BANGKOK, Sept. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CP AXTRA, the operator of Asia's leading wholesale and retail businesses — Makro and Lotus's — based in Thailand, is accelerating its digital transformation journey as part of its commitment to shaping the future of smart retail. At the core of this vision is a commitment to leveraging cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) to significantly increase manpower efficiency, enabling team members to focus on higher-value, strategic tasks while driving online sales and aligning with the evolving needs of today's consumers.
This transformation is supported by CP AXTRA's strategic partnership with Tencent Cloud, the cloud business of global leading technology company Tencent. The collaboration, formalized earlier this year through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), combines CP AXTRA's retail expertise with Tencent Cloud's advanced technology solutions — setting a new benchmark for innovation in retail across Asia and beyond.
Under this partnership, CP AXTRA is deploying Tencent Cloud's comprehensive suite of services, including Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), AI powered big data and database solutions, as well as advanced container management solutions such as Tencent Kubernetes Engine (TKE). These tools are instrumental in optimizing operations across more than 2,600 stores in Thailand, enabling scalable digital innovation and significant cost efficiencies.
A cornerstone of this transformation is Tencent Kubernetes Engine (TKE), which help CP AXTRA achieve elastic scaling, enabling IT infrastructure to adapt dynamically to fluctuating business demands. Complementing this, AI-driven innovations are revolutionizing inventory management and sales forecasting, laying the foundation for a more intelligent, responsive retail ecosystem.
As part of its digital expansion, CP AXTRA has also officially launched its Weixin/WeChat Mini Program, offering a seamless shopping experience for Chinese-speaking consumers across Asia. The Mini Program allows customers to explore and purchase a curated selection of Thai products directly from their smartphones, without needing to travel — making "Thailand to your hands" a reality. From everyday essentials to local favorites, all products are delivered with CP AXTRA's trusted quality and service.
This initiative underscores CP AXTRA's ambition to provide a cross-border lifestyle shopping experience that blends reliable Thai sourcing with the speed and convenience expected by modern consumers in China and across the region.
Chen Rui, Vice President of International Business and Managing Director for Southeast Asia at Tencent Cloud, said, "We are honored to partner with CP AXTRA on their transformative journey toward smart retail. By combining Tencent Cloud's advanced AI and cloud infrastructure with CP AXTRA's deep industry expertise, we are helping to solve complex challenges and unlock new opportunities for growth. Our solutions, such as the Tencent Kubernetes Engine, are enabling CP AXTRA to scale dynamically, optimize operations, and achieve significant cost efficiencies across thousands of stores. Together, we are setting a new standard for digital innovation in the retail sector and demonstrating the immense potential of cloud technology to drive sustainable business success."
Tarin Thaniyavarn, Group Chief Technology & Data Officers and Group Chief E-Commerce Officer, CP AXTRA Public Company Limited, added, "At CP AXTRA, we are committed to redefining the future of retail in Southeast Asia through bold innovation and strategic partnerships. Our digital transformation roadmap is not just about adopting new technologies—it's about empowering our people and creating smarter, more agile operations that benefit both our customers and our teams. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and working closely with Tencent Cloud, we are reducing repetitive workloads, enabling our employees to focus on higher-value tasks, and setting ambitious targets for online growth. This partnership is a testament to our dedication to sustainable, technology-driven progress and our vision to lead the region into a new era of smart retail."
This partnership is more than a technological upgrade — it represents a transformative redefinition of customer experiences and retail innovation. By addressing key challenges in scalability, AI integration, and infrastructure optimization, CP AXTRA is strengthening its position as a retail tech leader in Asia. With Tencent Cloud's proven global footprint, serving over 10,000 clients across over 80 countries, this alliance also further cements Tencent Cloud's position as the trusted cloud partner for enterprises driving digital innovations worldwide.
About Tencent Cloud
Tencent Cloud, one of the world's leading cloud companies, is committed to creating innovative solutions to resolve real-world issues and enabling digital transformation for smart industries. Through our extensive global infrastructure, Tencent Cloud provides businesses across the globe with stable and secure industry-leading cloud products and services, leveraging technological advancements such as cloud computing, Big Data analytics, AI, IoT, and network security. It is our constant mission to meet the needs of industries across the board, including the fields of gaming, media and entertainment, finance, healthcare, property, retail, travel, and transportation.
About CP AXTRA
CP AXTRA Public Company Limited, is an operator of Asia's leading wholesaler and retailer, Makro and Lotus's. The Company is based in Thailand, with operation across 10 countries. CP AXTRA is committed to fulfilling people's lives with good health, love, joy, and well-being, by providing solutions and meeting customers' daily needs with technology, innovation, and operational excellence.
With over 30 years of retail experience, CP AXTRA is a trusted partner for both B2B and B2C customers, offering a comprehensive range of products and services. Today, it manages over 2,600 offline stores in Thailand and Asia, with strong online presence.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
CP AXTRA Unveils Digital Transformation Vision and Partners with Tencent Cloud to Power AI-Driven Retail Tech
BEIJING, Dec. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 9, the "Capture the Splendor of the Forbidden City—Diplomats' Photography Award Ceremony and Image Sharing Session," part of the "2025 Foreign Diplomats' Tour of the Forbidden City" program, was successfully held at the Palace Museum. Co-hosted by the Palace Museum, the Beijing Service Bureau for Diplomatic Missions, and China Photo Service, and organized by Photoworld Magazine, the event brought together over 50 diplomatic envoys from more than 30 embassies in China, along with renowned Chinese photographers and other distinguished guests from the business community, to use mobile photography as a medium for cultural exchange and to explore the unique charm of the Forbidden City as a World Heritage Site.
Attendees included Wang Xudong, Director of the Palace Museum; Xu Yuchang, Secretary-General of Xinhua News Agency; and Zhang Chi, Deputy Director of the Beijing Service Bureau for Diplomatic Missions, who delivered welcome remarks. The speakers highlighted the Forbidden City's historical and cultural significance and emphasized the role of photography and this initiative as tools for deepening cultural exchange and mutual understanding across borders. H.E. Mr. Hussam Al Husseini, Ambassador of Jordan to China, delivered a speech on behalf of the invited diplomatic envoys. Huang Wen, Deputy Director of Xinhua News Agency's News & Information Center, provided an overview of the award selection process. Distinguished guests, including Duan Zhipu, Chairman of China Photo Service of Xinhua News Agency; Lou Wei, Executive Deputy Director of the Palace Museum; Yu Meng, Vice President and Vice President of Imaging at vivo; and Chen Liqun, Executive Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Deputy General Manager of Photoworld Magazine, also attended the event.
Leveraging the Power of Imagery to Bridge Cultural Exchange
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Palace Museum, the Museum, the Beijing Diplomatic Service, and Xinhua News Agency's China Photo Service organized a series of photographic cultural exchange activities under the "2025 Foreign Diplomats' Tour of the Forbidden City" program, inviting participating diplomats to capture the beauty of the Palace Museum through photography. Over 6,000 outstanding works from more than 30 countries were collected, forming a diverse, three-dimensional, and vibrant showcase of the Museum's vital role as a hub for cultural exchange and mutual learning.
The annual Diplomats' Photography Awards winners were announced at the event, with attending leaders and guests presenting the awards. The first prize winner, Laura Olivo, Second Secretary of the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in China, said in her acceptance speech: "The scenery of the Forbidden City is truly beautiful, with a clear blue sky, and the five roof ridge beasts reflected on the red walls. I was able to capture such a great photo with just my phone."
During the Palace Museum Image Art Sharing session, renowned photographer Li Shaobai highlighted how mobile photography can offer a more documentary, authentic, and everyday perspective on the cultural site, helping creators convey vivid Chinese stories to the world. Xing Guangli, Director of the Social News Interview Room at Xinhua News Agency's Photography Department and Senior Reporter, shared three poetic and enduring frames of the Palace Museum through history. Senior Reporter Jin Liangkuai presented the Palace Museum's transition from imperial gardens to a public cultural venue through the lens of journalistic documentary photography.
Depicting a Vision of Integrated Development of Technology and Culture
As part of the event, mobile photography works by diplomats and renowned photographers were showcased under the theme "Light & Ink • Forbidden City," presenting the beauty of the Forbidden City from diverse cultural perspectives. From the intricate layers of red walls and golden roofs to the juxtaposition of palace structures within the same frame, the exhibition transformed the Forbidden City's architectural, historical, and cultural symbols into shared visual stories of traditional Chinese culture.
The exhibition participants shared their impressions of mobile photography and noted that the advanced mobile imaging experience not only helps them capture numerous remarkable moments at the Forbidden City but also allows them to instantly share these moments with family abroad, jointly appreciating the charm of China's historical and cultural heritage.
On the same day, these photographic works were also displayed at Beijing Fang, an iconic landmark along the city's central axis, forming a themed exhibition alongside historical photos of the Forbidden City and images of the central axis scenery. The exhibition presented historical and contemporary stories of the central axis through different time periods and perspectives, attracting the attention of a multitude of photography enthusiasts. It also featured selections from over 50,000 photos submitted to the "Beijing Central Axis • Images of the Era" Mobile Photography Initiative, supported by vivo, highlighting the role of mobile imaging technology in spurring cultural innovation.
As cross-cultural exchanges deepen, visual media such as mobile photography, powered by the technological innovations of companies like vivo, are playing an increasingly pivotal role in transforming historical and cultural heritage into shared experiences, dialogues, and stories.
About vivo
vivo is a technology company that creates great products based on a user-oriented value, with smart devices and intelligent services as its core. The company aims to build a bridge between humans and the digital world. Through unique creativity, vivo provides users with an increasingly convenient mobile and digital life. Following the company's core values, which include Benfen*, user-orientation, design-driven value, continuous learning, and team spirit, vivo has implemented a sustainable development strategy with the vision of developing into a healthier, more sustainable world-class corporation.
While bringing together and developing the best local talents to deliver excellence, vivo is supported by a network of R&D centers in Shenzhen, Dongguan, Nanjing, Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Xi'an and more cities, focusing on the development of state-of-the-art consumer technologies, including 5G, artificial intelligence, industrial design, imaging system and other up-and-coming technologies. vivo has also set up an intelligent manufacturing network (including those authorized by vivo), with an annual production capacity of nearly 200 million smartphones. As of now, vivo has branched out its sales network across more than 60 countries and regions and is loved by more than 500 million users worldwide.
*"Benfen" is a term describing the attitude on doing the right things and doing things right – which is the ideal description of vivo's mission to create value for society.
Stay informed of latest vivo news at https://www.vivo.com/en/about-vivo/news
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Photography Awards and Sharing Session at the Palace Museum Highlight Mobile Imaging Technology as a Catalyst for Cultural Exchange
Photography Awards and Sharing Session at the Palace Museum Highlight Mobile Imaging Technology as a Catalyst for Cultural Exchange
Photography Awards and Sharing Session at the Palace Museum Highlight Mobile Imaging Technology as a Catalyst for Cultural Exchange
Photography Awards and Sharing Session at the Palace Museum Highlight Mobile Imaging Technology as a Catalyst for Cultural Exchange
Photography Awards and Sharing Session at the Palace Museum Highlight Mobile Imaging Technology as a Catalyst for Cultural Exchange
Photography Awards and Sharing Session at the Palace Museum Highlight Mobile Imaging Technology as a Catalyst for Cultural Exchange
Photography Awards and Sharing Session at the Palace Museum Highlight Mobile Imaging Technology as a Catalyst for Cultural Exchange
Photography Awards and Sharing Session at the Palace Museum Highlight Mobile Imaging Technology as a Catalyst for Cultural Exchange
Photography Awards and Sharing Session at the Palace Museum Highlight Mobile Imaging Technology as a Catalyst for Cultural Exchange
Photography Awards and Sharing Session at the Palace Museum Highlight Mobile Imaging Technology as a Catalyst for Cultural Exchange
Photography Awards and Sharing Session at the Palace Museum Highlight Mobile Imaging Technology as a Catalyst for Cultural Exchange
Photography Awards and Sharing Session at the Palace Museum Highlight Mobile Imaging Technology as a Catalyst for Cultural Exchange
Photography Awards and Sharing Session at the Palace Museum Highlight Mobile Imaging Technology as a Catalyst for Cultural Exchange
