AIS sees 13 million messages for Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day

BANGKOK, Feb 13 (TNA) -- Advanced Info Service (AIS), Thailand’s largest mobile phone operator, predicts that over 13 million messages will be sent via its systems during Sunday’s dual celebrations of Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day, a senior company executive said Saturday.

AIS vice president of wireless business marketing Prattana Leelapanang said 11 to 12 million SMS messages were projected to be sent Sunday, up 15 per cent from last year’s, and more than one million would be sent under the company's MMS system.

Despite the expected increase in sent messages, the company foresees no problem because messages are expected to be dispatched gradually, unlike New Year's Eve when messages were sent just before midnight, he said.

He said adults are expected to send congratulations for the Chinese New Year most while youngsters will forward love messages for Valentine’s Day.

AIS projects that sending MMS messages by users through its service this year would grow 40 per cent from 2009 due to its popularity.

AIS shares closed Friday on the Thai bourse at Bt88.25, up Bt4.50 from Thursday. (TNA)