The Department of Export Promotion (DEP) in collaboration with the Furniture Industry Club, the Federation of Thai Industries, and the Thai Furniture Industries Association, is organizing the Thailand International Furniture Fair 2010 (TIFF 2010), under the concept of “Living A Green Life”. This event gives business operators a chance to both exhibit their latest furniture designs and seek business partnerships. TIFF 2010 will take place during March 10th-14th, at IMPACT, Thailand.
Mrs. Srirat Rastapana, DEP Director-General, stated that, “The global concerns about climate change have driven designers around the world to originate a new concept of furniture design in order to help raise public awareness on global warming. Such a concept has become a new trend in furniture design. To capitalize on this opportunity, the DEP has planned to arrange this year’s TIFF event under the concept of “Living A Green Life”, which is in compliance with the rising global trend.
“The event will be divided into two parts. During the first three days, March 10th-12th, the event is open exclusively for trade negotiations, while in the last two days, March 13th-14th, it is open for public retailing. Apart from being a spectacular, all-inclusive showcase of Thailand’s very best furniture production capacity and design, TIFF 2010 promises to be a great platform for leading Thai furniture manufacturers, entrepreneurs, designers and operators of related businesses including spare parts, machinery and interior decor materials, to meet with potential buyers and counterparts from overseas. It’s a great chance for virtually everybody in the furniture industry to seek alliance and reach common success.” added Mrs. Srirat.
Mrs. Srirat further noted that, “TIFF 2010 is anticipated to be the most comprehensive furniture exposition ever staged in Thailand. This expectation is to encompass the various aspects of the event including the number of participating exhibitors; revolutionary furniture designs; and, the trade and business opportunities it will present to international visitors and exhibitors themselves. In addition, TIFF 2010 will pave the way for professional Thai designers to demonstrate their capabilities to the world, through collections of unique furniture designs or furniture items made from innovative, eco-friendly materials. The event is expected to welcome more than 33,000 international visitors from Japan, USA, EU, India, Middle East, Africa, Canada, Australia, Malaysia and Singapore.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
“Thai Watsadu” is ready to run the first store in Bang Bua Thong
“Thai Watsadu” is ready to run the first store in Bang Bua Thong, to please contractors and receive many special offers on the grand opening.
“Thai Watsadu”, “One-Stop-Shopping Construction Material Suppliers for Thai”, is now ready to open for sales on 30 January 2010 on Kanchanapisek Road, Bang Bua Thong on a 30 rai – land plot or 24,000 square meters which cover the west of Bangkok connecting to Nonthaburi and part of Supanburi, Nakhonprathom and Prathumthani. The store offers more than 100,000 SKUs of construction material with guarantee price lower than other small retailers.
President for CRC Power Retail Co., Ltd. and Power Buy Co., Ltd. Suthisarn Chirathivat stated “We invested more than 800 million baht for the first Thai Watsadu store, targeting the construction subcontractor and tailor – made house owners markets including government sectors. Moreover, different from others, we add up our strength in excellent services, quality products and damage warranty.”
“Thai Watsadu” store layout is formatted to suit for customers: a one-story building with a high ceiling equipped with security & fire prevention system, the first store is built on energy saving basis, with indoor parking space for 300 cars. The strengthen of this format is “daily low price”, “variety of products”, “full inventory enough for customer’s demand”, “convenience and swift” and “instantly receive”.
Regarding merchandise management, more than 100,000 SKUs of leading brands are covering major categories of construction products, for example, frameworks like roof, column, beam, base work; architectural decoration like roofing materials, heat prevention, stairs, doors, windows; electricity system like wire, plugs, brakers, switchboard; plumping like water & waste pipe, water tap, valve, plumper; lighting like desk lamp, bed lamp, landscape lighting; kitchen like cabinet, smoke ventilation, stove, dish washers and interior materials like shades, bath, furniture, living room and general electronic appliances.
“PowerBuy”, Thailand’s leading electronic appliance retailer will operate all products at “Thai Watsadu”, bringing more than 3,000 SKUs to their first store in Bang Bua Thong, total 1,000 square meters. At Bang Bua Thong, “Thai Watsdu” highlights “Audio & Visual”, “Home & Small Appliances”, and “Office Automation”. The store layout is designed under theme “warehouse” which, product stocks will be placed on the top of the shelves. Some product categories like AV are grouped by brand in order to give convenience for the customers. Special services are formatted to serve customers, for example, paints mixture, tiles calculation, furniture assembly.
Marketing concept of “Thai Watsadu” is
Completeness: Product complement total 100,000 SKUs
Lower price : Daily low price. No need to wait for promotional seasons
Good: Quality products with guarantee and customers are able to return and change
At “Thai Watsadu” You can get everything
Suthisarn Chirathivat added “ To celebrate the grand opening of the first Thai Watsadu store, we organize special promotions to please the customers in Bang Bua Thong and nearby vicinity, for example, discounted item, 1 baht item, daily lower price and a chance to win prizes worth more than 300,000 baht like gold necklace, motor bike, electric appliance. On 30-31 January are scheduled to be “The Constructor Days” for the first 200 contractors who visit Thai Watsadu and apply “Thai Card”, receive a right to get a 500 baht coupon to discount when purchase 5,000 baht. Moreover, with cooperation with Krugthai Bank upon information provision under project “Loan for Strong Thailand”, aiming to create better understanding among contractors, housing owners and create more confident to acquire a construction bidding or purchasing bidding.
Also, the company has released a member card “Thai Card” which provides customers a lot of benefits, accumulative points, exclusive price, cash or gift redemption, including credit card payment and installment program.”
The grand opening is scheduled 30 January 2010, 10 am, which Nonthaburi Governor Vichien Phuthiwinyoo will preside over, together with top executives of Central Group and suppliers.
“Thai Watsadu”, “One-Stop-Shopping Construction Material Suppliers for Thai”, is now ready to open for sales on 30 January 2010 on Kanchanapisek Road, Bang Bua Thong on a 30 rai – land plot or 24,000 square meters which cover the west of Bangkok connecting to Nonthaburi and part of Supanburi, Nakhonprathom and Prathumthani. The store offers more than 100,000 SKUs of construction material with guarantee price lower than other small retailers.
President for CRC Power Retail Co., Ltd. and Power Buy Co., Ltd. Suthisarn Chirathivat stated “We invested more than 800 million baht for the first Thai Watsadu store, targeting the construction subcontractor and tailor – made house owners markets including government sectors. Moreover, different from others, we add up our strength in excellent services, quality products and damage warranty.”
“Thai Watsadu” store layout is formatted to suit for customers: a one-story building with a high ceiling equipped with security & fire prevention system, the first store is built on energy saving basis, with indoor parking space for 300 cars. The strengthen of this format is “daily low price”, “variety of products”, “full inventory enough for customer’s demand”, “convenience and swift” and “instantly receive”.
Regarding merchandise management, more than 100,000 SKUs of leading brands are covering major categories of construction products, for example, frameworks like roof, column, beam, base work; architectural decoration like roofing materials, heat prevention, stairs, doors, windows; electricity system like wire, plugs, brakers, switchboard; plumping like water & waste pipe, water tap, valve, plumper; lighting like desk lamp, bed lamp, landscape lighting; kitchen like cabinet, smoke ventilation, stove, dish washers and interior materials like shades, bath, furniture, living room and general electronic appliances.
“PowerBuy”, Thailand’s leading electronic appliance retailer will operate all products at “Thai Watsadu”, bringing more than 3,000 SKUs to their first store in Bang Bua Thong, total 1,000 square meters. At Bang Bua Thong, “Thai Watsdu” highlights “Audio & Visual”, “Home & Small Appliances”, and “Office Automation”. The store layout is designed under theme “warehouse” which, product stocks will be placed on the top of the shelves. Some product categories like AV are grouped by brand in order to give convenience for the customers. Special services are formatted to serve customers, for example, paints mixture, tiles calculation, furniture assembly.
Marketing concept of “Thai Watsadu” is
Completeness: Product complement total 100,000 SKUs
Lower price : Daily low price. No need to wait for promotional seasons
Good: Quality products with guarantee and customers are able to return and change
At “Thai Watsadu” You can get everything
Suthisarn Chirathivat added “ To celebrate the grand opening of the first Thai Watsadu store, we organize special promotions to please the customers in Bang Bua Thong and nearby vicinity, for example, discounted item, 1 baht item, daily lower price and a chance to win prizes worth more than 300,000 baht like gold necklace, motor bike, electric appliance. On 30-31 January are scheduled to be “The Constructor Days” for the first 200 contractors who visit Thai Watsadu and apply “Thai Card”, receive a right to get a 500 baht coupon to discount when purchase 5,000 baht. Moreover, with cooperation with Krugthai Bank upon information provision under project “Loan for Strong Thailand”, aiming to create better understanding among contractors, housing owners and create more confident to acquire a construction bidding or purchasing bidding.
Also, the company has released a member card “Thai Card” which provides customers a lot of benefits, accumulative points, exclusive price, cash or gift redemption, including credit card payment and installment program.”
The grand opening is scheduled 30 January 2010, 10 am, which Nonthaburi Governor Vichien Phuthiwinyoo will preside over, together with top executives of Central Group and suppliers.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Grand U announces fully pays up capital to 600 million baht to prepare for condominium business next year
Grand U announces fully pays up capital to 600 million baht to prepare for condominium business next year, ready to launch 2 new projects worth 3 billion baht in combined value
Grand Unity Development has fully paid up its 600 million baht registered capital to push ahead with condominium projects along the sky train and underground routes. The company also prepares to introduce 2 new projects under the name of “U Delight” situated by the sky train and underground stations at Huay Kwang and Jatujak, after enjoying enormous success from U Delight @ Bang Sue Station.
Thanapol Sirithanachai, President of Grand Unity Development Co., Ltd. (Grand U) disclosed that his company had raised its registered capital to 600 million baht at the end of 2007 with paid up capital of 380 million baht. “The company has now paid up the entire amount of 600 million baht in order to prepare for investment expansion targeting areas along the sky train and underground routes, whose service may require shuttle van to provide convenient transportation to buyers to satisfy them the urban living style. The company also focuses on building the good community relations to enhance good surrounding. Grand U is looking to attract middle income earners with 1.5-2 million baht condominium units. The strategy has been proven by the success of the previous project called U Delight @ Bang Sue Station, which has already been over 90% occupied. Following this concept, Grand U will launch 2 new condominium projects with combined value of over 3 billion baht at the prime locations of Huay Kwang and Jatujak,” he said.
Neramit Srangiam, Managing Director of Grand Unity Development Co., Ltd., said his company had already launched 2 condominium projects under the Condo U concept called U Sabai Condominium Rama IV-Kluaynamthai and U Delight@ Bang Sue Station near the MRT station in Bang Sue. “These projects are considered successful thanks to the unique marketing strategy that uses excellent location and multi-function room and furniture designs to offer outstanding value for money. The team of professional management also helps attract buyers, making us more than confident in getting new projects up and running despite the currently sluggish economy. Consumers continue to fulfill their basic necessities and with condominium at the right location and affordable prices, our projects are sure to the choice for those within the 25-30 years age bracket and 30,000 – 60,000 baht income range,” he explained.
In the fourth quarter of 2009, Grand U is set to introduce 2 new condominium projects namely U Delight@ Huay Kwang Station and U Delight@ Jatujak Station. Both projects are designed and developed under the U Living Concept that focuses on YOU, to enjoy the full functionality. U Delight@ Huay Kwang Station, situated in Soi Pracha-Uthit 5 and only 3 minutes from MRT station in Huay Kwang, is created under the concept of Urban Escape to offer surrounding that is close to nature with up to 70% open space. The project is composed of 3 condominium buildings of up to 20 stories and 1 building of 10 stories housing a total of 597 units on 5-rai land worth 1.2 billion baht. There are 4 types of rooms available for the choosing namely 1 bedroom at 32, 41 and 45 square meters, and 2 bedrooms with 64 square meters with a starting price of 1.39 million baht. It also comes with complete infrastructure including 30-meter infinity-edged swimming pool, fitness club, sauna room for men and women, library, Wi-Fi Internet, laundry service, shuttle service to Huay Kwang MRT station everyday and 24-hour security system using CCTV, keycard and security personnel. The project is managed by a professional team from LPN. As for U Delight @ Jatujak Station, the project is situated in Vibhavadee Soi 3, which is about 3 minutes from Jatujak MRT station and Mor Chit BTS station. There are approximately 900 units on 5-rai land with value of 1.8 billion baht,” he said.
Grand Unity Development Co., Ltd. was established in 2001 by 3 groups of major shareholders namely Univentures PLC, which holds 60%, LPN Development PLC, which has 20% and Yaowawong Holdings Co., Ltd., which holds the remaining 20%. The company focuses its business on developing projects with construction and financial problems and so far has had over 7 projects under management worth over 5.2 billion baht in combined value. These projects include Lumpini Place Water Cliff and Grand Park View Asoke. The company currently has 600 million baht worth paid up registered capital.
Grand Unity Development has fully paid up its 600 million baht registered capital to push ahead with condominium projects along the sky train and underground routes. The company also prepares to introduce 2 new projects under the name of “U Delight” situated by the sky train and underground stations at Huay Kwang and Jatujak, after enjoying enormous success from U Delight @ Bang Sue Station.
Thanapol Sirithanachai, President of Grand Unity Development Co., Ltd. (Grand U) disclosed that his company had raised its registered capital to 600 million baht at the end of 2007 with paid up capital of 380 million baht. “The company has now paid up the entire amount of 600 million baht in order to prepare for investment expansion targeting areas along the sky train and underground routes, whose service may require shuttle van to provide convenient transportation to buyers to satisfy them the urban living style. The company also focuses on building the good community relations to enhance good surrounding. Grand U is looking to attract middle income earners with 1.5-2 million baht condominium units. The strategy has been proven by the success of the previous project called U Delight @ Bang Sue Station, which has already been over 90% occupied. Following this concept, Grand U will launch 2 new condominium projects with combined value of over 3 billion baht at the prime locations of Huay Kwang and Jatujak,” he said.
Neramit Srangiam, Managing Director of Grand Unity Development Co., Ltd., said his company had already launched 2 condominium projects under the Condo U concept called U Sabai Condominium Rama IV-Kluaynamthai and U Delight@ Bang Sue Station near the MRT station in Bang Sue. “These projects are considered successful thanks to the unique marketing strategy that uses excellent location and multi-function room and furniture designs to offer outstanding value for money. The team of professional management also helps attract buyers, making us more than confident in getting new projects up and running despite the currently sluggish economy. Consumers continue to fulfill their basic necessities and with condominium at the right location and affordable prices, our projects are sure to the choice for those within the 25-30 years age bracket and 30,000 – 60,000 baht income range,” he explained.
In the fourth quarter of 2009, Grand U is set to introduce 2 new condominium projects namely U Delight@ Huay Kwang Station and U Delight@ Jatujak Station. Both projects are designed and developed under the U Living Concept that focuses on YOU, to enjoy the full functionality. U Delight@ Huay Kwang Station, situated in Soi Pracha-Uthit 5 and only 3 minutes from MRT station in Huay Kwang, is created under the concept of Urban Escape to offer surrounding that is close to nature with up to 70% open space. The project is composed of 3 condominium buildings of up to 20 stories and 1 building of 10 stories housing a total of 597 units on 5-rai land worth 1.2 billion baht. There are 4 types of rooms available for the choosing namely 1 bedroom at 32, 41 and 45 square meters, and 2 bedrooms with 64 square meters with a starting price of 1.39 million baht. It also comes with complete infrastructure including 30-meter infinity-edged swimming pool, fitness club, sauna room for men and women, library, Wi-Fi Internet, laundry service, shuttle service to Huay Kwang MRT station everyday and 24-hour security system using CCTV, keycard and security personnel. The project is managed by a professional team from LPN. As for U Delight @ Jatujak Station, the project is situated in Vibhavadee Soi 3, which is about 3 minutes from Jatujak MRT station and Mor Chit BTS station. There are approximately 900 units on 5-rai land with value of 1.8 billion baht,” he said.
Grand Unity Development Co., Ltd. was established in 2001 by 3 groups of major shareholders namely Univentures PLC, which holds 60%, LPN Development PLC, which has 20% and Yaowawong Holdings Co., Ltd., which holds the remaining 20%. The company focuses its business on developing projects with construction and financial problems and so far has had over 7 projects under management worth over 5.2 billion baht in combined value. These projects include Lumpini Place Water Cliff and Grand Park View Asoke. The company currently has 600 million baht worth paid up registered capital.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Index revives plan for India franchise
Index Living Mall Co, the Thai homefurnishing retail chain, is reviving its plan to open franchise stores in India after its first deal two years ago did not get through.
Jarinthorn Patamasatayasonthi, the company's managing director, said the business plan was reviewed after it was contacted by a new Indian investor,who had visited Index Living Mall in Dubai recently.
"We saw a huge opportunity in the Indian market because there are only conventional furniture stores available in the country. While the Indian economy is booming, there is less competition [in the segment] there," she said.
Index was in talks with another Indian investor in 2006 but the deal could not be concluded.
Verachai Kunavichayanont, vicechairman of the furniture club under the Federation of Thai Industries, said demand for Thai-made furniture in India gradually rises every year because products are cheaper than comparable designs from Western brands.
Thai furniture will enjoy an even greater competitive advantage after the free trade area agreement between Thailand and India takes effect next year. Under the FTA, the import tariff on furniture to India will be gradually cut to between zero and 5%, down from 35-40% at present, he said.
Currently, few Asian furniture brands are available in India, leaving Thai brands with much room and potential to expand their businesses.
As well as in India, the company is conducting a feasibility study to open new outlets through the franchise system in the Middle East, said Ms Jarinthorn.
At home, the company plans to spend 1 billion baht to open two more outlets in Bangkok next year in addition to the Bang Na branch, which is to be opened early next year under an earlier plan.
Moreover, the company plans to renovate its existing stores and to adjust product displays.
More designers will be hired to design home decorative items and furniture while the number of exclusive items available at its stores will be increased to 50% from 30% at present.These plans should help Index Living Mall differentiate itself from its rivals.
The company expects its sales to reach 7.5 billion baht this year. Of the total, about 2 billion baht will come from exports. Sales of Index in the first 10 months grew by 8%, slightly below its earlier projection of 10%. Business from Dubai has provided much of the company's sales.
Jarinthorn Patamasatayasonthi, the company's managing director, said the business plan was reviewed after it was contacted by a new Indian investor,who had visited Index Living Mall in Dubai recently.
"We saw a huge opportunity in the Indian market because there are only conventional furniture stores available in the country. While the Indian economy is booming, there is less competition [in the segment] there," she said.
Index was in talks with another Indian investor in 2006 but the deal could not be concluded.
Verachai Kunavichayanont, vicechairman of the furniture club under the Federation of Thai Industries, said demand for Thai-made furniture in India gradually rises every year because products are cheaper than comparable designs from Western brands.
Thai furniture will enjoy an even greater competitive advantage after the free trade area agreement between Thailand and India takes effect next year. Under the FTA, the import tariff on furniture to India will be gradually cut to between zero and 5%, down from 35-40% at present, he said.
Currently, few Asian furniture brands are available in India, leaving Thai brands with much room and potential to expand their businesses.
As well as in India, the company is conducting a feasibility study to open new outlets through the franchise system in the Middle East, said Ms Jarinthorn.
At home, the company plans to spend 1 billion baht to open two more outlets in Bangkok next year in addition to the Bang Na branch, which is to be opened early next year under an earlier plan.
Moreover, the company plans to renovate its existing stores and to adjust product displays.
More designers will be hired to design home decorative items and furniture while the number of exclusive items available at its stores will be increased to 50% from 30% at present.These plans should help Index Living Mall differentiate itself from its rivals.
The company expects its sales to reach 7.5 billion baht this year. Of the total, about 2 billion baht will come from exports. Sales of Index in the first 10 months grew by 8%, slightly below its earlier projection of 10%. Business from Dubai has provided much of the company's sales.
Get a load of Blythe's house!
Shining out from the mountain of home decor at the just-sending Baan Lae Suan Fair is the answer to a weighty question for the modern era: Where, exactly, has Blythe been living?
The cute little doll might be homeless for all most people care but, fortunately, entrepreneur Donlacha Thammarot Teeraeakpakorn has come up a line of furniture for her, called Signorina.
Donlacha, a graphic designer and a veteran in interior design and furniture manufacture, has expanded with a range of ideas for the Hip Maker label.
Debuting at the annual Baan Lae Suan Fair, Signorina is miniature furniture for Blythe, but all of the pieces can be produced in human size too.
Donlacha accords Blythe the full stature of a princess, as she is in the eyes of her millions of fans, so the furniture is sweet and luxurious and vintage in style.
She hasn't lost sight of the need for functionality in the real world, though, and for actual people she's taken inspiration from the compact living spaces of Japanese cities.
"Our company has made everything there is in design," says Hip Maker marketing communicator Pitawan Laorsri, "from graphics and decoration for sales booths and shelves for the fairs to interior decor for houses and offices.
"Signorina is our latest idea:small-scale furniture for dolls that can be produced in full size as well."
The line includes a comfy bunk bed with drawers, a dressing table and a bookcase. Among the more playful-looking items for children are a bed and closet.
There's a choice of top-grade hardwoods in both the real and miniatures sizes.
The Signorina showroom has beds, dresswers, desks, wardrobes and bookcases and some items from Hong Kong, China and Japan.
A corner of full-size home decor is stocked with beautiful wooden cabinets, mirrors, resin photo frames that play music and ceramic lanterns that can be used as aromatic oil burners, all imported from China.
TINY, PERFECT WORLD
The Signorina showroom is at 40/12 Bang Bruai-Sai Noi 15 in Nonthaburi. Call (02)883 8223-4 or visit www.BoothMaker.com.
The cute little doll might be homeless for all most people care but, fortunately, entrepreneur Donlacha Thammarot Teeraeakpakorn has come up a line of furniture for her, called Signorina.
Donlacha, a graphic designer and a veteran in interior design and furniture manufacture, has expanded with a range of ideas for the Hip Maker label.
Debuting at the annual Baan Lae Suan Fair, Signorina is miniature furniture for Blythe, but all of the pieces can be produced in human size too.
Donlacha accords Blythe the full stature of a princess, as she is in the eyes of her millions of fans, so the furniture is sweet and luxurious and vintage in style.
She hasn't lost sight of the need for functionality in the real world, though, and for actual people she's taken inspiration from the compact living spaces of Japanese cities.
"Our company has made everything there is in design," says Hip Maker marketing communicator Pitawan Laorsri, "from graphics and decoration for sales booths and shelves for the fairs to interior decor for houses and offices.
"Signorina is our latest idea:small-scale furniture for dolls that can be produced in full size as well."
The line includes a comfy bunk bed with drawers, a dressing table and a bookcase. Among the more playful-looking items for children are a bed and closet.
There's a choice of top-grade hardwoods in both the real and miniatures sizes.
The Signorina showroom has beds, dresswers, desks, wardrobes and bookcases and some items from Hong Kong, China and Japan.
A corner of full-size home decor is stocked with beautiful wooden cabinets, mirrors, resin photo frames that play music and ceramic lanterns that can be used as aromatic oil burners, all imported from China.
TINY, PERFECT WORLD
The Signorina showroom is at 40/12 Bang Bruai-Sai Noi 15 in Nonthaburi. Call (02)883 8223-4 or visit www.BoothMaker.com.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Magnificent seven
In the most important, most revered event since the invention of the brontosaurus trap,Microsoft shipped the most incredibly fabulous operating system ever made; the release of Windows 7 also spurred a new generation of personal computers of all sizes at prices well below last month's offers.The top reason Windows 7 does not suck: There is no registered website called Windows7Sucks.com
Kindle e-book reader maker Amazon.com and new Nook e-book reader vendor Barnes and Noble got it on; B&N got great reviews for the "Kindle killer"Nook, with dual screens and touch controls so you can "turn" pages, plays MP3s and allows many non-B&N book formats, although not the Kindle one;Amazon then killed the US version of its Kindle in favour of the international one, reduced its price to $260(8,700 baht), same as the Nook; it's not yet clear what you can get in Thailand with a Nook, but you sure can't (yet) get much, relatively speaking, with a Kindle;but here's the biggest difference so far,which Amazon.com has ignored: the Nook lets you lend e-books to any other Nook owner, just as if they were paper books; the borrowed books expire on the borrower's Nook in two weeks.
Phone maker Nokia of Finland announced it is suing iPhone maker Apple of America for being a copycat; lawyers said they figure Nokia can get at least one, probably two per cent (retail) for every iPhone sold by Steve "President for Life" Jobs and crew via the lawsuit,which sure beats working for it -$6 (200 baht) to $12(400 baht) on 30 million phones sold so far, works out to $400 million or 25 percent of the whole Apple empire profits during the last quarter;there were 10 patent thefts, the Finnish executives said, on everything from moving data to security and encryption.
Nokia of Finland announced that it is one month behind on shipping its new flagship N900 phone, the first to run on Linux software; delay of the $750(25,000 baht) phone had absolutely no part in making Nokia so short that it had to sue Apple, slap yourself for such a thought.
Tim Berners-Lee, who created the World Wide Web, said he had one regret:the double slash that follows the "http:"in standard web addresses; he estimated that 14.2 gazillion users have wasted 48.72 bazillion hours typing those two keystrokes, and he's sorry; of course there's no reason to ever type that, since your browser does it for you when you type "www.bangkokpost.com" but Tim needs to admit he made one error in his lifetime.
The International Telecommunication Union of the United Nations, which doesn't sell any phones or services, announced that there should be a mobile phone charger that will work with any phone; now who would ever have thought of that, without a UN body to wind up a major study on the subject?;the GSM Association estimates that 51,000 tonnes of chargers are made each year in order to keep companies able to have their own unique ones.
The Well, Doh Award of the Week was presented at arm's length to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development; the group's deputy secretary-general Petko Draganov said that developing countries will miss some of the stuff available on the Internet if they don't install more broadband infrastructure; a report that used your tax baht to compile said that quite a few people use mobile phones but companies are more likely to invest in countries with excellent broadband connections; no one ever had thought of this before, right?
Sun Microsystems , as a result of the Oracle takeover, said it will allow 3,000 current workers never to bother coming to work again; Sun referred to the losses as "jobs," not people; now the fourth largest server maker in the world, Sun said it lost $2.2 billion in its last fiscal year; European regulators are holding up approval of the Oracle purchase in the hope of getting some money in exchange for not involving Oracle in court cases.
The multi-gazillionaire and very annoying investor Carl Icahn resigned from the board at Yahoo ; he spun it as a vote of confidence, saying current directors are taking the formerly threatened company seriously; Yahoo reported increased profits but smaller revenues in the third quarter.
The US House of Representatives voted to censure Vietnam for jailing bloggers; the non-binding resolution sponsored by southern California congresswoman Loretta Sanchez said the Internet is "a crucial tool for the citizens of Vietnam to be able to exercise their freedom of expression and association;"Hanoi has recently jailed at least nine activists for up to six years apiece for holding pro-democracy banners. Iran jailed blogger Hossein "Hoder" Derakshan for 10 months - in solitary confinement.
Kindle e-book reader maker Amazon.com and new Nook e-book reader vendor Barnes and Noble got it on; B&N got great reviews for the "Kindle killer"Nook, with dual screens and touch controls so you can "turn" pages, plays MP3s and allows many non-B&N book formats, although not the Kindle one;Amazon then killed the US version of its Kindle in favour of the international one, reduced its price to $260(8,700 baht), same as the Nook; it's not yet clear what you can get in Thailand with a Nook, but you sure can't (yet) get much, relatively speaking, with a Kindle;but here's the biggest difference so far,which Amazon.com has ignored: the Nook lets you lend e-books to any other Nook owner, just as if they were paper books; the borrowed books expire on the borrower's Nook in two weeks.
Phone maker Nokia of Finland announced it is suing iPhone maker Apple of America for being a copycat; lawyers said they figure Nokia can get at least one, probably two per cent (retail) for every iPhone sold by Steve "President for Life" Jobs and crew via the lawsuit,which sure beats working for it -$6 (200 baht) to $12(400 baht) on 30 million phones sold so far, works out to $400 million or 25 percent of the whole Apple empire profits during the last quarter;there were 10 patent thefts, the Finnish executives said, on everything from moving data to security and encryption.
Nokia of Finland announced that it is one month behind on shipping its new flagship N900 phone, the first to run on Linux software; delay of the $750(25,000 baht) phone had absolutely no part in making Nokia so short that it had to sue Apple, slap yourself for such a thought.
Tim Berners-Lee, who created the World Wide Web, said he had one regret:the double slash that follows the "http:"in standard web addresses; he estimated that 14.2 gazillion users have wasted 48.72 bazillion hours typing those two keystrokes, and he's sorry; of course there's no reason to ever type that, since your browser does it for you when you type "www.bangkokpost.com" but Tim needs to admit he made one error in his lifetime.
The International Telecommunication Union of the United Nations, which doesn't sell any phones or services, announced that there should be a mobile phone charger that will work with any phone; now who would ever have thought of that, without a UN body to wind up a major study on the subject?;the GSM Association estimates that 51,000 tonnes of chargers are made each year in order to keep companies able to have their own unique ones.
The Well, Doh Award of the Week was presented at arm's length to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development; the group's deputy secretary-general Petko Draganov said that developing countries will miss some of the stuff available on the Internet if they don't install more broadband infrastructure; a report that used your tax baht to compile said that quite a few people use mobile phones but companies are more likely to invest in countries with excellent broadband connections; no one ever had thought of this before, right?
Sun Microsystems , as a result of the Oracle takeover, said it will allow 3,000 current workers never to bother coming to work again; Sun referred to the losses as "jobs," not people; now the fourth largest server maker in the world, Sun said it lost $2.2 billion in its last fiscal year; European regulators are holding up approval of the Oracle purchase in the hope of getting some money in exchange for not involving Oracle in court cases.
The multi-gazillionaire and very annoying investor Carl Icahn resigned from the board at Yahoo ; he spun it as a vote of confidence, saying current directors are taking the formerly threatened company seriously; Yahoo reported increased profits but smaller revenues in the third quarter.
The US House of Representatives voted to censure Vietnam for jailing bloggers; the non-binding resolution sponsored by southern California congresswoman Loretta Sanchez said the Internet is "a crucial tool for the citizens of Vietnam to be able to exercise their freedom of expression and association;"Hanoi has recently jailed at least nine activists for up to six years apiece for holding pro-democracy banners. Iran jailed blogger Hossein "Hoder" Derakshan for 10 months - in solitary confinement.
FURNISHING GIANT IKEA SET TO BOOST GREEN PUSH
The iconic Swedish home furnishing conglomerate Ikea has stepped up its green policy from making its products 100% recyclable to ordering raw material from well-managed forest plantations.
"We are working with our suppliers to make sure that our social and environmental measures are on high standard," said Thomas Bergmark, sustainability manager of Ikea Group.
"Currently,72% of our products are renewable or recyclable. Our mission is to have a complete range of renewable or recyclable products in the future,"he said of the global company.
These green efforts follow the company's code of conduct, issued in 2000,which focuses on social and environmental issues.
Ikea has also cooperated with the World Wildlife Fund to implement a forest action plan to ensure that Ikea will reach its goal of sourcing all wood from verified, well-managed forest plantations.
The company is also improving production processes to be in line with its environmental scheme. Such measures will not only enhance its environmental credentials but also lower cost and improve sustainable performance, Mr Bergmark said.
Ikea also plans to increase its orders from Thai suppliers by between 25%and 30% next year, he said.
Currently, the company purchases products from 20 Thai suppliers worth 4 to 5 billion baht a year.
Ikea's largest supplier is China, which represents 20% of total orders while Thailand contributes only 2% of the total purchasing orders for export markets worldwide.
However, Thai-made products will go on sale to domestic consumers in November 2011 once it opens its first store in Thailand with a massive 40,000 square metres of space in the Bang Na area.
"We are working with our suppliers to make sure that our social and environmental measures are on high standard," said Thomas Bergmark, sustainability manager of Ikea Group.
"Currently,72% of our products are renewable or recyclable. Our mission is to have a complete range of renewable or recyclable products in the future,"he said of the global company.
These green efforts follow the company's code of conduct, issued in 2000,which focuses on social and environmental issues.
Ikea has also cooperated with the World Wildlife Fund to implement a forest action plan to ensure that Ikea will reach its goal of sourcing all wood from verified, well-managed forest plantations.
The company is also improving production processes to be in line with its environmental scheme. Such measures will not only enhance its environmental credentials but also lower cost and improve sustainable performance, Mr Bergmark said.
Ikea also plans to increase its orders from Thai suppliers by between 25%and 30% next year, he said.
Currently, the company purchases products from 20 Thai suppliers worth 4 to 5 billion baht a year.
Ikea's largest supplier is China, which represents 20% of total orders while Thailand contributes only 2% of the total purchasing orders for export markets worldwide.
However, Thai-made products will go on sale to domestic consumers in November 2011 once it opens its first store in Thailand with a massive 40,000 square metres of space in the Bang Na area.
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