Association president Jirabool Vittayasing said the fair would be an open stage for Thai entrepreneurs to show their full capacities and underscore Thailand's significance and strength as a producer of high-quality gifts, premiums and home decorative items.

Premiums are goods made-to-order, usually as branded gifts given by companies to their customers.

Fifty-five per cent of Thailand's exports in the category go to the US, Japan and the UK.

The BIG & BIH Fair is being organised by the Commerce Ministry's Export Promotion Department and will be held from April 17-22 in Muang Thong Thani's Impact Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Paying True Move over the counter

True Move has launched a new "Online Payment via Counter Service" for the convenience of its post-paid subscribers.

It allows customers to pay their bills over the counter at any 7-Eleven convenience store in the Kingdom free of charge and without the need for a monthly statement.

True Corp marketing director Suphakit Vuntanadit said the new service was expected to be popular among post-paid customers and that the company was continuing to develop other new methods of payment to add to customer convenience.

Doubletree golf resort and spa

Destination Properties has announced it is developing Thailand's first internationally branded golf resort and spa: the Doubletree by Hilton Golf Resort and Spa, on the Eastern Seaboard.

The premier golf resort and corporate hotel is the result of a collaboration between Destination Properties, Hilton and sports, entertainment and media group IMG.

Destination Properties CEO Gary Murray said the property would be the first Doubletree by Hilton in the Asia-Pacific. Located on the Eastern Seaboard, it will be a part of Thailand's leading centre of industry and technology.

Hilton Hotels will manage the 358-room resort, and IMG Golf Course Management will operate and manage the golf course.

The property is expected to open early next year.

More Etihad frequent flyers

Etihad Guest, the frequent-flyer programme of Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has seen its membership exceed 100,000 just six months after being launched.

Members from 145 countries have enrolled so far, and already many have flown sufficient miles to attain silver or gold status in the reward programme.

Etihad operates popular twice-daily flights between Bangkok and Abu Dhabi.

Etihad Guest partners in-clude airlines, hotels, tour operators, car-rental agencies and healthcare and financial services.

Members move to silver membership at 25,000 miles and gold membership at 50,000 miles, receiving a range of benefits like airport-lounge access, priority booking, excess-baggage allowance and secure online-account access.

Members can also redeem their miles for half-price tickets on selected destinations before May 31.