Thread: PM Prayut meets Alibaba's Jack Ma to discuss business, cooperation

BANGKOK, 19th April 2018 (NNT) – The Prime Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, and the co-founder and executive chairman of Alibaba Group, Jack Ma, have discussed business cooperation and ways to strengthen the Thai economy and upgrade the country's agricultural products. The meeting was held at Government House, Bangkok, on Thursday (April 19th).

Following the meeting, Prime Minister Prayut said his meeting with the renowned Chinese businessman focused not only on business issues, as their talks also covered the development of human resources and economic capacities.

Gen. Prayut said Thailand needs to further cooperate with Alibaba Group, so that the country can adapt to changes in different areas by using digital technology. He said Thai people need to have a better understanding of this issue.

In addition, the meeting discussed agricultural cooperatives and logistics development. The CEO of the multinational technology conglomerate has pledged to support Thailand's agricultural sector, stressing that cooperation with Thailand will benefit both sides.

Gen. Prayut and Mr. Ma also discussed the signing of an agreement to promote investment in Thailand, set up a smart digital hub in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), and sell Thai rice on Alibaba's website, Manufacturers, Suppliers, Exporters & Importers from the world's largest online B2B marketplace-Alibaba.com.

National News Bureau Of Thailand | PM Prayut meets Alibaba's Jack Ma to discuss business, cooperation

Alibaba Group announces investment plans in Thailand

BANGKOK, 19th April 2018 (NNT)-Alibaba Group has announced its plans to invest in Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

Alibaba Group Chairman Jack Ma and a group of the company’s executives, this week visited Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha at the Government House in Bangkok, where they also met Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak to discuss their EEC investment plans and cooperation with the Thai government on digital industrial and human resource development in eCommerce.

In doing so, the company will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Industry which will lead to the establishment of a smart digital hub in the EEC to facilitate trade between Thailand, China, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam.

The company will also work with the Department of Industrial Promotion and the Department of International Trade Promotion under the MOU to provide eCommerce knowledge to Thai entrepreneurs.

In addition, the Alibaba Group and the Ministry of Industry will launch a digital eCommerce skills development program to raise the competitiveness of those running start-up businesses as well as small and medium enterprises.

The giant eCommerce company will also work with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to set up a Thai tourism online platform to promote both major and secondary tourist cities across the country. It is said eCommerce businesses in Thailand will generate up to 180 billion baht by 2022.


National News Bureau Of Thailand | Alibaba Group announces investment plans in Thailand

PM downplays concerns about Alibaba’s monopoly trade

BANGKOK, 20 April 2018 (NNT) – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha downplayed concerns about monopoly trade after Alibaba Group signed a memorandum of understanding with the Thai government under the Smart Digital Hub project in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) area.

He said he had understood the concerns of business people and called for them to be open minded and think about what Thailand will benefit from. He asserted that the government has prioritized the country’s interests.

He had instructed the relevant agencies to properly consider the benefits of foreign investors and ensure that they will not affect Thai investors.

The Prime Minister has advised Thai business operators to adjust themselves to accommodate competition and the government is ready to provide support in accordance with the Thailand 4.0 approach.


National News Bureau Of Thailand | PM downplays concerns about Alibaba?s monopoly trade

Originally Posted by misskit

He asserted that the government has prioritized the country’s interests.

...not to mention his own...

Originally Posted by misskit

He said Thai people need to have a better understanding of this issue.

I think most Thai people understand exactly how this works?

Sawatdee Group announces partnership with Alibaba

BANGKOK, 23 April 2018 (NNT) – Sawatdee Group (Thailand) Co, Ltd has declared itself the official partner of the Alibaba Group in Thailand, expressing its readiness to offer a new trade channel to Thai exporters.

After Alibaba founder and executive chairman Jack Ma announced his company’s decision to invest in Thailand, Sawatdee Group (Thailand) was officially designated the authorized partner of Alibaba.com in the Kingdom. The firm will help provide Thai exporters with access to a wide customer base through Alibaba’s platform.

Mr Zhe Wu, CEO of Sawatdee Group (Thailand), pointed out that besides offering member services on behalf of Alibaba, the company also has e-commerce services available for operators looking to boost their competitiveness, including workshops on online marketing, product photography, product uploads and website design.

So far, Alibaba has sold products to as many as 260 million people around the globe while the Alibaba.com mobile application is used by more than 450 million people, most of whom are in Russia, the United States, Spain and Brazil. Therefore, Thai exporters who sign up with Alibaba are expected to witness higher sales and orders from customers worldwide.



National News Bureau Of Thailand | Sawatdee Group announces partnership with Alibaba

Originally Posted by tomcat

...not to mention his own...

Well sure, that's how deep nepotistic oligarchies function.
Certainly has history here.


It's all good.

Originally Posted by misskit

Sawatdee Group (Thailand) Co, Ltd has declared itself the official partner of the Alibaba Group in Thailand, expressing its readiness to offer a new trade channel to Thai exporters.

They have been partners for several years. What is the big news here?

Originally Posted by Norton

They have been partners for several years. What is the big news here?

Perhaps the news agencies are just learning of these things and find that already understood factual accounts are newsworthy.

Or....the mainstream Thai media [largely govt/military controlled] have suggestions implanted that seemingly put the Junta workings in a positive note.

Originally Posted by HuangLao

Or....the mainstream Thai media [largely govt/military controlled] have suggestions implanted that seemingly put the Junta workings in a positive note.

Of course. Must add to the impressive list of accomplishments. Your government in action sort of thing.

Way to go, Prime Minister Gen Prayut. No constipated hi-so talk........................................; just action, eh?

Originally Posted by MULTINICING-TROLL

Way to go, Prime Minister Gen Prayut. No constipated hi-so talk........................................; just action, eh?

Hmmm...
Might you be suggesting that attempted hiso facade is not part and parcel of the good General and his circle?

Oh dear.

PM Prayut denies claims Alibaba’s plans to monopolize Thai trade

BANGKOK, 24th April 2018 (NNT) - The Prime Minister has brushed aside claims that China’s Alibaba is working on a plan to monopolize trade in Thailand.

Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Tuesday that the government’s recent agreement to collaborate with the Chinese multinational e-commerce conglomerate — Alibaba Group — is only intended to help promote e-commerce business in Thailand.

Such a collaboration was agreed to during the recent, official visit by Mr. Jack Ma, who is Alibaba’s co-founder and executive chairman.

The PM said that Alibaba’s entry into Thailand will create a new option for Thai consumers and is not an attempt to monopolize local trade.

Gen. Prayut again urged the public not to believe too readily in allegations and claims spread by those who intentionally distort facts.

Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong said today that his discussion with Mr. Ma was about reports of Chinese consumers’ love of Thai durian, proven by Alibaba’s online sales of around 350 tons of durian in two days.

Mr. Sontirat expects 760,000 durian trees will bear fruit this year and such a big supply will benefit trade between Thailand and China.


National News Bureau Of Thailand | PM Prayut denies claims Alibaba?s plans to monopolize Thai trade

Originally Posted by misskit

Prime Minister Prayut said his meeting with the renowned Chinese businessman focused not only on business issues, as their talks also covered the development of human resources and economic capacities.

Yes, his expertise in these areas is vast. He has, after all, completed a parachute jump that he's very proud of and no doubt passed basic army training without getting a beating.

Originally Posted by misskit

Mr Zhe Wu, CEO of Sawatdee Group

Now there's a surprise...a Chinese CEO.

Originally Posted by misskit

such a big supply will benefit trade between Thailand and China.

The problem is quality control and ethical production. No matter what the product, dollar signs in the producer's eyes always mean quality and ethics go down the drain with the mid-term result being loss of trade abroad.
As for durian, with that announcement there is going to be a scrambling for planting of durian trees. Cut the rubber down before the market rallies, plant durian, wait 5 years (or more) and start selling durian to a depressed future market.

...there's certainly a contrast between an uneducated, self-aggrandizing thug and a highly successful self-motivated entrepreneur: Ma's efforts at neo-colonialism may begin a sorely needed re-imagining of Thainess...

Originally Posted by tomcat

Ma's efforts at neo-colonialism may begin a sorely needed re-imagining of Thainess...

Indeed, however it may be a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Originally Posted by HuangLao

Originally Posted by MULTINICING-TROLL
Way to go, Prime Minister Gen Prayut. No constipated hi-so talk........................................; just action, eh?
Hmmm...
Might you be suggesting that attempted hiso facade is not part and parcel of the good General and his circle? Oh dear.