Branson considers Thailand move for Virgin airline as health clubs flourish

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Branson considers Thailand move for Virgin airline as health clubs flourish
WATCHIRANONT THONGTEP
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- BILLIONAIRE businessman Richard Branson is considering entering his Virgin airline into the Thai aviation market soon while ramping up his Virgin Active health club chain.

"We are just starting beautiful health clubs here in Thailand. One day, I expect to fly our airlines in the Kingdom. It should be here sooner in a big way but at least we have radio stations.

"I think in January and February there will be a good thing to be announced," he said yesterday.

"I would love to operate flights, one day, to connect to Australia via here," the founder of the British Virgin Group said during a brief stopover in Bangkok.

With his philosophy of "shake the market up", Virgin Group launched Virgin Australia airlines in 2000. Now the carrier claims it has captured 35 per cent of the Australian aviation industry from its rival Qantas Airlines.

Also, it appears that Virgin Group is very active in expanding its Virgin Active health club in Asia-Pacific, including Thailand and Singapore.

Triple the number of health clubs

Before hitting Bangkok over the weekend, Branson revealed on Australian media that he was planning to invest about $200 million (Bt7.2 billion) to more than triple the number of health clubs over three years.

Thailand has three locations: Empire Tower, EmQuartier and Central WestGate.

Virgin Group has had a strong presence in Thailand for 13 years through its partner BEC-Tero Radio, which operates two rations stations - 95.5 Virgin Hitz and Virgin Star FM98 - in Bangkok.

"Radio is everlasting despite entering into the digital age. There will be a new form of radio on Facebook and mobile phones and other digital radio platforms, which are available anywhere," Branson said.

People love radio. For example, 90 per cent of people in the US and 88 per cent in Britain listen to the radio, he said.

Ian Grace, chief executive officer of Virgin Radio International, said his company has real radio in many other countries such as Italy, France, Canada, Lebanon and Dubai.

By year-end, it will have one in Jakarta and is going back to the UK in March or April.

Neil Thompson, managing director of BEC-Tero Radio, said the radio business gained strength this year through integration with other businesses such as concerts and shows, and on-ground, on-air and online activities.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Branson-considers-Thailand-move-for-Virgin-airline-30268714.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-14

[davehowden]

Waiting for the English translation of this gibberish.

[ezzra]

Waiting for the English translation of this gibberish.

Ok, the man is a bilionner planning soon to fly the Thailand Australia routs, has 3 beauty clubs in Bkk and 2 radio

stations and this is just the beginning, as Branson known to be the fox in the hen house attitude

when it come to business savvy....the more the better I say,,

[Thian]

Yes shake it all up, we can't have enough competition.

I hope he introduces flights without children, that would be great.

[h90]

Yes shake it all up, we can't have enough competition.

I hope he introduces flights without children, that would be great.

And without former children

[kaiyaibob]

Honesty, Integrity and Transparency...three traits you might associate with Richard Branson....<deleted> is he doing expanding in Thailand ????

[h90]

Waiting for the English translation of this gibberish.

Ok, the man is a bilionner planning soon to fly the Thailand Australia routs, has 3 beauty clubs in Bkk and 2 radio

stations and this is just the beginning, as Branson known to be the fox in the hen house attitude

when it come to business savvy....the more the better I say,,

"One day, I expect to fly our airlines in the Kingdom." do you translate that as "soon"?

I see it more like he was asked if they fly to Thailand and he gave a polite answer.

[simple1]

Waiting for the English translation of this gibberish.

Ok, the man is a bilionner planning soon to fly the Thailand Australia routs, has 3 beauty clubs in Bkk and 2 radio

stations and this is just the beginning, as Branson known to be the fox in the hen house attitude

when it come to business savvy....the more the better I say,,

"One day, I expect to fly our airlines in the Kingdom." do you translate that as "soon"?

I see it more like he was asked if they fly to Thailand and he gave a polite answer.

So long as business plan stays on track he is indicating an entry to the Thai aviation market...

"I think in January and February there will be a good thing to be announced,"

Edited September 13, 2015 by simple1

[ChrisY1]

Thai Airways are gonna love competing with Virgin..........!

[noitom]

Nonsense Thai writing with slapped together points in a very disjointed piece of tripe.

[Laughing Gravy]

The man is an absolute legend and having had the privilege of meeting him knows what he doers. When he first opened health clubs in the UK he worked one ach job each day. one day in the basket room, one cleaning up, one on reception. He actually listened to his staff. as an example the cleaners wanted bigger brushes, he got them.

As a managerial leader he is one person who I would follow. More Branson in Thailand. maybe his ethics might rub off here in the business world. Honesty, Integrity and hard work. all traits of him.

[bubba]

Today's article in that other newspaper is considerably more coherent. That article also says that Branson was in BKK yesterday for a few hours, visiting the Virgin radio stations.

[h90]

Waiting for the English translation of this gibberish.

Ok, the man is a bilionner planning soon to fly the Thailand Australia routs, has 3 beauty clubs in Bkk and 2 radio

stations and this is just the beginning, as Branson known to be the fox in the hen house attitude

when it come to business savvy....the more the better I say,,

"One day, I expect to fly our airlines in the Kingdom." do you translate that as "soon"?

I see it more like he was asked if they fly to Thailand and he gave a polite answer.

So long as business plan stays on track he is indicating an entry to the Thai aviation market...

"I think in January and February there will be a good thing to be announced,"

yes something, somewhere...radio station, health club or flight to Thailand....

[jaywalker]

The words "Virgin" and "spa" used in the same sentence, in Thailand, seems a bit odd to me.

[Jeremy50]

He still hasn't reimbursed me for the scratched copy of Tubular Bells I bought mail-order from him in 1974.

[jalansanitwong]

I dont mind Virgin coming here as long as they dont operate dodgey fitness centres .

Cross our fingers and prey that Ryannair never flies to LOS.

Edited September 14, 2015 by jalansanitwong

[exbikey]

He still hasn't reimbursed me for the scratched copy of Tubular Bells I bought mail-order from him in 1974.

Didn't Mike Oldfield have some issues with Virgin over the that album also?

[Stradavarius37]

Nonsense Thai writing with slapped together points in a very disjointed piece of tripe.

Pot kettle black lmao

[anto]

There is something ''swarmy'' about him .Sorry Richard ,i find you creepy .

[madmitch]

He used to fly his airline into Thailand but cut the route very recently. The poorly written article didn't make mention of that.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846836-virgin-australia-dumps-phuket-flights/

It's nothing but PR from the master of PR, Sir Richard Branson, though like others, I'd love to see Virgin compete here.

[ratcatcher]

There is something ''swarmy'' about him .Sorry Richard ,i find you creepy .

I think the word you are looking for is "smarmy".

"excessively or unctuously flattering, ingratiating, servile, etc.:"

None of which describe Branson.

He is a true mover and shaker and gets things done. He would turn Thai Airways around in a few weeks although he may not be everybody's cup of tea, his successes cannot be dismissed easily.

I am sure if he had a shave and a short haircut he would be just another business man. He will never be seen with a thai around his neck.

[ericthai]

Very interesting and so many TV experts claiming that Thailand is doomed with no more foreign investment.

[kinmaew]

I am surprised Branson would waste his time in Thailand when other markets are far more lucrative

[WitawatWatawit]

So what will Branson tell his health spa staff when Police General Terdsak's mia noi No.3 turns up in her E400, announces, "Do you know who I am?" and then proceeds to demand free treatment?

[Prbkk]

It would be a brave move to try to establish another kangaroo route service....already Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cathay, China Southern , Thai.., JAL, China Airlines, Korean...and even Garuda...as well as Qatas, BA, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar.

Very deep pockets required and be prepared for another price war. Virgin Australia bleeds cash.

[anto]

I am surprised Branson would waste his time in Thailand when other markets are far more lucrative

Well his Aussie Airline (the upmarket one ) is loosing a vast amount of money .

[anto]

>>He will never be seen with a thai around his neck.<<...Not sure about that as he definitely has a kinky streak .I think you meant to say a necktie though lol.

[DLock]

Interesting, given that Virgin dumped the Australia - Phuket route.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/846836-virgin-australia-dumps-phuket-flights/

...and good luck with the mega-health clubs....are you selling lifetime memberships yet...we all know how that goes.

[somo]

The man is an absolute legend and having had the privilege of meeting him knows what he doers. When he first opened health clubs in the UK he worked one ach job each day. one day in the basket room, one cleaning up, one on reception. He actually listened to his staff. as an example the cleaners wanted bigger brushes, he got them.

As a managerial leader he is one person who I would follow. More Branson in Thailand. maybe his ethics might rub off here in the business world. Honesty, Integrity and hard work. all traits of him.

Ethics? He started out as a crook fiddling purchase tax and pretending to export goods that were being sold in his shop. He defrauded customs and excise out of a lot of money and was lucky not to end up inside for a stretch.

The thought of prison scared him so much he got some ethics.

He has become an icon and good for him but he, like us all, does what he thinks he can get away with and is not a saint!

[trainman34014]

Yes shake it all up, we can't have enough competition.

I hope he introduces flights without children, that would be great.

''Flights without children''......That would cancel out the whole of the Thai population then !