Pepsico Strategy In Thailand Will Pay Off: Surakiart

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BEVERAGE

PepsiCo strategy in Kingdom will pay off: Surakiart

CHANINYA SUNSOMPARK

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PepsiCo is on the right track in committing to long-term investment in Thailand and using it as a springboard into Asean, especially the Mekong countries, said former foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai, who was recently appointed chairman of Pepsi-Cola (Thai) Trading.

PepsiCo on Thursday announced that it would invest Bt18.4 billion in Thailand over the next three years. The money will be allocated in many areas, including manufacturing, marketing and consumer engagement, staff development, sales and distribution.

The company in February also bought a bottling plant in Amata City Industrial Estate in Rayong from San Miguel, which will be its major bottling and canning facility.

Surakiart will be in charge of formulating a strategy to cash in on the single regional market under the Asean Economic Community. He said PepsiCo had been doing business in Thailand for almost 60 years and was starting a new life by splitting with its local bottler and distributor and handling the whole business on its own.

PepsiCo "has indicated its strong intention to stay in Thailand for the long term. In my point of view, it as an international company has shown good promise for our country. Pepsi itself has the Thai heart, as it has stayed in Thailand for a very long time and employed many Thai people.

"I myself will help the company add value and [will offer] good advice regarding policy to penetrate the Asean community fully in 2015," he said.

Surakiart said he had talked to the company's chief executive officer based at the Dubai office who is in charge of the Pacific and African regions. According to that discussion, PepsiCo has seriously committed itself to covering the whole Asian market as best as it could. Its investments in this region would be via many platforms, whether franchising or investing and doing business on its own.

"I have accepted the invitation of PepsiCo to be the chairman of its Thai subsidiary as I want to reinforce its confidence in giving importance to Thailand. I think it is quite a challenge for PepsiCo as after 60 years of doing business via its local bottler and distributor, the beverage giant will now run the business on its own.

"PepsiCo wants Thai experts to give them business advice, which is good, as it shows respect for Thai society," Surakiart said.

-- The Nation 2012-10-27

[sprq]

Oh, I'm so glad about this. PepsiCo is just what the world needs, such a fine purveyor of fine foods and drinks. It should help the obesification of the Thai population no end, such a noble objective.

[Payboy]

I have accepted the invitation of PepsiCo to be the chairman of its Thai subsidiary as I want to reinforce its confidence in giving importance to Thailand.

So, I'm just doing it for charity?

[stoli]

I remember coming here for the first time 25 years ago, and that Pepsi was the only cola drink that you could buy. Coca-Cola was nowhere to be found.

[EarthAlien]

Ask any informed Thai what is Pepsi compared to Coke and they'll tell you,...

"Same Same,.. but Different"!

[drdoom6996]

The other thread said we should ban the stuff. Make up your mind.

[asiawatcher]

Ban it - totally agree... and I loved this quote...

"Surakiart said he had talked to the company's chief executive officer based at the Dubai office who is in charge of the Pacific and African regions"

Selling sugar water, salt and fat in snacks, or snake oil makes no difference be it Coke, Pepsi who whoever, there are no morals when supplying demand. It would seem the CEO and the puppet master have common ground as it appears crooks prefer Dubai.

[Tanaka]

Ban it - totally agree... and I loved this quote...

"Surakiart said he had talked to the company's chief executive officer based at the Dubai office who is in charge of the Pacific and African regions"

Selling sugar water, salt and fat in snacks, or snake oil makes no difference be it Coke, Pepsi who whoever, there are no morals when supplying demand. It would seem the CEO and the puppet master have common ground as it appears crooks prefer Dubai.

Absolutely. Thailand should ban everything you do not like! Write to the PM and put forward your demands, I am sure they will be considered sincerely.

[ThaiRich]

Oh, I'm so glad about this. PepsiCo is just what the world needs, such a fine purveyor of fine foods and drinks. It should help the obesification of the Thai population no end, such a noble objective.

So, I am guessing you are a vegan and only drink water.

Oh whatever, if you don't like it, don't buy it.

Pepsi isn't nearly as bad for you as fermented raw pork...

Edited October 27, 2012 by ThaiRich

[mau]

Dr. Surakiart is a well knowned professor in economics even knowned in the US. He is the man that brought Thailand out of financial dept/paiback after the '97 Thai economic recession even a few years before the prediction.

I am confident that Dr. Surakiart will make Pepsi a verry strong company in the ASEAN.

[Rionoir]

Boy the health nazis are out in droves for these soda headlines... lol

[mau]

Boy the health nazis are out in droves for these soda headlines... lol

Let's have a beer than

[drdoom6996]

Ban it - totally agree... and I loved this quote...

"Surakiart said he had talked to the company's chief executive officer based at the Dubai office who is in charge of the Pacific and African regions"

Selling sugar water, salt and fat in snacks, or snake oil makes no difference be it Coke, Pepsi who whoever, there are no morals when supplying demand. It would seem the CEO and the puppet master have common ground as it appears crooks prefer Dubai.

Ban Beer too? It's a fizzy drink!

[BrianCR]

Ban it - totally agree... and I loved this quote...

"Surakiart said he had talked to the company's chief executive officer based at the Dubai office who is in charge of the Pacific and African regions"

Selling sugar water, salt and fat in snacks, or snake oil makes no difference be it Coke, Pepsi who whoever, there are no morals when supplying demand. It would seem the CEO and the puppet master have common ground as it appears crooks prefer Dubai.

Absolutely. Thailand should ban everything you do not like! Write to the PM and put forward your demands, I am sure they will be considered sincerely.

Only sensible comment!!

[BrianCR]

Oh, I'm so glad about this. PepsiCo is just what the world needs, such a fine purveyor of fine foods and drinks. It should help the obesification of the Thai population no end, such a noble objective.

So, I am guessing you are a vegan and only drink water.

Oh whatever, if you don't like it, don't buy it.

Pepsi isn't nearly as bad for you as fermented raw pork...

What the hell are you drinking?