New 'digital economy' master plan in works

The ministry, which will be renamed the Digital for Economy and Society Ministry in August or September, is holding focus-group hearings on the draft of the digital-economy master plan. 

It is expected to submit the first draft to the Cabinet in October or November, said ICT Minister Pornchai Rujiprapa.

The new master plan focuses on development in several areas, including physical infrastructure to support the digital economy. The ministry will encourage the private sector to be the main driver of the digital economy, while the government will provide regulatory support.

 

JDA SHUTDOWN 

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand says it is prepared for a maintenance shutdown of the natural-gas Joint Development Area (JDA) from July 19-23, confident that the temporary closure will not cause any power disruptions in the Kingdom.

Suthon Boonprasong, Egat’s deputy governor for transmission systems, said that during the period the second generator in the Chana power plant in the southern province of Songkhla would be closed while the first one would switch from natural gas to diesel. 

The power plant in Krabi has stocked up 25.4 million litres of diesel, while the Chana plant has reserved 20 million litres.

Egat has also struck a deal with Malaysia to purchase power in case of emergency. 

It urged the private sector to reduce power consumption during the peak hours of 6pm to 10pm.

 

CHANGE AT HSBC THAI 

HSBC has appointed Kelvin Tan as chief executive officer for Thailand with effect yesterday. He succeeds Tan Siew Meng, who will be taking up the newly created role of regional head for global trade and receivables finance, Asia-Pacific, at HSBC.

Kelvin Tan joined HSBC in Singapore in 2009 and brings with him a wealth of strong banking experience, gained from roles in both global banking and markets and commercial banking, the company said. In his most recent role, as head of commercial banking in Singapore, he was responsible for growing the bank’s trade business and |managing its relationships |across all sectors of corporate clients. 

Kelvin Tan has more than two decades of experience in supporting corporates across multiple industries in Singapore and |elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region.

Jayant Rikhye, head of international business and of strategy and planning, Asia-Pacific, said: “I am delighted to announce Kelvin as our new CEO in Thailand. He brings a wealth of experience to the role and will be responsible for leading HSBC’s business in Thailand as we |continue to strengthen relationships with our clients in the |country.”