The purpose of this collaboration is to foster cooperation in education, research, innovation development, and knowledge exchange between academia and business sectors. The aim is to adapt to societal and technological changes while creating value for both organisations and society. Additionally, the partnership supports human resource development, lifelong learning, and upskilling of personnel, students, and the general public through co-created learning materials, knowledge exchange, training programmes, and various creative activities. The long-term vision includes establishing new organisational value, and jointly supporting the creation of departments, academic programmes, or projects aimed at enhancing professionalism, services, and related industries. The shared knowledge will be used to improve operational efficiency and strengthen relationships between public and private sectors, serving as a model of collaboration for national development.

As part of the event, Chulalongkorn University hosted the fourth session of the President’s Distinguished Speaker Series under the theme: “From Turbulence to Triumph: Thai Airways’ Journey from Recovery to Ascent.” Professor Dr Wilert Puriwat opened the event, followed by a discussion featuring Dr Piyasvasti Amranand, Head of the Business Rehabilitation Plan for Thai Airways, and Mr Chai Eamsiri, CEO of Thai Airways. The session decoded the airline’s strategic turnaround from loss to profit and its service excellence upgrade. The panel was moderated by Dr Weerapong Prasongchean, guest lecturer at Chula’s General Education Centre.

Prof. Dr Wilert Puriwat remarked: “The role of universities today goes beyond simply delivering education — it includes learning from real-life experiences. These experiences become truly meaningful when we learn from actual challenges. It is an honour to learn from Thai Airways’ transformation, a national organisation of the Thai people. Both Chulalongkorn University and Thai Airways share a similar mission — to go global, acting as gateways to Thailand. Our efforts are, therefore, genuinely in service of the nation.”

Dr Piyasvasti Amranand, commenting on Thai Airways’ recovery, stated: “It has now been five years since Thai Airways filed for business rehabilitation with the Central Bankruptcy Court. Soon, the court is expected to issue an order concluding the rehabilitation process, which would mean Thai Airways can once again operate as a regular public company and resume stock trading on the exchange. However, all staff must remain honest and resilient. Do not succumb to external pressures — otherwise, we risk repeating past mistakes. Weakness among executives or employees opens the door to outside interference, especially in procurement. I urge our leadership to stay strong and uphold what is right.”

Mr Chai Eamsiri, CEO of Thai Airways, summarised: “Aviation is a complex, highly competitive industry. Thai Airways envisions becoming a high-quality airline that reflects Thai identity through its services and achieves sustainable profitability. Since our performance has improved, we’ve incorporated elements of Thai soft power into our identity under the theme ‘Good Taste for a Good Cause,’ to tell our story and restore public trust.”

“Through UAD, we aim to empower communities across Asia and beyond to take charge of their health and unite against dengue. Our focus is clear – to educate communities, advocate for sustainable dengue prevention measures, and support affected individuals and communities with care and assistance. The collaboration with Takeda reinforces WHO and ASEAN Member States’ commitment to combating dengue through sustainable solutions, improving access to preventive health services, education, and healthcare support to reduce its impact on communities,” said Juja Kim, Deputy Regional Director for Asia Pacific, IFRC.

“Joining forces with IFRC, we aim to strengthen the foundation of community resilience by advancing disease literacy, enhancing early action capabilities, and empowering local health systems. UAD is designed to strengthen and complement existing public and community efforts to combat dengue collectively and ensure that communities are better equipped to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to dengue outbreaks,” said Dion Warren, Area Head of India & Southeast Asia (I-SEA), Takeda. “By collaborating across sectors, including governments, NGOs, medical societies and communities, and leveraging our collective strengths and resources, we can tackle dengue’s complex challenges more effectively and achieve greater impact, together. This collaboration is a call to action, underscoring the urgent need for unified, multi-sectoral action.”

Strategic Focus on Education, Advocacy and Support

The collaboration is structured around three strategic pillars: Educate, Advocate and Support.

1. Educate: Build community resilience and readiness through impactful disease education and early preparedness. Efforts include community awareness campaigns, volunteer training using the Epidemic Control for Volunteers (ECV) toolkit, and hygiene promotion through community engagement. Enhanced surveillance systems and early action protocols will also be introduced to guide community responses and improve outcomes.
2. Advocate: Ensure the sustainability of preventative measures through policy work and stakeholder engagement. This includes working closely with policymakers, medical societies, and community organizations to support the integration of dengue prevention, management and control into national strategies. Regional and national alignment across public health stakeholders is also prioritized to drive unified action and strengthen health system resilience for long-term impact.
3. Support: Provide care and assistance to communities and individuals affected by dengue.

These efforts represent the initial focus of UAD and are not exhaustive. Additional efforts will be introduced as UAD continues to respond to evolving community needs and opportunities for greater impact.

Kickstarting educational efforts is a partnership with popular comic platform, The Woke Salaryman for the initiative’s first regional dengue educational content, a comic that will be translated to multiple languages. Leveraging their unique brand of storytelling, the series brings to light the impact of urbanization on community ties in Asia and beyond. The series not only raises awareness about dengue but also underscores the critical role of community collaboration in disease prevention efforts.

Initially released in English, the comic series will be translated into Bahasa Melayu, with additional translations planned for languages beyond the region, including Spanish and French, which will be shared through IFRC’s platforms. This strategic initiative aims to broaden the reach and deepen the impact of the UAD campaign, making crucial information accessible to diverse audiences across the region.

The Burden of Dengue Continues to Rise

Driven by climate change and rapid urbanization, dengue has become endemic in over 100 countries, with Asia shouldering approximately 70% of the global disease burden. Thus far, in 2025, the Malaysian Ministry of Health’s IDENGUE dashboard recorded 14,310 cases with 16 people (as of 24 March 2025) losing their lives from the disease. While current efforts are valuable, a more integrated approach is crucial to achieving the goal of zero preventable dengue deaths by 2030. 

“Everyone has a role to play in the fight against dengue. UAD exemplifies the power of collaboration and community engagement in tackling this significant public health challenge. The WHO commends this creative approach to reaching and educating communities across the region. Together, we believe we can make zero preventable deaths by 2030 in Southeast Asia and beyond possible,” said Dr Deepa Gamage, Public Health Specialist, Disease Control, WHO Representative Office for Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore. 

“Dengue continues to pose a significant public health threat across Asia and beyond, requiring coordinated, multi-sectoral action at both regional and national levels,” said Prof. Datuk Dr. Zulkifli Ismail, Chairman of Asia Dengue Voice and Action (ADVA) and Dengue Prevention Advocacy Malaysiaand Chairman of Dengue Prevention Advocacy Malaysia (DPAM). “Cross-sector collaboration will continue to be crucial for driving progress and protecting vulnerable populations from dengue. UAD collaboration reflects a clear intent to catalyse collaborative efforts to drive progress in dengue prevention and management.”

Complementing Existing Public Health Efforts

Aimed to enhance dengue awareness and bolster protection efforts, the UAD collaboration empowers communities to combat dengue through a multi-pronged approach: disease education, early action protocols, targeted public awareness campaigns, stakeholder engagement, and support for affected individuals and communities.

The initiative will be rolled out across Asia and beyond. Additional regional and local programs will be launched to further drive collective action, enhance dengue awareness, and support dengue prevention efforts.

More information about the UAD collaboration can be found here: www.ifrc.org/article/ifrc-and-takeda-initiate-united-against-dengue-alliance-combat-escalating-threat-mosquito 

International Islamic University Malaysia’s Azre Nazerul Rahman clinched first place at CGS International Securities (CGS International)’s annual AIC 2024. The competition brought together top teams from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand – collectively known as M.I.S.T – who faced off in a high-stakes finale held at Bursa Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur on 13 February.

Finalists of AIC 2024 at Bursa Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur

Contestants presented their investment strategies before a panel of judges comprising professionals from each country’s stock exchange. After a rigorous assessment, the champion walked away with a grand prize of over S$20,000.

Mr Kevin Lee, Group Head of Sustainability of CGS International, said: “AIC 2024 has once again highlighted the potential of our future leaders in finance. We hope their 8-month journey with AIC has provided them with a solid foundation in lifelong financial management skills, including the incorporation of ESG in their investment practices. Through initiatives such as AIC, CGS International is dedicated to empower the communities for a more sustainable tomorrow.”

The final placings for AIC 2024 are as follows:

Malaysia: Azre Nazerul Rahman, International Islamic University Malaysia
Indonesia: Ali Alexander, Universitas Gadjah Mada
Singapore: Team Scoop, Republic Polytechnic
Thailand: Naradith Aparprasith, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang

Carol Fong, Group CEO of CGS International, said: “Looking at the talent here today, I am reminded of the significance of AIC as a beacon to build the next generation of finance leaders.

My heartiest congratulations to our four teams who made it to the finals. They stood out from over 5,000 participants with their thoughtful, innovative investment strategies – showing not just a sound grasp of market principles, but also a good knowledge of sustainable and responsible investing. In the end, Azre Nazerul from Malaysia excelled with his holistic investment strategy and impressive presentation.”

This year’s challenge saw the participation of over 5,000 students from 500 institutions of higher learning in M.I.S.T. Notably, AIC is the only investment challenge backed by all four local stock exchanges: Bursa Malaysia, Indonesia Stock Exchange, Singapore Exchange, and the Stock Exchange of Thailand.

A key highlight of AIC 2024 was the introduction of a new judging element, which evaluated participants’ portfolio performance against benchmark returns, offering a fresh perspective on investment success.

CGS International aims to encourage sustainable investing amongst the new generation. The Challenge imparts investment fundamentals, including ESG investing and risk management. The participants receive practical training in addition to theory lessons from CGS International’s investment experts. Winners are also offered internships with the Group to put their new skills to practice, making it a truly holistic learning experience.

Azre Nazerul, International Islamic University Malaysia and AIC 2024 winner, said: “Like so many of my peers, I have wanted to start investing for a while but lacked the know-how. Hence, when AIC came to our school, many of us took the chance to learn. Throughout the challenge, CGS International provided us with many tools and resources to hone our investment skills. I really appreciated the opportunity to try our hand at investing without having to take on any actual risks. With the benchmark returns as part of the judging criteria this year, we could also tell how well our portfolios performed against industry benchmarks. This was immensely useful in our own performance evaluation.”

The next AIC will be launched on 8 April 2025 at the ASEAN Investment Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Promoting Thailand as a Preferred Global Medical Hub

According to Thailand’s Minister of Public Health Somsak Thepsutin, the World Expo provides an exceptional opportunity for nations to connect and showcase innovations that shape a better future.

“We are excited to take part in this global event, where Thailand will share its unmatched expertise in both traditional Thai medicine and modern healthcare,” Minister Somsak stated. “Thailand’s policies are focused on transforming the country into an international medical hub, and our participation in Expo 2025 in Osaka will highlight our strengths in these areas.”

Thailand’s Medical and Wellness Excellence

The Thai Pavilion at Expo 2025 will feature five key areas of excellence that set Thailand apart as a leader in healthcare:

1. Traditional Thai Healthcare: Emphasizing the harmony between humans and nature, traditional Thai medicine has been practiced for centuries and remains integral to the country’s identity.
2. Thai Herbs and Culinary Health: Thailand’s rich culinary traditions, such as the world-famous Tom Yum Goong, incorporate the healing power of Thai herbs, showcasing their health benefits.
3. Thai Herbal Medicine: Visitors will learn about unique herbal products such as aroma inhalers and therapeutic massage oils, commonly used to promote health and well-being.
4. Thai Massage: Recognized as a UNESCO cultural heritage, Thai massage is world-renowned for its healing properties, combining therapeutic techniques with relaxation.
5. Modern Medical Excellence: Thailand is a recognized leader in modern healthcare, with 62 medical organizations accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), ranking the country 4th globally and No. 1 in Southeast Asia.

A Thriving Medical Tourism Industry

Thailand’s healthcare services and exceptional hospitality have helped the country rank among the world’s top five medical tourism destinations. The industry is valued at one trillion baht and is expected to reach 2.2 trillion baht (64.02 billion USD) by 2034, contributing significantly to the country’s economic growth.

The Thai Experience at Expo 2025

“Thailand’s appeal as a medical and wellness hub is not only due to our advanced healthcare system but also our warm hospitality, rich cultural heritage, and stunning natural beauty,” Minister Somsak continued. “At Expo 2025, visitors will have the opportunity to experience these elements firsthand, and we hope to inspire them to explore more about Thai medicine and visit Thailand to discover these healing practices in person.”

A Global Gathering in Osaka

Expo 2025 will be held in Osaka, Japan, from April 13 to October 13, 2025, and is expected to attract 28 million visitors from around the world. Thailand’s participation will be a key opportunity to share its medical and wellness excellence on the global stage.

He expressed that the fans in Malaysia are the ‘craziest’ and feels the bonding with them. “When I am feeling low, I always think of Malaysian fans and it lifts my spirit”. Rahman said that he’s so excited to be able to meet his fans again in Malaysia. Reflecting on his journey, Rahman reminisces about his inaugural concert in Malaysia, a moment that forged a deep-seated connection with the audience and the land. He speaks of an enduring attachment and a sense of belonging that permeates his performances in the region, infusing them with an added layer of significance and intimacy.

It will be a powerful and unforgettable 3 hours performance comprising Tamil songs of the 90s, 2000s and other latest hits for his Tamil fans in Malaysia.  He also expressed his love for the Tamil language which he will be using to entertain his fans. Rahman added that fans can also look forward to some pleasant surprises in the upcoming concert.

He acknowledges the evolving preferences across generations, acknowledging a nostalgic allure attached to certain compositions. When speaking about his process of curating the song list for his concerts, Rahman explains that, like any artist, he aims to strike a balance between timeless classics and newer gems.

AR Rahman’s concerts are not merely musical spectacles but transformative experiences that traverse realms of joy, nostalgia, and profound emotion. With each performance, he reaffirms his status as a luminary in the world of music, leaving an indelible imprint on the hearts of his audience.

AR Rahman’s concert showcases many well-known playback singers and Rahman mentioned that he will reveal the details bit by bit in the run up to the show.

Besides performing in Malaysia, Rahman also enjoys the local food and visiting Melaka. He shared his experience of visiting local markets wearing a face mask and also an IT centre where he purchased a gaming laptop.

With a career spanning over three decades, Rahman has garnered global accolades for his unparalleled contributions to music, earning prestigious recognitions including Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, and Golden Globe Awards.

Rahman’s blend of soul-stirring melodies and electrifying beats promises a musical journey like no other. His mastery of diverse genres, from classical to contemporary, ensures a dynamic and engaging experience for fans of all tastes. From iconic hits that have defined generations to fresh compositions that push artistic boundaries, Rahman’s concert is a celebration of musical innovation and cultural resonance.

Get ready to be swept away by his unparalleled talent and immerse yourself in an evening of pure musical magic. Organised by Star Planet, the event is scheduled to start at 8:00 pm at National Stadium Bukit Jalil.

Tickets for the AR Rahman Live in Kuala Lumpur 2024 will be available for purchase starting 8th May 2024 at 2:00 pm via my.bookmyshow.com and ticket2U.com.my. Tickets are priced from RM98 onwards. Fans are encouraged to secure their seats early to ensure they do not miss out on this historic musical event. For more information and ticketing details, please visit www.starplanet.com.my.

AR Rahman, the maestro behind countless timeless melodies and groundbreaking compositions, is set to deliver an unforgettable performance, marking a historic moment in Malaysian entertainment history. With a career spanning over three decades, Rahman has garnered global acclaim for his unparalleled contributions to music, earning prestigious accolades including Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, and Golden Globe Awards.

The press conference saw the presence of Dato Alan Foo, the Managing Director of Star Planet, accompanied by Dato R. Rajendran, Star Planet’s Director. Also in attendance was Mr. Senthil Velavan, the accomplished Show Coordinator of AR Rahman, whose expertise ensures the flawless execution of the concert’s creative vision, promising a memorable experience for everyone present. Additionally, the gathering welcomed over 30 members of the Rahmaniac Malaysia fan club.

“We are thrilled to bring AR Rahman, a true icon of the music industry, to Malaysia for what promises to be a momentous event,” said Dato’ Alan Foo, managing director of Star Planet. “This AR Rahman Live in Kuala Lumpur 2024 represents a significant milestone for Star Planet as we continue our mission to deliver world-class entertainment experiences to Malaysian audiences. Rahman’s music transcends boundaries and speaks to the hearts of millions worldwide, and we are honoured to present this extraordinary opportunity for fans to witness his brilliance live on stage.”

“We anticipate the event to draw a remarkable turnout of enthusiastic audiences. This significant interest underscores the widespread excitement surrounding the event, marking it as a standout highlight on the entertainment calendar. Moreover, we anticipate a surge in domestic travel as fans from various regions eagerly converge to partake in this extraordinary musical experience,” added Dato Alan.

Dato R. Rajendran, Star Planet’s Director, conveys that the AR Rahman Live in Kuala Lumpur 2024 event, organised by Star Planet, will present an impressive blend of musical genres. This will include Rahman’s classic tracks alongside fresh compositions, all performed by a remarkable group of artists. Audiences can look forward to an engaging exploration of Rahman’s distinguished career in Indian cinema, accompanied by captivating reinterpretations of beloved songs, with a focus on a carefully selected array of Tamil melodies.

Get ready to be spellbound by an enthralling spectacle as a constellation of celebrated artists and dancers grace the stage in seamless unity. With cutting-edge, international-class audio-visual technology illuminating each moment, attendees are in for an immersive journey that defies expectations and ignites the senses. From electrifying choreography to soul-stirring melodies, this star-studded performance promises to transcend boundaries, leaving an indelible mark on all who witness its brilliance.

Tickets for the AR Rahman Live in Kuala Lumpur 2024 will be available for purchase starting 8th May 2024 at 2:00 pm via my.bookmyshow.com and ticket2U.com.my. Tickets are priced from RM98 onwards. Fans are encouraged to secure their seats early to ensure they do not miss out on this historic musical event. For more information and ticketing details, please visit www.starplanet.com.my

With a rigorous research methodology that allows them to analyse the present landscape, identify signals of change, and forecast the immediate and long-term future of industries, their reports are an invaluable resource to business owners looking to inform their strategy and the layperson burdened with an insatiable curiosity alike. WGSN’s Consultant Director of APAC, Helen Sac, spoke to Top 10 of Asia recently in an insightful interview touching on topics ranging from consumer demand to the values of the forthcoming generation.

1) Of the ten highlighted in WGSN’s report on the top trends for 2022 and beyond, which ones do you think will be most pertinent when it comes to Asia in particular?

Much of APAC leads the way when it comes to digital adoption and living online so it’s no surprise that the most relevant trends for Asia revolve around how we spend our time and the world(s) we immerse ourselves in.

We’re already seeing countless examples of brands and retailers leading and experimenting with meta marketing across Asia. Digital Influencers are becoming the norm alongside brands creating new digital playgrounds for consumers to experience and engage with brands and their products.

Anthropomorphic marketing is second nature to us in Asia, where we are fast to engage with our much-loved mascots. With the incoming mass adoption of this in the West, new developments in this arena will elevate character development and execution in new and exciting, yet to be seen ways. This in turn will open up more opportunities for the market to go deeper into this trend which is here to stay.

2) Can you give us a brief insight into WGSN’s research methodology and what sets it apart from other such predictive methods?

WGSN’s research methodology has grown so much over the 11+ years I’ve been in the industry. The acquisition of new technology and data trackers really sets us apart from our competitors. We’re also truly global, our reach spans 128 countries and with that the eyes and the expertise across the globe. We work with over 250 industry experts globally to map influencers, disruptors and changemakers to deliver clear and specific action points for brands and marketers.

Being physically tapped in and digitally plugged in, we can quite clearly identify the signals of change and evaluate, verify and forecast trends.

3) The pandemic has resulted in a shift in consumer behaviour, which in turn has affected marketing trends. How has this impacted existing marketing strategies and what kind of adjustments could we see being made in this regard?

Fuelled by the pandemic, consumer behaviour in Asia is focused on frictionless commerce and further pursuit of tech-enabled lifestyles. A sense of optimism is surfacing and people are aligning purchases with their values and seeking to deepen their connection with local culture. A recent survey by Charles Schwab reported that 24% of consumers are keen to splurge to “make up for lost time”.

It is now important for retailers to keep up with the always-on consumer who is looking for a hyper-relevant and seamless experience, by tapping into hyperlocal strategies to evolve physical retail to strengthen local ties, support creativity and build human connection.

4) How can marketers better position themselves to keep up with consumer demands that seem to be shifting more often now than ever before?

The marketing industry is rapidly changing amid new consumer priorities and immersive technologies. Immersive storytelling formats, relatable brands with personality and a new commitment to more sustainable media and purpose will define 2022.

With metaverse being the buzzword of the year, marketers have to go beyond simple entrance points to power communities and reward consumers. Marketers need to adapt to the fluid shopping journeys of consumers who expect seamless shopping experiences that adjust to the individual shopper journey, ensuring all customer touchpoints are connected whether in-store, in-app or online.

5) In which direction are consumers gravitating and what might the priorities of the forthcoming generation look like?

Sustainability concerns will begin to dominate marketing as brands and agencies address the climate crisis and consumers will start to demand transparency. Brands will prioritise sustainability across departments, including marketing and media, and marketing will be under the microscope as there will be little tolerance for any empty corporate promises.

Consumers are growing increasingly climate-conscious and they’re leaning on leaders and organisations to pave a clear path; 51% see governments, 43% see businesses and brands and 41% see the ad industry as most accountable for its decarbonisation. Moving forward to 2022 and beyond, brands and agencies must use climate terminology correctly, from carbon neutrality to net zero. There will also be wider industry efforts such as Ad Net Zero, which is a commitment to “reduce the carbon impact of developing, producing and running advertising to real net zero by end of 2030.

6) Which finding in the report are you most personally excited by?

The marketing paradox! This trend will really bring about unique and novel ways to experience products and brands, like a fresh dopamine hit. We are loving all of the stunning, inspiring new activations that are capturing the emotions and imaginations of the post-pandemic consumers.

Marketers are launching entertaining stunts that enable escapism and ignite emotional connection. We’re getting slightly addicted to these big hits and the less creative, poorly planned ones are falling by the wayside, setting the standards for a new generation of marketing fanfare.

Redhill, the full-service global communications agency, has acquired Hong Kong-based Creative Consulting Group Inc. Limited (CCG) to strengthen its presence and service offering in Asia. With the acquisition, CCG will become part of the growing Redhill family, serving clients in Hong Kong and the Greater China region. This is the first acquisition for Redhill and is part of the firm’s continued efforts to strengthen its global reach and expertise.

Founded in 2001 by Belinda Chan, CCG is a marketing and public relations (PR) firm with an outstanding track record of delivering PR and communication solutions for clients across various business sectors, including banking & finance, real estate & professional services, lifestyle, and technology, among others. The firm boasts a client portfolio that includes Henderson Land Group, Cushman & Wakefield, Bank of Singapore, UBS, JP Morgan, Cyberport, Bang & Olufsen, MMD and Aruba.

“We’re excited to welcome Belinda and the CCG team to Redhill – we’ve long admired their excellent work and, together, built a strong working relationship over the past two years. CCG brings with it not only regional experience and presence but also a high-quality team in Hong Kong and Greater China region. This is an important milestone for Redhill as we set our sights on acquiring like-minded agencies across the world, as we further our mission to be a global agency with Asian roots,” said Jacob Puthenparambil, CEO, Redhill.

“We are thrilled to join the fast-growing, award-winning and highly-motivated Redhill family and are looking forward to incorporate a wider spectrum of clients with our diversified expertise. We have been in Hong Kong for 20 years and the team is ready to embark on a fuller professional journey and a promising breakthrough in our careers. With roots in the dynamic Greater China region, we join forces with Redhill to bring both our achievements to the next level,” said Belinda Chan, Founder & Managing Partner, CCG.

Since its inception in 2014, Redhill has grown from 30 employees in 2017 to over 110 employees in 2022, achieving a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 42.90 percent. Following an impressive year for Redhill in 2021, the company has continued the momentum into the new year, recently being listed as one of Singapore’s fastest-growing companies by The Straits Times and Statista in 2022. Redhill is the first full-service PR and communications agency to make the illustrious list and has been included in the list for the second year in a row.

In the words of SAIJAI’s co-founder Michael Kenner, the current global crisis has created the single most significant business opportunity of our lifetime. “When you look deeper at today’s quantum flight to digital business models, the reality is that the present situation has only been an accelerator of what was going to happen anyway.”
 
SAIJAI’s key services are rooted in home care but have diverse segments such as the rapidly aging Thai population, tutoring and education, childcare, and household services. Its approach to raising the bar on caregiver training, health, and safety for clients and creating a platform of unique services is just the starting point.

At the current point of development, SAIJAI has moved into its strategic MVP (minimum viable product) stage and is in the process of its first funding round. The front-end of the marketplace is already online and registering positive gains in traffic by using specifically targeted organic growth. One key milestone for early proof of concept has been the successful onboarding of over one thousand care providers across all of Thailand.
 
Kenner who heads Digital Broker Ventures (DBV) is a serial digital entrepreneur with a growing list of start-ups including leading Thai proptech group FazWaz, digital media platform The Thaiger, online price comparison hypermarket Tadoo, and MyMediTravel.
 
His co-founder in SAIJAI is well-established hospitality consulting professional Bill Barnett of C9 Hotelworks, so the combination of tech, business development, and demonstrated expertise has SAIJAI well positioned in the crowded house of new businesses. One of the most compelling advantages of the new group is it has the ability to leverage a critical mass of established platforms to capture synergies and ignite a quantum leap in growth.

Accessing the homecare space in Thailand, Barnett adds “our focus is a Thai-language model, which addresses the far-larger domestic market versus typical offerings for expats. For us, the size and evolving demographics of an aging population make this a no-brainer”.
 
In terms of the right time, right product paradigm, SAIJAI is engaging and providing critical jobs for the significant base of displaced skilled workers from Thailand’s challenged hospitality and service sectors. The flexibility for these caregivers to manage their own schedules, and work on an ad-hoc or part-time basis is an emerging trend that is set to become a new workplace norm in the disruptive years ahead.