Staff Reporters
Aug 30, 2010

Tencent invests US$10.5m in Thai online portal Sanook

BANGKOK - Chinese internet giant Tencent has confirmed it will acquire 2,496 Mweb Holdings shares, representing 49.92 per cent of Sanook's share capital for US$10.501 million.

Tencent QQ is the most popular free instant messaging computer program in Mainland China
Tencent QQ is the most popular free instant messaging computer program in Mainland China

Sanook is the leading online service provider for Thai consumers with respect to entertainment, information, commerce and community services. Through its operating subsidiaries, Sanook currently engages in a variety of internet-related businesses, including portal, internet advertising, instant messaging, mobile value-added services, e-commerce, classifieds and casual games.

The deal comes shortly after Tencent reportedly acquired a Google backed Chinese social networking company for US$60 million.

The acquisition marks another step for Tencent, which leads China's online game and instant message markets, as it expand into the social networking sector. 

Aside from Sanook, Tencent has also bought Google-backed Comsenz, a social network and online forum firm in China and paid US$300 million for a 10 per cent stake in Russia internet firm and Facebook investor Digital Sky Technologies. 

Related Articles

Just Published

5 hours ago

How to put creativity back into media buying

RedTrack’s Vladyslav Zhovtenko examines the impact of context-switching, yet at the same time why marketers shouldn’t automate everything.

6 hours ago

Creative Minds: Fachrul Rizal considers advertising ...

Having passed up a career crafting culinary masterpieces, Dentsu Creative Indonesia’s Fachrul Rizal brings the rigour of a Michelin-obsessed chef to advertising and creativity.

7 hours ago

Take a peak: How marketers can turn digital noise ...

In an attention-starved and price-sensitive market, brands are battling for fleeting consumer focus. NP Digital's Neil Patel shares how leveraging emotional resonance through the 'peak-end rule' can create powerful moments that stick.

7 hours ago

A sweet KitKat break-time signal for Manila businesses

In a twist on its classic image, KitKat Philippines has launched a campaign that transforms its iconic chocolate bar into a practical break-time signal for small business owners in Metro Manila.