Thai Airways contracts Singapore's 2C2P to process online sales
Thai Airways International has announced that 2C2P, a Singapore-based comprehensive payments solutions provider, will now process all online sales made through the national carrier's website. That includes both domestic and international ticket sales.
THAI’s customers now have more payment options, including credit cards, debit cards, payment counters and bank channels, such as ATM and Internet banking.
The payment-processing services of 2C2P work with major card companies including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB and China UnionPay.
The company’s payment solutions run on Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Level 1, the most efficient and secure payment platform, THAI says.
“The prevalence of online booking is particularly high in the travel and tourism sector,” said Chutintorn Srisitikum, THAI vice president for the digital commercial department.
“We anticipate more than 20 per cent of our total annual sales of more than Bt400 billion will be purchased online in the next one to two years.”
THAI plans to expand this processing controller to cover sales in other countries, such as Australia, Russia and South Korea, for more effective financial handling from various acquirer banks.
“We are confident of this joint ability to service our expanding geographical reach, given 2C2P’s reputation for providing convenient, secure and stable systems to control online payments and transactions,” Chutintorn said.
Piyachart Ratanaprasartporn, chief executive of 2C2P (Thailand), said online bookings and purchases would continue to increase, riding Southeast Asia’s e-commerce wave.
“With our payment solutions, we are well placed to grow with Thai Airways as they expand their global reach,” Piyachart said.
“Customer convenience is at the heart of this partnership and we will continue to enhance payment options.”
More payment options eyed
There are plans to incorporate more payment options for travellers on THAI, with additional channels such as automated teller machines and payment counter services in the near future.
On the back of a growing Internet audience, the rise of both lower-cost and premium mobile devices and increasing consumer acceptance of cash alternatives, e-commerce in the region is rapidly growing.
In Thailand, for example, the Thai E-Commerce Association has estimated that e-shopping reached Bt156 billion last year, up 30 per cent from 2012.
With low credit-card penetration in Southeast Asia, it is likely that these consumers will continue to seek alternative payment solutions.
