BANGKOK — The overall business establishment in Thailand during the first five months of 2024 (January-May) saw 39,032 new business registrations, which decreased by 1.58% compared to last year, according to the Department of Business Development, Ministry of Commerce.
Auramon Supthaveethum, Director-General of the Department of Business Development added that the total registered capital value of new businesses is 117,099.53 million baht, which decreased by 69.89%.
However, business repeals decreased by 14.99%, totaling 4,623, while the registered capital repeals increased by 65.89%, reaching 71,844.77 million baht.
Consumers remain concerned about the slow recovery of economic growth, political stability, and ongoing geopolitical conflicts, leading to a forecast for business registrations in the first half of 2024 between 44,000 – 47,000. Additionally, the entire year is expected to see between 90,000-98,000 registrations, an increase of 5-15% from the previous year.
Auramon Supthaveethum, Director-General of the Department of Business Development, Ministry of Commerce, announced the figures for newly registered businesses in Thailand during the first 5 months of 2024 on June 26, 2024.
The Department also disclosed the fiscal analysis for the fiscal year 2023, revealing that nationwide corporations generated total revenue exceeding 57.86 trillion baht, with a profit of over 2.34 trillion baht. Among sectors, manufacturing recorded the highest income of 23.72 trillion baht and a profit of 1.10 trillion baht.
Following that, the wholesale/retail industry had revenues of 23.32 trillion baht, with a profit of 0.46 trillion baht. In contrast, the service sector recorded revenues of 10.82 trillion baht, with a profit of 0.78 trillion baht.
The top ten subsidiary businesses with the highest revenue are:
The Executive Yuan announces June 28 that Taiwan and Thailand finalized an agreement promoting investment a day earlier. (Courtesy of EY)
TAIPEI – The Agreement for the Promotion and Protection of Investments between Taiwan and Thailand was officially signed on June 27, 2024, by Mr. Chang Chun-Fu, Taiwan’s representative to Thailand, and Mr. Narong Boonsatheanwong, Executive Director of the Thailand Trade and Economic Office in Taipei.
Thailand has now become the fifth trading partner to sign an investment agreement with Taiwan since 2016, following earlier agreements with the Philippines, India, Vietnam and Canada, marking a significant milestone in the development of economic and trade relations between the two sides.
Prior to these negotiations, Taiwan and Thailand had signed an earlier investment agreement in 1996 – nearly 28 years ago. As our businesses have evolved and investment between our two economies has diversified, however, the 1996 agreement no longer met the needs of overseas investors, and a new agreement was negotiated to provide more comprehensive protections and increase investor confidence.
Representing a meaningful upgrade to the earlier version, this Agreement primarily includes the following features:
1. Investment promotion and regulatory transparency: The Agreement will ensure that investment application procedures remain clear and transparent. If any new investment-related regulations or measures are enacted or amended, they will be announced immediately.
2. A designated window for investment-related matters: The Agreement will require the two sides to establish a designated window to answer investment-related questions, allowing investors to understand changes to the investment environment as soon as possible.
3. Joint resolution of investment disputes: The Agreement will require the establishment of a joint investment committee to facilitate consultations, negotiations and settlements of investment disputes, thereby avoiding lengthy dispute settlement procedures and improving the efficiency of dispute resolution.
4. Protection of indirect investment: In addition to protecting traditional forms of investment, the Agreement will also cover indirect investments by enterprises on both sides that have been made through third countries or economies.
5. Necessary measures for the public interest: Finally, the Agreement will allow the government to reserve regulatory policy space for the realization of public health, environmental protection, labor rights, consumer protection, financial stability, and other areas of public interest.
According to trade and investment statistics, since the implementation of the New Southbound Policy in 2016, bilateral trade volume between Taiwan and Thailand has increased 74.6% from US$9.3 billion to US$16.24 billion. At the same time, bilateral investment has also risen by 119.8% from US$3.18 billion to US$6.99 billion, reflecting Thailand’s status as one of Taiwan’s main trading and investment partners in the ASEAN region.
With the restructuring of the global supply chain, Southeast Asia has become a popular target of Taiwanese investment, with Thailand becoming a preferred destination for Taiwan’s electronics and electrical components industry, among others.
Signing this Agreement now not only provides comprehensive protections for Taiwanese businesses seeking to invest in Thailand, but also reflects Taiwan’s broader strategy to help enterprises diversify their investment risks and remove investment barriers.
By signing investment agreements with the Philippines, India, Vietnam, Canada, and now Thailand, Taiwan has demonstrated that it is committed to strengthening the resilience of its businesses’ overseas investments.
KHON KAEN — “The World Conservation Broom Group”, led by Boonsee Srikul, 67 years old, has produced environmentally-friendly brooms, which are currently selling very well. They welcome those interested in learning how to produce brooms from recycled plastic.
Their headquarters is located at 150 Moo 7, Huai Sai Village, Ban Dong Subdistrict, Ubonrat District, Khon Kaen Province.
Mr. Boonsee said that he used to work as an electricity official, but after retiring, he began assisting at the Ban Dong Subdistrict Administrative Organization. He initiated a recycling project to increase income from plastic waste, especially PET bottles. He successfully created several brooms through trial and error and gained a great understanding of the process.
Boonsee Srikul
It started with collecting a large quantity of 1.5-liter plastic bottles. Then, cut off the bottoms of the bottles, cleaned them, and cut them into strips. These strips are woven into a mold, boiled, and then shaped and decorated. After counting the strips, snake tail patterns are woven and attached to handles.
Currently, plastic broom-making has become more efficient, with increased demand. The first batch was sold at 60 baht per handle. Residents interested in eco-friendly brooms formed a group of 18 people to produce and sell brooms. They sell the handles for 100 baht each and continue collaborating locally and online.
Nowadays, they are struggling to meet customer demands because group members need to tend to their farms. Therefore, they are speeding up production to fulfill an additional order of 100 handles.
Most customers are schools, temples, and government offices. Additionally, local NGOs bring community members and students to learn broom-making, creating livelihoods and skills for themselves and their families.
The group “World Conservation Broom” provides educational tools such as plastic straw makers and frame templates for citizens interested in learning. Currently, they use steel wires to shape plastic straws into templates. Once the plastic straws are shaped, they are boiled for 5 minutes to soften and conform to the template, then trimmed to equal lengths using scissors.
They are bundled into groups of 20, totaling 400 straws. These are then woven into snake tail patterns to complete broom handles. Hand drills are used to create holes, screws, and wire are used to attach the plastic straws tightly to the broom handles. Each broom is sold for 100 baht.
The group has only four members making broom handles. They distribute the earnings, giving each member between 6,000-8,000 baht per month in increased income. During this period, they still need to increase production to fulfill an additional order of 100 broom handles from customers.
Police interrogate 2 illegal Korean guides with female interpreter assisting.
CHIANG MAI — The Immigration Department received a tip-off about foreign men working illegally as tour guides for South Korean tourists in Chiang Mai province. When they investigated, they found that the Koreans were wanted for Ponzi scheme cases in South Korea.
Investigation revealed on June 27 that Mr. Kim Jong-nam and Mr. Han Myeong-gyu were indeed working as tour guides for their compatriots in Thailand. The authorities arrested them in the area of Chang Phueak, Mueang district, Chiang Mai province.
During interrogation, the two suspects admitted to working illegally as tour guides for South Korean tourists in Chiang Mai, earning at least 10,000 – 15,000 baht per job, depending on the number of days and tourists they had to take care of.
They advertised their services as personal tour guides on social media and had been doing so for about two months.
A background check by South Korean police in Thailand and the Thai-Korean Liaison Office of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Royal Thai Police revealed that both men were wanted for their involvement in a luxury car Ponzi scheme in South Korea.
The scheme had more than 60 victims and the total loss amounted to over 109 million baht. They were taken into custody for further legal action.
Police officers arrest the illegal Chinese migrant in a condominium in Pattaya.
BANGKOK — Immigration police officials announced on Thursday the arrest of a Chinese woman wanted for a Ponzi scheme case in China with damages exceeding 150 million baht ($4 million).
Pol. Maj. Gen. Phantana Nuch-cha-nart, Deputy Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, stated that officers from Division 4 of the Immigration Bureau led a team to arrest Ms. Hu Yuqi, 24, a Chinese national, on charges of “being an alien entering and residing in the kingdom without permission.”
She was apprehended at a condominium in the Pattaya area, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.
The arrest followed an investigation which revealed that a Chinese woman had entered Thailand illegally and was living in a condominium in Pattaya. The officers carried out a check and found Ms. Hu in the room. They checked her passport and fingerprints in the Immigration Bureau’s information system (BIOMETRICS) and found that she had not entered Thailand legally.
The officials then coordinated with police officers from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Thailand, who confirmed that Ms. Hu had a criminal record for “public fraud” in the form of a Ponzi scheme.
She allegedly tricked victims into believing that funds would be raised to purchase shares in an application called “bxin”, prompting many victims to invest, with a total loss of over 150 million baht.
During interrogation, Ms. Hu admitted that she had entered Thailand illegally through natural channels in the Golden Triangle area of Chiang Rai province. She was then taken to the Pattaya City Police Station for legal proceedings before being handed over to the Chinese authorities for further action.
Soldiers intercept drug traffickers transporting narcotics across the Myanmar border into Thailand in Fang District, Chiang Mai Province, on June 24, 2024.
BANGKOK — The Narcotics Suppression Operations Center of the Royal Thai Police (NSOC-RTP) has instructed Provincial Police Regions 1-9, the Metropolitan Police Bureau and the Narcotics Suppression Bureau to cooperate with the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and related agencies in a nationwide operation to raid and search drug networks on Thursday.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Samran Nuanma, Deputy Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police and Deputy Director of NSOC-RTP in charge of counter-narcotics, supervised the operation. All units began the operation at dawn on June 27, 2024.
After the completion of the operation, a follow-up meeting was held and attended by the Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to receive the report from Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panpetch, the Deputy Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police.
4.7 million meth pills seized
In this raid and search operation, 2,523 locations were searched nationwide, including 846 drug trafficking networks.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin observes the ‘Tha Wang Pha Model’ for drug rehabilitation, focusing on returning addicts to their families, at Suttharam Temple, Tha Wang Pha District, Nan Province, on June 27, 2024.
The results of the nationwide operation can be summarized as follows: 131 suspects were arrested, 1,617 arrest warrants for drug cases were executed, and the following items were seized: 4,784,018 methamphetamine pills, 590.83 kg of ice (crystal meth), 1.22 kg of ketamine, 73.43 kg of heroin, 45,439 ecstasy pills, 196 firearms, and assets with a total value of 327.78 million baht were seized or frozen.
Chiang Mai Province ranked first amomg all the 76 provinces in the country when it comes to the amount of methamphetamine seized since last October to the present, with 108 million pills confiscated, said the province governor Nirat Pongsittaworn. For the whole of Thailand, the figure for the period is over 500 million pills.
The Royal Thai Police said it will continue to intensify the fight against drugs, especially by arresting and confiscating assets of small dealers in communities, which directly affects the public.
Chiang Mai Province ranked first amomg all the 76 provinces in the country when it comes to the amount of methamphetamine seized.
In addition, efforts will focus on intercepting drug shipments from the border areas to the inner regions. This is evidenced by the Royal Thai Police arrest statistics for the last 9 months, from October 2023 to date. They show the arrest of 81,455 petty drug traffickers, an increase of 23,949 cases or 41 percent compared to last year.
Frozen assets 8.6 billion baht
Interceptions and arrests of medium-sized drug networks (100,000 to 500,000 methamphetamine pills) amounted to 208 cases, an increase of 60 cases or 40 percent. Arrests of larger drug networks (over 1,000,000 methamphetamine pills) totaled 171 cases, an increase of 67 cases or 64 percent. The expansion of arrests of network leaders or supporters resulted in 1,337 cases, an increase of 550 cases or 70 percent.
Arrests of suspects with outstanding warrants totaled 3,050 warrants, an increase of 980 warrants or 47 percent. Methamphetamine pill seizures totaled 738.5 million pills, an increase of 392.8 million pills, or 113 percent. The total value of seized and frozen assets amounted to 8.648 billion baht ($234 million).
PM urges officials to work harder
After hearing the report, the Prime Minister emphasized that the drug problem was a critical issue that the government needed to address urgently. Even though all government officials are working hard and have made numerous drug arrests, this problem is not yet resolved and remains a major issue. Many citizens are in tears because their children and grandchildren are still addicted to drugs in large numbers.
“It is crucial for officials from the administration, military, and police to work in unity. Don’t work separately; share information regularly, discuss problems in meetings. We need to work harder and set more challenging goals. If there’s a shortage of equipment or manpower in any area, let us know. The government is ready to provide full support,” he said.
The PM also pointed out that the price of methamphetamine has not increased, and demand remains high.
“Therefore, I urge you to continue working diligently. Once targets are set, raise them higher to create more challenges. Work every day, emphasizing border areas which are major points of drug influx,” the Prime Minister said.
Customs Dept Seizes Over 45 Million Baht
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Finance Julapun Amornvivat, with officials from the Customs Department and Immigration Bureau, held a press conference to announce the interception of illegal narcotics trafficking through various channels totaling over 45 million baht.
On June 21, during a search of a female passenger of South African nationality arriving from Nairobi, Kenya, at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand, officers found 35 capsules of Category 2 narcotics, Cocaine, hidden in her body by ingestion, weighing approximately 415 grams with a value exceeding 1,245,000 baht. As a result, legal proceedings were initiated after her arrest.
On June 22, the investigation and suppression team intercepted a parcel containing suspicious items bound for South Korea. Despite being labeled as SNACK and MILK POWDER, the contents disguised Methamphetamine, a Category 1 Narcotic, in the form of pink and green pills marked with “WY.” The hidden drugs were found within two packets of powdered milk, totaling 13,850 pills valued at 415,500 Thai Baht.
A press conference that Deputy Minister of Finance Julapun Amornvivat, with officials from the Customs Department and Immigration Bureau announce the interception of illegal narcotics trafficking on June 27, 2024.
On June 26, officials arrested a Thai female passenger attempting to smuggle narcotics out of Thailand at Suvarnabhumi Airport. She was bound for Malé-Velana International Airport, Maldives, carrying 2 kilograms of Methamphetamine concealed in grey plastic bags taped with brown adhesive, further wrapped in black plastic bags.
The drugs, with an estimated value of 2 million Baht, were seized. All illegal substances were hidden in specially designed compartments within a grey hard-shell suitcase with wheels.
Additionally, the Customs Department also seized attempts to smuggle hidden cannabis flower buds for export out of the country as follows:
On June 7, 2024, suspicious inflatable pool products were found during an inspection of outgoing goods destined for Singapore. It was discovered that the inflatable pool products contained a hidden quantity of marijuana weighing 95.059 kilograms, with an estimated value of 3.5 million baht.
On June 13, 2024, suspicious boxing equipment was found during an inspection of outgoing goods destined for the United Kingdom. Upon inspection, 106.94 kilograms of packaged marijuana worth 4 million baht were found hidden with the boxing equipment.
On June 21, 2024, suspicious adult diapers were found during an inspection of outgoing goods destined for the Netherlands. Upon inspection, 90 kilograms of packaged marijuana worth over 3.3 million baht were found hidden along with the adult diapers.
In the fiscal year 2024 (October 1, 2023 – June 26, 2024), the Customs Department reported statistics on 101 drug seizure cases valued at over 615.74 million baht.
Bangkok, Thailand– ONYX Hospitality Group proudly announces its latest triumph, securing the prestigious “Outstanding Hotel Chain Partner 2024.” This global recognition comes from Trip.com Group, an eminent one-stop travel service provider operating in 39 countries and regions, with a presence in 24 languages and transactions in 35 local currencies.
The esteemed award highlights ONYX Hospitality Group’s unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in the Southeast Asian hospitality landscape. Renowned for its tailored approach to guest experiences, ONYX Hospitality Group stands as a distinguished leader in the industry. This dedication permeates every aspect of its operations, ensuring guests enjoy unmatched service and experiences that exceed expectations, distinctly setting us apart from competitors.
Yuthachai Charanachitta, CEO of ONYX Hospitality Group, stated, “Receiving the ‘Outstanding Hotel Chain Partner 2024‘ award from Trip.com Group is a testament to our relentless commitment to excellence and innovation in hospitality. This recognition underscores our strategic focus on providing exceptional experiences for all traveller segments, from luxury seekers and families to medical tourists. Our partnership with Trip.com Group is instrumental in enhancing our global reach, particularly within the Chinese market. We are dedicated to continually raising the bar in hospitality, ensuring every guest enjoys unparalleled service and memorable experiences.”
“While China remains our second-largest market in 2024, we see tremendous potential for growth. Leveraging the expertise and reach of Trip.com, we are poised to further elevate our presence and offerings to Chinese travellers, solidifying our position as their preferred choice for exceptional hospitality experiences.”
This latest accomplishment underscores ONYX Hospitality Group’s dedication to nurturing a strong partnership with Trip.com Group, showcasing outstanding performance in engagement, rate parity, and overall appeal. Through strategic promotions, sponsored ads, and enticing discounts, ONYX Hospitality Group continues to set the benchmark for collaborative success in the dynamic online travel sector.
With an expansive portfolio encompassing esteemed brands such as Amari, OZO, Shama, and Oriental Residence, ONYX Hospitality Group is uniquely positioned to cater to a diverse array of traveller segments. From discerning luxury seekers to budget-conscious explorers, and from families and couples to groups of friends embarking on multi-generational adventures, our collection of hotel brands offers tailored experiences for every type of traveller.
This versatility ensures that the hotel brands under ONYX Hospitality Group are perfectly attuned to the burgeoning trend of independent tourism, particularly resonating with Chinese travellers and other key demographics worldwide. Moreover, our properties are adept at accommodating large group tours, providing unparalleled hospitality to guests of all backgrounds.
AIS Business, as the leader in digital technology services for Thai businesses, unveils its business plan for 2024-2025 under the concept of “AIS Business Digital Evolution: Sustainable Business for a Sustainable Nation.
With this plan, AIS Business aims to leverage its intelligent infrastructures and networks to accelerate capability of businesses and industrial sectors, enhancing the country’s competitive edge.
Additionally, AIS Business is creating a new landmark in the heart of Thailand Digital Valley in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) by launching the “AIS EEC” Business Innovation Center. This center will serve as a hub for technological solutions for businesses, transferring knowledge, testing, and experiencing cutting-edge real use cases, thereby concretely boosting the digital economy.
Phupa Akavipat, acting Chief Enterprise Business Officer – AIS, stated, “2024 remains a challenging year due to the impacts of geopolitical situation directly affecting the global and Thai economies. Digitalization has thus become the norm for creating distinct business models across all sectors. Therefore, to advance robustly and sustainably, it is crucial to transform organizations with digital technologies. This transformation will equip organizations with new capabilities to effectively tackle challenges and gain a competitive edge.”
As a provider of digital and ICT solutions for business organizations, AIS Business, under the concept “AIS Business Digital Evolution: Sustainable Business for a Sustainable Nation,” is ready to support the country’s industrial and digital economic policies towards sustainable growth. By working with leading global partners, key innovation agencies, and educational institutions, both public and private, we aim to address challenges through five digital strengths:
5G Ecosystem: The intelligent 5G power from the most extensive and varied frequency capabilities, including Network Slicing and Private Networks, to enable efficient industrial applications in production processes.
Recently, Midea Smart Factory, a leading manufacturer of air conditioners and electrical appliances, chose AIS Dedicated 5G Private Network as their primary network. Additionally, with the Paragon Platform’s capabilities, which combines 5G solutions like 5G Network Orchestrator, MEC, Edge, Cloud, and Application Ecosystem, over 17 partners have started onboarding it, including Mitsubishi Electric, Schneider Electric, and AI and Robotics Ventures.
Intelligent Network and Infrastructure: the power of Smart Infrastructure to elevate organizational management with fast and secure data processing in the modern era. We are ready to meet the needs of every organization, offering comprehensive services from On-Premises Cloud to Hyper-scale levels.
Our excellence is proven by being awarded Microsoft Partner of the Year – Thailand for three consecutive years (2022-2024), and we are the number one Broadcom’s VMware Cloud Service Provider in Thailand. Additionally, we have a unique partnership with Oracle to provide cloud services that support rapidly growing organizations.
Moreover, organizations can now express their interest in using the GSA Data Center, a collaboration between Gulf, Singtel, and AIS, boasting a capacity of over 20 megawatts. This center aims to bring cutting-edge technology powered by clean energy and is expected to be fully operational by 2025.
AI and Data Analytics: The power of artificial intelligence for deep data analysis,ready to launch Analytic X, a data insight service that helps businesses utilize data to create business opportunities strategically and effectively.
Digital Platform and APIs: The power of connectivity through digital platforms like AIS Open APIs, meeting GSMA and CAMARA global standards, allowing developers to design efficient and secure services. AIS CPaaS – Communication Platform as a Service, a cloud communication platform, enhances organizational communication in real-time through voice, video, and SMS.
Thailand Post has trusted this service for communication between postal workers and recipients via the Smart Call system, ensuring efficient communication and user confidence.
Industry Transformation: The power to elevate the industrial sector by promoting the adoption of digital technology to transform organizations, focusing on all levels, especially in manufacturing, transportation and logistics, property and retail, SMEs, public organizations, and government sectors. This includes close cooperation with relevant agencies, particularly industries in the EEC area.
Recently, the AIS Evolution Experience Center, or “AIS EEC” Business Innovation Center, was launched. Located in the heart of Thailand Digital Valley within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), this is the first center of its kind.
It aims to be a hub for learning about 5G digital infrastructure technology and related digital platforms, offering hands-on experiences and testing of technology applications for business and industrial transformation. The center is now open for visits.
Furthermore, AIS is advancing digital technology skills for personnel and the labor market to be prepared for all forms of change. This is achieved through collaboration with the EEC Human Development Center (EEC HDC) and its eight Centers of Excellence in industry:
Automation Center of Excellence
Tourism Center of Excellence
Electric Vehicle Center of Excellence
Maritime Commerce Center of Excellence
Mechatronics Center of Excellence
Aviation Center of Excellence
Automated and Robotic Manufacturing Center of Excellence and
Digital AI & 5G Technology Center of Excellence
These centers operate under six educational institution networks: Burapha University, Kasetsart University Sriracha Campus, Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok Bangphra Campus, Sattahip Technical College, the Institute for Automated and Robotic Manufacturing Technology Development, and the Thai-German Institute.
“With continuous investment in digital infrastructure development, we are confident in leveraging digital technology to effectively support and transform the industrial sector through appropriate tools and solutions. Our goal is not just to drive growth, but to ensure sustainable growth, which will be a significant driver for the country’s digital economy. This will enable the economy to develop new capabilities, achieve robust and sustainable growth amid current and future challenges,” concluded Mr. Phupa
BANGKOK – Siam Paragon announces another successful step forward in transforming a global landmark project in the heart of the metropolis.
Reinforcing its image as the ultimate global destination, Siam Paragon is elevating “Paragon Hall” with an all-new overhauled look under the concept of “Extraordinary Eventainment,” positioning it as the center of world-class event and entertainment venues in the heart of Bangkok.
Additionally, Siam Paragon is joining forces with business partners in the MICE and entertainment industry to pack the second half of 2024 with exclusive events and premier world-class performances.
With the recent transformation, revenue is expected to grow by more than 30% from last year. With 100% of space already reserved, Paragon Hall is poised to help position Thailand as a World-Class Event Hub.
It supports a full range of event types, attracting major international events to the country and establishing Thailand as a center of entertainment, thereby driving the economy and tourism industry.
Kritsana Janyasakulwong, Managing Director of Siam Alliance Management Company Limited, a leader in world-class conference and performance center management, stated, “The success of Paragon Hall has over the past 18 years established it as a premier hub for world-class entertainment and events. It is the only venue in Thailand that is both exceptional and trusted by local and international public and private entities, event organizers, artists, and diverse brands.
Paragon Hall has built a strong reputation for Thailand by hosting over 2,000 events, generating more than 20,000 million baht in revenue and stimulating the national economy. It consistently delivers ultimate experiences that exceed expectations, creating value for visitors and winning the hearts of organizers with world-class facilities and services. This excellence is recognized and guaranteed by numerous prestigious awards from leading organizations.”
MNGPHG
The novel grand-scale concept “Extraordinary Eventainment” offers a remarkable world-class event and entertainment experience.
Transforming Paragon Hall under the concept of “Extraordinary Eventainment” aims to provide visitors with the ultimate world-class event and entertainment experience that exceeds their expectations. Upgraded to accommodate world-class event formats in the heart of the city, it offers a complete, one-of-a-kind MICE experience and entertainment in one convenient location and boasts unique strengths:
The venue meets world-class standards. Its quality is guaranteed by international awards, and it is the only carbon-neutral venue in Thailand, setting a new benchmark for international event standards. With a strong focus on sustainability, it helps elevate the image of organizing high-quality events across all sectors.
Supporting all functions for organizing various events, Paragon Hall features an excellent and comprehensive system, including adjustable soundproof partitions tailored to event needs. The venue also boasts tunable white ceiling lights, a smart lighting system that allows for adjustable color temperature and brightness, ranging from dim white to bright. Additionally, the walls of the hall are adorned with strings of lights that can be adjusted to suit the mood and tone of the event, facilitating the creation of various event atmospheres.
The location in Siam Paragon, a world-class landmark in the heart of Bangkok, holds strong potential. It is one of the most visited destinations by people from all over the world.
The event venue’s location in the heart of the city strengthens its status as a destination that offers one-of-a-kind all-inclusive luxury experience. The shopping and dining options as well as the attractions perfectly complement the event and entertainment ecosystem in every dimension.
The team at Paragon Hall possesses extensive knowledge and experience, along with certifications from global MICE business associations and federations. They are ready to deliver ‘premiumized service’ comparable to that of 5-star hotels. Paragon Hall is the trusted partner that supports every customer’s functions and events to ensure the utmost success.
“This refurbishment of Paragon Hall will create an even more exciting phenomenon. It supports the creation of major events in a new, larger scale and format. We will co-create with business partners to organize global events, and we are committed to bringing all their imaginations to life. Therefore, you can be sure that every time you enter the venue, it will be filled with never-before-seen ‘experiences beyond expectations’. Our goal here at Paragon Hall is to create an ‘Extraordinary Eventainment’ experience, whichwill serve as to attract even more novel experiences and foster sustainable growth for all sectors,” said Kritsana.
Transforming the space towards future excellence and catering to the needs of organizing various types of events, from major world-class events to entertainment and celebratory functions, it is highlighted events that packed throughout the second half of 2024.
he transformation and rebranding of ‘Royal Paragon Hall’ to ‘Paragon Hall’ reflects the visionary leader’s commitment to moving towards the future in every dimension. With an exquisite design elevated to international standards, the goal of this overhaul is to cater to the needs of the target demographic, including organizers and visitors from both domestic and international markets, and attract world-class events to Thailand.
The newly refurbished Paragon Hall has an area of over 10,000 square meters,which is covered by a hall larger than 5,100 square meters, and has an excellent and complete system that can facilitate the organization of various event types, ranging from small gatherings with 50 attendees to large gatherings with up to 10,000 attendees.
The venue can accommodate a variety of events, including international trade shows, international conferences and seminars, talk shows, national and international entertainment festivals of all kinds, world-class EDM music festivals, fashion events and fashion shows from renowned local and global brands, E-sport tournaments, and more. Moreover, Paragon Hall’s space can be configured to accommodate various events, including weddings and parties of all types.
“Paragon Hall has undergone a complete redesign for a more modern and exquisite aesthetic. We aim to offer everyone a luxury experience that cannot be found elsewhere. Paragon Hall is once again ready to create a phenomenal experience for organizers and visitors alike. Our target is to achieve a 30% increase in the number of events in 2024. is the venue has already been fully reserved for this year,” said Kritsana.
Setting the stage for greatness and epitomizing ‘Extraordinary Eventainment,’Paragon Hall is changing the paradigm for event organization with a series of spectacular entertainment phenomena, beginning with the highly anticipated BABYMONSTER FAN GREETING, followed by a fan meeting featuring Korean artist TEN NCT, a concert by Korean artist SUHO EXO (the first full solo concert in Thailand), Wonder Festival (a combining traditional art and modern pop culture), Youth World Championship boxing events, weddings of LGBTQ+ couples as a celebration of equality, E-sport game competitions, and a world-class White Party countdown to end the year on a grand scale
Paragon Hall has been certified to the ASEAN MICE Venue Standard and Thailand MICE Venue Standard by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization). This certification reflects the venue’s high standards and readiness across all components, including its physical aspects, technology, services, and sustainability.
Paragon Hall has won awards for outstanding event venues and is internationally recognized with the Asian Outstanding Venue Award by the Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Associations (AFECA).
Additionally, it is the first carbon-neutral venue in Thailand, certified for effectively reducing greenhouse gas emissions by the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (Public Organization). This commitment to sustainability has elevated its image as an event venue that operates in adherence to the principles of sustainable event development.
Supporters of President Luis Arce chase soldiers as they flee from Plaza Murillo, after a failed coup attempt in La Paz, Bolivia, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Armored vehicles rammed the doors of Bolivia’s government palace Wednesday in an apparent coup attempt, but President Luis Arce vowed to stand firm and named a new army commander who ordered troops to stand down.
Soon the soldiers pulled back, along with a line of military vehicles, as hundreds of Arce’s supporters rushed the square outside the palace, waving Bolivian flags, singing the national anthem and cheering.Bolivia
Arce, surrounded by ministers, waved at the crowd. “Thank you to the Bolivian people,” he said. “ Let democracy live on.”
Bolivian President Luis Arce raises a clenched fist surrounded by supporters and media, outside the government palace in La Paz, Bolivia, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Hours later, the Bolivian general who appeared to be behind the rebellion, Juan José Zúñiga, was arrested after the attorney general opened an investigation. It wasn’t immediately clear what the charges were against him.
However, in a twist, Zúñiga claimed before his arrest that Arce himself told the general to storm the palace in a political move. “The president told me: ‘The situation is very screwed up, very critical. It is necessary to prepare something to raise my popularity’,” Zúñiga told reporters.
Zúñiga sajd he asked Arce if he should “take out the armored vehicles?” and Arce replied, “Take them out.”
Wednesday’s rebellion followed months of tensions, with economic hardship and protests growing ever stronger as two political titans — Arce and his one-time ally, leftist former President Evo Morales — battled for control of the ruling party.
Soldiers gather outside the Legislative Assembly in Plaza Murillo in La Paz, Bolivia, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Still, the apparent attempt to depose the sitting president appeared to lack any meaningful support, and even Arce’s rivals closed ranks to defend democracy and repudiate the uprising.
The spectacle shocked Bolivians, no stranger to political unrest; in 2019 Morales was ousted as president following an earlier political crisis.
As the crisis unfolded Wednesday, military vehicles flooded into the plaza. Before entering the government building, Zúñiga, general commander of the army, told journalists: “Surely soon there will be a new Cabinet of ministers; our country, our state cannot go on like this.” Zúñiga said that “for now,” though, he recognized Arce as commander in chief.
Zúñiga did not explicitly say he was leading a coup, but in the palace, he said the army was trying to “restore democracy and free our political prisoners.”
Military Police stand amid tear gas they fired outside the presidential palace in Plaza Murillo in La Paz, Bolivia, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Shortly after, Arce confronted Zúñiga in the palace hallway, as shown on video on Bolivian television. “I am your captain, and I order you to withdraw your soldiers, and I will not allow this insubordination,” Arce said.
Surrounded by ministers, he added: “Here we are, firm in Casa Grande, to confront any coup attempt. We need the Bolivian people to organize.”
He added in a video message that he would not ”“allow, once again, coup attempts to take the lives of Bolivians.”
Less than an hour later, Arce announced new heads of the army, navy and air force amid the roar of supporters, and thanked the country’s police and regional allies for standing by him. Arce said the troops who rose against him were “staining the uniform” of the military.
“I order all that are mobilized to return to their units,” said the newly named army chief José Wilson Sánchez. “No one wants the images we’re seeing in the streets.”
Shortly after, the armored vehicles roared out of the plaza, tailed by hundreds of military fighters as police in riot gear set up blockades outside the government palace.
The incident was met with a wave of outrage by other regional leaders, including the Organization of American States, Chilean President Gabriel Boric, the leader of Honduras, and former Bolivian leaders.
Military Police gather outside the main entrance as an armored vehicle rams into the door of the presidential palace in Plaza Murillo in La Paz, Bolivia, Wednesday, June 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)
Bolivia, a country of 12 million people, has seen intensifying protests in recent months over the economy’s precipitous decline from one of the continent’s fastest-growing two decades ago to one of its most crisis-stricken.
The country also has seen a high-profile rift at the highest levels of the governing party. Arce and his one-time ally, Morales, have been battling for the future of Bolivia’s splintering Movement for Socialism, known by its Spanish acronym MAS, ahead of elections in 2025.
Following Wednesday’s chaos, reports on local media showed Bolivians stocking up on food and other essentials in supermarkets, concerned about what will come next.
But before supporters outside the presidential palace the country’s Vice President David Choquehuanca vowed: “Never again will the Bolivian people permit coup attempts.”
