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Cabinet updated on single-ticket measure
The Transport Ministry has updated the Cabinet on the measure to synergise ticketing for public transport, which will be finalised and tested in February and ready to use by April if approved.
The single-ticket measure is meant to make it more convenient to use public transport and save state money.
Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith has said that under the measure, the same tickets or fare cards can be used on the MRT, the BTS Skytrain, waterways, buses, motorways and expressways.
Government Spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said: “If fully implemented, the measure will save passengers time and money, while the government reduces its costs for issuing tickets. The government agencies can also collect information that can be used to reduce traffic problems at the same time.”
SIM registration ends
The 11 million prepaid mobile-phone users who had not registered their SIM cards by yesterday’s deadline lost all services at midnight, said the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).
The NBTC claims that the strict regulation that all prepaid mobile-phone users must use their identity cards to register their SIM cards is due to national-security concerns.
There are 110 million mobile-phone subscriptions in Thailand, of which 85 million numbers are for prepaid services.
MK sales down
MK Restaurant Group posted a significant drop in same-store sales during July and August compared with the same two months last year, due mainly to sluggish consumption.
According to Bualuang Securities, same-store sales of MK Suki Restaurant plunged by 5 per cent year on year in July and 17 per cent in August.
Meanwhile, same-store sales at Yayoi, another brand of MK Restaurant Group, dropped 1 per cent and 10 per cent in the two months.
Full-year same-store sales of MK Suki Restaurant are expected to experience a decline of 0.6 per cent, against previously expected growth of 2 per cent, while sales at Yayoi branches are now expected to grow by 0.5 per cent – below the 2-per-cent forecast earlier.
Bualuang Securities has revised down its forecast of MK Restaurant Group’s net earnings this year by 12 per cent to Bt2 billion, and the 2016 forecast by 17 per cent to Bt2.2 billion.
Global MICE campaign
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has introduced “Thailand CONNECT ... Our Heart Your World” as its brand-communication campaign for 2016, showcasing three key pillars of Thailand’s MICE industry: destinations, business opportunities and people.
The MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) campaign also offers three promotional packages: the Thailand CONNECT Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association Welcome Package; the CONNECT Beyong the Capital Package; and the CONNECT Business Package.
