Thai govt expects e-commerce value to hit Bt1 tn by 2016

[webfact]

Govt expects e-commerce value to hit Bt1 tn by 2016
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The value of e-commerce in Thailand is expected to reach Bt1 trillion by 2016 as online trading, both business-to-business and business-to-customer, expands, according to the Business Development Department.

Whichai Phochanakij, deputy director-general of the department, said e-commerce would grow by about 20 per cent a year as more people surf the Internet. Local companies, thus, should focus more on electronic trading to capture more customers in the domestic and overseas markets.

To encourage more trade online, the department has cooperated with 10 agencies including Thailand Post, financial institutes, the Thai E-Commerce Association, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand to organise a "Thailand Online Mega Sale", running from yesterday until December 30.

Customers who visit www.thailandmegasale.com or www.onlinesaleTH.com will find discounts of 20-80 per cent. More than 2,000 enterprises from various sectors such as fashion goods and other clothing, electronics including computers, mobile phones, home decorative items, home entertainment, foods, wellness services, and tourism are joining the fair.

The mega-sale is expected to generate more than Bt500 million during its 16 days.

According to the department, e-commerce in Thailand was valued at about Bt700 billion last year.

Under the military-led government's "digital economy" policy, more c-commerce businesses will be supported. People will trade more online to save time and energy, Whichai said.

However, there are still some concerns about cheating in online trade. The department reported that it had filed about 10 cases of unscrupulous online trading to the police this year, settlements to most of which could be negotiated.

The department has also closely regulated online traders by encouraging them to register their businesses.

Whichai urged e-commerce operators to register with the department under the Business Act so that they will get a legal business licence and protection under the law.

If they are doing business legally, it will be easier to inspect them and they will be trusted by consumers. If they do not register, they could run into problems, as the department has called on associations and website owners not to allow such enterprises to trade online.

After e-commerce sites register, they will get a DBD Registered and DBD Verified Certificate so that they can be trusted by consumers.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Govt-expects-e-commerce-value-to-hit-Bt1-tn-by-201-30249877.html


-- The Nation 2014-12-16

[Jonmarleesco]

'If they are doing business legally, it will be easier to inspect them and they will be trusted by consumers. If they do not register, they could run into problems, as the department has called on associations and website owners not to allow such enterprises to trade online.'

And therein lies the clue as to just how much e-commerce in Thailand really will generate. If the relevant ministry(ies) keep(s) interfering in online activity, no matter the nature of the activity, they can take a zero off that 2016 figure.

[rickirs]

"... e-commerce would grow by about 20 per cent a year as more people surf the Internet."

Expect household debt to also grow by about 20%. People can't resist great deals even if they don't have the money.

[wabothai]

E X P E C T , however......