Kasikornbank (KBank) and Thailand Post Co, a state-owned enterprise, yesterday sealed a business deal that saw one of the country’s biggest banks appoint the postal operator as a banking agent.

KBank became the first of the large banks to enter such an arrangement with Thailand Post.

“We aim to service 250,000 online vendors across the country under this deal, which will allow them to send out their parcels and deposit money with Thailand Post’s branches across the country,” said Patchara Samalapa, KBank’s president.

Patchara indicated that Kasikornbank was looking at broader gains from the initiative, saying that with the bank’s large deposit base it did not need to attract more deposits.

In the first stage of service, the bank’s customers can deposit up to Bt20,000 per transaction – or up to Bt40,000 a day – via 964 Thailand Post branches. The service costs Bt10 until the end of the year, before rising to Bt20.

The bank targets 150,000 transactions derived from the banking agent channel by the end of 2018. The volume of transactions is expected to reach 600,000 in the first three years of operation.

Cash withdrawal and money transfer services would be offered next year should the central bank give the green light, Patchara said.

“The use of banking agents is cheaper for us than setting up full bank branches nationwide, but that does not mean than we plan to shut down some bank branches,” he said.

Smorn Terdthampiboon, president of Thailand Post, said that doing business with Kasikornbank would improve its logistics business in the face of more competitors entering in the market.

“We did not set out to make more revenue from it since it is not our core business, but we aim to provide a better service for our customers,” she said.

Some seven small commercial banks have appointed Thailand Post as a banking agent since 2011, and its Bank@Post service has grown about 13 per cent annually.

Smorn said the logistics business in Thailand is growing due to the increased popularity of shopping online.

Traditionally, Thailand Post provided a basic service of sending letter from senders to receivers. Now, the dispatch of goods accounts for the biggest share of the agency’s business, at more than 40 per cent. Mail delivery makes up about 30 per cent, with the rest of the revenue from money services and sales of parcel packaging items and stamps, she said.

Thailand Post has 1,300 branches nationwide and 3,000 more come under its postal network operated by private entities.

Parcel delivery has grown about 20 to 30 per cent annually, as people were shopping online more, Smorn said.

Some other large banks had also sought business partnerships with Thailand Post, she added. Thailand Post targets revenue of Bt30 billion this year, up from Bt25 billion last year. Last year it made a profit of Bt4.2 billion and this is expected to rise to Bt4.5 billion this year, Smorn said.

Reich took the helm of the mobile telecommunications operator on August 20, replacing Lars Norling.

She said yesterday that as the dtac concession on its use of spectra for services will expire on September 15, this is a very special time for the company and its customers, and dtac would remain focused on them.

“And I can tell you we are going to fight very hard to make sure our customers are affected by this [transition period] as little as possible,” Reich said. “My intention is, first, to secure a protection plan for them. Second, we are going to be honest and transparent to them, respectfully and fairly.

“And finally, we are need to better understand their needs and deliver what really matters to them. These are my priorities as the new CEO of dtac.”

dtac has recently asked the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to consider granting a remedy period to the company’s 1800MHz and 850MHz customers. DTAC currently uses 25MHz of the 1800MHz spectrum to provide services under a concession from CAT Telecom.

As dtac subsidiary DTAC TriNet (DTN) and Advanced Info Service subsidiary Advanced Wireless Network each won the right to use 5MHz of this same band on August 19, dtac has asked the regulator to grant the remedy period to cover the remaining 15MHz for it after the CAT concession ends.

The remedy period refers to the duration the NBTC would allow telecom operators to continue using existing spectra to offer services on an interim basis after their concession ends. This is to give them time to migrate all customers to other networks.

CAT has granted this 2x25MHz of 1800MHz and also 2x10MHz of 850MHz to DTAC. The NBTC reclaimed these bands and put 1800MHz in the auction on August 19.

Earlier, NBTC secretary general Takorn Tantasith said that the case relating to the 1800 MHz spectrum should be determined before September 15.

The NBTC has declined to grant the remedy period to dtac’s 850MHz customers, citing that dtac declined to bid for a 900MHz licence. The NBTC has also recently reclaimed the 850MHz from dtac, and rebanded it as the 900MHz for auction. No company had submitted an application to bid for it, prompting the auction to be aborted.

Reich said there are 430,000 dtac customers who still need to migrate from the dtac concession to DTN.

“The people who have not migrated are often the people who are the most vulnerable. Seventy per cent of them are elderly; many are in remote areas, or have very old devices that they haven’t upgraded. They are the ones who most need connectivity. We should be worried about them staying connected.

“We’ve done our utmost to reach out to them. We’ve sent them SMS. We ran numerous campaigns. But we still need more time to make sure these people don’t end up disconnected. But we need time. It’s time we’re asking for.”

Reich said the predicament of these customers illustrated the need for consideration, adding that provisions for subscriber protection are in the NBTC’s regulations.

“The NBTC’s Measure for Temporary Subscriber Protection is designed to ensure that they have the appropriate time to migrate. It doesn’t take days. It takes months,” she said.

“Some people have said that dtac should have bought more spectrum in the latest auctions. But the 900 MHz spectrum that was put up for auction this month is not the spectrum we’re operating on. We’re on 850 MHz. Every single site on 850 MHz would need an equipment change to operate on 900 MHz. It’s a very intense work that takes three years. Even bidding on 900 MHz would lead to the same situation we are in now.”

She said that it is a joint responsibility between the NBTC and dtac and other related parties to protect consumers. In the past, the NBTC had also granted subscriber protection for periods between nine months and more than two years to other telcos during transition periods.

“It’s our firm belief dtac customers deserve to be treated the same way. Currently, we’re awaiting the NBTC’s decision on this and if the NBTC does not grant us protection, we will explore how to best ensure dtac customers are treated fairly,” Reich added.

When asked if it is enough for dtac to survive the competition when it will have only 2x5MHz bandwidth of the 1800MHz in hand from the recent auction, an existing 2x15MHz bandwidth of 2.1GHz, and 60MHz of 2.3GHz under TOT’s current partnership, she said that the bandwidth capacity that matters most is on downloads, due to consumers’ changing mobile usage.

“In Thailand, dtac will have the most download capacity in hand soon. As a result, I’m confident we’ll have the best data network in many key service areas by 2019. The issue for dtac is therefore not bandwidth. The issue is the transition from concession to licence – and ensuring that we’re not leaving vulnerable customers behind in the process,” Reich said.

“dtac is also taking steps to ensure great coverage for customers no matter what. It is densifying the 2300 MHz and 2100 MHz networks. It is also working with NBTC to make sure that low-band spectrum is made available to mobile providers at reasonable prices and conditions.

“Ultimately, my goal is for us to start winning in the market again. And growing. But it all starts with securing a protection plan for our customers.”

Both are rich in Vitamin C, offering antioxidant benefits. They meet the lifestyle needs of a new generation of health-conscious consumers in the face of unavoidable daily obstacles such as pollution, heat and dusty smoke.

“We spoke to many Thai people in the lead-up to designing Fuze tea,” said Claudia Navarro. “We visited with them in their homes and sometimes accompanied them on their commutes. What we observed was the long periods of time that people are spending exposed to high levels of pollution.

“This has multiple effects, but one of them is the impact on the skin, making it less radiant. This triggered our thinking in terms of the tea product we wanted to offer Thais. Fuze Tea was conceived as a drink to help Thai consumers feel refreshed and making each and every day radiant.

“We decided to launch in two variants with a unique feature for the Thai market, which is chia seeds, a well-known healthy seed that is high in nutrients.

“We think the benefits from chia seeds, in combination to a delicious-tasting, low-sugar drink will be a big success. More and more we are seeing people taking care of their overall sugar intake – in both food and drinks. We wanted a drink that would feel light in terms of the level of sugar but also taste delicious, and I invite you to tell us whether we have succeeded.”

Fuze Tea is chiefly targeted at women aged 20-29 who have a taste for refreshing tea with the relaxing aroma of passion fruit and peach.

Director Pravej Ongartsittigul will serve as acting chief executive starting from August 27, the airline reported in a filing to the Stock Exchange of Thailand on Monday.

Thailand Post is the first appointed agent. Customers will be able to deposit cash into KBank accounts, with a fee of Bt20, and comprehensive services including both deposit and withdrawal will be launched next year.

For the first three years, KBank expects the number of transactions will reach 600,000. An account-opening service is under consideration.

KBank President Patchara Samalapa said KBank Service was a strategy to get closer to customers by means of branches and new services beyond conventional branch offices.

The service will be in tune with diverse lifestyles and locations of customers, while serving as a new option for those who are unfamiliar with digital banking.

KBank Service will be similar to KBank branches, providing services of deposit taking, withdrawal and bill payment, and a possibility of account opening for retail customers is now under consideration. Customers in all areas will find the services more convenient as banking agents will have service venues that are supportive to KBank and equipped with competent staff, tools and system security, as well as the potential of real-time connectivity with KBank systems. In order to enhance seamless and highly secure customer services, KBank will take full responsibility toward the agents’ performance as if it were delivered by itself.

“The appointment of Thailand Post as KBank agent to provide KBank Service via 964 branches of Thailand Post across the country, which are now ready to offer the service, together with 1,016 KBank branches and 11,792 Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), Cash Deposit Machines (CDMs) and Passbook Update Machines (PUMs) (self-service channels), will make the number of KBank’s financial service points rise to 13,722 nationwide,” Patchara said.

“This collaborative effort in service channel development will provide our customers with more convenient and faster services for broader service coverage.

“In the initial stage, customers are allowed to make cash deposit up to Bt20,000/transaction and Bt40,000/day with Bt20 fee charged per transaction. However, the fee is reduced to Bt10 from the debut of the service to the end of this year.

“KBank targets that 150,000 transactions will be made via this channel by the end of 2018. Full-scale service for both cash deposit and withdrawal will be available next year.

“During the first three years, around 600,000 transactions are expected to be processed via Thailand Post branches. KBank is exploring the possibility of providing the deposit account opening service via KBank Service.”

In her new role, Caldeira will leverage almost 17 years of experience with L’Oréal in Europe to drive forward L’Oreal’s mission to create “Beauty For All”, making beauty universal for Thai consumers, said a company press release.

Caldeira joins L’Oreal Thailand after spending the last four years as the country manager for L’Oreal Portugal, At 35, she was the first and youngest female in L’Oreal’s Portugal history.

Over the course of her career with L’Oreal, Caldeira has been given the responsibility for three international assignments, played a development role at headquarters, and directed operations in Spain, one of the toughest and most challenging economies, for four years.

Caldeira joined as a marketing trainee for L’Oreal Paris haircare in Portugal, moved to Paris as project manager of the Garnier development marketing international team on the Asian market and was later promoted to Europe zone marketing manager in Portugal, then general manager for the consumer products division in Spain. There, she put her strong profit-and loss-management skills to use in increasing turnover and profitability, launching new products and developing iconic brands.

Commenting on the appointment, Pierre-Yves Arzel, vice-president for South Asia Pacific Zone, L’Oreal said: “Ines’ achievements in Europe have proved her skills as a great people manager who fully incorporates L’Oreal’s spirit by leading and enabling her team and continuously developing their talents. I am convinced that she will integrate smoothly in Thailand and successfully drive strategic choices.”

Caldeira said: “I am pleased and honoured to assume my new role in Asia with L’Oreal Thailand. I look forward to continuously driving the four key priorities of development: consumer centricity, digital acceleration, great employer and great citizen to develop high-performing talents, drive growth of the subsidiary, as well as contribute to the Thai community.”

Janitza said that demand for aviation services in Asia-Pacific would see strong growth, benefiting from increased tourism flows.

He pointed to Thailand’s special position, providing travel linkages to neighbouring countries in the Asean region.

“There have been a number of new routes building on linkages between Thailand and neighbouring countries, including Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia,” he said in a group interview.

“Thailand serves as a hub for Asean countries. As a result, we expect our business will expand in Thailand from now until 2037. However, we cannot estimate our market value in Thailand at this time.”

Janitza said he is encouraged by the government’s policy to develop the U-Tapao International Airport under the ambitious vision for the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Recently, the government also announced plans to develop infrastructure and a new international airport in the South. The projects for the Eastern and Southern regions form part of a drive to boost demand for aviation in Thailand and ensure strong growth in this sector, Janitza said.

The company has taken an order to deliver four aircraft to Thai operator Bangkok Airways. This comes under orders it has received for 130 aircraft to be delivered to customers in Asia Pacific from now until 2022, Janitza said.

At present the company has 20 aircraft operating in Thailand.

Janitza added that its parent company Airbus has been expanding its investment to develop a maintenance centre at U-Tapao airport under a collaboration with Thai Airways International Plc. The project in Rayong forms a part of the group’s efforts to support its business in Thailand.

A major stake is held in ATR by Airbus and Leonardo. The company has a production plant in Toulouse in southern France. ATR bills itself as the world leader in the market for regional aircraft of up to 90 seats.

Brisk sales pace

ATR has sold nearly 1,700 aircraft and has more than 200 operators in more than 100 countries.

ATR says its turboprops provide airlines with the best opportunities for operating short-haul routes at a low operating cost. Airlines servicing smaller markets need more fuel efficient-aircraft to continue operating regular flights between regional airports and to main airports and hubs.

For 2017, the company reported turnover of US$1.8 billion.

The company expects to increase its market share in turboprops in Asia-Pacific, especially in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Taiwan. This is due to strong demand, boosted by moves in most Asia- Pacific countries to sign agreements for new air routes that will drive the demand for turboprops.

Janitza said the growth in demand for Asia-Pacific would be stronger than that forecast for Europe and the United States.

Indonesia is ATR’s largest market, with 99 aircraft in operation. It is followed by the Philippines with 22 aircraft.

The company has opened a facility housing a customer service centre, a spare parts warehouse and a training centre in Singapore that will support its business in Asia, Janitza said.

The site covers more than 8 rai for the development, which will be built under the concept of Healthy Living and Happiness. It is aimed at senior citizens who want to continue living the area and benefit from full healthcare services.

Boon Vanasin, chairman of the board of THG, said on Friday that the site purchase was approved at an extraordinary shareholders meeting. The assets were bought from Premiere Home Healthcare Co Ltd, an affiliated company of which 99.99 per cent of the shares are owned by THG.

The property purchase came to Bt250 million and the meeting approved an investment budget of Bt450 million for the first phase of project development, totalling Bt700 million for a development of residence and healthcare centre at Thonburi Health Village.

On the site are an 11-storey building and a 16-storey tower, along with two three-storey commercial buildings.

The two tall buildings are in good condition with a strong structure, and have received a building construction permit which enables them to be developed for residential purposes without the need for an environmental impact assessment.

Boon said that after the transfer of land ownership, the company plans to have two phases of development in the initial stage.

The first will see the development of “a condominium with healthcare services and facilitation for the residents such as health check-up |service, healthcare staff, activity area for the elderly, green area for recreation and exercise areas for mid-level customers”.

For the second and third phases, there will be the initial development of the hospital for recovery and physical therapy as well as an elderly care centre.

“The development of the project is to gather the healthcare experience and proficiency as the foundation to expand to a residential project with healthcare service for the residents in order to expand customers to a variety of segments,” Boon said.

“The Thonburi Health Village project focuses on general customers with affordable prices so that the majority of the people can own a home, especially, the customers of Thonburi Healthcare Group who are familiar with the area and are looking for a residence which helps promote good health with facilitation and well-rounded safety for the completed good quality of living suitable for the elderly,” Boon said.

At present, JIN Wellbeing County Rangsit, a THG project under development, focuses on middle- to low-income earners. The company said it is confident that the development of Thonburi Health Village project “will receive benefits from the present lifestyle of the people who place their emphasis more on caring for their health amid an ageing society” in Thailand.

“We realised that the Pracha-Uthit area is a good area with a large community congregated in a dense population, situated near schools, a shopping mall, and an express way,” Boon said.

“This area provides easy commuting to the city centre. Such proficiency is suitable for development of the residence project for living and providing healthcare services with a different concept from other projects located within the area.”