THAI Signs Agreement for Sales of Duty Free Goods On Board To Ensure Good Procurement Governance

Today (2 October 2002), Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, President, Thai Airways International Plc. (THAI), and Mr. Itsushi Kamiyama, Managing Director, Traveler Corporation, signed an agreement for sales of duty free goods on board THAI flights, ensuring good procurement governance, and supporting the government’s “One Tambon, One Product” Project policy among overseas travelers. The ceremony was followed by a press conference at THAI’s Head Office on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.

Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAI’s President, said THAI’s committee has made their selection of companies with expertise for sales of duty free goods on board based on their operation proposal using criteria, weight and financial proposal and benefits of THAI and its passengers as main factors for the decision making. 

The selection process began with media and company, as well as internal web-site, announcement at 17 Thai Embassies where the main operators are based, e-mail to associations of duty free operators and other 22 companies, and advertising in both local and international newspapers. There were seven companies which expressed their interest and forward the Term of Reference (TOR). The Traveler Corporation Co. Ltd. gained the highest recognition and was selected as the operator for the sales of duty free on board THAI’s flight. In addition, the company proposed to include products from THAI Shop, the “One Tambon, One Product” Project and Royal Projects in the list of on-board duty free products.

Products from THAI Shop will be included in the Inflight Duty Free list while those from the “One Tambon, One Product” Project will be added to the list of Home Delivery Sales. To further enhance customers’ convenience, THAI will also offer home delivery sales other duty free products, supporting the government’s policy to boost the economy in distributing income to various communities in Thailand. 

Traveler Corporation is a Japanese-owned company, which is listed in the Jasdar Tokyo Stock Exchange for more than 12 years. The company is well recognized for its expertise in the sales of brand name products and souvenirs to countries worldwide, including more than 4,000 traveling and duty free products. Products from Traveler Corporation are made available at airports and for home delivery in 55 cities throughout Japan. The company also serves more than 10 commercial airlines for home delivery services with an estimate of one million customers annually.