For the past five years the spacious grounds along the banks of Khlong Lad Mayom have served as a weekend getaway for numerous day-trippers looking for the taste and feel of old Thailand.
Every Saturday and Sunday at Khlong Lad Mayom, locals gather in small boats and canalside stalls with a wide variety of fresh homegrown produces and mouth-watering delicacies to pamper visitors' taste buds. These include herbal beverages, sweets and an endless array of traditional Thai dishes whose recipes have been handed down from generation to generation.
Credit for this weekend success story must be given to the determined initiative of the Khlong Lad Mayom community leader, Chuan Chuchan, a senior resident whose desire to preserve the canalside community led him to establish the floating market as a way to maintain the neighbourhood's unpretentious natural features and traditional way of life.
Mr Chuan saw that the peaceful atmosphere and shady surroundings serve to detach the waterside location from the regular bustle of city life, and envisioned Khlong Lad Mayom as a magnet to draw all breeds of travellers away from the stark urban landscape into an idyllic bygone era.
The development of cultural tourism was implemented as a conservation strategy as well as an economic initiative. In turning the waterway into a secondary source of income for locals, Mr Chuan believed that the floating market would also create a focal point to strengthen community harmony as well as contribute significantly to a sense of ownership and homeland pride.
His notion has ultimately proved to be beneficial to a growing number of locals. The once modest floating market has been gradually enlarged and expanded to cover a wide stretch of land on both sides of Bang Ramad Road, and witnesses a continual flow of tourists.
Apart from the local culinary delights, rental boats are available to access an extensive network of navigable waterways. Winding through orchards and farms dotted with houses and sites of historical importance, visitors are provided with a glimpse into the charming old way of life along the canal. There are tours of the attractions adjacent to the market lasting an hour or two, or a half-day passage can be booked to view popular sightseeing spots further out which are connected to the Khlong Lad Mayom community via the canal system.
The Khlong Lad Mayom market might still be overshadowed by some of the more famous floating tourist hubs in the city, but its relaxing ambience definitely holds the promise of a great and enjoyable escape.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
All the best of Japanese luck
Loft, the Japan-based chain,has just blown out the candles on its 12th-burtgdat cake and come up with a fresh collection of decorative items, gifts and stationery that capture the cultural charms of the Land of the Rising Sun.
Auspicious animals roam the new line, promising to bring good fortune. There's the lucky cat Maneki Neko Sekiguchi the monkey and a turtle and owl, all in vivid colours.
Teens who love flowers and manga will find the beautiful Sakura and pouplar Totoro cartoon characters.
There are Daruma Piggy banks, bubble-head Daruma dolls, Oni devil masks, Totoro music boxes and Tamagotchi electronic pets, plus key rings, luck cat calendadrs, comfy cushions and ceramic ware painted by celebrated artist Shinzi Katoh.
You can also get pink lunchboxes with chopsticks,Sakura notebooks and cosmetics cases and cardholders and notebooks made from printed Japanese textile.
Auspicious animals roam the new line, promising to bring good fortune. There's the lucky cat Maneki Neko Sekiguchi the monkey and a turtle and owl, all in vivid colours.
Teens who love flowers and manga will find the beautiful Sakura and pouplar Totoro cartoon characters.
There are Daruma Piggy banks, bubble-head Daruma dolls, Oni devil masks, Totoro music boxes and Tamagotchi electronic pets, plus key rings, luck cat calendadrs, comfy cushions and ceramic ware painted by celebrated artist Shinzi Katoh.
You can also get pink lunchboxes with chopsticks,Sakura notebooks and cosmetics cases and cardholders and notebooks made from printed Japanese textile.
Giant foreign retailers taking over a lot of land, seminar hears from concerned Thais
Thais have lost their land ownership for expanding businesses and farm areas to foreign investors due to vast expansion by giant retailers, representatives at a seminar on the Retail and Wholesale Business Act (RBA) said.
Speaking at the seminar yesterday on 'Retail Act: the Regulations in Capitalism and the Globalisation', organised by the Internal Trade Department, panelists voiced concern that foreign modern traders have occupied plenty of land to boost their business nationwide.
They said that foreign retailers now have ownership over larger amounts of land through their outlets nationwide. They have the ownership right due to the lack of a specific law to block their expansion.
Wichian Tangtumsatid, president of the Association for the Protection of Thai Occupation, said the expansion of large superstore chains have not only harmed small retailers, but also led to Thais losing their land for doing business and farming.
"People are not aware that they have lost tens of thousands of rai to modern retailers. Farmers now have lower plantation areas due to wide expansion of modern retailers into small communities," he said.
According to the commercial commission, there are about 680,000 small retailers and 125,000 fresh markets currently in Thailand. So far, some 20.7 million people are involved in the retail business, including owners, suppliers, employees, and family members of traditional retail businesses.
Retail and wholesale business is currently worth Bt1.4 trillion. The sector accounts for 15 per cent of Gross Domestic Product. Of these, foreign investors, or the top five modern retail operators have enjoyed more than 50 per cent market share of the business.
The association said giant retail businesses have expanded 90 to 100 per cent in the past 10 years, while the retail business has generally expanded by only 70 per cent during the same period.
The association plans to propose its own draft for effectively controlling giant retailers' expansion in the country.
Under the new draft from the people's side, it will specify that each retail or wholesale firm must not have a combined land of over 100,000 square metres. The draft law is expected to be completed in November this year for the government's consideration in line with the Commerce Ministry's draft.
In addition, Thai retailers have called for the government to enact the Ministry Regulation for halting expansion of modern stores ahead of the retail act.
Somchai Pornratanacharoen, president of the Association of Thai Wholesaling and Retailing, said the government must urgently announce temporary measures to stop large retailers from establishing new stores as they already have too many stores.
"Thai small retailers have long suffered from the vast expansion of modern retailers. The government must ensure that during the vacuum period, small retailers will survive," Somchai said.
Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai said that she could not assure when the retail act will be implemented. However, the current government has a clear policy to support the act's implementation to ensure a level playing field in the industry.
Speaking at the seminar yesterday on 'Retail Act: the Regulations in Capitalism and the Globalisation', organised by the Internal Trade Department, panelists voiced concern that foreign modern traders have occupied plenty of land to boost their business nationwide.
They said that foreign retailers now have ownership over larger amounts of land through their outlets nationwide. They have the ownership right due to the lack of a specific law to block their expansion.
Wichian Tangtumsatid, president of the Association for the Protection of Thai Occupation, said the expansion of large superstore chains have not only harmed small retailers, but also led to Thais losing their land for doing business and farming.
"People are not aware that they have lost tens of thousands of rai to modern retailers. Farmers now have lower plantation areas due to wide expansion of modern retailers into small communities," he said.
According to the commercial commission, there are about 680,000 small retailers and 125,000 fresh markets currently in Thailand. So far, some 20.7 million people are involved in the retail business, including owners, suppliers, employees, and family members of traditional retail businesses.
Retail and wholesale business is currently worth Bt1.4 trillion. The sector accounts for 15 per cent of Gross Domestic Product. Of these, foreign investors, or the top five modern retail operators have enjoyed more than 50 per cent market share of the business.
The association said giant retail businesses have expanded 90 to 100 per cent in the past 10 years, while the retail business has generally expanded by only 70 per cent during the same period.
The association plans to propose its own draft for effectively controlling giant retailers' expansion in the country.
Under the new draft from the people's side, it will specify that each retail or wholesale firm must not have a combined land of over 100,000 square metres. The draft law is expected to be completed in November this year for the government's consideration in line with the Commerce Ministry's draft.
In addition, Thai retailers have called for the government to enact the Ministry Regulation for halting expansion of modern stores ahead of the retail act.
Somchai Pornratanacharoen, president of the Association of Thai Wholesaling and Retailing, said the government must urgently announce temporary measures to stop large retailers from establishing new stores as they already have too many stores.
"Thai small retailers have long suffered from the vast expansion of modern retailers. The government must ensure that during the vacuum period, small retailers will survive," Somchai said.
Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai said that she could not assure when the retail act will be implemented. However, the current government has a clear policy to support the act's implementation to ensure a level playing field in the industry.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
CENTRAL FOOD TO SUPPLY JIFFY STORES
Central Food Retail (CFR) will supply products and back-office support to 146 Jiffy convenience stores throughout the country under an agreement with PTT Retail Management (PTTRM), the subsidiary of PTT, which operates the convenience stores.
Under the partnership, about 60 per cent of 4,500 products will be supplied and managed by CFR. The company will also introduce fresh products at Jiffy stores in the near future. As a business unit of Central Retail Corporation (CRC), CFR now operates Central Food Hall, Tops Market, Tops Super and Tops Daily brands.
Dr Krisanapol Komolboon, managing director of PTTRM, said the move is in line with PTT's strategy to promote high-margin non-oil businesses, including Jiffy convenience stores, and Cafe Amazon coffee houses.
Krisanapol said PTT planned to increase the ratio of non-oil businesses from between 15 per cent and 20 per cent at present to at least 30 per cent in the next two to three years.
"We [PTTRM] and Central Retail share the same goal of fulfilling customers' needs with a wide range of goods and services, ensuring the right product at the right time in the right quality at the right place," he said.
PTTRM itself would invest about Bt2 billion over the next two years to improve the back-office system and the expansion of PTT Platinum gas stations, which have been recognised as premium brand for good service quality. About Bt400 million will be invested next year in the installation of a new IT-based Retail Automation System.
"We have already opened three new PTT Platinum gas stations this year at Kang Koi off Saraburi, Rama II Road, and Wang Noi off Ayutthaya. Another seven Platinum stations will be opened next year," said Krisanapol.
He said the company has used the CVX distribution service since June 2007 after acquiring the entire network of JET gas stations, including the Jiffy business from ConocoPhillips.
PTTRM also owns the local licences for Jiffy convenience stores in six markets - Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam. PTT operates gas stations in Cambodia, Laos and the Philippines.
The transition to CFR's logistics and supply-chain management services began in March last year and was completed last month, when the Service Level Agreement (SLA), which measures consistency in supplying products to Jiffy stores, increased significantly from 93 per cent to 98 per cent. The average sales at Jiffy stores increased from Bt2.1 million per store per month to Bt2.26 million per store per month.
Central Marketing Group (CMG), CRC's trading and marketing unit, will soon open its retail shops for branded apparels at some PTT gas stations, particularly in tourist destinations.
Tos Chirathivat, CRC chief executive officer, said the partnership with PTTRM reflects the company's key strategic policy in expanding its retail businesses, not just through organic expansion but also through partnership.
"The partnership agreement also shows our great working capability in supporting partners and to create win-win situations," said Tos.
Under the partnership, about 60 per cent of 4,500 products will be supplied and managed by CFR. The company will also introduce fresh products at Jiffy stores in the near future. As a business unit of Central Retail Corporation (CRC), CFR now operates Central Food Hall, Tops Market, Tops Super and Tops Daily brands.
Dr Krisanapol Komolboon, managing director of PTTRM, said the move is in line with PTT's strategy to promote high-margin non-oil businesses, including Jiffy convenience stores, and Cafe Amazon coffee houses.
Krisanapol said PTT planned to increase the ratio of non-oil businesses from between 15 per cent and 20 per cent at present to at least 30 per cent in the next two to three years.
"We [PTTRM] and Central Retail share the same goal of fulfilling customers' needs with a wide range of goods and services, ensuring the right product at the right time in the right quality at the right place," he said.
PTTRM itself would invest about Bt2 billion over the next two years to improve the back-office system and the expansion of PTT Platinum gas stations, which have been recognised as premium brand for good service quality. About Bt400 million will be invested next year in the installation of a new IT-based Retail Automation System.
"We have already opened three new PTT Platinum gas stations this year at Kang Koi off Saraburi, Rama II Road, and Wang Noi off Ayutthaya. Another seven Platinum stations will be opened next year," said Krisanapol.
He said the company has used the CVX distribution service since June 2007 after acquiring the entire network of JET gas stations, including the Jiffy business from ConocoPhillips.
PTTRM also owns the local licences for Jiffy convenience stores in six markets - Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam. PTT operates gas stations in Cambodia, Laos and the Philippines.
The transition to CFR's logistics and supply-chain management services began in March last year and was completed last month, when the Service Level Agreement (SLA), which measures consistency in supplying products to Jiffy stores, increased significantly from 93 per cent to 98 per cent. The average sales at Jiffy stores increased from Bt2.1 million per store per month to Bt2.26 million per store per month.
Central Marketing Group (CMG), CRC's trading and marketing unit, will soon open its retail shops for branded apparels at some PTT gas stations, particularly in tourist destinations.
Tos Chirathivat, CRC chief executive officer, said the partnership with PTTRM reflects the company's key strategic policy in expanding its retail businesses, not just through organic expansion but also through partnership.
"The partnership agreement also shows our great working capability in supporting partners and to create win-win situations," said Tos.
CP ALL TO INCREASE NUMBER OF 7-ELEVENS
CP All, the operator of 7-Eleven convenience stores, is planning to increase the number of franchised stores to 60 per cent within five years.
Managing director Piyawat Titasattavorakul said yesterday that franchised stores showed higher margins than the company's own stores, because they are run by individual entrepreneurs for whom efficiency and returns are the top priority. The plan is also in line with the company's policy to create more entrepreneurs.
At present, the number of 7-Eleven stores exceeds 5,000, with 2,344 or 45 per cent being run by franchisees. The company wants the proportion of franchised stores to increase by 3 per cent per annum.
"Ninety per cent of stores in countries like Japan and the United State is run by franchisees. We would like to do the same. CP All plans to only operate 3,000 branches and franchise the rest," he said.
Anittha Thanamit, assistant managing director, said that to support this policy CP All would have to offer franchisees more attractive returns.
At present, CP All offers two franchising models. In the first model, franchisees have to invest Bt1.5 million per branch, of which Bt500,000 will be spent on franchising fees and store decoration, with the remaining Bt1 million held back as a deposit that will be returned to franchisees if they want to bow out.
The second model requires an investment of Bt2.65 million per branch, of which Bt900,000 is put aside as a deposit guarantee and the remaining Bt1.75 million spent on franchising fees, store decoration and management.
Under the second model, CP All promises that investors can breakeven within three years.
Aside from the expansion of franchised stores, CP All is also planning to get 7-Eleven stores to focus more on food and beverages.
Piyawat said consumer goods generated a margin of around 10 per cent, while foods and drinks roughly 20 per cent. Besides, some of the food and drink items sold in 7-Eleven are produced by the Charoen Pokphand Group, CP All's parents company.
He added that at present 80 per cent of the products sold in 7-Eleven were edibles, and the firm plans to increase this proportion to 85:15 in the next three years.
Managing director Piyawat Titasattavorakul said yesterday that franchised stores showed higher margins than the company's own stores, because they are run by individual entrepreneurs for whom efficiency and returns are the top priority. The plan is also in line with the company's policy to create more entrepreneurs.
At present, the number of 7-Eleven stores exceeds 5,000, with 2,344 or 45 per cent being run by franchisees. The company wants the proportion of franchised stores to increase by 3 per cent per annum.
"Ninety per cent of stores in countries like Japan and the United State is run by franchisees. We would like to do the same. CP All plans to only operate 3,000 branches and franchise the rest," he said.
Anittha Thanamit, assistant managing director, said that to support this policy CP All would have to offer franchisees more attractive returns.
At present, CP All offers two franchising models. In the first model, franchisees have to invest Bt1.5 million per branch, of which Bt500,000 will be spent on franchising fees and store decoration, with the remaining Bt1 million held back as a deposit that will be returned to franchisees if they want to bow out.
The second model requires an investment of Bt2.65 million per branch, of which Bt900,000 is put aside as a deposit guarantee and the remaining Bt1.75 million spent on franchising fees, store decoration and management.
Under the second model, CP All promises that investors can breakeven within three years.
Aside from the expansion of franchised stores, CP All is also planning to get 7-Eleven stores to focus more on food and beverages.
Piyawat said consumer goods generated a margin of around 10 per cent, while foods and drinks roughly 20 per cent. Besides, some of the food and drink items sold in 7-Eleven are produced by the Charoen Pokphand Group, CP All's parents company.
He added that at present 80 per cent of the products sold in 7-Eleven were edibles, and the firm plans to increase this proportion to 85:15 in the next three years.
7-Eleven keen on replacing Jiffy stores
CP All Plc, the operator of the 7-Eleven convenience store chain, is negotiating with PTT Plc to open retail outlets at all of the retail fuel market leader's service stations.
Piyawat Titasattavorakul, the president of CP All, said the company was in talks with PTT to change the existing Jiffy stores - operated by PTT Retail Management - into 7-Eleven outlets.
The move is aimed at driving CP All's long-term business growth, he said.
CP All operates 7-Eleven, Book Smile,and X-ta, a health and beauty store.
"We expect to conclude the business deal with PTT in three months," he said.
Mr Piyawat said the company would continue to expand its convenience store business but the new stores would be opened on a franchise basis rather than through its own investment.
The company plans to increase the proportion of 7-Eleven franchised stores to 60% of the total in the next five years,from the 46% planned for the year-end.
CP All expects to have 5,200 convenience stores by the year-end.
"We believe franchisees can better control operating costs, so they will create more sales and profits for us," he said.
Currently,90% of 7-Eleven convenience stores in Japan and 80% in the US are operated by franchisees.
CP All shares closed yesterday on the SET at 18.40 baht, up 40 satang, in trade worth 141.77 million baht.
Piyawat Titasattavorakul, the president of CP All, said the company was in talks with PTT to change the existing Jiffy stores - operated by PTT Retail Management - into 7-Eleven outlets.
The move is aimed at driving CP All's long-term business growth, he said.
CP All operates 7-Eleven, Book Smile,and X-ta, a health and beauty store.
"We expect to conclude the business deal with PTT in three months," he said.
Mr Piyawat said the company would continue to expand its convenience store business but the new stores would be opened on a franchise basis rather than through its own investment.
The company plans to increase the proportion of 7-Eleven franchised stores to 60% of the total in the next five years,from the 46% planned for the year-end.
CP All expects to have 5,200 convenience stores by the year-end.
"We believe franchisees can better control operating costs, so they will create more sales and profits for us," he said.
Currently,90% of 7-Eleven convenience stores in Japan and 80% in the US are operated by franchisees.
CP All shares closed yesterday on the SET at 18.40 baht, up 40 satang, in trade worth 141.77 million baht.
Central to supply Jiffy store
Central Retail Corporation, the country's leading retail chain, has signed an agreement on purchasing and product supply with PTT Retail Management (PTTRM),the operator of Jiffy convenience stores,to open a new market frontier and expand business in the future.
Tos Chirathivat, CEO of CRC, said the partnership with PTTRM reflected its key strategy to expand its retail business through partnerships with strong companies.
Central Food Retail (CFR), a CRC business unit and the operator of Tops supermarkets, will be responsible for the purchase and supply of a wide range of consumer products to all existing 146 Jiffy stores and future expansion in PTT gas stations nationwide.
Under the three-year agreement, CFR will purchase and supply 60% of the 4,500 products available at Jiffy stores,which are valued at 2.3 billion baht per year. The strategic supply chain partnership supports the future growth of Jiffy. CFR will also supply and manage fresh products in the near future.
Krisanapol Komolboon, managing director of PTTRM, said both firms shared the same goal of fulfilling customer needs with a wide range of goods and services.PTTRM used the CVX distribution service before this agreement."With the partnership with CRC, sales from highmargin, non-oil businesses, including Jiffy stores and Cafe' Amazon coffee houses, will contribute at least 30% to PTT, the parent firm of PTTRM, in the next two to three years, up from 15-20%currently," he said.
Dr Krisanapol said the Service Level Agreement (SLA), which measures consistency in supplying products to Jiffy stores, increased significantly from 93%to 98% at present. Also, sales per Jiffy store increased to 2.26 million baht per month from 2.1 million earlier.
Apart from forming a business partnership with CRC, PTTRM will team up with Central Marketing Group, a fashion distribution arm under the Central Group of Companies, to open fashion shops at PTT stations in tourist destinations.
PTTRM itself would invest about 2 billion baht between this and next year to improve the front and back-office system, expanding the PTT Platinum station concept that was recognised as a premium brand for its good service quality and operating expense control.
Tos Chirathivat, CEO of CRC, said the partnership with PTTRM reflected its key strategy to expand its retail business through partnerships with strong companies.
Central Food Retail (CFR), a CRC business unit and the operator of Tops supermarkets, will be responsible for the purchase and supply of a wide range of consumer products to all existing 146 Jiffy stores and future expansion in PTT gas stations nationwide.
Under the three-year agreement, CFR will purchase and supply 60% of the 4,500 products available at Jiffy stores,which are valued at 2.3 billion baht per year. The strategic supply chain partnership supports the future growth of Jiffy. CFR will also supply and manage fresh products in the near future.
Krisanapol Komolboon, managing director of PTTRM, said both firms shared the same goal of fulfilling customer needs with a wide range of goods and services.PTTRM used the CVX distribution service before this agreement."With the partnership with CRC, sales from highmargin, non-oil businesses, including Jiffy stores and Cafe' Amazon coffee houses, will contribute at least 30% to PTT, the parent firm of PTTRM, in the next two to three years, up from 15-20%currently," he said.
Dr Krisanapol said the Service Level Agreement (SLA), which measures consistency in supplying products to Jiffy stores, increased significantly from 93%to 98% at present. Also, sales per Jiffy store increased to 2.26 million baht per month from 2.1 million earlier.
Apart from forming a business partnership with CRC, PTTRM will team up with Central Marketing Group, a fashion distribution arm under the Central Group of Companies, to open fashion shops at PTT stations in tourist destinations.
PTTRM itself would invest about 2 billion baht between this and next year to improve the front and back-office system, expanding the PTT Platinum station concept that was recognised as a premium brand for its good service quality and operating expense control.
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