Business
Business: East coast shopping

PHUKET: Choice, and lots of it, is what Phuket’s cosmopolitan consumers are demanding, and as the shopping scene transforms to adapt to more local-centric lifestyles among the island’s international community, smaller family-oriented malls are taking shape across the island.
Leading the way in bringing a more upmarket shopping experience is shopping and lifestyle guru Kanittha Prasopsirikul, managing director of ‘By Kanittha’, who is a driving force behind new shopping experiences on the island, including the Lighthouse Weekend Market launched at Boat Lagoon in January this year.
“The northern half of Phuket has grown as a desirable residential area close to international schools and hotels. However, families living in these areas have not always had much choice in affordable shopping destinations where they can take the kids to be entertained while mum and dad take time out to do some shopping,” said Ms Kanittha.
“Phuketians have always enjoyed having plenty to choose from when shopping at local markets, where locally grown produce and homemade baked goods can be found, but today’s cosmopolitan consumers are demanding more quality and convenience.”
By Kanittha market research has shown a demand for quality goods and personal services; shops for everyday living needs; and edutainment for active kids, all of which needs to caters to the surrounding international community, said Ms Kanittha.
New shopping venues are coming to the east coast soon as local developer Boat Development, proprietor of Boat Lagoon in Koh Kaew and Boat Avenue in Cherng Talay, aims to fill the gap.
“Following the successful monthly markets along the marina’s dockside, which attracted several thousand visitors each weekend, we aim to offer a similarly enjoyable experience on a daily basis, putting local businesses in touch with local customers, while giving those customers a convenient place to relax, snack and meet friends,” said Ms Kanittha.
A new shopping arcade under construction at Boat Lagoon plans to bring new business opportunities to local entrepreneurs on the east coast this September.
The brand new Boat Arcade will be a mixed-use community arcade offering a healthy variety of complementary outlets. It will feature 25 units for rent in various shapes and sizes on two floors. The site has already attracted top-class tenants, such as Villa Market, Siam Commercial Bank; Doi Tung Lifestyle; Grand Italia Ice Cream; USA Design; Artisan Wine Shop; Kai Coffee & Bakery; PAPA Music; and a tae kwondo school.
“We aim to fill the remaining units with more creative edutainment facilities along side stores such as florists, hotel supply stores, cafes, health and beauty salons, pet shops, service centers and possibly more vocational training establishments, such as a cookery school,” said Ms Kanittha.
— Nick Davies
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Business
Governments & old media versus social media – who will win? | VIDEO

We look at the recent changes made by the Australian and Indian governments to except control over the world’s biggest social media platforms. India has issued strict new rules for Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms just weeks after the Indian government attempted to pressure Twitter to take down social media accounts it deemed, well, anti social. There is now an open battle between the rise of social media platforms and the governments and ‘old’ media that have been able to maintain a certain level of control over the ‘message’ for the last century. Who will win?
The rules require any social media company to create three roles within India… a “compliance officer” who ensures they follow local laws; a “grievance officer” who addresses complaints from Indian social media users; and a “contact person” who can actually be contacted by lawyers and other aggrieved Indian parties… 24/7.
The democratisation of the news model, with social media as its catalyst, will continue to baffle traditional media and governments who used to enjoy a level of control over what stories get told. The battles of Google and Facebook, with the governments of India and Australia will be followed in plenty of other countries as well.
At the root of all discussions will be the difference between what governments THINK social media is all about and the reality about how quickly the media landscape has changed. You’ll get to read about it first, on a social media platform… probably on the screen you’re watching this news story right now.
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Business
The social media giants in battle with ‘old’ media and world governments | VIDEO

“The rules signal greater willingness by countries around the world to rein in big tech firms such as Google, Facebook and Twitter that the governments fear have become too powerful with little accountability.”
India has issued strict new rules for Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms just weeks after the Indian government attempted to pressure Twitter to take down social media accounts it deemed, well, anti social.
The rules require any social media company to create three roles within India… a “compliance officer” who ensures they follow local laws; a “grievance officer” who addresses complaints from Indian social media users; and a “contact person” who can actually be contacted by lawyers and other aggrieved Indian parties… 24/7.
The companies are also being made to publish a compliance report each month with details about how many complaints they’ve received and the action they took.
They’ll also be required to remove ‘some’ types of content including “full or partial nudity,” any “sexual act” or “impersonations including morphed images”
The democratisation of the news model, with social media as its catalyst, will continue to baffle traditional media and governments who used to enjoy a level of control over what stories get told.
The battles of Google and Facebook, with the governments of India and Australia will be followed in plenty of other countries as well.
At the root of all discussions will be the difference between what governments THINK social media is all about and the reality about how quickly the media landscape has changed. You’ll get to read about it first, on a social media platform… probably on the screen you’re watching this news story right now.
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Business
Turbulence ahead for Thailand’s aviation industry | VIDEO

When the airlines, in particular, were asking the government to put their hands in their pockets for some relief funding in August last year, it was genuinely thought that international tourists would be coming back for the high season in December and January. At the very least local tourists and expats would head back to the skies over the traditional holiday break. And surely the Chinese would be back for Chinese New Year?
As we know now, none of that happened. A resurge in cases started just south of Bangkok on December 20 last year, just before Christmas, kicking off another round of restrictions, pretty much killing off any possibility of a high season ‘bump’ for the tourist industry. Airlines slashed flights from their schedule, and hotels, which had dusted off their reception desks for the surge of tourists, shut their doors again.
Domestically, the hotel business saw 6 million room nights in the government’s latest stimulus campaign fully redeemed. But the air ticket quota of 2 million seats still has over 1.3 million seats unused. Local tourists mostly skipped flights and opted for destinations within driving distance of their homes.
As for international tourism… well that still seems months or years away, even now.
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