Briefs

Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn has met with the new Irish ambassador to Thailand, Brendan Rogers, to discuss ways to increase the value of bilateral trade from last year’s US$810 million (Bt26.5 billion), in which Thailand enjoyed a surplus.

Tanasak praised Ireland, which celebrated Saint Patrick’s Day on Wednesday, for its exemplary success in the adjustment of its economic structure, educational development and the establishment of a hospitable environment for investment, resulting in 4.8-per-cent growth in its gross domestic product last year.

Thailand and Ireland are this year celebrating the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

Insurer partners with Big C

Thai Insurance has partnered with Big C Supercenter to expand the distribution channels for first-class motor insurance, aiming for Big C sales to bring in premiums of Bt50 million in the first year of the partnership.

Yongyut Borvornvanitchyakul, managing director of Thai Insurance, said that company had also launched campaign to reward good customers who kept up with their premium payments for three years without making a claim. The company will return half of the premiums such customers have paid over the three-year period.

This year, Thai Insurance targets total premium income of Bt2.28 billion, of which Bt50 million will come from the Big C channel.

Hot Pepsi-Cola campaign

Pepsi-Cola (Thai) Trading Co has launched a campaign to encourage Pepsi drinkers to fend off the summer heat. Aiming to become the first choice of cola drinkers this summer, Pepsi has launched an easy-to-grab Bt12 size.

The brand is also sponsoring “Pepsi S2O”, the world’s first Songkran electronic dance music festival. Pepsi will host a water-splashing fiesta highlighted by the presence of “Thailand’s Most Gigantic Water Gun” at the statue of Thao Suranari (or Ya Mo) in Muang Nakhon Ratchasima.