PORNTHIP PLANS OUTLETS TO PREPARE FOR RECOVERY

       The nascent recovery in the Kingdom's tourism business has prompted Phuket-based souvenir and seafood-snack vendor Pornthip Co to open three new outlets along some of the country's major highways and to add 7-Eleven convenience stores to its distribution network.
       Pornthip,which recently won the Prime Minister's Award 2009 in the Otop Export Recognition category,targets total sales of at least Bt100 million this year.
       The firm expects the tourism industry to grow significantly in the fourth quarter, said managing director Wirawat Peamwiwattikul.
       "The expected global economic recovery will encourage greater numbers of tourists to visit the country.
       "To reap the benefits of this recovery, the company will open new outlets and expand its distribution channels,"Wirawat said.
       The Economic and Business Forecasting centre predicts tourism in Thailand will grow by 4 per cent in the fourth quarter.
       Last year, the company achieved sales revenue of Bt70 million. Despite this year's economic slowdown and drop in tourism,the firm is confident that the three new outllets it has planned will boost its income. Of Pornthip's total income, 80 per cent is generated from domestic sales, and the remainder from exports.
       Wirawat said new Pornthip shops will be set up at PTT petrol stations located along highways connecting Bangkok to popular tourist destinations.
       It will also start selling products at 7-Eleven convenience stores nationwide in a bid to move beyond the tourist market and reach ordinary Thai consumers.
       The firm offers more than 1,000 products under the Pornthip brand, incluuding seafood snacks,flossy and crispy baked pork, Thai desserts, OTOP(One Tambon, One Product goods, clothes, batiks and decorative items.
       Wirawat said the firm's products have received a good response from Thai and foreign travellers alike.
       He attributed this to Pornthip's attention not only to product quality, but also to innovation and packaging.
       The firm also plans to seek new export markets, including Japan and countries in the Middle East. It expects exports to account for 30 to 40 per cent of total revenue within two years. Pornthip currently exports to singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Australia, the European Union and the US.

       WIRAWAT and his wife Pornthip show some of their food products to be sold both in its outlets and convenience stores.