At A Glance

American Express will introduce a range of new benefits for its American Express’ Platinum Card in Thailand, designed to suit the lifestyles of Card Members who love to travel and appreciate sophisticated living. 
Marlin Brown, Country Manager of American Express Thailand, said: “American Express introduced the first Platinum Card in Thailand in 1999. In the past 18 years, we’ve tried to give our customers exceptional privileges catering to their discerning lifestyles. “We want to continuously exceed our Card Members’ expectations by providing richer travel rewards, access to exclusive experiences, and extraordinary customer service. That’s why I’m pleased to announce these changes.” The new privileges of American Express Platinum Card are to be introduced in January 2018.
Starting in January 2018, Card Members of the American Express Platinum Card can enjoy new benefits. Platinum Card Members will receive a complimentary companion business class ticket when they buy a round-trip Thai Airways Business Class ticket through the Platinum Travel Service, once a year between 1 January and 31 December 2018. This includes popular destinations from Bangkok to Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Phnom Penh, Vientiane, and Yangon.

Montessori Thailand to host Asean congress

Thailand is viewed as the centre of Montessori education among Asean nations, said Megan Tyne, project manager of the International Montessori Congress 2021 and of the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) in a press release yesterday.
The Montessori Association of Thailand (MAT) has been selected to host the International Montessori Congress 2021, becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to head the event.
The Montessori model of education has been in place in Thailand for 12 years, witnessing rapid growth “in both quality and quantity”, Tyne said. A key to the organisation’s growth was the support it received from the Thai government, she added.
“There are more than 600 teachers in more than 500 public schools in Thailand who have passed training requirements and are qualified Montessori teachers, as well as an additional 100 teachers in private schools,” she said.
Thailand will be the first country in Southeast Asia to host the international congress. The first event was held in 1999 and has been held in Asia only once — in Japan.
The AMI selected Thailand based on the strength and growth of the country’s current program, according to the release. The 2021 congress will highlight Thailand’s role as the hub of knowledge-sharing in Montessori education in Southeast Asia as well as the Asia-Pacific region, including China.
The Montessori method of education provides a child-centred approach based on what the organisation calls “scientific observations of children”. Developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, it has been in use for more than 110 years in countries across the world.
“The Montessori method is based on understanding how the child develops at each stage and provides the best possible environment to support that development,” Tyne said. Tyne said the AMI has high expectations for Thailand’s role in supporting the continued growth of the Montessori method throughout Asia, which is why the country was chosen to host the International Montessori Congress 2021.

Save and fly with Citi Royal Orchid Plus Pay

Citibank has partnered with Thai Airways International (THAI) in introducing Citi Royal Orchid Plus Pay with Points. 
Credit-card reward points are boosted in value for people who book full-service flights. Citi Royal Orchid Plus rewards points can be redeemed for instant discounts on THAI and Thai Smile airfare. Cardholders can save and enjoy greater convenience in making purchase via their smartphones.
The Citi Royal Orchid Plus Pay with Point programme can be used to purchase air tickets, Royal Orchid Holidays packages and merchandise at THAI offices and the airline’s website.

IBM celebrates 65th year with online exhibition

IBM is commemorating its 65 years of operations in Thailand with an online exhibition, “Today/Tomorrow: Towards Thailand 4.0”, at www.ibmthailand65.com.
It notes the company’s success in providing technology to support the government and education and business sectors during the past six decades and its readiness with cognitive and cloud platforms for organisations to use in the new era of technology and business.
IBM has also announced its latest partnership with government and the financial, petrochemical, telecommunications, and healthcare sectors to build innovation and support research and development, in alignment with the Thailand 4.0 blueprint.
“We are proud to have been standing by Thailand for a long time and contributing to the success of a number of major projects undertaken by the government and business and education sectors, which have changed the lives of many Thais for the better,” said IBM Thailand managing director Parnsiree Amatayakul.
“Receiving the Royal Garuda in recognition of the contribution we’ve made to society was the highest honour bestowed on us in the 65 years of our operations here.”
Over the past several years, IBM has undertaken a top-to-bottom transformation to bring cognitive, cloud and security to support business in an era where data has exponentially grown, business models have evolved, and consumer behaviour has dramatically changed. “The world is entering a new phase of economic change and industrial transformation, driven by a number of simultaneously emerging technologies,” Parnsiree said. “As we continue to improve our expertise and innovation that focus on adding value to businesses, we are ready to move with Thai organisations towards opportunities and success in the future.”

Enserv, Korean firm mull Bt40-bn collaboration

Chief executives Thanachat Pochana of Enserv Group and Joseph E Joo of Korea Electric Power Industrial Development recently signed a memorandum of understanding for a Bt40-billion investment in sustainable-energy business opportunities in Thailand, South Korea and other countries.
Enserv Power, a member of the Enserv Group, and KEPID will seek opportunities to collaborate on solar-power plants, energy storage and related projects. 
They are currently discussing a project that would generate more than 1,000 megawatts, accounting for a combined investment of more than Bt40 billion.