Issue 26
King Pac has become one of the biggest manufacturers of plastic bags in Asia. Horizon Thailand discovers the secret behind its success.
Sometimes the most direct approach proves to be the most profitable one. Certainly this was the case for King Pac Industrial Co Ltd, part of the King Corporation Group, when it approached the DITP for a recommendation.
“We went to talk to the DITP in London and asked them to issue a letter of recommendation to go to a conference in 2011 with the UK’s National Health Service (NHS)” says Paiboon Jullasaksrisakul the group’s Chief Marketing Officer.
At the conference, delegates were informed that the NHS, which runs state-owned hospitals, needed to cut its budget by £1 billion ($1.5 to $1.6 billion).
“There were about 30 suppliers, mainly from the UK, and the only one from Asia was us,” explains Jullasaksrisakul. “They mentioned at the conference that they had to do direct import from Asia and then everyone looked at us.” Since then, King Pac has become the NHS’s only overseas supplier. “We supply a lot to the NHS; the clinical wares, specimen bags, etc.,” says Jullasaksrisakul.
Issue 25
The fashion industry in Thailand is showing the world that Thai textile and garment manufacturers, and fashion designers are ready to take their creations overseas.
Held from March 11 to 15, the 33rd Bangkok International Fashion Fair (BIFF&BIL 2015) saw over 500 companies present their latest products and services. Various DITP projects were showcased at the event, from the Designer’s Room to an Eco Fashion exhibition. There were also seminars on business development for fashion industry entrepreneurs.
“This year … the [number of] exhibitors increased by 17.5% from last year, with international exhibitors from more than 10 countries worldwide such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Italy and Sweden,” says DITP deputy director-general Chantira Jimreivat Vivatrat.
On the opening day of the fair, the DITP and the International Textile and Clothing Trade Office of Japan hosted the Creative Crossing fashion show to exhibit some of the designers from their respective countries participating in this project. Aimed at strengthening the brand value of the textile and fashion industry, this international collaboration attracted a crowd that included designers, fashion buyers, government officials and fashion enthusiasts.
Issue 23
Thailand has long developed a reputation as a hub for gems and jewelry but at the 55th Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair, it was time for some of the country’s young designers to take the centre stage.
With over 3,000 booths, the Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair (BGJWF) is one of the largest gems and jewelry shows. Buyers come from all around the world to see best of Thailand’s coloured stone (“ploy thai”) market. However, at this year’s 55th BGJWF there was a distinct emphasis on youth.
“It is my primary objective to provide the opportunity for young Thai gems and jewelry designers to grow and compete at an international standard on one of the world’s largest industrial stages … and become the world’s top gems and jewelry designers in the near future,” said Somchai Phornchindarak, the President of the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association in his message to BGJWF 55.
Issue 24
Although Bollywood might be the most colourful movie industry on earth, India’s gemstone and diamond industry pales in comparison, according to one of the leading members of the Indian-Thai jewellery community.
Exporting Thai gemstones to India has huge potential, so says the vice-president of the Indian-Thai Diamond and Colorstone Association. “Indian culture is colourful but Indian jewellery is white,” says Atul Jogani, who is also the vice-president of the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association. “India needs a change.”
According to Jogani, US$1.8 billion worth of gems and jewellery is traded between India and Thailand each year with Thailand having a surplus. But this he believes is just a drop in the ocean. “India is a sleeping diamond,” he says. “If you do the right promotion, there is a definite market for coloured stones in India.”
Jogani cites a recent fashion show held in the Indian diamond city of Surat promoting ploy Thai (coloured stones), which involved Thai models as an example of the way that Thai gemstones can be taken to India. He is also involved in organising a further Thai fashion show at the India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) to be held in Mumbai from August 6 to 10.
Issue 22
The signs are that 2015 will be a successful year for Bangkok’s MICE industry. Horizon Thailand talks to a company right at the epicentre of the Thai capital’s exhibition business.
It used to be said there were three rules of business success – location, location and location. This is something the owners of Royal Paragon must have taken to heart. Built in 2005 on the site of the former InterContinental Hotel, both Shopping Centre and Exhibition & Convention Centre benefit from the prime downtown location in Bangkok’s Siam Square.
“It’s in the city centre which gives us a very good location … to have everything in a one-stop centre,” says Talun Theng, general manager of the Royal Paragon Hall Exhibition and Convention Centre. “You have a shopping centre, the education centre, leisure, entertainment, food, beverage, lifestyle and a large space to do a gathering of events from exhibitions, conventions, meetings, product launches, concerts, entertainment and one day meetings.”
Spread over 12,000sqm on the complex’s fifth floor, the Exhibition and Convention Centre has three large halls that can take up to 15,000 people for a convention or seat 5,000 at a concert. This provides organisers with flexibility allied to convenience. “We have a variety of events happening at our location,” says Theng. “We were built for multi-purpose events.”
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