Briefs

ThaiTV3 will launch new applications for smart TV sets to expand its audience base in the final quarter this year, said Samran Chatto, deputy director of the channel.
He said that since last year the company had been developing several digital media platforms to cash in on increased demand from younger customers who wanted to get access to news and update information via smart devices.
The digital services include e-book and mobile applications to provide key information that had been aired on current popular TV programmes on ThaiTV3, which is operated by Bangkok Entertainment Co.
Samran added that the company saw more than 2 million downloads of its mobile applications, with active users of about 15-20 per cent. Meanwhile, ThaiTV3.com and krobkruakao.com witness 5 million to 6 million monthly page views. – The Nation

New Look at Mega Bangna

The UK-based women’s fashion brand New Look yesterday opened its first flagship store in Asia at Mega Bangna shopping complex, occupying 459 square metres of retail space.
Costing Bt18 million, the store targets female shoppers aged 18 and up looking for trendy fashions. The retail prices of New Look fashion apparel will be from Bt890-Bt1,090.
The brand has been imported to the Thai market by Map Active (Thailand), its local distributor. The brand will be also marketed through social networks such as Facebook. – The Nation

Peru woos oil palm giant

Peru has offered Malaysian plantation giant Sime Darby 70,000 hectares for oil-palm cultivation in a project that could be worth up to US$300 million (Bt9.36 billion), said Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman.
He said Sime Darby was now studying the offer, as it was a major investment.
Anifah said this was the crux of the discussion between him and his Peruvian counterpart Rafael Roncagliolo Orbegoso on the sidelines of the 24th Apec (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Ministerial Meeting in Vladivostok, Russia, on Thursday.
“Peru asked for our assistance on this matter because they wanted to use oil-palm plantations to combat illicit drug farms,” Anifah said.
He revealed that a similar offer was made by Colombia to Malaysia to provide expertise in oil-palm cultivation as a commercial venture to replace such illicit farms. – The Star/ANN

Big-screen Galaxy Note launched

After sales of 10 million units worldwide of the Samsung Galaxy Note worldwide, the Korean company is aiming to follow up this success with the official launch of the latest extension of this category, the Galaxy Note 10.1, in Thailand.
With a large 10.1-inch display, the new device is outfitted with the most cutting-edge functionality, the company says. To promote the new product, Samsung is gearing up to carry out all-suite marketing strategies to strengthen this business segment as well as to retain a leading position.
Wichai Pornpratang, vice president of telecommunications business, Thai Samsung Electronics Co, said: “The Samsung Galaxy Note launched at the end of last year was a new form of device that comes with a large 5.3-inch touch screen and a smart ‘S Pen’ that offers precision of a pen and paper. This new product has enjoyed renowned success and great responses from consumers around the world, guaranteed by gross sales of more than 10 million units just nine months after its launch.” – The Nation