MUMBAI: CNN has announced a series of specials later this month that will focus on popular tourist destination Thailand.
Anchor/correspondent Lian Pek talks to business leaders and entrepreneurs and examines various business stories from inside the country from 14 to 18 October, in a series of special reports. The topics range from pizzas, the country's film industry to the threat of music piracy.
On 14 October, Copyright Fee Controversy take centrestage. The land of the pirated CD in Thailand is struggling to come to terms with paying copyright fees as some of the country's biggest music companies vow to collect fees from entertainment businesses that use their recordings. The Thai government has also been lobbied to set up a one-stop collection center. CNN will examine this controversial collection drive in this special report.
Pizza Warrior airs on 15 October. A longtime foreign investor in Thailand, Bill Heinecke is in charge of the Minor Group, which used to have a decades-old relationship with Pizza Hut. Heinecke discusses his vision on doing business in the country and his newly set up pizza chain, Pizza Company.
The next day Challenging CEOs features an interview with the Chairman and CEO of the C.P. Group - Dhanin Chearavanont. He is Thailands leading agri-businessman, who made this year's Forbes list of billionaires.
New Karaoke Trend sees Pek looking into the latest karaoke trend in Thailand. Coin-operated booths in department stores are getting more popular, making karaoke as much a daytime activity as a nighttime activity. The new phenomenon is filling the gap between the upmarket lounges and roadside foodstalls with karaoke facilities. CNN takes a close look at how this business is flourishing.
The programmes end with Thai Film Industry Revival on 18 October. The revival of the Thai film industry in recent years is encouraging entertainment companies to invest more in local productions. Some of these productions are earning international recognition. In this special report, CNN looks at the health of the film industry in Thailand.
The shows air on News Biz Today: Monday to Friday at 6 am (live) as well as Biz Asia: Monday to Friday at 7:30 pm (live), with repeats at 9 pm Hong Kong time.
