The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) is an apex national organization representing over 10,000 handicrafts manufactures and exporters from India. The Council facilitates business and provides comprehensive information about the sector to international buyers and ensures optimal interface between the Indian handicrafts industry and the buyers.
The EPCH is also a leading B2B trade fair organizer and organizes events of national prominence i.e., IHGF Delhi Fair – Autumn and Spring editions, the world’s largest handicrafts show on Home, Lifestyle, Fashion, Textiles and Furniture.
This year, IHGF Delhi Fair, is slated to be bigger and spectacular in its Spring 2023 edition to be held in March from 15th to 19th, 2023. Resuming its earlier form and stature with each successive show, this fair will be a full capacity show. The response and superb revival can be attributed to exemplary growth in exhibitor participation as well as buyer attendance in the past three editions.
The upcoming 55th edition is structured with a larger display with over 3000 exhibitors, theme as well as collective displays, several curated lines and design affirmations with a cross section of exhibitors ranging from medium and small exporters, artisan
entrepreneurs and designers to India’s leading manufacturer exporters.
A choice of over 2000 products and more than 300 trend specific design developments across 14 display segments, defines this show held at the plush India Expo Centre & Mart, New Delhi-NCR.
In the show’s famed broad based segments of Home, Fashion, Lifestyle, Textiles and Furniture, the product range will feature housewares, home furnishing, furniture, gifts and decorative, lamps and lighting, Christmas & festive décor, fashion jewellery & accessories, spa & wellness, carpets and rugs, bathroom accessories, garden accessories, educational toys & games, handmade paper products & stationery and leather bags.
Collectively they offer a full spectrum of thoughtfully curated concepts and products at a single platform.
Added attractions like Theme Pavilions, Trend Areas, Craft Demonstrations, Ramp Presentations and Knowledge Seminars, besides Buyer Lounges and Refreshment Zones would make attending the show a truly wholesome experience. This five days trade
appointment is a sustained, proven and progressive resource for importers, wholesalers, retail chains and design professionals. Pre-registrations have already begun.
Major Product Groups at IHGF Delhi Fair
Gifts and Decoratives | Furniture & Accessories | Home Furnishing & Textiles |
Houseware | Fashion Jewellery & Accessories |Lamps and Lighting| Christmas and
Festive Décor | Carpets, Rugs & Floor Coverings | Bathroom & Bath Accessories, Spa &
Wellness |Garden and Outdoor | Educational Toys and Games |Handmade Paper
Products & Stationery |Candles, Incense & Potpourri |Leather Bags & Cases
The last physical i.e. in person edition of the fair was held in October 2022 and had the distinction of being the first Mega Event of prominence post COVID to open to a global audience in Asia with over 3000 exhibitors.
The fair was visited by a large number of overseas buyers and their representatives from over 100 countries and territories and reported business of over Rs. 3500 crores or US$ 423 million. The success of this fair gave a message of confidence to the world that “India has opened up for business for buyers from all across the world”.
“Major Development” has once again reaffirmed its strategic goals to become a ‘LifeScape Developer’ with its bold ‘LifeScape at a New Height’ 2023 business plan. The plan encompasses the ‘three-pronged business strategy scheme’ which includes soldifying its core real estate business, fortifying lifescape and petscape and diversifying revenue. It also premieres seven new residential and condominium projects with an all-time-high combined value of 14.7 billion baht. The new projects will account for the demands of various consumer segments, from luxurious condominiums to wellness-oriented residences to premium townhomes and more. A wide range of prime locations will also be available, from highly sought-after areas in the heart of Bangkok’s CBDs to easily accessible suburban neighbourhoods. New high-calibre executives have also been appointed to key positions to ensure a satisfied customer experience for all involved and to instil the ‘Warrior Mindset’ in the hearts of employees at all levels at the same time. The 2023 business plan will also detail the company’s aspiration and readiness for the era of digital transformation, as well as cement its status as the No. 1 real estate developer brand when it comes to pet-friendliness, ensuring pet-friendly, eco-friendly facilities in all of its residential projects. With such an impressive business plan in place, the company is confident of achieving solid and substantial growths in the years ahead, targeting 7 billion baht in sales and 5 billion baht in revenue in 2023 alone.
Ms. Petrada Poolvoraraks, CEO and Executive Director of Major Development Public Company Limited, Thailand’s leading developer of luxurious real estate and pet-friendly residences, stated that, “We remain committed to transforming ourselves from a real-estate developer to a ‘LifeScape Developer’, aspiring to improve quality of life for our customers in virtually all dimensions. Today, we announce the ‘LifeScape at a New Height’ 2023 business plan that aims to build on our strengths and potential to reach even new heights of business successes.”
Such a goal will be achieved through the ‘three-pronged business strategy scheme’ that includes the following:
Solidify Residential-Scape: Strengthening capabilities of the company’s core businesses.
Fortify LifeScape & PetScape: Emphasizing the strengths of all real-estate brands under the company.
Diversify Revenue: Minimizing risks and maximizing opportunities through well-planned business and revenue diversification.
Solidify Residential-Scape
The company’s core real estate businesses will be strengthened through the unveiling of seven new projects valued at 14.7 billion baht in total, creating an all-time-high combined value of all projects launched in one year in the company’s 24-year history. Of these seven new projects, there will be two super-luxury high-rise condominiums valued at 8.8 billion baht, as well as five landed residential projects valued at 5.9 billion baht. At the same time, the following five new real estate brands covering various consumer segments will be launched.
Marquis: Super-luxury condominiums with a focus on superb wellness and wellbeing.
Mayfield: High-end premium townhomes that promote living in the embrace of nature.
Mayfield Lane: Luxury landed residences in prime central locations.
Milford: High-end, premium-quality townhomes
Untitled brand soon to be announced: Super-luxury, limited-edition landed residences
Locations of the new projects offer a variety options, from prime CBD locations to extended CBD areas and to suburban neighbourhoods in Greater Bangkok. To name a few, the new projects will offer quality living in such highly sought-after areas of Bangkok as Phrom Pong Sukhumvit, Phayathai, Pattanakarn, Ladprao and Ramkamhaeng.
“During the downtime over the past few years, launches of new projects were refrained. But we never stopped developing. We took the opportunity to restructure our company in various dimensions to ensure that we will be ready for the imminent transformation into the digital age. Appointments have been made to put new high-calibre executives in key positions responsible for a thoroughly satisfying customer experience. Efforts have been made to instil in our employees the ‘Warrior Mindset’ mentality, preparing them for difficult circumstances. Investments have also been made to create a digital platform that will ensure our company transform efficiently and remain ready for whatever challenges the future will bring in the years ahead. With such a plan in place, we are confident that we will be able to reach even new heights of successes.”
Fortify LifeScape & PetScape
Under this scheme, the strengths of all real estate brands under the company will be emphasized. They include the company’s acclaimed status as the No. 1 developer of pet-friendly residences. Collaborations with prominent partners will also ensure high-quality crafted works in areas such as project designs and quality construction materials. The signature ‘Care-Share-Change’ initiative will aim to contribute to improving qualities of life for people in the society. Large-sized, super-efficient air purifying units will be installed in all of the company’s construction sites to ensure cleaner air quality for all. Specially designed pet bins have been installed in all projects. Efforts have also been made to provide help to pets in need under the care of various charities and foundations.
Diversify Revenue
Risks are minimized and opportunities are maximized through well-thought-out business and revenue diversification. Under the ‘LifeScape Developer’ vision, more horizontal projects and more new businesses will be created, with a primary aim to respond to the ever-changing lifestyle demands of HealthScape and TechScappe consumers.
Ms. Petrada explained further, “The overall Thai economy, as well as the Thai real estate industry, has seen noticeable signs of fast recovery especially from the tourism sector. This will undoubtedly add more purchasing power back to the people. I believe our ‘LifeScape at a New Height’ plan comes out just at the right time with launches of new projects with an all-time-high combined value. Besides, recurring income from our recovering hotel and office building businesses, as well as revenues from new businesses we are venturing into will contribute to ensuring solid and substantial business growths for Major Development. In 2023 alone, we are targeting 7 billion baht in sales and 5 billion baht in revenue.”
“We are determined to build a good future for everyone, alongside ensuring robust and sustainable business growths. In the long term, our business portfolios will be even more diversified between vertical and horizontal projects, gearing ourselves up for any challenges of the future. More exciting new projects will soon be announced, and many new non-real estate businesses will be explored. We hope to increase this proportion of our total business portfolios to 20% in the next five years.”, added Ms. Petrada.
Major Development Public Company Limited is one Thailand’s premier real estate developers. The company operates three business groups; namely, 1. Residential Projects for Sales, 2. Commercial Real Estate Projects such as hotels and office buildings, and 3. Real Estate-related Services. The company has a vision in generating steady business growth through luxurious real estate projects that comprehensively respond to ever-changing demands of consumers.
ISTANBUL (AP) — Survivors of the earthquake that jolted Turkey and Syria 15 days ago, killing tens of thousands of people and leaving hundreds of thousands of others homeless, dealt with more trauma and loss Tuesday after another deadly quake and aftershocks rocked the region.
The 6.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Monday evening had its epicenter in the Defne district of Turkey’s Hatay province, which was of the area’s worst affected by the Feb. 6 magnitude 7.8 quake that killed nearly 46,000 people in the two countries.
Turkey’s disaster management authority, AFAD, said the new quake killed six people and injured 294 others, including 18 who were in critical condition. In Syria, a woman and a girl died as a result of panic during the earthquake in the provinces of Hama and Tartus, pro-government media said.
Monday’s quake was felt in Jordan, Cyprus, Israel, Lebanon and Egypt. A magnitude 5.8 quake followed, along with dozens of aftershocks. The White Helmets, northwest Syria’s civil defense organization, said about 190 people suffered injuries in rebel-held areas and that several flimsy buildings collapsed but there were no reports of anyone trapped under the debris.
A soldier carries a man after being injured in the latest earthquake in Hatay, Turkey, Monday, Feb. 20, 2023. (Efekan Akyuz/Depo Photos via AP)
In Turkey, teacher Zuher Capar, 42, said he was mourning the loss of relatives in the original earthquake and having a meal with his aunt and uncle near the Hatay town of Samandag when they felt Monday’s temblor.
“It shook a little, then it grew strong,” he said. “The electricity went and there were screams everywhere. There were small children in the house. They were screaming, my aunt was crying.”
On Feb. 6, Capar rushed to try to help his cousin, the cousin’s wife and the couple’s small children out of the rubble of their collapsed home, but they did not survive.
“We had barely overcome the sadness (from the first earthquake),” he said.
Rescue team members search for people in a destroyed building during the aftermath of an earthquake in Hatay, Turkey, Monday, Feb. 20, 2023. (Ugur Yildirim/DIA via AP)
While his large family’s home withstood the quake earlier in the month, it was damaged on Monday. Capar said they are too frightened to sleep there and plan to stay in a large tent and cars.
“We are trying to stay strong but it is a terrifying process. The cities we knew, the memories we had, have been destroyed,” he said. “When we go in the streets, there is only rubble and heavy machinery. It’s like a horror movie scene.”
Turkish officials warned residents not to go into the remains of their homes, but people have done so to retrieve what they can. Three of the people killed Monday were inside a damaged four-story building when the new quake hit.
Aftershocks and the instability of the structure complicated the rescue effort, and it took several hours for search crews to find the bodies, Turkish news agency DHA said.
Dr. Tahsin Cinar, an anesthesiologist using vacation time to help provide medical care in Hatay as a representative of the Turkish Medical Association, said earthquake survivors need serious help with their mental health.
“They feel so alone, so deserted and very anxious. Even a small tremor leads to a big anxious reaction,” he said.
Syrians wait to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Cilvegozu border gate, near the town of Antakya, southeastern Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Unal Cam)
Cinar and other volunteers initially provided emergency care for people with physical injuries. Now, they are seeing more signs of psychological trauma, depression and the stress that comes with a lack of safe housing, winter weather and a pause in education.
“There is nearly nothing to create social well-being,” he said.
The U.N.’s World Food Program said Monday’s quake frightened employees who were distributing food to hundreds of thousands of people in northwest Syria and Turkey. The employees are sleeping in their cars in freezing temperatures while still trying to do their jobs, the program said.
Kamal Abuhassan’s small house in Jinderis, Syria, was damaged in the the first earthquake, but after a few days, he and his family returned. They ran out when Monday’s quake hit; the dwelling is now partially collapsed into piles of rubble.
“Our house is ruined, but at least our kids are OK,“ Abuhassan said.
He has set up a tent just outside the house, too afraid to go back inside.
“We just don’t know when the next earthquake is going to happen. Where else are we supposed to go other than tents?” he said.
A man walks past destroyed buildings in Antakya, southeastern Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Unal Cam)
Some 13.5 million people live in Turkey’s 11 quake-hit provinces, where authorities said more than 139,000 buildings were either destroyed or so severely damaged that they need to be torn down.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said 865,000 people were living in tents as of Tuesday. Some 270 tent cities have been set up in the affected provinces, and winter weather added to the suffering of displaced citizens.
Umit Ozalp, who has lived in the city of Antakya for 40 years, was preparing to leave, joining others carrying just a few small bags at a bus station.
“We have nothing left. Our home, our homeland, our children. We lost our work. Our situation is painful,” Ozalp said.
Kenan Caglar, a bus company employee, said the company was transporting at least 2,000 passengers a day, most bound for Istanbul or the Mediterranean cities of Antalya and Mersin.
The majority of deaths in the massive Feb. 6 quake, which was followed by a magnitude 7.5 temblor nine hours later, were in Turkey, where at least 42,310 people died, according to the disaster management agency.
Turkey’s defense minister said about 20,000 Syrians living in Turkey had returned to Syria after the quakes.
“They are returning to their lands because they lost their homes and their relatives,” Hulusi Akar said from Hatay on Tuesday.
___
Fraser reported from Ankara, Turkey. Omar Alham in Jinderis, Syria contributed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin gives his annual state of the nation address in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. (Pavel Bednyakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Russia is suspending its participation in rather than withdrawing from the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with the United States, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Tuesday.
NATO demanded in early February that Russia “return to the implementation” of the New START and allow inspections of its nuclear facilities. That “sounds like some kind of nonsense amid today’s confrontation,” Putin said in his annual address to the Federal Assembly.
Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures as he gives his annual state of the nation address in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. (Dmitry Astakhov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
According to Xinhua coverage, Putin pointed out the combined strike potential of NATO as Britain and France also have nuclear arsenals that pose a threat to Russia. Meanwhile, Moscow has information that “certain figures in Washington” are considering nuclear weapon tests to develop new types of nuclear weapons.
The New START, the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty in force between the two nuclear superpowers, can be extended by a maximum of five years with the consent of the two countries. Russia and the United States officially extended the treaty by five years on Feb. 3, 2021.
“In this situation, the Russian Defense Ministry and Rosatom (Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation) must ensure readiness for testing Russian nuclear weapons. Of course, we will not be the first to do this. But if the United States conducts a test, then will we,” Putin said.
The Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile blasts off during a test launch from the Plesetsk launch pad in northwestern Russia, March 30, 2018. (Russian Defense Ministry)
While Associated Press reported that in his long-delayed state-of-the-nation address, Putin also cast his country — and Ukraine — as victims of Western double-dealing and said it was Russia, not Ukraine, fighting for its very existence.
“We aren’t fighting the Ukrainian people,” Putin said ahead of the war’s first anniversary Friday. “The Ukrainian people have become hostages of the Kyiv regime and its Western masters, which have effectively occupied the country.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures as he gives his annual state of the nation address in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
The speech reiterated a litany of grievances he has frequently offered as justification for the widely condemned military campaign while vowing no military letup in a conflict that has reawakened Cold War fears.
On top of that, Putin sharply upped the ante by declaring Moscow would suspend its participation in the New START Treaty. The pact, signed in 2010 by the U.S. and Russia, caps the number of long-range nuclear warheads the two sides can deploy and limits the use of missiles that can carry atomic weapons.
Putin also said Russia should stand ready to resume nuclear weapons tests if the U.S. does so, a move that would end a global ban on such tests in place since the Cold War era.
Participants applaud Russian President Vladimir Putin after his annual state of the nation address in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. (Maxim Blinov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken described Moscow’s decision as “really unfortunate and very irresponsible.”
“We’ll be watching carefully to see what Russia actually does,” he said while visiting Greece.
It was the second time in recent days the Ukraine war showed it could spread into perilous new terrain, after Blinken told China over the weekend that it would be a “serious problem” if Beijing provided arms and ammunition to Russia.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during the opening ceremony for a new wing of the U.S. embassy in Athens, Greece, on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Varaklas, Pool)
China and Russia have aligned their foreign policies to oppose Washington. Beijing has refused to condemn Russia’s invasion or atrocities against civilians in Ukraine while strongly criticizing Western economic sanctions on Moscow. At the end of last year, Russia and China held joint naval drills in the East China Sea.
The deputy head of Ukraine’s intelligence service, Vadym Skibitskyi, told The Associated Press that his agency hasn’t so far seen any signs that China is providing weapons to Moscow.
Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, and made a dash toward Kyiv, apparently expecting to overrun the capital quickly. But stiff resistance from Ukrainian forces — supported by Western weapons — turned back Moscow’s troops. While Ukraine has reclaimed many areas initially seized by Russia, the sides have become bogged down elsewhere.
The war has revived the divide between Russia and the West, reinvigorated the NATO alliance, and created the biggest threat to Putin’s rule of more than two-decades. U.S. President Joe Biden, fresh off a surprise visit to Kyiv, was in Poland on Tuesday to solidify that Western unity.
While Russia’s Constitution mandates that the president deliver the speech annually, Putin never gave one in 2022, as his troops rolled into Ukraine and suffered repeated setbacks. Much of it covered old ground, as Putin offered his own version of recent history, discounting Ukraine’s arguments that it needed Western help to thwart a Russian military takeover.
“Western elites aren’t trying to conceal their goals, to inflict a ‘strategic defeat’ to Russia,” Putin said in the speech broadcast on all state TV channels. “They intend to transform the local conflict into a global confrontation.”
He added that Russia was prepared to respond since “it will be a matter of our country’s existence.” He has repeatedly depicted NATO’s expansion to include countries close to Russia as an existential threat to his country.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, who was in Ukraine on Tuesday, said she wished Putin had taken a different approach.
“What we heard this morning was propaganda that we already know,” Meloni said in English. “He says (Russia) worked on diplomacy to avoid the conflict, but the truth is that there is somebody who is the invader and somebody who is defending itself.”
Putin denied any wrongdoing in Ukraine, even after Kremlin forces struck civilian targets, including hospitals, and are widely accused of war crimes. Ukraine’s military reported Tuesday that Russian forces shelled the southern cities of Kherson and Ochakiv while Putin spoke, killing six.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lamented that Russian forces were “again mercilessly killing the civilian population.”
US President Joe Biden, left, delivers a statement as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy listens to him at Mariinsky Palace during an unannounced visit, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Putin began his speech with strong words for those countries that provided Kyiv with crucial military support and warned them against supplying any longer-range weapons.
“It’s they who have started the war. And we are using force to end it,” Putin said before an audience of lawmakers, state officials and soldiers.
Putin also accused the West of taking aim at Russian culture, religion and values because it is aware that “it is impossible to defeat Russia on the battlefield.”
Likewise, he said Western sanctions hadn’t “achieved anything and will not achieve anything.”
Reflecting the Kremlin’s clampdown on free speech and press, it barred coverage of the address by media from “unfriendly” countries, including the U.S., the U.K. and those in the European Union, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying their journalists could watch the broadcast.
President Joe Biden walks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral on a surprise visit, Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, in Kyiv. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)
He previously told reporters that the speech’s delay had to do with Putin’s “work schedule,” but Russian media reports linked it to the setbacks by Russian forces. The Russian president also postponed the state-of-the-nation address in 2017. Last year, the Kremlin also canceled two other big annual events — Putin’s news conference and a highly scripted phone-in marathon taking questions from the public.
Analysts expected Putin’s speech would be tough in the wake of Biden’s visit to Kyiv on Monday, which he did not mention. In his own speech later Tuesday, Biden was expected to highlight the commitment of the central European country and other allies to Ukraine over the past year.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that Biden’s address would not be “some kind of head to head” with Putin’s.
“This is not a rhetorical contest with anyone else,” said.
TK Park True Digital Park – located on the 3rd floor of True Digital Park West on Sukhumvit Road – is the first branch in the TK Park system.
Bangkok, February 2023 – TK park today announced the opening of its new library branch in Bangkok – TK Park True Digital Park, operated by TK Park and True Digital Park.
Located on the 3rd floor of True Digital Park West Building, ASEAN’s largest tech hub and start-up community, the 960-sq. m. library provides a safe learning space for employees, students, parents and kids.
In particular, this mini library offers learning opportunities to TK Park patrons living in the Bangna and Punnawithi communities immediately, with no need to sign up for a new membership. The offer is part of the “One Library” program aimed at connecting the knowledge center’s libraries nationwide to provide convenience to its patrons.
TK Park Director-General Kittiratana Pitipanich said: “TK Park True Digital Park, our brand new library in the city, is a 960-square-meter facility which that has been carefully designed to promote learning. It has over 80 seats and offers more than 1,800 print books covering different genres from business to technology and innovation for employees.
The library also has self-help books for improving yourself, along with novels, translated books and international magazines for adults and students. It has family books and kids’ storytelling books too.
TK Park Director-General Kittiratana Pitipanich
“On top of that, we have a space for visitors wishing to read e-book and e-magazines through TK Read and Libby By Overdrive that offers good English books. Our self-service stations make borrowing and returning books easy. Signing up for a new membership at this latest library is a breeze. You can do it through an automatic machine at the new library at your convenience. We also have a corner for kids and the family to do fun activities together.
TK Park True Digital Park is just a stone’s throw away from 101 The Third Place, one of the city’s newest lifestyle complexes and BTS SkyTrain’s Punnawithi station, and easily accessible through skywalks. It is open now from 10am to 8pm, Tuesday to Sunday.
“TK Park True Digital Park serves as a sandbox, or our mini library pilot scheme, which could be extended to other areas. We expect to see collaborative expansion with other companies and players to create new libraries and learning spaces elsewhere.
“We have collected data on the reading behaviors of new library users to learn about their reading interests, what kinds of books they are reading and what types of activities they want to do. The data are then processed and analyzed. The findings are reference points for improving our services and for creating activities that serve their exact needs.” Mr Kittiratana said.
Guidelines for the library use and special offers
Visitors who want to use the reading space at the TK Park True Digital Park don’t need to scan MyQR to access the place and use the service.
Those who wish to borrow a book from the new library are required to sign up for a membership using MyTK app.
Tenants of True Digital Park Building are entitled to free membership at the new library for a year. They can sign up for it through MyTK app and the automatic machine located in front of the library.
Patrons who obtain a membership at TK Park CentralWorld Bangkok can use the new library’s services including borrowing and returning books immediately. They don’t need to sign up for new membership at the TK Park True Digital Park.
For more information, please contact 02 009 1101 or add Line at @truedigitalpark
BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said Tuesday that he will dissolve Parliament in March, paving the way for a general election to be held in May.
The government’s four-year term expires on March 23, but in remarks to reporters after a Cabinet meeting, Prayuth suggested he would dissolve the House of Representatives before that. Prayuth also set May 7 as the election date, though details still need to be worked out.
Prayuth has headed a coalition government and is seeking another term. He originally came to power in 2014 when, as army commander, he led a military coup that ousted an elected civilian government. He did not run in the general election in 2019, but was the prime minister candidate of the military-backed Palang Pracharath party, which cobbled together a coalition government.
photo by Khaosod
Palang Pracharath for this year’s election has named Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan — also a retired general — its candidate for prime minister, while Prayuth has joined a new party, the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party, or United Thai Nation Party, which has named him its candidate.
The opposition Pheu Thai party has been making a strong showing in early polls, and there is no clear front-runner in the race so far.
Under Thailand’s Constitution, prime ministers do not have to be elected lawmakers. A joint session of the lower house and the Senate — an appointed body generally representing the conservative views of the Thai establishment — selects the prime minister.
photo by Khaosod
Prayuth, under a constitutional provision affirmed last year by the courts, can serve only two more years under an eight-year limit.
Government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri said that if the election is held as expected in early May, the Election Commission will ratify the results in early July. The new session of Parliament would then convene and appoint a chair by mid-July and the selection of the new prime minister would be expected around the end of the month.
Dissolving Parliament before the end of the government’s term would allow an official campaign period of 45-60 days.
Xiang Xiang, a hugely popular Japanese-born female giant panda at the Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo, on Tuesday departed for China, where she is set to start her search for a mate.
Accompanied by two zoo employees keeping a close eye on her, Xiang Xiang was taken from the zoo by truck Tuesday morning to Narita Airport, where she was put on a charter flight bound for China’s Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, according to the Tokyo metropolitan government.
“I want to thank her for making so many people happy,” said zoo director Yutaka Fukuda. “I hope (that her return to China) will contribute to panda conservation research.”
Staff waved goodbye as Xiang Xiang was driven slowly out of the zoo at around 7:10 a.m., while huge crowds gathered in the area surrounding the facility.
Yumiko Ushijima rushed into the capital on the first train from neighboring Kanagawa Prefecture to see Xiang Xiang off. “I miss her, but I want her to become a good parent like her mother Shin Shin,” the 69-year-old woman said.
Female giant panda Xiang Xiang is transported in a cage onto an airplane at Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture on Feb. 21, 2023. (Kyodo)
As both her parents were on loan from China, the country maintains ownership over all cubs born to them. Xiang Xiang, born at the zoo in June 2017 to father Ri Ri and Shin Shin, was Ueno Zoo’s first naturally conceived giant panda.
The Chinese Embassy in Tokyo said pandas have delivered friendship and goodwill widely throughout Japanese society, uniting the hearts of the people of both countries, also referring to other pandas to be returned to China on Wednesday from a zoo in Wakayama Prefecture in western Japan.
File photo shows Xiang Xiang, a five-year-old female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Feb. 19, 2023. (Kyodo)
It was “thankful for the cutest ‘messenger of friendship'” and that it looked forward to welcoming Japanese people to Sichuan Province where the pandas will live, the embassy said in a statement.
After the roughly five-and-a-half hour flight, the panda will be taken to a giant panda research center in the province, where she will be quarantined and her final destination will be decided, according to the Tokyo government.
The five-year-old panda will make the trip in a cage that is 1.3 meters tall, 1.7 meters long and 1.1 meters wide.
According to Ueno Zoo, workers have been practicing luring Xiang Xiang into the cage with food since November last year. The two employees accompanying her hope to keep her stress levels low during the trip.
Photo taken on Dec. 18, 2017 shows giant panda cub Xiang Xiang at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoological Gardens, Japan. (Xinhua)
Female pandas are said to reach breeding age between 3 and a half and 4 and a half years. Caretakers have confirmed she is of good weight and health and went into estrus earlier this year.
“This is (her) first long-haul trip,” said zoo official Naoya Ohashi. “I want all possible precautions taken.”
Takahiro Takauji from near Tokyo, who has posted about Ueno Zoo pandas on his blog for over 10 years, bid farewell to Xiang Xiang on her final day for public viewing on Sunday after winning a lottery slot to attend her final appearance. He promised to travel to China to see the animal again.
Although saddened by her departure, the 44-year-old Saitama resident said the most important thing is for Xiang Xiang to find a mate.
“Being able to meet many different males will lead to her happiness,” he said.
Thai fans of Ju Jingyi, a former member of SNH48 and actress in The Legend of the White Snake (2019), have rejoiced hugely after she posted a picture of herself wearing a Thai student uniform with her name “Ju Jingyi” embroidered on it along with her student code “991”.
The picture, posted on Weibo, a Chinese social media, shows the actress in front of the Central World department stores’ with the caption “Miss” after she came to Thailand in early February.
Ju Jingyi wore a Thai pupil’s uniform. / weibo
The Thai student uniform has become famous in China after the Thai film First Love (2010) and the series Girl From Nowhere – Season 2 on Netflix reached a largely Chinese audience.
Prachachat Business has researched the top 3 brands of school uniforms from 178 companies that manufacture school uniforms.
Netflix Series: Girl From Nowhere – Season 2
Trasamor
Samor Thing Garment Co., Ltd. was established in 1957 and has since been manufacturing Thai student uniforms for both academic, from kindergarten to high school, and vocational course including shirts and trousers for students.
The company also supplies special student uniforms such as international school uniforms. The company reported its 2021 revenue at 380 million baht, with a net profit of 9.1 million baht.
Nomjitt
Nomjitt Incorporation Public Company Limited was incorporated in the year 1962. Its latest financial report from 2021 shows that the company collected 99.3 million baht, with a net loss of 36 million baht.
logos of Trasamor, Nomjitt and Somjainuk Theves
Somjainuk Theves
Somchai Nuk Theves Limited Partnership is a long-established Thai manufacturer of school uniforms that grew out of a family business, Amornwattana.
The company was originally called Somchainum Banglamphu. The brand was originally established in 1955 and later renamed Somchainuk Theves in 1972. The company earned only 3.7 million baht in 2021, with a profit of about 350,000 baht.
It is clear from the financial figures that the business of uniforms does not yield large margins. Some companies are even making losses. However, it is important to note that financial health was examined during COVID-19. We need to continue to monitor whether the business is thriving.
H.E. Mr. Bernardo Cordova Tello, the Mexican ambassador in Thailand and his wife Adriana Mendez met with H.E. Mrs. Serap Ersoy, the Turkish ambassador in Thailand to encourage and condole with the Turkish people in the aftermath of the earthquake.
Nop Narongdej, honorary consul of the Consulate of the United Mexican States in Bangkok, and his wife “Dao” Poruethai Narongdej also joined to donate the necessary items to ease the difficulties, such as winter jackets, mattresses , blankets etc. at the Turkish embassy, Empire Tower Sathorn.
“MC Group” has continued to record a historic-high profit growth, with 246-million-baht profit earned in the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2023. The amount marks an increase of 112%from the previous quarter and an increase of 6.7% from the same period a year earlier. In Q2/2023, gross profit margin remained high at 65.2% while net profit margin stood at 22% thanks to Thailand’s economic recovery. After Thailand fully reopened to international visitors, tourism turns vibrant. Buoyed by active shopping, MC Group’s revenue in the first half of Fiscal Year 2023 reached 1,876 million baht. The company’s financial position is still super strong, with 2,110-million-baht cash in hand. Its board of directors thus approves the payment of midyear dividend at the rate of 0.45 baht per share.
Mr. James Richard Amatavivadhana, CEO of MC Group Public Company Limited or MC that retails fashion / lifestyle products under “Mc Jeans” brand, reveals that operating results from the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2023 (1 October 2022 – 31 December 2022) delivered the net profit of246million baht. The amount of net profit soared by 112%from the previous quarter and by 6.7% or from 231 million baht from the same period a year earlier. Moreover, MC Group successfully maintained gross profit margin at a high level or 65.2% – up from 64.6% in the first quarter. Its net profit margin also rose to 22% from15% in the first quarter.
With profitable operations throughout two consecutive quarters, MC Group earned the net profit of 362 million baht in the first half of Fiscal Year 2023 (1July – 31 December 2022). The amount marked an increase of 42.3% from the same period a year earlier, which recorded just 254 million baht in net profit.
Mr. James Richard says in Q2/2023, MC Group’s total sales revenue was 1,117 million baht – up by 47.2%or from 759 million baht in the first quarter and up by 12.2%or from 995million baht in Q2/2022. In the first half of Fiscal Year 2023, MC Group’s total revenue was 1,876 million baht. The amount marked an increase of 30.9% from the same period a year earlier, which recorded the revenue of 1,433million baht. MC Group’s revenue growth owed to rebounding economic activities. After Thailand’s reopening to international visitors, tourism has recovered. Retail oil prices have also dropped. Consumers’ confidence and purchasing power have thus soared. Consumer confidence index rose to 50.4 last December, up from 46.4 last September.
According to Mr. James Richard, consumers’ purchasing power apparently increased across offline channels. Free–standingshops accounted for 66% of MC Group’s total sales. Department stores accounted for23%, E-Commerce for8%, and other channels for the remaining 4%.
Free-standing shops’ revenue growth was significant in Q2/2023. Their revenue of 738million baht in the quarter marked an increase of 21%or129 million baht. In the first half of Fiscal Year 2023, their revenue reached 1,231 million baht or increased by 42%or by 364million baht. Such growth was partially attributed to the strategy to expand MC-Outlet network. The number of MC outlets is expected to reach 100 by the end of March – exceeding the initial target of80for Fiscal Year 2023. The number soared from 72 at the end of Fiscal Year 2022. MC Group, moreover, has planned to expand MC-Outlet network further.
“We have continued to implement our key strategy on cost control so as to improve expense efficiency too. With a continued emphasis on Product Mix, promotions, and distribution-channel management, our operating results have improved. They are even better than pre-COVID times. Our return on equity (ROE) has risen to 15.8 % from13.4% in spite of risks such as Russia – Ukraine tension, soaring oil prices, and rising interest rates. MC Group, so far, has had no interest-bearing debts. Our cash flow has also continued to grow. As of the end of December 2022, MC Group had 2,110 million baht in cash or equivalents. It was up by 115 million baht from the end of Fiscal Year 2022,” the CEO of MC Group adds.
Mr. James Richard says backed by MC Group’s impressive performance and robust financial position, the board of directors has passed a resolution to pay 0.45-baht dividend per share from operating results achieved in the first six months of Fiscal Year 2023. The rate of dividends is nearly 100% of profit, much higher than the minimum rate of 40% based on MC Group’s policy.
