Soft power delivery: Thailand Post linking local producers with markets abroad

The state enterprise’s "Thailand Post increasing happiness" project is helping communities to develop products while offering offline and online channels to market them abroad, and finally delivering them.

The project aims to enhance the value of local products and generate revenue for communities, said Thailand Post president Danan Suphatthaphan.

It is currently highlighting products from four communities: Chaiya salted egg from Surat Thani, Suk Lam pickled fish from Udon Thani, Khao Hang rice from Sakon Nakhon, and soft dried longan fruit from Lamphun.

"The project has generated at least 1 million baht in revenue for communities since it kicked off in 2015," he said, adding that it gives local products access to bigger markets to stimulate the Thai economy.

Thailand Post has registered an increase in e-commerce entrepreneurs in Sakon Nakhon, including farmers and producers of handicrafts, foods and processed products.

As a result, its delivery service in Sakon Nakhon and other Northeast provinces is in more demand, it said.

Danan said Thailand Post offices in the Northeast generated 1.5 billion baht from January to October this year. He expects total revenue across the Northeast to hit 2 billion baht this year.

Thailand Post said it offers a pick-up service, air-conditioned delivery vehicles for fresh produce and packaging services catering to individual business needs.

Service points also facilitate international delivery to Europe and Asia.

Danan said the Sakon Nakhon Post Office serves as the delivery point for Laos and other neighbouring via border checkpoints in Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan.

He added that local Thai products becoming popular abroad include Pha Yom Khram (indigo-dyed fabric), wicker baskets, fighting-cock dolls and ingredients for Isaan (Northeast) food.