The company expects to record 250,000 transactions in the first quarter of this year.

Thailand Post president Samorn Terdthampiboon said that the firm is working with Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) and 2C2P to provide the COD service, which is based around a smart payment system for EMS customers.

 The service allows customers who buy products from SMEs, other businesses and entrepreneurs to make payments via cash on delivery and online channels. Customers can pay the required charges for the products via the postman, who, upon delivering a product, can accept payment in cash and mobile banking transfers, such as through the wallet@post and SCB applications. Payments can be made through these channels for products with a value of less than Bt49,000 per transaction.

For the sellers who have products sent to their destinations, they will receive the proceeds from a money transfer within two days. Until February 28, money transfers for sellers are being provided for free under a promotion. Sellers will pay a fee of 3 per cent per transaction after the promotion ends.

“I believe that the COD will be part of a drive to increase e-commerce sales in the country,” Samorn said. “It creates convenience for sellers and online entrepreneurs who can conduct their business and arrange for money transactions more easily.”

Thailand Post has gained a market share of around 50 per cent. The firm last year booked revenue of about Bt29 billion, though it expects growth will be flat this year.

The aim is to encourage health-conscious Thais to begin their day with five nutritious grains – corn, oats, rice, wheat and barley – in one cup. Convenient and easy to carry around, Kellogg’s Mueslix Cup sold for Bt28 at all 7-Elevens in two flavours: Harvest Fruit & Nut and Fruity Sunshine.

Ready-to-eat cereals are gaining popularity as more Thais are becoming health conscious, contributing a boom in the cereal market. Last year revenue in this sector hit Bt2.1 billion, 37 per cent of which was accounted for by children and 63 per cent by adults. The adult segment witnessed the fastest growth given the variety of products now available as well as changing consumer behavior.

Avnish Bajaj, country manager for Kellogg’s Thailand, said: “Kellogg’s Mueslix Cup meets the needs of consumers who care about their health and well-being, but who are also looking for something that provides convenience given that so many Thais are on the go. We chose Bella to share useful tips on living well and to invite everyone to treat themselves to a good breakfast. We are kicking things off at our launch event today at Siam Square One with our team giving away free samples.

“We are preparing a full marketing plan, both online and offline, including a television commercial featuring Bella which is already live. We hope Kellogg’s Mueslix Cup will get an overwhelming response.”

According to its press release, at a TMB Experience branch, customers will engage in the play & learn digitized edutainment platform which will quickly guide them to discover their financial needs and recommend them the most suitable financial product categories for them, without being pushed to buy.

Customers can still have face-to-face interactions with branch personnel or get advice from investment experts through video call.

Once customers are ready to buy, they can submit applications either at the branch or drop their information with TMB Call Me Now for the Bank personnel to revert and proceed with the purchasing process.

Leveraging on digital technologies, the newly-designed branch concept is aimed at allowing customers to get to understand their own financial needs with the assistance of both digitized tools and TMB branch personnel to help them realize their financial needs and objectives effectively.

Customers will not be forced to buy any product, but once they are ready to purchase, they will be offered the products and services on a need-based basis to ensure that they can get more benefits in accordance with TMB Get MORE proposition.

The statement quoted Roel Huisman, TMB chief retail banking officer, as saying “TMB Experience is another move of TMB to enhance our service with simplicity and convenience, for better customer experience as TMB always wants to ‘Make THE Difference’ which is meaningful to customers.

TMB sees that in light of the disruptive digital technology, a bank branch plays more important role in enhancing customer experience and providing more complex products and services, such as financial planning.

As customer’s behavior in using banking service has changed, we keep challenging ourselves to constantly provide the best customer experience when using TMB. I’m also pleased to share with you the results from the soft launch of TMB Experience at the Icon Siam. In the past two months, customer satisfaction score has increased to 95 per cent while we achieve double growth of new customers.

“The interpretation of TMB Experience conceptual idea has been translated into design by ‘DINN’ from Italy who has involved in the design works for various financial institutions. The company has been commissioned to work in many countries worldwide and was recognized with several design awards, such as the “2018 Retail Award” by Forum Retail, Milano in the category of “Best Store Layout”.

Waranee Wanrat, TMB head of channel planning & implementation, said, “The experience that customers will get from TMB Experience are the new services that are not for sales purpose. We have created a journey which has been designed for customers to discover their real financial needs and explore the suitable products and services which can help them get more.

“Starting from Welcome and Engage Zone, customers who enter the branch will experience the transparent and comfortable atmosphere in the area in front of the branch. This part will be installed with multi-media panel providing information to attract visitors.

In this zone, a visitor can engage in an avatar creation by answering a few questions. An avatar identity will then be created to represent customer in accordance with his financial needs, such as a breadwinner or a new jobber.

The customer will receive a QR Code of the avatar identity which can be used in the Need Zone as a key to access to a range of financial products and services suitable for him.

The Need Zone has been designed for privacy. Customers are encouraged to use the generated QR Code to scan and take time to review a list of product and service information which are suitable for them. The information is available in a graphic format and is easy to digest. TMB staff members will be on hand to assist, explain and gives an additional recommendation if needed.

If customers need to discuss further on their financial planning, including mutual fund purchase or insurance, or require financial advice from experts, they will be invited to the Advisory Zone which is a private area where they can discuss more details face-to-face with the branch staff or connect with investment or SME business experts via video calls. This area can also be used as ample space for meeting, training or seminar.

TMB Experience also compliments TMB’s omni-channel strategy. Once customers decide to purchase, they can do it at TMB Experience branch or use the Call Me Now service to let the Bank’s personnel contact them and proceed with the realization process without having to make a physical visit to branch again.

TMB Experience remains offering full transactional services, such as deposit, withdrawal and payment, delivered by TMB staff in the Transaction Zone.

Marco De Carli, CEO and founder of DINN!, said, “Banks around the world are going digital but often neglect the human interactions. As an Italian Design innovation firm that has delivered numerous successful branch innovation projects globally, we strongly believe that the human touch has to be at the forefront and the technology should be invisible.

“Our TMB Experience concept defines a new way of banking not just in Asia but internationally as well. We effectively integrate all touchpoints so the branch is more than a space, it plays a key role as a physical channel connecting all TMB physical and digital touchpoints. In our ideation process, we take into consideration the Thai culture and context so that the concept is innovative and also customized to the local needs.

Sharon Kam, Southeast Asia Regional Director of DINN! added, “We congratulate TMB for being forward-looking and being a great partner in this project. With this new TMB Experience concept, the bank will truly Make THE Difference in the banking industry, and effectively deliver real value to the customers.”

Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana of CPN says the company has transformed a 10,000-sqm site at the Floresta building into a theme park with a 3D walkthrough.

“Our main target visitors include 70 per cent foreign tourists and 30 per cent Thai and expats. It is expected that the theme park will be able to draw more than 1 million visitors in the first year,” said Nattakit.

The collaboration is part of the retailer’s commitment to support Thai small- and medium-sized enterprises, by boosting its production standards and providing distribution channels through Tesco Lotus in Thailand as well as export opportunities via the Tesco network, in line with the ministry’s “Local to Global” policy.

The range initially comprises 45 food products both savoury and sweet, the firm said

Sompong Rungnirattisai, Tesco Lotus CEO, said: “By working closely with Thai operators, we ensure that they achieve internationally accepted safety and quality standards required by the Tesco Group. We also share know-how in terms of packaging design, branding and marketing. Through this, we help to enhance SME capabilities and give them a competitive edge to succeed not only in Thailand but also in international markets, in line with the Ministry of Commerce’s Local to Global initiative.

“In June 2018, Tesco Group signed a memorandum of understanding with the ministry in London to jointly develop high quality products using Thai ingredients. The parties focus on uplifting manufacturing standards to be on par with international requirements, as well as providing distribution channels through Tesco Lotus in Thailand and export opportunities via the Tesco network as applicable.

“The collaboration led to the development of the Tesco Authentic Thai range, comprising 45 food products made by SMEs under the Tesco brand. Ingredients include sweet tamarind from Phetchabun, purple sweet potatoes from Ubon Ratchathani, durian from Chanthaburi, mangoes from Prachuap Khiri Khan and coconut sugar from Samut Songkhram. With the best ingredients, traditional recipes and quality production processes, the results are high-quality food products with authentic flavours at affordable prices.”

Reference was made to allegations made against Kittiphun in recent news coverage.

In order to protect his reputation and professional standards as a banker, as well as to protect the interests and reputation of the Bank, Kittiphun submitted a request for voluntary personal leave, until March 31, 2019, from his position as president and CEO and as member of the Board and Committees of the Bank.

Kittiphun’s leave shall take effect upon the appointment of a candidate nominated by CIMB Thai Bank’s Board of Directors.