Overseas Thai victims of iCon scam file complaints

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PUBLISHED : 28 Oct 2024 at 04:52

CCTV screens show complainants on the iCon Group case at the Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok on Oct 17. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
CCTV screens show complainants on the iCon Group case at the Crime Suppression Division in Bangkok on Oct 17. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

More victims of The iCon Group pyramid scheme who live overseas have filed a complaint with the Consumer Protection Police Division, bringing the total number of victims to 9,469 as of Saturday, with losses totalling 2.9 billion baht.

Ittidet Thaneswatana, who represents overseas victims of The iCon Group, said victims have been found in nearly 20 countries and territories, including China, Hong Kong, Macau, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Estonia, Luxembourg, Canada and the United States.

One of the victims is Nin, a Thai woman who runs a grocery store in Hong Kong, who joined the scheme after seeing one of the company’s billboards during a visit to Thailand. Upon joining the scheme, Nin paid 250,000 baht to her recruiter, who then encouraged her to recruit members to upgrade her status within the company.

She convinced several of her friends and relatives to sign up, only to encounter many issues such as missing products, unreasonably high prices, and lower profit shares and commissions. She and her friends and relatives have not been able to sell the products and ended up losing almost two million baht in total.

Mr Ittidet said another member of the scheme who lives in the United States also claimed massive losses as she was unable to sell the brand’s products, which she had ordered in big batches. The victim said she has had to give away hundreds of boxes of products from The iCon Group for free because the company has now lost its reputation and the products will soon expire.

Pol Lt Gen Akkaradet Phimonsri, assistant to the national police chief who leads the investigation into the case, said the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) will transfer the case to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) on Monday, as per the Special Case Investigation Act. The damages and number of victims means it qualifies for special case status.

Even after the case is transferred to the DSI, the police will continue to assist victims who wish to file other complaints, he said. As of Saturday, 9,469 victims have filed complaints with the police, with damages amounting to around 2.9 billion baht, according to Pol Lt Gen Akkaradet.

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‘No rush’ on casino plans

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In: South-East Asia

Talks with coalition partners flagged

PUBLISHED : 28 Oct 2024 at 04:33

Young people rally near Government House last month to oppose the government's plan to legalise casinos. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)
Young people rally near Government House last month to oppose the government’s plan to legalise casinos. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)

The Finance Ministry is prepared to pursue talks with government coalition partners to advance a casino-entertainment complex project which is part of the Pheu Thai-led government’s policy statement, says Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat.

Mr Julapun said the ministry is in no rush to push ahead as flood recovery in the North is a bigger priority. However, it will hold talks with the coalition parties to ensure they are on the same page before proceeding.

He said the bill to allow casinos to operate legally within entertainment complexes has received positive feedback during the public hearing process required by Section 77 of the constitution. The bill will be submitted to cabinet later this year, he said, adding the Pheu Thai Party has not set any expectations or goals, and the project will take months to materialise.

“For the project to move forward the details must be debated by all stakeholders. The bill will be examined in line with the legislative process. The final version may not be the same as the original as the [scrutiny] committee will come from diverse backgrounds,” he said.

Mr Julapan said the government has not designated any specific province or area for the complexes. A committee will select suitable locations in various regions that are part of the tourism promotion strategy.

An independent agency will conduct a feasibility study, considering aspects such as job creation opportunities and potential impacts on local communities.

Under the Finance Ministry-sponsored bill, a policy board will be set up and chaired by the prime minister. It will set the rules governing gaming complexes.

The bill requires a complex to acquire a licence to operate, which would be valid for up to 30 years.

An operator must also pay 5 billion baht to register, plus an annual payment of 1 billion baht. Each complex will be assessed every five years. After 30 years, the licence can be renewed for another 10 years.

Five venues are seen as potential hosts: two in Bangkok and one each in the Eastern Economic Corridor, Chiang Mai and Phuket. Six major businesses have expressed interest in investing in the project.

Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul said the casino-entertainment scheme should be discussed by coalition partners before its submission to the cabinet. In August, Bhumjaithai secretary-general Chaichanok Chidchob expressed scepticism the bill would solve illegal gambling problems and noted it also failed to spell out exactly how Thai workers could secure jobs.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will on Monday hold talks with business leaders at Government House to discuss measures to boost the economy, said Jirayu Houngsab, an adviser to the prime minister.

Among them are Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce; Kriangkrai Tiannukul, president of The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI); Payong Srivanich, chairman of the Thai Bankers’ Association (TBA); and Sutee Satanasathaporn, director of the office of the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB).

Mr Jirayu said the JSCCIB has prepared a proposal to help drive the economy and enhance competitiveness. The proposal will also outline assistance for small and medium-sized businesses and water resource management, he added.

Narit Therdsteerasukdi, secretary-general of the Board of Investment (BoI), said the prime minister, who chairs the National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee, is keen on supporting industry and achieving the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) programme.

Julapun: Bill could change

Julapun: Bill could change

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‘No rush’ on Thailand’s casino plans

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In: South-East Asia

Talks with coalition partners flagged

PUBLISHED : 28 Oct 2024 at 04:33

Young people rally near Government House last month to oppose the government's plan to legalise casinos. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)
Young people rally near Government House last month to oppose the government’s plan to legalise casinos. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)

The Finance Ministry is prepared to pursue talks with government coalition partners to advance a casino-entertainment complex project which is part of the Pheu Thai-led government’s policy statement, says Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat.

Mr Julapun said the ministry is in no rush to push ahead as flood recovery in the North is a bigger priority. However, it will hold talks with the coalition parties to ensure they are on the same page before proceeding.

He said the bill to allow casinos to operate legally within entertainment complexes has received positive feedback during the public hearing process required by Section 77 of the constitution. The bill will be submitted to cabinet later this year, he said, adding the Pheu Thai Party has not set any expectations or goals, and the project will take months to materialise.

“For the project to move forward the details must be debated by all stakeholders. The bill will be examined in line with the legislative process. The final version may not be the same as the original as the [scrutiny] committee will come from diverse backgrounds,” he said.

Mr Julapan said the government has not designated any specific province or area for the complexes. A committee will select suitable locations in various regions that are part of the tourism promotion strategy.

An independent agency will conduct a feasibility study, considering aspects such as job creation opportunities and potential impacts on local communities.

Under the Finance Ministry-sponsored bill, a policy board will be set up and chaired by the prime minister. It will set the rules governing gaming complexes.

The bill requires a complex to acquire a licence to operate, which would be valid for up to 30 years.

An operator must also pay 5 billion baht to register, plus an annual payment of 1 billion baht. Each complex will be assessed every five years. After 30 years, the licence can be renewed for another 10 years.

Five venues are seen as potential hosts: two in Bangkok and one each in the Eastern Economic Corridor, Chiang Mai and Phuket. Six major businesses have expressed interest in investing in the project.

Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul said the casino-entertainment scheme should be discussed by coalition partners before its submission to the cabinet. In August, Bhumjaithai secretary-general Chaichanok Chidchob expressed scepticism the bill would solve illegal gambling problems and noted it also failed to spell out exactly how Thai workers could secure jobs.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will on Monday hold talks with business leaders at Government House to discuss measures to boost the economy, said Jirayu Houngsab, an adviser to the prime minister.

Among them are Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce; Kriangkrai Tiannukul, president of The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI); Payong Srivanich, chairman of the Thai Bankers’ Association (TBA); and Sutee Satanasathaporn, director of the office of the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB).

Mr Jirayu said the JSCCIB has prepared a proposal to help drive the economy and enhance competitiveness. The proposal will also outline assistance for small and medium-sized businesses and water resource management, he added.

Narit Therdsteerasukdi, secretary-general of the Board of Investment (BoI), said the prime minister, who chairs the National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee, is keen on supporting industry and achieving the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) programme.

Julapun: Bill could change

Julapun: Bill could change

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OR banking on diversification strategy

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In: South-East Asia

CEO Disathat Panyarachun oversees expansion from oil retail to healthcare and beauty products

PUBLISHED : 28 Oct 2024 at 04:30

While it would be a challenge for OR to enter the healthcare and beauty business sector, the move is expected to generate revenue fir the company, Mr Disathat said.
While it would be a challenge for OR to enter the healthcare and beauty business sector, the move is expected to generate revenue fir the company, Mr Disathat said.

The transformation of a business to ensure its survival in response to technological disruption requires a varied approach, according to Disathat Panyarachun.

The chief executive officer of PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc (OR) is not opposed to making changes within a business in response to disruption, but in his opinion such steps are often carried out when it’s already “a bit too late”.

Rather, Mr Disathat is a proponent of individuals trying to “disrupt themselves” first, before the emergence of any tech disruption. This approach has enabled him to prove that he has guided and directed OR on the right track, ensuring the company is able to further grow from the expansion of its non-oil businesses.

From developing electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities to selling healthcare and beauty products, OR’s business diversification has provided opportunities to fuel the company’s growth amid technological upheaval and the emergence of new societal and lifestyle trends.

Mr Disathat continues to get behind OR’s plan to roll out more EV charging stations at PTT petrol stations to serve EV motorists, a move that aligns with the global trend of promoting greater EV usage.

Like other oil retailers, OR saw the impact of increasing numbers of battery-powered vehicles on the country’s roads had on oil sales. This led the company to rapidly roll out charging services for EV motorists at its petrol stations. Indeed, it was one of the first to do so.

Mr Disathat says OR needs to rapidly become part of the EV ecosystem before electric-powered vehicles make an even bigger dent on the demand for oil in the future. Global demand for oil is expected to rise by 5% to a peak of 50 million barrels per day by 2032, with oil use per vehicle likely to fall sharply as EVs are expected to account for more than half of all auto sales by 2040, according to a report released in June 2024 by Goldman Sachs Research, a division of Goldman Sachs Group, a global investment banking, securities and wealth management firm.

The development of EV charging stations is part of OR’s “Beyond Fuel” concept, which also includes the company’s food and beverage business. This prioritises matching OR’s product and service offerings with the demands of consumers amid new societal and lifestyle trends.

OR has long been working towards realising the Beyond Fuel goal by embarking on non-oil ventures rather than remaining in the comfort zone by enjoying its long-established status as a major oil retailer, said Mr Disathat. “We don’t care what new energies there will be in the future. What we have to do is to maintain our leadership position as we do in the oil retail sector,” he said.

The company wants EV charging stations to provide another alternative service for motorists, which will also provide OR with a new business opportunity. OR earlier announced it plans to increase its investment in the battery charging business through its EV Station PluZ plan. The company expects to have 600 EV charging outlets nationwide within this year, up from 400 outlets as of July 2023. The longer-term aim is to raise the number of outlets to 7,000 by 2030.

Another non-oil business OR is keen on promoting is the sale of healthcare and beauty products, representing another aspect of the company’s shift away from its decades-long role as an oil retailer.

While visiting a petrol station, consumers can now experience a one-stop shop by selecting a tasty dish, sipping some refreshing coffee and purchasing from a range of alluring cosmetics and skincare products. Thailand is now the second largest healthcare and beauty market in Southeast Asia and OR is keen to tap into this significant business opportunity.

Through its subsidiary OR Health and Wellness, OR took the step of venturing into the health and beauty business by partnering with Sugi Holdings, a Japanese drugstore chain and nanotech platform operator.

OR plans to open up to 10 shops named “found & found” by year end to increase sales of these products. Mr Disathat said while it would be a challenge for OR to enter the healthcare and beauty business sector, which has a local market value estimated at 1 trillion baht, the step is expected to generate revenue for the company.

Disathat Panyarachun 

Chief Executive Officer of PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited (OR)

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Keeping Thailand’s top retailer front, right and Central

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In: South-East Asia

Central Dept Store Group CEO Natira Boonsri creates iconic stores to give customers a world-class experience

PUBLISHED : 28 Oct 2024 at 04:30

NEWSPAPER SECTION: News

Natira Boonsri, Chief Executive Officer of Central Department Store Group (CDG) under Central Retail, leads one of the most prominent department store groups in Thailand and Southeast Asia, overseeing the iconic Central and Robinson Department Stores.

With nearly 20 years of experience in the retail industry, Natira has successfully driven the transformation of several key retail spaces to meet modern consumer demands.

One of her most notable projects includes the complete transformation to elevate Central Chidlom which opened its doors in 1973 to become a truly iconic constant of Thailand’s luxury shopping destination, positioning it as “The Store of Bangkok”. This ambitious project reflects her visionary approach to retail and her ability to navigate the evolving market landscape.

Ms Natira’s journey in retail began after earning a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Boston College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She started her career as a consultant at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) before joining Central Retail in 2005 as project development director.

Central Department Store Group CEO Natira Boonsri

Central Department Store Group CEO Natira Boonsri

By 2014, she had become president of Zen Department Store and senior vice president of Central Department Store, where she demonstrated her leadership skills by spearheading major renovations at CentralWorld and Central Ladprao. In 2018, she was appointed president of Central Department Store, and in 2021, she transitioned to Chief Commercial Officer of Central Retail Corporation Plc (CRC). She returned to CDG as CEO shortly thereafter.

Ms Natira, a third-generation member of the Chirathivat family, which owns and operates Central Group, is the eldest daughter of Boonbunlue and Ratana (Chirathivat) Norpanlob. She is married to Nathavud Boonsri and has two children, Napat and Narisa.

Among her accomplishments is the transformation of Zen Department Store into CENTRAL@centralwOrld, a key project that revitalised one of Bangkok’s busiest shopping districts. Ms Natira invested over 1 billion baht in this renovation, transforming the 50,000-square-metre space into a hub that integrates shopping, dining, and leisure experiences for customers. The move also introduced more than 3,000 brands, creating a blend of retail and lifestyle offerings. Ms Natira emphasised this transformation was not just about shopping — it was about enhancing the overall customer experience.

Under her leadership, CENTRAL@centralwOrld has become a model for integrating omni-channel strategies, allowing for a seamless, personalised shopping experience both online and offline. She plans to extend this model across an additional 20 out of 23 Central locations in five years.

Ms Natira’s commitment to retail transformation goes beyond physical renovations. Her focus is on understanding changing consumer preferences and driving innovation. She remains dedicated to enhancing the customer experience by offering new brands and services that align with modern lifestyles.

Ms Natira says every renovation is a team effort. It needs to work closely with marketing, communications, and brand teams to ensure the firm offers the best products and services for customers. Seeing customers happy and enjoying the new spaces is the greatest source of pride.

Beyond business, Ms Natira is committed to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and creating shared value (CSV). She is focused on not only driving profitability but also contributing to the environment and society. By placing customers at the heart of the business and leveraging innovation and development, she is ensuring Central Department Stores remain a leader in the retail industry. Through her leadership, Natira Boonsri is shaping the future of retail in Thailand, embodying a commitment to excellence and transformation.

Natira Boonsri

Chief Executive Officer of Central Department Store Group, under Central Retail

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CEO of the Year 2024

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In: South-East Asia

The ‘Bangkok Post’ is today running the third of its ‘Bangkok Post CEO of the Year 2024’ series with the profiles of three more CEOs who received awards.

We honour Disathat Panyarachun, Chief Executive Officer of PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited (OR), as the CEO of the Year in Sustainable Business Leadership; Woraphot Thavornwan, General Manager of Lenovo Thailand and Rest of Indochina, as the CEO of the Year in Transformational Tech Leadership; and Natira Boonsri, Chief Executive Officer of Central Department Store Group, under Central Retail, as the CEO of the Year in Retail Transformation Excellence.

Natira Boonsri Chief Executive Officer of Central Department Store Group, under Central Retail

Natira Boonsri Chief Executive Officer of Central Department Store Group, under Central Retail

Keeping Thailand’s top retailer front, right and Central

Central Dept Store Group CEO Natira Boonsri creates iconic stores to give customers a world-class experience

Natira Boonsri, Chief Executive Officer of Central Department Store Group (CDG) under Central Retail, leads one of the most prominent department store groups in Thailand and Southeast Asia, overseeing the iconic Central and Robinson Department Stores.

With nearly 20 years of experience in the retail industry, Natira has successfully driven the transformation of several key retail spaces to meet modern consumer demands.

One of her most notable projects includes the complete transformation to elevate Central Chidlom which opened its doors in 1973 to become a truly iconic constant of Thailand’s luxury shopping destination, positioning it as “The Store of Bangkok”. This ambitious project reflects her visionary approach to retail and her ability to navigate the evolving market landscape.

Ms Natira’s journey in retail began after earning a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Boston College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She started her career as a consultant at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) before joining Central Retail in 2005 as project development director.

By 2014, she had become president of Zen Department Store and senior vice president of Central Department Store, where she demonstrated her leadership skills by spearheading major renovations at CentralWorld and Central Ladprao. In 2018, she was appointed president of Central Department Store, and in 2021, she transitioned to Chief Commercial Officer of Central Retail Corporation Plc (CRC). She returned to CDG as CEO shortly thereafter.

Ms Natira, a third-generation member of the Chirathivat family, which owns and operates Central Group, is the eldest daughter of Boonbunlue and Ratana (Chirathivat) Norpanlob. She is married to Nathavud Boonsri and has two children, Napat and Narisa.

Among her accomplishments is the transformation of Zen Department Store into CENTRAL@centralwOrld, a key project that revitalised one of Bangkok’s busiest shopping districts. Ms Natira invested over 1 billion baht in this renovation, transforming the 50,000-square-metre space into a hub that integrates shopping, dining, and leisure experiences for customers. The move also introduced more than 3,000 brands, creating a blend of retail and lifestyle offerings. Ms Natira emphasised this transformation was not just about shopping — it was about enhancing the overall customer experience.

Under her leadership, CENTRAL@centralwOrld has become a model for integrating omni-channel strategies, allowing for a seamless, personalised shopping experience both online and offline. She plans to extend this model across an additional 20 out of 23 Central locations in five years.

Ms Natira’s commitment to retail transformation goes beyond physical renovations. Her focus is on understanding changing consumer preferences and driving innovation. She remains dedicated to enhancing the customer experience by offering new brands and services that align with modern lifestyles.

Ms Natira says every renovation is a team effort. It needs to work closely with marketing, communications, and brand teams to ensure the firm offers the best products and services for customers. Seeing customers happy and enjoying the new spaces is the greatest source of pride.

Beyond business, Ms Natira is committed to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and creating shared value (CSV). She is focused on not only driving profitability but also contributing to the environment and society. By placing customers at the heart of the business and leveraging innovation and development, she is ensuring Central Department Stores remain a leader in the retail industry. Through her leadership, Natira Boonsri is shaping the future of retail in Thailand, embodying a commitment to excellence and transformation.

Natira BoonsriChief Executive Officer ofCentral Department Store Group,under Central Retail

While it would be a challenge for OR to enter the healthcare and beauty business sector, the move is expected to generate revenue fir the company, Mr Disathat said.

While it would be a challenge for OR to enter the healthcare and beauty business sector, the move is expected to generate revenue fir the company, Mr Disathat said.

OR banking on diversification strategy

CEO Disathat Panyarachun oversees expansion from oil retail to healthcare and beauty products

The transformation of a business to ensure its survival in response to technological disruption requires a varied approach, according to Disathat Panyarachun.

The chief executive officer of PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc (OR) is not opposed to making changes within a business in response to disruption, but in his opinion such steps are often carried out when it’s already “a bit too late”.

Rather, Mr Disathat is a proponent of individuals trying to “disrupt themselves” first, before the emergence of any tech disruption. This approach has enabled him to prove that he has guided and directed OR on the right track, ensuring the company is able to further grow from the expansion of its non-oil businesses.

From developing electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities to selling healthcare and beauty products, OR’s business diversification has provided opportunities to fuel the company’s growth amid technological upheaval and the emergence of new societal and lifestyle trends.

Mr Disathat continues to get behind OR’s plan to roll out more EV charging stations at PTT petrol stations to serve EV motorists, a move that aligns with the global trend of promoting greater EV usage.

Like other oil retailers, OR saw the impact of increasing numbers of battery-powered vehicles on the country’s roads had on oil sales. This led the company to rapidly roll out charging services for EV motorists at its petrol stations. Indeed, it was one of the first to do so.

Mr Disathat says OR needs to rapidly become part of the EV ecosystem before electric-powered vehicles make an even bigger dent on the demand for oil in the future. Global demand for oil is expected to rise by 5% to a peak of 50 million barrels per day by 2032, with oil use per vehicle likely to fall sharply as EVs are expected to account for more than half of all auto sales by 2040, according to a report released in June 2024 by Goldman Sachs Research, a division of Goldman Sachs Group, a global investment banking, securities and wealth management firm.

The development of EV charging stations is part of OR’s “Beyond Fuel” concept, which also includes the company’s food and beverage business. This prioritises matching OR’s product and service offerings with the demands of consumers amid new societal and lifestyle trends.

OR has long been working towards realising the Beyond Fuel goal by embarking on non-oil ventures rather than remaining in the comfort zone by enjoying its long-established status as a major oil retailer, said Mr Disathat. “We don’t care what new energies there will be in the future. What we have to do is to maintain our leadership position as we do in the oil retail sector,” he said.

The company wants EV charging stations to provide another alternative service for motorists, which will also provide OR with a new business opportunity. OR earlier announced it plans to increase its investment in the battery charging business through its EV Station PluZ plan. The company expects to have 600 EV charging outlets nationwide within this year, up from 400 outlets as of July 2023. The longer-term aim is to raise the number of outlets to 7,000 by 2030.

Another non-oil business OR is keen on promoting is the sale of healthcare and beauty products, representing another aspect of the company’s shift away from its decades-long role as an oil retailer.

While visiting a petrol station, consumers can now experience a one-stop shop by selecting a tasty dish, sipping some refreshing coffee and purchasing from a range of alluring cosmetics and skincare products. Thailand is now the second largest healthcare and beauty market in Southeast Asia and OR is keen to tap into this significant business opportunity.

Through its subsidiary OR Health and Wellness, OR took the step of venturing into the health and beauty business by partnering with Sugi Holdings, a Japanese drugstore chain and nanotech platform operator.

OR plans to open up to 10 shops named “found & found” by year end to increase sales of these products. Mr Disathat said while it would be a challenge for OR to enter the healthcare and beauty business sector, which has a local market value estimated at 1 trillion baht, the step is expected to generate revenue for the company.

Disathat Panyarachun Chief Executive Officer of PTT Oiland Retail Business Public Company Limited (OR)

Woraphot ThavornwanGeneral Manager of Lenovo Thailand and Rest of Indochina

Woraphot ThavornwanGeneral Manager of Lenovo Thailand and Rest of Indochina

Ensuring Lenovo’s sustainable future

Woraphot Thavornwan, General Manager of Lenovo Thailand and Rest of Indochina, is on a mission to drive Thailand towards intelligent transformation

Lenovo Thailand, under the leadership of general manager Woraphot Thavornwan, has successfully transformed from a computer hardware-centric organisation to a comprehensive AI-powered services and solutions provider as the market matures, ensuring a sustainable future.

Thailand is one of the top markets for Lenovo in Asia-Pacific. Mr Woraphot’s mission is to drive Thailand towards intelligent transformation.

In 2020 he was appointed Lenovo’s director of the consumer business division in Thailand, where he played a crucial role in driving the consumer and retail business forward. After that, Mr Woraphot was promoted to general manager for Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, overseeing diverse markets and demonstrating his adaptability.

In his current role, he has positioned Lenovo Thailand as the market leader in the computer segment, showcasing his ability to excel in a competitive environment.

Mr Woraphot said Lenovo has been a leading company in the PC industry for many years and has continued to hold the No.1 position globally. In the latest quarterly report by IT research house IDC, the company remains in the top position. “Over the past few years, we’ve transformed our organisation into three business groups. First is the Intelligent Device Group (IDG), which encompasses a range of products, including tablets, desktops, notebooks and workstations,” he said.

The second is the Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG), which covers servers, storage, cloud solutions and security products, providing end-to-end solutions.

The third is the Solutions and Services Group (SSG), dedicated to delivering comprehensive, tailored solutions across various industries, including manufacturing, food and beverage, hospitality and finance.

“Our clear strategy and strong execution, as well as our persistent focus on innovation and operational excellence resulted in revenue improvement across all business groups in the recent quarter, with 47% of revenue coming from non-PC sources,” said Mr Woraphot.

Lenovo is implementing its One Lenovo strategy, where a single account executive or sales representative will be able to provide comprehensive end-to-end solutions — from edge to cloud to customers, which reduces working redundancies, he said.

This approach allows Lenovo to tailor its offerings to meet the specific needs of end-users across various industries in Thailand and the Indochina region. “We’ve invested time and resources in upskilling our sales team to ensure we retain the necessary skills to stay ahead of the curve,” said Mr Woraphot.

He said understanding this structural shift is crucial. The company has also leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its organisational capabilities and help customers adapt to the changes. “The key is our ability to adjust our methodologies to deliver a seamless value chain, from our products, ranging from edge devices to cloud infrastructure equipment, ensuring fluency in serving our customers. I believe we’re on the right path and will win in the market,” said Mr Woraphot.

He said every success stems from a deep understanding of the customers. “Delivering smarter technology for all is not an easy task, but we’ve made significant investments in research and development — standing at US$476 million in the last fiscal year. Remarkably, one in every four employees is dedicated to R&D, with more than 18 locations delivering products across 180 markets,” said Mr Woraphot.

“Our success is largely due to our commitment to listening to the market. In the consumer segment, we offer a wide range of AI PCs and devices, while in the commercial sector, we provide a comprehensive suite of solutions — from edge to cloud, including client technology, networking and intelligent infrastructure.”

He said Lenovo is well-prepared to serve various markets with the right talent. In Thailand, for example, the company has a full range of training programmes to develop the workforce. This enables the company to respond to changes, serve customers and partners better, and ensure the best products from its R&D efforts reach end-users through business partners. “This holistic approach is how we achieve success in the market,” said Mr Woraphot.

“Listening is just as important as speaking; we need to empathise and put ourselves in others’ shoes. This requires flexibility and resilience to adapt to change. At Lenovo, we think globally but act locally, empowering our teams with diverse skills,” he said.

“Understanding timing and behavioural differences of different markets is crucial. We also need to empower our people and foster teamwork based on trust. When we delegate responsibilities, we do so collectively, supporting each other through challenges and celebrating successes together,” said Mr Woraphot.

This approach has led to high employee satisfaction in Thailand, resulting in the company’s recent recognition as a “Great Place to Work in 2024”, he said.

“Ultimately, our success stems from winning in the market, serving our customers and partners, and valuing our employees. At Lenovo, we believe that teamwork is essential, and we are prepared to win together,” said Mr Woraphot.

Woraphot ThavornwanGeneral Manager of Lenovo Thailandand Rest of Indochina

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Ensuring Lenovo’s sustainable future

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In: South-East Asia

Woraphot Thavornwan, General Manager of Lenovo Thailand and Rest of Indochina, is on a mission to drive Thailand towards intelligent transformation

Mr Woraphot has successfully positioned Lenovo Thailand as the market leader in the computer segment, showcasing his ability to excel in a competitive environment.
Mr Woraphot has successfully positioned Lenovo Thailand as the market leader in the computer segment, showcasing his ability to excel in a competitive environment.

Lenovo Thailand, under the leadership of general manager Woraphot Thavornwan, has successfully transformed from a computer hardware-centric organisation to a comprehensive AI-powered services and solutions provider as the market matures, ensuring a sustainable future.

Thailand is one of the top markets for Lenovo in Asia-Pacific. Mr Woraphot’s mission is to drive Thailand towards intelligent transformation.

In 2020 he was appointed Lenovo’s director of the consumer business division in Thailand, where he played a crucial role in driving the consumer and retail business forward. After that, Mr Woraphot was promoted to general manager for Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, overseeing diverse markets and demonstrating his adaptability.

In his current role, he has positioned Lenovo Thailand as the market leader in the computer segment, showcasing his ability to excel in a competitive environment.

Mr Woraphot said Lenovo has been a leading company in the PC industry for many years and has continued to hold the No.1 position globally. In the latest quarterly report by IT research house IDC, the company remains in the top position. “Over the past few years, we’ve transformed our organisation into three business groups. First is the Intelligent Device Group (IDG), which encompasses a range of products, including tablets, desktops, notebooks and workstations,” he said.

The second is the Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG), which covers servers, storage, cloud solutions and security products, providing end-to-end solutions.

The third is the Solutions and Services Group (SSG), dedicated to delivering comprehensive, tailored solutions across various industries, including manufacturing, food and beverage, hospitality and finance.

“Our clear strategy and strong execution, as well as our persistent focus on innovation and operational excellence resulted in revenue improvement across all business groups in the recent quarter, with 47% of revenue coming from non-PC sources,” said Mr Woraphot.

Lenovo is implementing its One Lenovo strategy, where a single account executive or sales representative will be able to provide comprehensive end-to-end solutions — from edge to cloud to customers, which reduces working redundancies, he said.

This approach allows Lenovo to tailor its offerings to meet the specific needs of end-users across various industries in Thailand and the Indochina region. “We’ve invested time and resources in upskilling our sales team to ensure we retain the necessary skills to stay ahead of the curve,” said Mr Woraphot.

He said understanding this structural shift is crucial. The company has also leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its organisational capabilities and help customers adapt to the changes. “The key is our ability to adjust our methodologies to deliver a seamless value chain, from our products, ranging from edge devices to cloud infrastructure equipment, ensuring fluency in serving our customers. I believe we’re on the right path and will win in the market,” said Mr Woraphot.

He said every success stems from a deep understanding of the customers. “Delivering smarter technology for all is not an easy task, but we’ve made significant investments in research and development — standing at US$476 million in the last fiscal year. Remarkably, one in every four employees is dedicated to R&D, with more than 18 locations delivering products across 180 markets,” said Mr Woraphot.

“Our success is largely due to our commitment to listening to the market. In the consumer segment, we offer a wide range of AI PCs and devices, while in the commercial sector, we provide a comprehensive suite of solutions — from edge to cloud, including client technology, networking and intelligent infrastructure.”

He said Lenovo is well-prepared to serve various markets with the right talent. In Thailand, for example, the company has a full range of training programmes to develop the workforce. This enables the company to respond to changes, serve customers and partners better, and ensure the best products from its R&D efforts reach end-users through business partners. “This holistic approach is how we achieve success in the market,” said Mr Woraphot.

“Listening is just as important as speaking; we need to empathise and put ourselves in others’ shoes. This requires flexibility and resilience to adapt to change. At Lenovo, we think globally but act locally, empowering our teams with diverse skills,” he said.

“Understanding timing and behavioural differences of different markets is crucial. We also need to empower our people and foster teamwork based on trust. When we delegate responsibilities, we do so collectively, supporting each other through challenges and celebrating successes together,” said Mr Woraphot.

This approach has led to high employee satisfaction in Thailand, resulting in the company’s recent recognition as a “Great Place to Work in 2024”, he said.

“Ultimately, our success stems from winning in the market, serving our customers and partners, and valuing our employees. At Lenovo, we believe that teamwork is essential, and we are prepared to win together,” said Mr Woraphot.

Woraphot Thavornwan

General Manager of Lenovo Thailand and Rest of Indochina

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Thai FDA urged to act on contaminated grapes

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PUBLISHED : 27 Oct 2024 at 17:16

Shine Muscat grapes (photo: Thailand Consumers Council)
Shine Muscat grapes (photo: Thailand Consumers Council)

Thailand Consumers Council is urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take legal action against importers of Shine Muscat grape after lab tests showed some samples were contaminated with chemicals which are banned in Thailand.

According to TCC, 23 out of 24 Shine Muscat grape samples tested by the council last week were found to be contaminated with hazardous chemical residues beyond the acceptable legal limit. Some were contaminated with chlorpyrifos and endrin aldehyde, which are banned under current food safety laws. 

TCC secretary-general Saree Aongsomwang said on Sunday the FDA should take legal action against importers who brought in the tainted grapes. Those that have already been imported but have yet to be distributed must be inspected thoroughly, and those which are contaminated should be destroyed.

Ms Saree called on grape importers to recall their products to be thoroughly inspected. She also called on the FDA to ban companies which are found to have knowingly imported contaminated grapes.

The TCC purchased the 24 samples from different places — two from online shops, seven from fruit shops and fresh markets and 15 samples from modern trade — on Oct 2-3 in Bangkok and surrounding provinces.

Lab tests found residues of 14 harmful chemicals at concentrations above the safety limit of 0.01 mg/kg. In total, the tests detected also 50 chemical laws residues, 22 of which are not regulated under current Thai law, such as triasulfuron, cyflumetofen, tetraconazole and fludioxonil.

FDA secretary-general Surachoke Tangwiwat on Sunday clarified that out of 50 chemical residues detected, 36 did not exceed the safety limit, while 14 are not on the watchlist due to a lack of information on their risks.

He urged consumers to wash fruits thoroughly before consuming them.

Dr Surachoke emphasised the FDA’s commitment to ensuring consumer safety, saying imports which are found to be contaminated will be seized and legal actions will taken against importers.

Meanwhile, vendors at a market in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Muang district said after the news broke, consumers have been avoiding Shine Muscat grapes, despite offering them at a 70% discount, leading many of them to remove them from their shelves. 

Thaworn Prommee, 58, said that half of his stock has spoiled, despite it being the shop’s best seller before the news broke.

She added that business operators are suffering significant losses as a result.

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Thai House panel to submit ‘no-cane’ bill

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PUBLISHED : 27 Oct 2024 at 17:10

Children enjoy activities on Children's Day in Samut Prakan province in January. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)
Children enjoy activities on Children’s Day in Samut Prakan province in January. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)

A committee will propose a “no-cane” bill for the House’s approval. If it succeeds, Thailand will become the second country in the Asean region to outlaw corporal punishment.

Weeraphat Khantha, spokesman of the committee, said the law allows parental figures to punish their children by means including caning. The law, which takes the form of a Civil Procedure Code, was implemented 89 years ago.

Citing the Thailand office of the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), the Social Development and Human Security Ministry found 38.6% of children aged 1–14 years old punished by their parents in 2022 suffered physical abuse.

With this in mind, the committee pushed to amend the law to promote positive child-raising methods. The amended law is expected to improve the domestic situation and encourage a more welcoming atmosphere, which should be more beneficial to children’s development.

“The change is expected to promote a better relationship between parents and children and lessen children’s trauma,” said Mr Weeraphat. If the amendment receives House approval, Thailand will be the second country in Asean to implement a no-caning law, and the 68th globally, Mr Weeraphat added.

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Royal Barge Procession graces Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River

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PUBLISHED : 27 Oct 2024 at 17:03

Their Majesties the King and Queen travel on the Royal Barge Procession in the Chao Phraya River to present Kathin robes at the Temple of Dawn in Bangkok on Sunday afternoon. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
Their Majesties the King and Queen travel on the Royal Barge Procession in the Chao Phraya River to present Kathin robes at the Temple of Dawn in Bangkok on Sunday afternoon. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

A majestic royal barge procession graced Chao Phraya in Bangkok as Their Majesties the King and Queen travelled along the country’s main river to present traditional royal Kathin robes to Buddhist monks at the Temple of Dawn on Sunday afternoon.

The procession, the only one of its kind in the world, featured 52 barges and required 2,200 oarsmen. It was arranged in five rows and three columns, extending 1,200 metres in length and 90m in width. The fleet proceeded in the river to the sound of beautiful boat songs written especially for this occasion and sung live.

Their Majesties the King and Queen travelled on the Royal Barge Procession from the Wakusri Pier (Wat Rachathiwat Pier) to Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). The total distance was 4.2 kilometres.

At the important Buddhist temple, Their Majesties the King and Queen presented royal Kathin robes to monks.

On the occasion, the Majesties the King and Queen were accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya and His Royal Highness Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti.

Buddhists traditionally present Kathin robes to monks within a month after the end of the Buddhist Lent period. The Thai word Kathin means robes presented to Buddhist monks during the period.

The Royal Barge Procession and the royal Kathin presentation ceremony were organised to celebrate His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday, which was on July 28.

Spectators from the provinces started to arrive at 14 arranged viewpoints on both banks of the Chao Phraya River from Sunday morning.

Some of them said they had been there since 4am to find the best locations to glimpse their beloved King and Queen. They said that they had viewed royal processions on television and had a strong determination to view such a special ceremony with their naked eyes once in their lifetimes.

The government did not halt traffic on five bridges over the section of the Chao Phraya River designated for the ceremony.

Yellow-clad people receive the Royal Barge Procession on the bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok on Sunday afternoon. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

Yellow-clad people cheer the Royal Barge Procession on the bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok on Sunday afternoon. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

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