At A Glance

Major Cineplex Group has launched a new expansion model for its cinemas to penetrate the market at district level in partnership with Tesco Lotus and Big C Supercentre.
Chairman Vicha Poolvaraluck said the group would open its theatres at five new locations in September alone, with eight cinema screens and occupying 1,322 seats totally. They are: one EGV Lotus at Sukhothai Market with 96 seats that opened on September 1; Major Cineplex Lotus Yasothorn, with two theatres and a total of 346 seats, which opened yesterday; EGV Big C Nam Yuen district in Ubon Ratchathani province, consisting of one theatre with 194 seats that opens on September 22; EGV Big C Ban Dung district in Udon Thani province, comprising one theatre screen with 196 seats that opens on September 24; and EGV Lotus Tha Thong district in Phitsanulok province, comprising three theatres with 490 seats, that opens on September 29.
At the end of September, Major Cineplex will operate 702 theatre screens at 122 locations, occupying 163,163 seats totally. About 43 locations are in Bangkok, 76 upcountry, and three theatre locations in Cambodia and Laos.

Allianz Ayudhya campaign aims to educate customers

Allianz Ayudhya Assurance is launching a new advertising campaign “Dare to Tell Conditions”, which aims to educate customers about the product conditions so that they can have a better understanding about the coverage and make the right decision. 
The Bt100-million campaign features three highlight products of Allianz Ayudhya – “Cancer No Worries”, “My Health Plus Extra” and “My CI Care”, highlighting the conditions so that people can decide whether the product matches their needs or not.
Patchara Taveechaiwattana, chief market management officer, Allianz Ayudhya Assurance Public Co Ltd, said “Allianz Ayudhya, as a market leader in life and health protection, has another key role in educating Thai consumers about insurance. In Thailand, many people don’t realise the important of insurance and some feel that insurance always comes with a hidden agenda that might hinder something from customers before getting a benefit. This negative view is partly due to the complexity and a long list of conditions, especially, when those conditions are not well addressed.
“During these past years, we have continued to simplify the insurance content and present it in a more friendly way to consumers. And this is the concept behind this advertising campaign where Allianz Ayudhya would like to ensure customers understand what’s the right product for them” said Patchara.
“The storyline of each video is based on our top protection products where conditions and benefits will be highlighted. We also worked with Thailand’s top talents – Aom Sunisa Sukboonsang, Oui Buddha Bless and Golf Fukkling Hero who commonly share the character traits of “trust and sincere” as our presenters. The ad was directed by Tom Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, one of the famous movie directors.”

Orders flow in on day one of Bangkok Gems & Jewellery Fair 

An impressive Bt50.54 million worth of trade was reported on the first day of the 60th Bangkok Gems & Jewellery Fair, organised by the Department of International Trade Promotion.
More than 900 leading producers, suppliers and designers of gems and jewellery from around the world have gathered to showcase their latest designs and products to more than 20,000 buyers and importers.
Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said that “Thailand’s gems and jewellery industry is considered one of the most important sectors for the country’s economy. Ranked as the country’s third largest export after the auto and electronics industries, with more than US$10 billion [Bt330 billion] in export value, the gems and jewellery industry is working as a main driver in propelling the Thai economy forward. In 2016, Thailand exported $14 billion worth of gems and jewellery, while the first seven months of 2017 saw a considerably large export value worth almost $7 billion so far.”
At the end of the first trade day of the fair, trade worth Bt50.54 million was negotiated – Bt19.87 million worth of immediate orders and Bt30.66 million worth of purchases within one year.
The Bangkok Gems & Jewellery Fair is the largest common ground for more than 900 producers, dealers, and exporters of gems and jewellery products from both Thailand and foreign countries like US, China, Japan, Hong Kong, India, Sri Lanka, Iran, Israel, as well as Asean nations. With 2,200 booths showcasing the latest collections of products, more than 20,000 buyers and visitors from 130 countries are expected to visit this trade show.