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Tag: Thailand

  • Thailand to invest in infrastructure development

    Thailand to invest in infrastructure development

    Thailand’s strategically important geographic location gives it ample advantage to become a primary regional economic hub, not only in trade, investment and tourism, but also in communication and transportation networks that connect to other regions around the world. And the government has in recent years made investment in domestic infrastructure its top priority.

    The Thailand infrastructure action plan for 2017 is worth US$25.2 billion and includes 36 projects, covering rail, roads, air transport and ports around the country. The government plans to begin selling Thailand Future Fund investment units in October as an infrastructure investment alternative. It’s a way of raising liquidity from the public for the construction of massive state infrastructure projects. The unit sales are expected to reap $1.1 billion.

    The Industry Ministry recently revealed that Thailand’s emerging Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) is expected to see investment in infrastructure projects reach $43 billion in the next five years — for airport expansion, new railways and cities, port development and spurring modern industry.

    Helping ensure the success of its infrastructure development, the government will provide full support, including eliminating barriers, rules and regulations in order to generate real, high-value investments, as well as a one-stop service to facilitate investment in the EEC. The Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI) in turn offers enticing and competitive privileges, including a corporate tax holiday for up to 15 years, exemption from import duties on machinery and raw materials, 17% personal income tax credits for executives, experts and researchers working in designated zones, grants to support investments in R&D, innovation and human resource development, permission to own land for promoted activities, and one-stop service to facilitate business operations.

    An integrated local and cross-border transportation network

    Fast-paced development of a comprehensive network of interconnecting transport routes across the country will accommodate rapidly surging demand for both domestic and cross-border transportation. Government agencies are expediting efforts to call for bids on several new mass-transit routes and an expressway system throughout Greater Bangkok, and motorway, double-track rail and high-speed train projects across the nation.

    Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has made a personal appeal for public support for the Thai-Chinese high-speed railway planned to link Bangkok to the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima. The same railway is envisioned as connecting with Chinese high-speed trains in Laos traveling to China, as part of a joint Chinese-Thai effort which forms part of Beijing’s vast infrastructure drive known as the “One Belt, One Road” initiative.

    Another high-speed train project, the 193.5-kilometre Bangkok-Rayong route, which will link the Eastern Economic Corridor to Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and U-tapao international airports, is in now undergoing a feasibility study and preparations for a public private partnership (PPP).

    Elsewhere in Thailand, a Bangkok-Hua Hin high-speed railway and a mass-transit rapid monorail system for Phuket are currently being assessed for feasibility.

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  • AEON and Thai Airways Offer Business Class of travel to Japan

    AEON and Thai Airways Offer Business Class of travel to Japan

    Mr. Kiyoyasu Asanuma (Centre), Managing Director of AEON Thana Sinsap (Thailand) Public Company Limited has coorporated with Thai Airways International Public Company Limited to provide special offers to AEON Royal Orchid Plus Platinum Cardmembers (VISA payWave and JCB) under the campaign “Ultimate Happiness in Japan with AEON Royal Orchid Plus Platinum Card”.

    Card members will be exploring their ultimate travel experience from luxurious Business Class travel to Japan with Thai Airways. AEON customers will get Thai Airways round-trip Business Class ticket from BKK – Japan value 65,000 baht when spend 3,500,000 baht or more or earn up to 5,000 bonus miles when spend 500,000 baht or more at any participating stores worldwide. The campaign runs from now until September 30, 2017.

     

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  • CJ Express to invest THB4 billion in expansion

    CJ Express to invest THB4 billion in expansion

    CJ Express, which runs convenience stores and supermarkets, plans to invest THB4 billion (US$120 million) in doubling the size of the business.

    Its aim is to be earning THB20 billion in sales by 2020, says MD Sathien Setthasit.

    He says about THB3.7 billion will be used to open 370 stores and supermarkets this year through to 2020. This would bring store numbers to 600 within the next three years.

    The remaining THB300 million will be spent on store renovations and other upgrades.

    Sathien says he is confident the investment will help boost sales to THB10 billion this year, up from THB7.4 billion last year.

    This year the company has added stores in the central region and in a 250km radius from Ratchaburi province, where it has its distribution centre.

    CJ Express is owned by the same stakeholders as energy-drink maker Carabao Group, but the two businesses are run separately. Sathien, who is also a Carabao Group founder, acquired CJ Express about four years ago.

    He says CJ Express is quite strong in the central region and helps support sales of Carabao Dang energy drinks.

    There are plans to expand CJ Express outlets to the northeast, which supports about 30 per cent of Thailand’s energy-drink market.

    Sathien says CJ Express will join forces with Topvalue, a wholly owned e-commerce site, in this year’s fourth quarter.

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  • HappyFresh (Thailand) meeting growth targets

    HappyFresh (Thailand) meeting growth targets

    Online grocery HappyFresh (Thailand) says its THB200 million (US$6 million) first-half investment has started to pay off.

    The Thai subsidiary of Jakarta-based HappyFresh said early this year it would make the investment with the aim of growing by more than 500 per cent. All targets are being met or exceeded, says HappyFresh Group MD/co-founder Benjamin Koellmann.

    “We’re right on track to hit our full-year targets and expect the second half of the year to be even better.”
    The company’s mobile app and website are offering customers a wide variety of grocery products from local partners with home delivery within an hour. Its partners range from Big C Supercenter, Gourmet Market of The Mall Group, and Tesco Lotus, plus specialty retailers such as Bei Otto German Delicatessen, Food Glorious Food, Sunshine Market and The Accidental Butcher.

    Marketing, operations and human resources are the focus of the investment, says Koellmann.

    “Marketing is important as we still need to raise awareness of HappyFresh and educate Thai consumers about online grocery. Operations are the backbone of our business, and a good experience is what keeps customers returning. Finally, none of this can happen without a strong team, so we spend a lot of time and resources to attract the best local talent.”

    As well as Indonesia, HappyFresh is in Malaysia. It launched its Thailand subsidiary in Bangkok in September 2015. “We are exploring expansion options to other major markets in Thailand, but for now remain focussed on the large opportunity in the greater Bangkok area, says Koellmann.

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  • Impact’s The Portal offers restaurants and retail space

    Impact’s The Portal offers restaurants and retail space

    The managers of the Impact Exhibition and Convention Center have opened a four-story commercial building to house retail stores and other facilities for locals, exhibitors and visitors alike.

    Dubbed The Portal Lifestyle Complex, the futuristic-looking building connects to the Impact Arena, Impact Challenger and Impact Exhibition Center via link bridges. It houses retail stores, a foodcourt, restaurants and brand-name outlets as well as providing a lifestyle venue for the general public visiting Muang Thong Thani, an outlying suburb of Bangkok.

    Paul Kanjanapas, Impact Exhibition Management MD says the building, which cost about THB600 million to construct, is a response to a growing demand for exhibition space and services.

    The curved design of the exterior was inspired by “the movement of undercurrents” according to a statement.

    A number of retail, food and beverage and service companies have leased space, including Burger King, The Pizza Company, After You, Watsons, Thai Ticket Major, Isan@Arena, Tsubohachi Express and Hong Kong Suki. The retail areas are open from 10am to 8pm.

    The third floor of The Portal Lifestyle Complex features a large food arena and the top floor the 1500 sqm Portal Ballroom, offering an elegant function area.

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  • Gourmet Market to open at Bangkok subway station

    Gourmet Market to open at Bangkok subway station

    Working with Bangkok Metro Network (BMN), The Mall Group will open a Gourmet Market at Lat Phrao subway station.

    The MRT serves more than 240,000 passengers each day, with the Lat Phrao station being a key transit point with a large parking lot.

    The outlet is the fourth outside the group’s shopping complexes as the retailer seeks to position stores that can capture more passing trade. It is in the park-and-ride area of the Ratchadaphisek Road station and is set to open in September.

    Group executive VP Chamnarn Maytaprechakul says the collaboration is part of the company’s transformation to provide its services through different channels.

    “The three Gourmet Market outlets that already sit outside our complexes have received a warm welcome from customers, and we predict they will thrive with double-digit sales growth, compared with the single-digit growth of our stores inside malls.”

    Its established Gourmet Market outlets can be found in Terminal 21 at the Asok intersection, in The Promenade shopping complex on Ram Intra Road, and in The Crystal SB Ratchapruek community mall.

    Other business opportunities being explored by The Mall Group include delivery service, online shopping and e-payment.

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  • AEON Offers Premium Privileges with “AEON SHOP PLUS 2017” Campaign

    AEON Offers Premium Privileges with “AEON SHOP PLUS 2017” Campaign

    Mr. Kiyoyasu Asanuma (middle), Managing Director of AEON Thana Sinsap (Thailand) Public Company Limited, has launched The campaign “AEON SHOP PLUS 2017” offers AEON Gold & Classic Credit Card holders with every 30,000 baht of  purchases will receive an ESPRIT Fleece Comfy blanket and Cosy towel worth 2,980 baht. Registration for the campaign by sending an SMS with “SP” followed by 16-digits of AEON credit card numbers without spaces and then send to 4589123 or free register online via www.aeon.co.th from today until August 31st, 2017.

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  • Thailand, China tie-up for Japan’s FamilyMart UNY?

    Thailand, China tie-up for Japan’s FamilyMart UNY?

    FamilyMart UNY Holdings, Japan’s second-largest convenience store chain, is considering partnering with China’s Citic and Thailand’s Charoen Pokphand Group.

    The companies are looking at opportunities beyond convenience stores, says FamilyMart UNY president Koji Takayanagi.

    FamilyMart UNY has forecast it will more than double its profit to ¥100 billion (US$901 million) in four years from ¥41.2 billion in the current fiscal year. This will be driven by converting its Circle K and Sunkus stores into more profitable FamilyMart outlets, says Takayanagi.

    “There is plenty of room for growth,” he says of the company, which also runs supermarkets and general stores. While FamilyMart is profitable in China and Taiwan, it is reviewing its loss-making businesses in Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. “If we can get them to rally we will, but we cannot continue to pour in resources,” Takayanagi says.

    While rival Seven & I Holdings, which owns Japan’s largest convenience store chain 7-Eleven, expands overseas, FamilyMart will stay focussed on the domestic market. “It is easier to achieve results domestically and we know what we need to do,” says Takayanagi.

    Japan’s worsening labour shortage, which is leaving convenience stores scrambling to find workers, will force companies to adapt and innovate, he says. Even the country’s declining birthrate and aging population does not phase him. “Even if the amount an individual eats declines, if we offer items with added value people will buy them.”

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  • Dell Thailand launches concept store

    Dell Thailand launches concept store

    Dell Thailand, in partnership with Chiangrai Technocom, has launched the first Dell Concept Store in Chiang Rai.

    Dell products at the store include desktop and laptop computers and peripherals for both consumer lifestyle and professional needs.

    Chiang Rai provincial mayor Wanchai Chongsutnamani presided over the store’s official opening.

    Dell EMC Indochina VP Anothai Wettayakorn says the company is confident in its partnership with Chiangrai Technocom, which has been selling Dell products through its six branches in the northern region of Thailand.

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  • Thai AirAsia funds mechanic courses

    Thai AirAsia funds mechanic courses

    Thai AirAsia has signed an agreement with Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep and Bangkok Aviation Centre (BAC) to provide an aircraft mechanic development course through an intensive one-year course.

    Graduates will have an opportunity to be employed by Thai AirAsia.

    The airline’s CEO, Tassapon Bijleveld, said the aviation industry is experiencing rapid growth, especially in the low-cost carrier segment.

    “The expansion has created high demand for experts in the sector, including aircraft mechanics to support operations,” he said.

    Thai AirAsia currently employs 321 aircraft mechanics, 105 are aircraft engineers while the other 216 are maintenance personnel, all managing the airline’s 54 (to be 58 by the end of 2017) Airbus A320s.

    The company is targeting to hire 100 more mechanics over the next three years, he said.

    Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep provides European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standard aircraft mechanic courses, while BAC, is a leading aviation training provider.

    The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has indicated Asia will require over 40,000 employees in aviation including mechanics.

    The 12-month course is specifically designed to meet the needs of Thai AirAsia and students will receive a salary from the airline like other employees during their training.

    Interested individuals can find information and download an application form at www.airasia.com/recruitment until 31 July. The course begins 16 October this year.

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  • Summer Hill set to transform Phra Khanong’s lifestyle landscape

    Summer Hill set to transform Phra Khanong’s lifestyle landscape

    Summer Hill, a stylish new summer-inspired community hub by Boutique Prakhanong 1 Limited, a direct subsidiary of the leading property developer Boutique Corporation Public Company Limited (“Boutique”), is set to transform the Phra Khanong retail and lifestyle landscape when it opens its doors this year.

    Located just one step from BTS Phra Khanong, the mixed-use development features an assortment of stores, cafes, restaurants, fitness centers and co-working spaces for visitors to shop, hangout, savor a delicious meal or drink, and just enjoy their “summer-like” urban lifestyle.

    Summer Hill is the latest project by Boutique, which is responsible for the development of a number of high quality hospitality projects in premium sites throughout Thailand, including Southeast Asia’s first ever Hyatt Place, launched in 2016 in Patong, Phuket. Since its inception in 2004, Boutique has successfully launched more than 10 development projects and currently has more than 5 projects in the pipeline. Its first foray into retail came in 2012, with the opening of the award-winning urban oasis Rain Hill on Sukhumvit 47.

    “After conducting extensive market research, we began to see the potential for Phra Khanong to become Bangkok’s next trendy, upmarket neighborhood. We decided to open Summer Hill here as we realized there’s nothing quite like it in the area or planned for the next couple of years. We also have experience of developing in Sukhumvit, having launched numerous real estate projects in the area so far. There’s a real need for a quality lifestyle-oriented mixed-use development – a place where visitors can eat, drink, go to wellness stores, specialty stores, and attend fitness and education classes; basically, the focus is to cater to consumers’ lifestyles,” said Mr. Prab Thakral, President and Group CEO of Boutique Corporation Public Company Limited.

    The mixed-use development, set on approximately 5 rai of land, will be home to 40 leading brands carefully selected to cater to the plethora of Bangkok residents’ urban lifestyles. With a mix of outdoor and indoor space and a gorgeous 160m-long frontage along Sukhumvit Road, Summer Hill’s clear glass façade design will become a landmark and trendy meeting point in Phra Khanong.

    Summer Hill is also planning a second phase of the project, expected to be completed by 2018, which will involve the development of a 10,000 square meter office building with integrated retail on the ground floor, allowing office workers to also make use of the premium facilities.

    “As Boutique has extensive experience and expertise across a variety of sectors in the Sukhumvit area, we are perfectly placed to capitalize on the ongoing trend for mixed-use developments in the marketplace. Mixed-use buildings can often be the key to revitalizing and brightening underdeveloped areas, while also being more energy efficient, sustainable, and more in line with modern urban lifestyles. For example, people nowadays no longer want to spend so much time commuting to work or play,” Mr. Prab added.

    Mixed-use developments, like Summer Hill, have also responded to the recent increase in popularity of e-commerce in Thailand by offering unique and enjoyable shopping experiences that are just not available online. By featuring a combination of shops, restaurants, entertainment and lifestyle outlets, Phra Khanong residents and visitors can visit whenever they want, to do whatever they want.

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  • ShopBack Thailand launches with 100 merchants

    ShopBack Thailand launches with 100 merchants

    Cash-rebate service ShopBack Thailand has launched with more than 100 merchants on board.

    Merchants include online travel booking websites Booking.com and Expedia, beauty platform Sephora, e-commerce giant Lazada, as well as ride-hailing services Grab and Uber. Consumers can expect to receive up to 30 per cent in cash back when the new service.

    “Online shopping in Thailand isn’t a trend, it’s part of the everyday retail culture,” says ShopBack Thailand co-founder/country head Kawin Prachanukul. “We’re discovering ways to connect merchants and shoppers in a way that creates added value for both parties.”

    Thailand is the sixth market for Singapore-based ShopBack, founded two years ago. As well as Singapore it is active in Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan and the Philippines. It has received more than US$1 million in funding from Accel-X and East Ventures.

    ShopBack claims to have more than three million users. Merchants on the platform receive more than $20.3 million in sales each month, and to date the service has paid more than $10 million in cash back to its customers.

    In Thailand, ShopBack faces competition from homegrown player Dealcha!, backed by Thai seed-funding specialist 500 TukTuks.

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  • Visa signs MOU as the payments partner of Phuket Smart City

    Visa signs MOU as the payments partner of Phuket Smart City

    Mr. Suripong Tantiyanon (left), Visa Country Manager, Thailand signed MOU with Mr. Karn Prachumpan (right), Co-Founder and Board of Committee, Phuket City Development Co., Ltd (PKCD) as the official partner of Phuket Smart City to develop payment solutions for both residents and tourists on the island-province.

    Phuket City Development was founded by local businesses in September 2016, with initial investment from 25 prominent Phuket families. The province is among the first in Thailand to embrace the Smart City concept. It aims to transform Phuket into a fully integrated digital economy, assisting business owners, managers, start-up entrepreneurs and residents in the transition.

    Mr. Suripong Tantiyanon, Visa Country Manager, Thailand: “Globally, Visa is speeding up the implementation of electronic payments by working closely with public and private sectors. Visa is aligning with like-minded partners around the world to help bring this vision to life. We are using our position as a global leader in innovation and technology to create solutions for businesses to connect to their consumers. The singing of MOU agreement with Phuket City Development is another milestone that help bring the country closer to a cashless Digital Thailand.”

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  • ShopBack launches in Thailand and pays Thais to shop online

    ShopBack launches in Thailand and pays Thais to shop online

    ShopBack, the online Cashback platform with a strong regional presence, today announced its official launch of its website and mobile in Thailand at a media briefing

    Connecting international merchants to local shoppers, ShopBack introduces the smarter way to shop with up to 30% Cashback stacked atop discounts, coupons, voucher codes and credit card rebates.

    More than 1,300 merchants are integrated in ShopBack sites, with 100+ local and international merchants on the Thai site as of the launch. These include leading online travel booking websites Expedia and Booking.com, French beauty merchant Sephora, SE Asia’s leading online shopping platform Lazada, transport apps Grab and Uber and many more. Shoppers can get up to 30% Cashback depending on individual merchants.

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  • TripAdvisor China partners with Thai retailers

    TripAdvisor China partners with Thai retailers

    Travel site TripAdvisor China has partnered with five retail groups in Thailand to further enhance the shopping experience for Chinese tourists in Bangkok.

    TripAdvisor says Chinese travellers show more interest in visiting Thailand than any other inbound market. Chinese users of its website continue to grow year-on-year by 56 per cent. During the June-to-August shopping period, the growth in inbound interest is growing year-on-year by 84 per cent, says TripAdvisor.

    Meanwhile, the retail partnership has been designed specifically for the free, independent traveller from China. With a tendency to seek information on their mobile devices while travelling, users of TripAdvisor’s Chinese domain are being offered a Bangkok shopping category via mobile web or app.

    As well as discounts and promotions, users can access floor maps, brand directories and curated shopping guides provided by the Central Group, King Power, Siam Piwat Group, Terminal 21 and The Mall Group.

    “Bangkok is one of the leading shopping capitals of the world and continues to be a top destination for the Chinese,” says TripAdvisor Asia Pacific senior director of partnerships Aaron Hung.

    “We’re pleased to extend our tourist promotions of special discounts and tax refunds to TripAdvisor’s Chinese users, and we hope to welcome more Chinese shoppers in our stores especially at Central Chidlom and Zen@Central World,” says Central marketing executive Piyawan Leelasompop.

    Promotions executive Jiraporn Srisa-an at Siam Piwat Group says the mall group is also offering TripAdvisor’s Chinese users with exclusive privileges such as a tourist platinum discount card for Siam Paragon Department Store and for participating brands in Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery, as well as a gift voucher.

    “We’ve tailored promotions exclusively for TripAdvisor’s Chinese users who shop at Terminal 21 Asok,” says Terminal 21 MD Prasert Sriuranpong. These include a dining card and a Posh bag

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