normal that makes

lives simpler, while closing gaps

between people and information

and services, via the use of technology.

LINE became a platform that

understands Thais and a Life

Infrastructure that truly satisfies

their ever-changing lifestyles.



EXIM Thailand has collaborated

with FedEx, a global provider

of express transportation

and one of the world's largest

express transportation companies,

to promote international

trade among Thai entrepreneurs

and SMEs via a digital platform.

EXIM Thailand aims to offer both

export credit and export credit

insurance facilities.

Mr. Pisit Serewiwattana,

President of Export-Import Bank

of Thailand (EXIM Thailand), revealed

that EXIM Thailand had

entered into a Memorandum

of Understanding (MOU) with

FedEx Express International

(Thailand) Limited (FedEx) to

promote Thailand's international

trade via a digital platform. The

MOU promotes mutual cooperation

towards data connection

and activities to provide entrepreneurs,

especially Small and

Medium Enterprises (SMEs),

with in-depth international trade

knowledge and better access

to international business opportunities.

EXIM Thailand will

provide funding and financial

advice and a risk-hedging facility

tofacilitate international trade

so small businesses can trade

online with confidence and without

concerns about payment defaults

by overseas buyers. FedEx

will support EXIM Thailand's

customers by offering logistics

solutions for fast and reliable

delivery and access to markets

in the domestic and international

network. FedEx Express serves

customers in more than 220

countries and territories.

"The collaboration between

EXIM Thailand and FedEx is

expected to grow Thailand's international

trade by more than 5

billion baht a year. This collaboration

will enable both companies

to be more responsive to

behaviors of today's consumers

who look for goods and services

that are made available on safe

and speedy platforms. This

strategic alliance supports the

Bank's strategy of developing

and expanding Thai trade and

investment globally, to help drive

Thailand's export and economic

recovery," added Mr. Pisit.

BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT

EXIM THAILAND WORKS WITH FEDEX TO

SUPPORT THAI EXPORTERS WITH FINANCIAL

FACILITIES AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

OPPORTUNITIES VIA DIGITAL PLATFORM



BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT

MITSUBISHI MOTORS THAILAND CELEBRATES THE FIRST

MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV PRODUCTION UNIT IN THAILAND

Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand)

Co., Ltd. celebrates NEW MITSUB-

ISHI OUTLANDER PHEV - 'The

First Production Unit in Thailand

Ceremony' at its Proving Ground

in Si Racha, Chonburi, signifying a

new milestone for Mitsubishi Motors

Thailand towards sustainable

mobility. The event was presided

over by Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit,

Minister of Industry and Mr.

Kazuya Nashida, Ambassador Extraordinary

and Plenipotentiary of

Japan. Both the minister and the

ambassador experienced the first

driving of the vehicle in accompany

with Mr. Morikazu Chokki, President

and CEO, Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand)

Co., Ltd. and Mr. Thawatchai

Srithong, Vice Governor of Chonburi

province joined the event also.

With the occasion of the first

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV unit produced

in Thailand, Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit

, Minister of Industry

said that "The ceremony is a significant

milestone for Mitsubishi Motors

Thailand as it proves the company's

leadership in creating a sustainable

future through its advancement of

automotive technology and electrification

which are allied to the government

agenda to advance green

technology and innovation as well

as reduce environmental footprint

for a greener future and a more

sustainable economy. We currently

emphasizes on the new development

model, the BCG Model which

directs Thailand towards Bio Economy,

Circular Economy and Green

Economy. The Eco Car and the transition

into production base for electric

vehicles are what we are focusing.

In the next 10 years, we aims

to increase EV production to 30%

of total car production in the country.

Consequently, the government

has planned the several measures

to promote the investment of electric

vehicles, to stimulate domestic

demand, and to prepare all needed

infrastructures to foster EV industry

in Thailand."

Mitsubishi Motors has invested

over 3,000 Million baht to produce

THE OUTLANDER PHEV, one of

the most cutting-age technology of

automotive vehicle in its history, at

the Laem Chabang factory in Thailand.

It can be said that Thailand is

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation's first

PHEV production factory ever established

outside Japan.

for Thai customers.

Mr. Morikazu Chokki, President

and CEO, Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand)

Co., Ltd., said,

"The Outlander PHEV is not

only the world first Plug-in Hybrid

SUV but also the world's best -selling

PHEV. The secret of its world's

best-selling is that it is a combination

of legendary Mitsubishi Motors'

DNA, including "Pajero", our legendary

SUV "Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution",

the king of World Rally Championship

that brought the superior

performance legend of Super All-

Wheel Control (S-AWC) technology

and "i-MiEV" the world's first electric

vehicle mass production. The vehicle

then, is not only a good choice of

alternative fuel vehicle for Thai customers,

but it provides a comfortable

and high driving performance also."

"Thailand is firmly Mitsubishi

Motors' main production and

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and drive repeat business.

For more information, visit our website

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at sales@connect2social.com

Mr. Takao Kato, Chief Executive

Officer of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

said, "Thailand and ASEAN

are a vital growth driver in MMC's

new mid-term business plan an

nounced in July this year. Driving

the growth of Thai economy, we

are committed to contributing to the

preservation of the environment of

the country through the introduction

of THE OUTLANDER PHEV. Mitsubishi

Motors Thailand is chosen to

be the first country in the world outside

Japan to produce this flagship

model -THE OUTLANDER PHEV as

the mark of our confidence in Thailand's

potential for domestic growth

and the Laem Chabang Factory production

capability which is also the

MMC's global production hub".

The production of Mitsubishi

Outlander PHEV in Thailand has

presented Mitsubishi Motors'mission

to respond to the Thai government

policy that aims to driving

Thailand to be production base for

the electric vehicles. The vehicle

itself has been designed with the

advanced and eco-friendly technologies

for the future. It is the first

Thai-Made Japanese PHEV that will

offer environmental-friendly solution

export hub and we remain committed

to strengthening our position

in Thailand. In 2018, we achieved

the five-million unit production milestone.

In 2019, we celebrated

exporting 4 Million vehicles and

was ranked No. 1 among car exporters.

Earlier this year, we have

commenced the New Paint Factory

and Factory Reconstruction Project

with the investment of more

than 7 Billion baht. Today, we celebrate

another milestone to produce

the first unit of the new Mitsubishi

Outlander PHEV. And I am deeply

grateful to the Thai government,

the Ministry of Industry, Thailand's

Board of Investment, and everyone

for the support provided to Mitsubishi

Motors Thailand and for bringing

us to this milestone." added Mr.

Chokki.

Mitsubishi Motors Thailand has

put maximum capacity to produce

the vehicle at the Laem Chabang

factory. It has planned to deliver the

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV to Thai

customers by mid of January 2021.

The vehicle is now available for

booking at PHEV Authorized Dealers

of Mitsubishi Motors Thailand

nationwide.



BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT

ERICSSON PROJECTS THAT FOUR OUT OF EVERY

TEN MOBILE SUBSCRIPTIONS IN 2026 WILL BE 5G

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC)

projects that four out of every ten

mobile subscriptions in 2026 will be

5G. This forecast is included in the

latest edition of the Ericsson Mobility

Report. Current 5G uptake in

subscriptions and population coverage

confirms the technology as

deploying the fastest of any generation

of mobile connectivity. The

report estimates that by the end of

2020, more than 1 billion people -

15 percent of the world's population

- will live in an area that has

5G coverage rolled out. 220 million

global 5G subscriptions are also

expected by the end of this year.

In 2026, 60 percent of the world's

population will have access to 5G

coverage, with 5G subscriptions

forecast to reach 3.5 billion, estimated

to account for more than 50

percent of mobile data traffic at that

time. In South East Asia and

Oceania, 5G is predicted to be the

second most popular technology in

2026, only behind LTE, surpassing

380 million subscriptions and accounting

for 32 percent of all mobile

subscriptions.

Nadine Allen, Head of Ericsson

Thailand, says: "5G will enhance

existing digital services and use

cases like video streaming, sports

streaming, mobile gaming and

smart home services. Augmented

Reality (AR) alone is likely to

drive more than half of all overall

immersive media revenues for service

providers compared with other

services like cloud gaming,VR content

and in-venue digital services.

AR gaming is likely to be the main

initial driver for AR. Other application

areas for AR, such as TV and

video viewing, home planning and

school and educational usage,

will follow.""Being the first nation

in Southeast Asia to roll out 5G,

people in Thailand have already

started to experience some of the

key benefits of 5G for consumers.

Meanwhile, Ericsson Thailand is

working closely with the Royal Thai

Government as well as the ecosystem

players in Thailand to support

the country's digital transformation,

which mainly involves Industry 4.0

and 5G for enterprises. The success

of 5G in the consumer market

will be crucial for service providers,

underpinning the network expansion

to enable them to also target

new use cases for industries and

enterprises." In South East Asia

and Oceania, total mobile data traffic

continues to grow steadily with

a compound annual growth rate

(CAGR) of 33 percent for the

forecast period. It is expected to

reach 32EB per month in 2026,

equivalent to 33GB per month per

smartphone. Growth in mobile

data consumption has translated

into more diversified and generous

data plans from mobile operators

across different geographies. The

second half of this year has also

seen a number of commercial 5G

launches in South East Asia and

Oceania with live networks now

in Australia, New Zealand and

Thailand. Upcoming spectrum

auctions planned for 2021 in countries

like Vietnam and Malaysia will

bring additional 5G deployments

next year. The Ericsson Mobility

report highlights why 5G success

will not be limited to coverage or

subscription numbers alone. Its

value will also be determined by

new use cases and applications,

the first of which have already

started to emerge. Critical IoT, intended

for time-critical applications

that demand data delivery within a

specified time duration, will be introduced

in 5G networks. This will

enable a wide range of time-critical

services for consumers, enterprises

and public institutions across

various sectors, with 5G public

and dedicated networks. Cloud

gaming is another emerging application

category. The combined capabilities

provided by 5G networks

and edge compute technologies

will enable game streaming services

on smartphones to compete

with a quality of experience (QoE)

that is on par with PC or console

counterparts, opening up for innovative,

immersive games based on

mobility.

According to the new Harnessing

the 5G Consumer Potential

report from Ericsson ConsumerLab,

the 5G consumer market

could be worth USD 31 trillion

by 2030 globally, with communications

service providers

(CSPs) earning USD 3.7 trillion

of that total - a figure that could

increase further as new adjacent

digital services opportunities

arise. In South East Asia,

Oceania and India the report

estimates that CSPs could earn

USD 297 bn in 5G-enabled consumer

revenues by 2030. 79%

of the total service provider 5G

digital services revenue , estimated

at 7.5B USD by 2030,

will be driven by enhanced

video and HiFi music. 5G digital

services include video, music,

gaming, augmented/virtual

reality and consumer IoT services.

Download the November

2020 edition of the Ericsson

Mobility Report.



BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT

SUDOKU

These Sudoku puzzles are pitched at a middle level: not too easy, and not too frustratingly hard, for the average person.

We will publish the solutions in next month’s issue.

CROSSWORD

TRIVIA Quiz

ACROSS

5. Like green or blue, for example (6)

6. British Airways init. (2)

7. Retained (4)

8. Government abbrev. (4)

9. Ended working life (7)

11. clean with brush (5)

13. Missing in Action init (3)

DOWN

1. An undisclosed number (4)

2. Fixing device with nut (4)

3. Pulled along the ground (7)

4. Over, higher than (5)

10. Help (3)

12. United Nations (init.) (2)

1. The Malagasy Republic was located on which large island?

2. In what year did the military government of Burma change the name of the

country to Myanmar?

3. 1. Called after a lengthy worldwide voyage, The Cruise of the Snark was

written by which famous American novelist who died in 1916?

4. Which country famously upset the favourites to win the 1995 Rugby Union

World Cup?

1

2 3 3

4

5. Hastings Banda was the first head-of-state of which southern African

nation?

5

6

6. One American and one Vietnamese were awarded the Nobel Prize for

Peace in 1973? The American accepted; the Vietnamese declined. Name them.

7. What was the name of the real-life English governess in the movies and

stage play ‘The King and I’?

7

8

8. What was the name of the movie starring Robert de Niro as the former

world middleweight boxing champion Jake La Motta?

9. Jellied petroleum which burns at about 2000 degrees centigrade is a weapon

better known by what one-word name?

9

10. Dr Ernst Chain, a German who lived in Britain, and two others were

awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1945 for the discovery and development

of penicillin? Name the other two awardees.

11 13

10

Answers:

1. Madagascar 2. 1989 3. Jack London 4. South Africa 5. Malawi 6. Henry Kissinger & Le Duc

Tho 7. Anna Leonowens 8. Raging Bull 9. Napalm 10. Howard Florey & Alexander Fleming

12

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

ACROSS 5./Colour 6./BA 7./Kept 8./govt 9./retired 11./scrub 13./MIA

DOWN 1./Some 2./Bolt 3./Dragged 4./Above 10./Aid 12./UN

For information on the BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT Contact High Tower Co., Ltd. Tel: 038 411 009 - 0846 77 43 60

*The Pattaya & Bangkok Business Supplements are published by High Tower Co., Ltd.

BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT

BANGKOK RANKS AS THE 7TH MOST AFFORDABLE

OFFICE MARKET TO FIT OUT IN ASIA PACIFIC

According to Asia Pacific Fit-Out

Cost Guide 2020/2021 by real estate

consultancy JLL, Tokyo ranks

as the most expensive office market

to fit out at USD1,927 per sqm for

the fourth consecutive year, compared

to the regional average of

USD1,001. Bangkok is the region’s

7th most affordable office market to

fit out at USD713 per sqm, 170%

less expensive than Tokyo and only

13.4% more expensive than the

lowest cost market for office fit-out

in Asia Pacific -- Ahmedabad, India

(USD617).

“Despite price competition

among construction service providers

and contractors, fit-out costs

in Bangkok have stayed relatively

stable. However, reinstatement

costs have increased due to rising

material costs in this traditionally

low margin segment,” says Stephen

Taylor, Managing Director of Project

& Development Services at JLL in

Thailand.

Many tenants are renewing

leases, downsizing and partially returning

leased space which requires

reinstatement work to be done outside

normal working hours, another

factor in higher reinstatement costs.

“We expect these trends to continue

into 2021,” Mr. Taylor adds.

Fitting out offices in most of key

office markets in Asia Pacific will

cost more in 2021

JLL’s report reveals that the average

fit-out cost rose 4.7% yearon-year

across the region, with labour

shortages, health and safety

considerations, material availability,

and higher delivery costs as the

main price drivers.

In 2021, organisations should

expect to pay more to redesign or

upgrade their workspaces even

while many are trying to decrease

capital expenditure (capex) due to

the financial impact of the pandemic,

says JLL.

Martin Hinge, Executive Managing

Director, Project Development

Services, JLL Asia Pacific, explains:

“Cities that rely heavily on foreign

labour have struggled with labour

shortages, and governments have

imposed stringent measures, including

enhanced inspection routines

and enforced health and safety

protocols, for construction sites

to reopen. These are important and

necessary precautions. However,

the impact on productivity and extended

project timelines are driving

costs up.”

Employers remain committed to

reimagine workspaces

Despite overall rising costs, JLL

believes this will not deter most

companies from investing in safe

and productive work environments

for their employees. The firm reveals

that while organisations may

be re-examining their real estate

footprint, workspaces still play an

integral role in preserving a company’s

corporate culture, as well as to

recruit and retain talent.

“Working practices have been

disrupted like never before and

many organisations are now reviewing

their portfolios to mitigate

the financial impact of the pandemic

on their business. As people start

returning to work, many are modifying

their offices to accommodate

de-densification measures and incorporating

more technologies to

facilitate both in-office collaboration

and remote working,” says Mr.

Hinge.

“Employee expectations, along

with the sudden change in working

habits, require companies to consider

how spaces can be used to boost

productivity and efficiency. In many

ways, employees have become

consumers of the work place and

make choices about where and how

they work, so I believe investing in

a flexible environment pays back in

terms of employee engagement,” he

adds.

Costs vary throughout region

Precipitated by the ongoing construction

boom and labour shortage,

Tokyo ranks as the most expensive

office market to fit out for the fourth

consecutive year. Price increments

are expected in Brisbane, Singapore,

Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou

and most Indian cities in 2021,

as constraints like access to labour,

reliance on imported materials and

delayed completion dates continue

to pose challenges.

Like Bangkok, Auckland, Manila,

Seoul and Taipei may see

fit-out costs stabilizing or even dipping

slightly, as many construction

service providers and contractors

have resorted to reducing overall

margins.

Mr. Hinge comments “Though

fit-out costs vary from market to

market around the region, we believe

the overall upward trend will

likely remain in 2021. Workplaces

will continue evolving, and there remains

a strong motivation for companies

to invest in areas such as

technology, health and wellness, to

meet increased expectations from

employees, as we all adjust to the

new normal.”

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Bangkok February 2021

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