Tesco Prakhonchai

[Schmuddel]

Hello guys,

haven´t seen any news about the new TESCO in Prakhonchai recently.

Does anyone know whether there is some progress going on or it has opened already?

I will arrive in 4 weeks and I´m too lazy to go to Surin to stock up there.

Hopefully see some of you there as well.

By the way I looked at the homepage of Ludo and it says "TIMEOUT" is temporarily closed. Does this mead Ludo went to Europe to work as he intended to do so?

Any info appreciated.

CU

[redwooddrive]

Hello guys,

haven´t seen any news about the new TESCO in Prakhonchai recently.

Does anyone know whether there is some progress going on or it has opened already?

I will arrive in 4 weeks and I´m too lazy to go to Surin to stock up there.

Hopefully see some of you there as well.

By the way I looked at the homepage of Ludo and it says "TIMEOUT" is temporarily closed. Does this mead Ludo went to Europe to work as he intended to do so?

Any info appreciated.

CU

There is no Tesco in Prakhon Chai, nor was one being built when I left there in November 07. Lots of land was being bought up along the highway 24 in the last year and several large lots are being cleared out, but no rumors of Lotus Tesco going up anytime soon.

Several years back they tried to build in Buri Ram city, but the local merchants banded together to get the local politicians to cancel their plans. Seems they didn't want any competition from retailers who offered, clean stores, low prices, fresh packaged food, lots of local jobs, and parking for vehicles. for now we still have to drive to Surin or Korat.

[tso310]

I thought some land had been bought by Tesco for a possible Express store. Its common practice for Tesco to buy land in prime locations for possible for future developements.

[prakhonchai nick]

There is no Tesco in Prakhon Chai, nor was one being built when I left there in November 07. Lots of land was being bought up along the highway 24 in the last year and several large lots are being cleared out, but no rumors of Lotus Tesco going up anytime soon.

Several years back they tried to build in Buri Ram city, but the local merchants banded together to get the local politicians to cancel their plans. Seems they didn't want any competition from retailers who offered, clean stores, low prices, fresh packaged food, lots of local jobs, and parking for vehicles. for now we still have to drive to Surin or Korat.

Where have you been?

In Buriram, Makro opened in September followed by Big C a month later Both slightly smaller than their counterparts in Surin, but stock most lines.

Rumours still strong that Lotus will open sometime in Prakhonchai. As you say, various large plots of land being cleared both on highway 24 and the Buriram Road.

[tso310]

A Tesco Express, including a petrol station, would make sense. There is a lot of passing trade to be had on highway 24. Just because Tesco has possibly bought some land does not mean that building will commence soon after. They could easily have bought for developement in 2010, that is how they work.

[croftrobin]

A Tesco Express, including a petrol station, would make sense. There is a lot of passing trade to be had on highway 24. Just because Tesco has possibly bought some land does not mean that building will commence soon after. They could easily have bought for developement in 2010, that is how they work.

The latest local rumours are that the land on the left of h24 heading to Nang Rong is to be a Ceramics factory.

However..............

We will just have to wait and see!

[tso310]

Isn't the bus station due to be moved, there's been talk of that for a long time.

[fruity]

Where have you been?

In Buriram, Makro opened in September followed by Big C a month later Both slightly smaller than their counterparts in Surin, but stock most lines.

Rumours still strong that Lotus will open sometime in Prakhonchai. As you say, various large plots of land being cleared both on highway 24 and the Buriram Road.

Nick, both the Buriram BigC & Makro are way bigger than their Surin counterparts, loads busier too. I cannot see the sense in Lotus building in Prachonchai, which is a fraction of the size of Buriram city?

[prakhonchai nick]

Nick, both the Buriram BigC & Makro are way bigger than their Surin counterparts, loads busier too. I cannot see the sense in Lotus building in Prachonchai, which is a fraction of the size of Buriram city?

That's a moot point.

I recently wanted to buy one of Big C's promotional items in Buriram but could not find it. A staff member looked at the fortnightly guide and told me that this and one other promotional item were not being stocked either at Buriram or one other smaller branch in the South. This was clearly written in the guide albeit only in Thai.

Makro may appear larger and of course has an in-house bakery, but some lines (particularly the frozen items -ice creams/fish) are not nearly as plentiful as in Surin. I noticed only this week that Buriram no longer stock computers -maybe another sign of not enough floor space.

Lotus made a big mistake in Surin by not opening a full branch. Fruit veg meat and fish were all added as an afterthought once Big C were on the verge of opening. They lost out in a big way (and continue to do so). On the other hand the small Talad Lotus in the centre of town stocking only fresh food, groceries and household products seems to be doing very well. I doubt that they would make the same mistake again, in Buriram -apart from which there probably aren't enough customers for 3 (maybe 4 if you include Tiwikit) large stores,

To me building in Prakhonchai would make sense for Lotus. It would have a large catchment area of some 40/50kms radius, has no competition and my money's on a store sooner rather than later. A Talad Lotus would be my bet.

[lampard10]

Yes of course, a lot of people forget that Surin boasts TWO Tesco/Lotus, not just one.

On the other question, yes the Time Out is closed. I talked to Ludo the other day and he told me he is finished with it. On the other hand however, I have been reliably informed that a group of local Farangs might be interested in buying up the property and re-opening. If this is the case, I wish them all the best.