Archive

WinRAR Jabs Free Users: Can't Afford a License? Buy a Branded Messenger Bag Instead Blognone · 4d ago

WinRAR has relaunched its official collaboration messenger bag with fashion brand tern, priced at $150 (~5,000 THB). The restock sold out quickly after its February 2025 debut. WinRAR's official X account humorously joked that free users (essentially everyone) should buy the bag instead of a license—a tongue-in-cheek nod to the app's ubiquitous unlicensed use. Revenue from bag sales supports the WinRAR development team directly, offering users an alternative way to contribute to the software's development.

Phuket Partners with CAAT to Deploy eVTOL Drones for Traffic Solutions and Emergency Medical Services Prachachat · 4d ago

Phuket is piloting Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) technology with CAAT approval, deploying drones and electric vertical takeoff aircraft (eVTOL) on four routes connecting airport–Patong Beach–hospitals. A northern helipad base will serve as an Airport Feeder Service hub to reduce traffic congestion, cut emergency response times, and support premium tourism. Safety assessments and route surveys must pass before CAAT permits operations; public–private coordination is underway through a provincial working group.

New Rule: E-Commerce Platforms Must Display Total Fees Transparently Prachachat · 4d ago

ETDA has issued new guidelines requiring e-commerce platforms to disclose a "Total Take Rate" (TTR) showing sellers the full cost of all fees and expenses as a percentage of net product price before they commit to campaigns. The framework breaks down costs into Baseline TTR (essential fees), Scenario TTR (with add-ons), and Incremental TTR (impact of participation). Platforms must provide transparent TTR calculators at decision points and give 30 days' notice for any fee changes. This directly addresses seller confusion over hidden costs embedded in commissions, payments processing, campaigns, and ancillary services.

Binance Invests $100 Million in Circle, Promotes USDC to Global Markets The Story Thailand · 4d ago

Binance has invested $100 million in stablecoin issuer Circle Internet Group via private placement and committed to a 5-year partnership to promote USDC adoption, particularly in emerging markets. This move signals major crypto infrastructure convergence and could expand access to digital USD for SMEs and businesses across Asia-Pacific, though regulatory risk remains high.

LAWSON 108 Launches Two New Concept Stores to Compete in Thailand's Convenience Store Market Prachachat · 4d ago

LAWSON 108, the Japanese convenience store chain operating in Thailand, opened two new flagship locations on September 24, 2026: Premium Lawson (Modern Japanese Luxury concept at Future Park Rangsit) and Black Neo Lawson (contemporary Black Neo design at Suthi Building near Phetchburi MRT/ARL). The new stores target working professionals and younger consumers with differentiated shopping experiences while maintaining signature Japanese products (onigiri, bento, bakery, imported goods). The expansion brings the chain's total to 239 branches, strategically located near airports, transit hubs, hospitals, and office buildings.

ADB Cuts Thailand's 2027 GDP Forecast to 1.9% Amid Warning That Technology Investment Cycle May End Sooner Than Expected The Standard Wealth · 4d ago

The Asian Development Bank has downgraded Thailand's 2027 GDP growth forecast to 1.9% from 2.0%, citing an expected normalization of the global technology investment cycle that has been boosting Thai tech exports and private investment. While Thailand benefits from near-term momentum (2026: 2.0% revised up from 1.8%), the tech-export tailwind is expected to fade significantly in 2027 as global demand cools and U.S. trade tariffs take full effect. SMEs dependent on tech supply chains and exports should prepare contingency plans as growth drivers weaken.

ALLY REIT Opens Second Capital Increase Offering, Raises Maximum 1,515 Million Baht to Invest in 3 Community Malls, Expanding Portfolio to 15,000 Million Baht The Standard Wealth · 4d ago

ALLY REIT, a leading real estate investment trust focused on lifestyle communities, has launched its second capital increase offering (Sept 28 – Oct 2, 2026), targeting 1,515 million baht to acquire three operating community malls: Charn at The Avenue (Jatujak, 98% occupancy), Saimai Avenue (99.4% occupancy), and The Zone Town-in-Town (94.8% occupancy). Post-acquisition, the REIT's total assets will reach 15,000 million baht with over 200,000 sqm of leasable space, offering a projected first-year yield of 10.0%. The trust maintains a BBB+ credit rating and has consistently achieved 90%+ occupancy rates and 9.5% average annual returns over five years.

Binance Invests $100 Million in Circle, Expands USDC Integration on Platform The Standard Wealth · 4d ago

Binance is investing $100 million in Circle Internet Group through a private placement and extending a 5-year strategic partnership to promote USDC stablecoin, particularly in emerging markets. This move signals major backing for regulated digital dollar infrastructure and expanded access to dollar-denominated crypto assets globally. For Thai SMEs, this reinforces Binance's commitment to stablecoin adoption and could improve local onramps for dollar-based transactions.

ASP Appoints Krit Panitphand as New CEO Following Dr. Kong Kiarti's Retirement; Pushes Brokerage and Wealth Management Prachachat · 4d ago

Asia Plus Group Holdings (ASP), a Thai securities broker and financial services group, has appointed Dr. Krit Panitphand as its new CEO effective October 1, 2026, replacing the retiring Dr. Kong Kiarti Obhasvongkarn. Under the new leadership, ASP plans to strengthen its core brokerage business through technology adoption and service enhancements, while simultaneously expanding its Wealth Management division and diversifying investment products. The company has committed to increased investments in talent, technology, and new business opportunities to drive long-term growth.

New Era Thailand Celebrates 10 Years, Plans to Double Store Network from 30 to 60 by 2027; Pivots to Sports Lifestyle Brand via F1 Partnership The Standard Wealth · 4d ago

New Era Thailand has grown from 1 store to 30 in a decade with double-digit annual sales growth, and now plans to add 30 more stores by 2027—doubling the network within one year. The brand is shifting from a cap-focused business to a full sports lifestyle brand through strategic moves: leveraging F1 team wear licensing (Atlassian Williams F1), upscaling retail to concept stores with customization services, and integrating online channels. This expansion targets Thailand's strong streetwear culture, growing sports communities, and younger consumers who value brand storytelling and self-expression—positioning the market as strategically important for Asia-Pacific growth in a $500B+ global sportswear sector.

AirAsia Ready for High Season: Expands International Routes with 53 Flight Paths to 46 Cities Direct from Don Mueang Prachachat · 4d ago

AirAsia and AirAsia X are resuming previously suspended international routes and increasing flight frequency ahead of Q4 high season. The combined carriers will operate 53 routes to 46 cities from Don Mueang, including expanded service to India (6 routes restarting), Japan (4 routes including increased Sapporo and new Nagoya flights), Malaysia, Cambodia, and Central Asia. This reflects airline confidence in returning travel demand from both Thai tourists and foreign visitors after cost-cutting measures during Q3 due to high fuel prices.

AirAsia Ready for High Season: Expands International Routes with 53 Flights to 46 Cities from Bangkok Don Mueang Prachachat · 4d ago

Thai AirAsia and Thai AirAsia X are resuming suspended international routes and increasing flight frequency across 53 routes to 46 cities for the Q4 high season, responding to recovering travel demand post-fuel cost pressures. Routes to India (6 lines), Malaysia, Cambodia, and Japan are being restored, with Tokyo seeing up to 21 weekly flights and several Indian cities receiving 4+ weekly services. This reflects confidence in seasonal tourism recovery and capacity optimization after Q3 cost management.

Ipsos Finds 'Employees' Still Key Driver of Good Customer Experience for Thai Consumers, While Only 10% Accept Fully Autonomous AI Service Management The Standard Wealth · 4d ago

Ipsos's 2026 CX Global Insights report reveals Thai customer satisfaction with brands has declined significantly from 73% to 64% year-over-year. Despite AI adoption trends, only 10% of Thai consumers accept fully autonomous AI service management—employees remain the primary driver of positive experiences across almost all sectors. The report identifies a critical gap: customers with emotional brand loyalty score NPS at +63 versus -29 for unmet needs (92-point spread), suggesting brands should prioritize emotional engagement beyond satisfaction. Key friction points include poor resolution rates (only 35% complete), slow service, technology failures, and lack of transparency.

Grab execs buy over $30m in stock after share slump Tech in Asia · 4d ago

Grab executives purchased over $30 million in company stock following a recent share price decline, signaling internal confidence in the company's outlook. This insider buying activity suggests leadership believes the stock is undervalued at current levels, which could be relevant for investors tracking the regional tech firm's market trajectory.

GLP-1 Faces New Challenge: Users Sue Ozempic, Wegovy Claiming Vision Loss Risk Prachachat · 4d ago

Dozens of US patients have sued manufacturers of GLP-1 drugs (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro) alleging inadequate warnings about rare vision loss (NAION). Currently no confirmed causal link exists—regulatory agencies in the US, EU, and Australia are actively reviewing the safety signal. Drugmakers deny liability and continue monitoring. For Thailand healthcare and pharma sectors, this signals emerging legal/regulatory risks and heightened scrutiny of GLP-1 safety profiles globally.

Beacon VC Mobilizes Startups in Portfolio, Shares Insights to Help Customers Scale Through 'SME Growth Formula' Event Techsauce · 4d ago

Beacon VC hosted an exclusive 'SME Growth Formula' seminar bringing together top portfolio startups (FlowAccount, HumanSoft, PRIMO, LINE MAN Wongnai) to share AI-driven business solutions and growth strategies with SME customers. Key case study: JOURNAL—a Thai premium personal care brand—recovered from 99% tourism-dependent revenue loss during COVID-19 by adopting data-driven personalization via PRIMO's AI-CRM ('ใบเตย'), enabling targeted audience segmentation and achieving 575M THB revenue in 2025 (nearly double YoY). The event positioning knowledge access, solution understanding, and funding pathways for SME ecosystem growth.

TrueOnline Home Next Wins "BUSINESS+ PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2026" Prachachat · 4d ago

TrueOnline Home Next, True Corporation's broadband and smart home service, won the Business+ Product of the Year Award 2026 in the technology/broadband provider category. The award recognizes the service's fast, stable fiber connectivity combined with AI-powered Smart Home Solutions, including an upcoming AI assistant "Amy" designed to enhance home automation, safety, and convenience for Thai households.

Bangkok Governor Shifts Focus Beyond Roads: Promotes Bike-Sharing as Solution to Traffic and First-Mile/Last-Mile Gaps Prachachat · 4d ago

Bangkok Governor Chatchatchai announced a strategic pivot away from road-building alone toward multimodal transport solutions, emphasizing bike-sharing systems to bridge first-mile/last-mile gaps. The city operates 4,081 shared bikes across 672 stations handling 96,200 monthly trips, with targets to reach 1 million trips. Key actions include expanding bike parking infrastructure (adding 850 racks) and converting transit hubs into safe cycling zones. The initiative addresses Bangkok's disproportionate traffic burden: the capital occupies 0.3% of national area but hosts 50.4% of private vehicles, costing 60M baht/day in lost economic opportunity. This reflects a SME-relevant shift toward shared-economy mobility models.

Behind the Scenes of TCP Beverage Innovation: From Concept to Product Development at KMITL EXPO 2026 Techsauce · 4d ago

TCP Group showcased beverage innovation at KMITL EXPO 2026, highlighting three key products: Sponsor Pro Energy Gel+ (with Cluster Dextrin for sustained energy), Red Bull Soda (sugar-free with taurine and B vitamins), and Sponsor Isotonic (Thailand's first true isotonic drink). The exhibition emphasized the R&D process, sustainable 100% recyclable packaging across aluminum, glass, and PET formats, and consumer-focused design addressing modern lifestyles and fitness trends.

McDonald's enlists G-DRAGON for 13-country Asia campaign, leveraging K-Culture to drive consumer spending across generations Prachachat · 4d ago

McDonald's Thailand launches the regional "Asia Chicken" campaign across 13 Asian countries, partnering with K-pop icon G-DRAGON through the "ICON x ICON" strategy. The campaign introduces the K-Spicy Series menu (119–149 baht) featuring gochujang-based sauces, plus exclusive PEACEMINUSONE merchandise including photo cards and branded items (from 390 baht). The push runs September 21–November 24, 2026, targeting cross-generational appeal via K-Culture soft power to elevate brand experience and drive sales through all channels nationwide.