For decades, Thailand has been one of the most popular destinations for honeymooners around the wourld. Thanks to the country's geographical location and convenient access points that make it easily accessible from the US, Europe and Asia, the kingdom is blessed with a diversity of destinations that can be enjoyed at anytime of theyear. Throw in its cultural aspects and a few fun quirks and it's easy to see why Thailand has also becom a popular place for lovers to exchange vows. Growing alongside that popularity is the prufessinal wedding service offered by boyh independent studios and luxurious hotel chains. Among many famous locations, one new option for the soon-to-be-married is Pattava.
Taking advanage of its vicinity to Bangkok and the mushrooming of luxurious four and five star hotels, Pattaya is now offering mid-range but quality wedding receptons for both local and foreign lovers.
Those who want a cultural setting can choose to go up North for a Lanna style reception, or head Northeast to enjoy a nuptial experience on elephant back, Ocean lovers can tie the knot underwater in Trang and follow up with a romantic, candle-lit party on the beach to celebrate the union.
But the vast majority of couples simply want the "perfect" reception, shich includes a decent meal and drinks, exquisite wedding cake, nice set up with romantic music anc, most importantly, convenience for their gurests.
Phuket, Krabi and Samui have long been big wedding markets, as they all have stunning ocean cackdrops, easy access by plane and professional event organisers from many five-star beachside hotels, They mainly cater to high-end clients looking for an exclusive event.
In Pattaya, couples will find both mid-range to super high-end and everything in between. Prices range from Bt15,000 to Bt 100,000 and cover both traditional Thai and Western style potions.
Pattaya has worked hard to drop its "Sin City" tag and today is recognised as a family resort, It's busy expanding its territory int he wedding market thanks to expanding its territory in the wedding market thanks to its growth and strength in hospitality business. With its four to five-star hotel chains booming, ti attracts not only the higher-end vacationers and MICE groups but also wedding cuples who want convenient, quality reception in reasonable prices.
Amari Orchid Resort & Tower in Pattay has been a pioneer in wedding business. For the third consecutive year, the hotel organised its Wedding Fair last weekend at Central Festival Pattaya Beach. The hotel offers a special wdding package and has now introduced a range of professionsl services from wedding planners, aestheitc spas. wdding dress designers and jewellers. The hotel also has additional packages for honeymoon and spa pampering after the wdding.
"What we've been trying to do is tio fill the demand in Pattaya's wdding market." David cumming, General Manager, said in an interview after the opening ceremeny on Sturday. "Of course people get masrried here, both the Thais and the foreigners that live here, but it's not professionally organised. We're running a hotel business, we have the facilties and we have the manpower, we can cater to that."
For teh first year, the fair claimed 26 weddings at the hotel and the figure went up to 45 last year. Amari hopes to double that number during the upcoming high season, While other hotel cahins in Pattaya slowly pick up on the wedding market, Amari ranks weedings as important as vacations and other functions.
"What we do is the ensure the couple that they'ss get what they pay for, and they'll get the best for their money. We set up the banquets, full scale, for them to see, And we guarantee that they will get exactly what they choose on their wedding day. We sell the promise, and we deliver it." Cumming confirmed.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Jet ski operators ordered to buy insurance
Provincial authorities are forcing jet ski operators on the resort island to buy insurance policies for their vehicles as part of efforts to regulate the business.
Rear Adm Amornchote Sujirat, deputy director of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) on Phuket, said the number of rental jet skis on the island would be limited to 219.
The strict new measures were outlined at a meeting yesterday of a provincial panel set up to discuss regulating jet ski operations on Phuket. It was ordered to outline measures to prevent tourists being extorted by jet ski operators. Insurance firms, jet ski operators and tourism agencies attended the meeting.
The move followed the recent distribution of video recordings showing foreign tourists allegedly being ripped off over damage to jet skis on Phuket.The videos were broadcast by a cable TV channel in Britain and widely viewed on YouTube.
Rear Adm Amornchote said the authorities wanted all commercial jet skis on the island to be insured. Only one insurance firm would be chosen to insure the jet skis.
When the details were finalised, Phuket would become the first province to have all jet skis insured.
The committee had met three times to discuss steps to regulate jet ski rental operations in a bid to prevent extortion of foreigners over damage to the vehicles.
As part of the measures, zones will be set up on each beach. Each zone will be supervised by a person selected from among the jet ski operators.
A total of 219 jet skis are now available for rent on Surin, Bangtao, Kamala,Patong and Kata-Karon beaches.
A list of operators and their jet skis will be prepared. Any operator found to extort money from tourists will face tough legal action. Closed-circuit television cameras will be installed on the beaches to prevent possible extortion of tourists.
He said operators and jet ski staff would be required to undergo training on safety measures and safe areas for jet ski operations.
Operators who took advantage of tourists would be blacklisted and they would not have their operating permits renewed, he said.
Jet ski operators from other provinces would not be allowed to provide services in Phuket.
Rear Adm Amornchote said 10 insurance firms had shown interest in the plan.
They would be given 15 days to submit their conditions and premiums to the provincial authorities.
Anusorn Sareh, acting chairman of the jet ski operators club in Phuket, said if the annual insurance premium cost more than 10,000 baht per vehicle it would be rejected by the operators, as their businesses only operate profitably during the main tourism season of about six months only.
Rear Adm Amornchote Sujirat, deputy director of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) on Phuket, said the number of rental jet skis on the island would be limited to 219.
The strict new measures were outlined at a meeting yesterday of a provincial panel set up to discuss regulating jet ski operations on Phuket. It was ordered to outline measures to prevent tourists being extorted by jet ski operators. Insurance firms, jet ski operators and tourism agencies attended the meeting.
The move followed the recent distribution of video recordings showing foreign tourists allegedly being ripped off over damage to jet skis on Phuket.The videos were broadcast by a cable TV channel in Britain and widely viewed on YouTube.
Rear Adm Amornchote said the authorities wanted all commercial jet skis on the island to be insured. Only one insurance firm would be chosen to insure the jet skis.
When the details were finalised, Phuket would become the first province to have all jet skis insured.
The committee had met three times to discuss steps to regulate jet ski rental operations in a bid to prevent extortion of foreigners over damage to the vehicles.
As part of the measures, zones will be set up on each beach. Each zone will be supervised by a person selected from among the jet ski operators.
A total of 219 jet skis are now available for rent on Surin, Bangtao, Kamala,Patong and Kata-Karon beaches.
A list of operators and their jet skis will be prepared. Any operator found to extort money from tourists will face tough legal action. Closed-circuit television cameras will be installed on the beaches to prevent possible extortion of tourists.
He said operators and jet ski staff would be required to undergo training on safety measures and safe areas for jet ski operations.
Operators who took advantage of tourists would be blacklisted and they would not have their operating permits renewed, he said.
Jet ski operators from other provinces would not be allowed to provide services in Phuket.
Rear Adm Amornchote said 10 insurance firms had shown interest in the plan.
They would be given 15 days to submit their conditions and premiums to the provincial authorities.
Anusorn Sareh, acting chairman of the jet ski operators club in Phuket, said if the annual insurance premium cost more than 10,000 baht per vehicle it would be rejected by the operators, as their businesses only operate profitably during the main tourism season of about six months only.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
EASING THE PAIN
The loss of a spouse is a sorrowful turning point in anyone's life, but when Suppawan Duangsuwan's husband passed away two years ago,she found solace in art and has since created an unexpected business venture.
She spent three days and nights painting her husband's coffin as her final gift. Her artwork made an impression on many mourners at the funeral and some asked her to paint coffins for their loved ones too.
She opened the Sirimongkon coffinpainting shop in April 2008, where she also sells urns and artificial wood flowers. This later led to her becoming a funeral organiser.
"I understand the stress involved in hosting a funeral because I have been through it. Some people are unable to organise anything as they are very sad,"said Ms Suppawan.
"But I'm willing to be a funeral organiser for them as I have had some experience before. I think this business has large room to grow because the market has just a few players."
There are many coffin shops and each month they sell between 400 and 500 coffins at 5,000 to 7,000 baht, which shows that the market has a high value,she said.
A study in 2006 by Kasikorn Research Center found that the funeral business was worth about 35 billion baht per year, said Ms Suppawan.
A funeral in Bangkok typically costs three times that of one organised in the provinces.
One-stop funeral service organisers attract well-off customers, charging 120,000 to 400,000 baht per funeral,said the research centre.
Sirimongkon's most popular products are painted coffins and urns and artificial wood flowers. But she limits her orders because all products are hand-made and take time to produce.She spends at least three days to paint a coffin herself.
"I have at least two or three coffin orders per month. I plan to expand the business and I'm looking for skilled workers who love this job," she said.
Her coffins are priced from 35,000 to more than 100,000 baht. She plans to soon offer cheaper painted coffins priced at 15,000 to 25,000 baht to capture the middle-class market.
Sirimongkon organises at least two or three funerals a month, charging about 200,000 to 300,000 baht for a funeral lasting five to seven days.
In addition to marketing online at w.sirimongkon.com -and through word of mouth, Ms Suppawan plans promotional campaigns featuring booths at temples and hospitals.
"Many people, particularly the rich,have ordered coffins for themselves and even their loved ones. I am working on a customised coffin. One customer told me what coffin he would like. I think people no longer think that [plac-ing an order while still alive] will bring them bad luck," said Ms Suppawan.
"I love this job. It is artistic work.And I feel good that I can make other people happy with my work. I think it's a way of doing good for other people,while I can feed my family after losing my husband."
She spent three days and nights painting her husband's coffin as her final gift. Her artwork made an impression on many mourners at the funeral and some asked her to paint coffins for their loved ones too.
She opened the Sirimongkon coffinpainting shop in April 2008, where she also sells urns and artificial wood flowers. This later led to her becoming a funeral organiser.
"I understand the stress involved in hosting a funeral because I have been through it. Some people are unable to organise anything as they are very sad,"said Ms Suppawan.
"But I'm willing to be a funeral organiser for them as I have had some experience before. I think this business has large room to grow because the market has just a few players."
There are many coffin shops and each month they sell between 400 and 500 coffins at 5,000 to 7,000 baht, which shows that the market has a high value,she said.
A study in 2006 by Kasikorn Research Center found that the funeral business was worth about 35 billion baht per year, said Ms Suppawan.
A funeral in Bangkok typically costs three times that of one organised in the provinces.
One-stop funeral service organisers attract well-off customers, charging 120,000 to 400,000 baht per funeral,said the research centre.
Sirimongkon's most popular products are painted coffins and urns and artificial wood flowers. But she limits her orders because all products are hand-made and take time to produce.She spends at least three days to paint a coffin herself.
"I have at least two or three coffin orders per month. I plan to expand the business and I'm looking for skilled workers who love this job," she said.
Her coffins are priced from 35,000 to more than 100,000 baht. She plans to soon offer cheaper painted coffins priced at 15,000 to 25,000 baht to capture the middle-class market.
Sirimongkon organises at least two or three funerals a month, charging about 200,000 to 300,000 baht for a funeral lasting five to seven days.
In addition to marketing online at w.sirimongkon.com -and through word of mouth, Ms Suppawan plans promotional campaigns featuring booths at temples and hospitals.
"Many people, particularly the rich,have ordered coffins for themselves and even their loved ones. I am working on a customised coffin. One customer told me what coffin he would like. I think people no longer think that [plac-ing an order while still alive] will bring them bad luck," said Ms Suppawan.
"I love this job. It is artistic work.And I feel good that I can make other people happy with my work. I think it's a way of doing good for other people,while I can feed my family after losing my husband."
Sunday, September 20, 2009
PAKISTANI POLICE STAGE ARMS RAID ON US-CONTRACTED SECURITY COMPANY
Pakistani police raided a local security firm that helps protect the US embassy yesterday, seizing dozens of allegedly unlicenced weapons at a time when unusually intense media scrutiny of America's use of private contractors has deepened anti-US sentiment.
Two employees of the Inter-Risk company were arrested during the raids in Islamabad, police official Rana Akram said. Reporters were shown the disputed weapons -61 assault rifles and nine pistols. Mr Akram said police were seeking the firm's owner.
US embassy spokesman Rick Snelsire said the US contract with Inter-Risk took effect at the start of 2009. It is believed to be the first contract the firm has signed with the US, said Mr Snelsire.
"Our understanding is they obtained licences with whatever they brought into the country to meet the contractual needs," he said."We told the government that we had a contract with Inter-Risk,that Inter-Risk would be providing security at the embassy and our consulates."
Mr Akram said he had no idea about any US links to Inter-Risk, but the company was recently mentioned in local media reports that have been trying to establish the types of private security firms American diplomats use in Pakistan.
In particular, Pakistani reporters, antiUS bloggers and others have suggested the US is using the American firm formerly known as Blackwater - a claim that chills many Pakistanis because of the company's alleged involvement in killings of Iraqi civilians.
The US embassy denies it uses Blackwater - now known as Xe Services - in Pakistan.
Scandals involving US contractors have occurred elsewhere in the region.
In Washington on Friday, the Commission on Wartime Contracting heard testimony about another contractor ArmorGroup North America - involving alleged illegal and immoral conduct by its guards at the US embassy in Afghanistan.
The Iraqi government refused to grant Xe Services an operating licence earlier this year amid continued outrage over a 2007 lethal firefight involving some of its employees in Baghdad, although the State Department has temporarily extended a contract with an Xe subsidiary to protect US diplomats in Iraq.
Many of the reports in Pakistan have been fuelled by US plans to expand its embassy space and staff. Among the other rumours the US denies: that 1,000 US marines will land in the capital, and that Americans will set up a Guantanamostyle prison.
The US says it needs to add hundreds more staff to allow it to disburse billions of dollars in additional aid to Pakistan.
Legislation making its way through Congress will triple non-military aid to Pakistan - one version would provide $1.5 billion (50.5 billion baht) a year over five years in humanitarian and economic aid. The goal is to improve education and other areas, lessening the allure of extremism.
The US considers stability in Pakistan critical to helping the faltering war effort in neighbouring Afghanistan, and has pressed Pakistan to crack down on extremism on its soil.
Two employees of the Inter-Risk company were arrested during the raids in Islamabad, police official Rana Akram said. Reporters were shown the disputed weapons -61 assault rifles and nine pistols. Mr Akram said police were seeking the firm's owner.
US embassy spokesman Rick Snelsire said the US contract with Inter-Risk took effect at the start of 2009. It is believed to be the first contract the firm has signed with the US, said Mr Snelsire.
"Our understanding is they obtained licences with whatever they brought into the country to meet the contractual needs," he said."We told the government that we had a contract with Inter-Risk,that Inter-Risk would be providing security at the embassy and our consulates."
Mr Akram said he had no idea about any US links to Inter-Risk, but the company was recently mentioned in local media reports that have been trying to establish the types of private security firms American diplomats use in Pakistan.
In particular, Pakistani reporters, antiUS bloggers and others have suggested the US is using the American firm formerly known as Blackwater - a claim that chills many Pakistanis because of the company's alleged involvement in killings of Iraqi civilians.
The US embassy denies it uses Blackwater - now known as Xe Services - in Pakistan.
Scandals involving US contractors have occurred elsewhere in the region.
In Washington on Friday, the Commission on Wartime Contracting heard testimony about another contractor ArmorGroup North America - involving alleged illegal and immoral conduct by its guards at the US embassy in Afghanistan.
The Iraqi government refused to grant Xe Services an operating licence earlier this year amid continued outrage over a 2007 lethal firefight involving some of its employees in Baghdad, although the State Department has temporarily extended a contract with an Xe subsidiary to protect US diplomats in Iraq.
Many of the reports in Pakistan have been fuelled by US plans to expand its embassy space and staff. Among the other rumours the US denies: that 1,000 US marines will land in the capital, and that Americans will set up a Guantanamostyle prison.
The US says it needs to add hundreds more staff to allow it to disburse billions of dollars in additional aid to Pakistan.
Legislation making its way through Congress will triple non-military aid to Pakistan - one version would provide $1.5 billion (50.5 billion baht) a year over five years in humanitarian and economic aid. The goal is to improve education and other areas, lessening the allure of extremism.
The US considers stability in Pakistan critical to helping the faltering war effort in neighbouring Afghanistan, and has pressed Pakistan to crack down on extremism on its soil.
Efforts to regulate jet skis to be stepped up
Authorities are stepping up efforts to regulate jet ski operators following alleged scams involving extortion of foreigners over damage to jet skis on Phuket and other incidents.
Phuket officials, jet ski operators and representatives of insurance companies yesterday met to discuss measures to promote tourism in the resort island and to bring jet ski operations into the insurance system to prevent possible extortion of foreigners.
The move came after the recent distribution of video recordings featuring foreign tourists allegedly being ripped off over damage to jet skis on Phuket and other incidents.
Phuket deputy governor Samith Palwatwichai said a committee will be set up to look at the possibility of having all jet skis in the province insured.
Mr Samith said local authorities, insurers and jet ski operators will meet again on Wednesday to thrash out the details of insurance premiums for jet skis.
A total of 219 jet skis are available for rent on Surin, Bangtao, Kamala, Patong and Kata-Karon beaches.
Mr Samith said the provincial marine office had been asked to survey and register jet ski operators in the province.
The deputy governor said operators will be asked to stop overcharging and extorting tourists or demanding exorbitant compensation for minor damage to jet skis.
Suvimol sae Lim, director of the Phuket insurance commission office, said Phuket should serve as a trail-blazer in jet ski insurance as so far no insurers had ever provided coverage for jet ski operators in the country.
She said if jet ski insurance was introduced in the province, this would help sort out problems involving the extortion of foreigners over damage.
Tourists who rented jet skis would feel confident they would not be taken advantage of, Ms Suvimol said.
"If Phuket is successful, it will serve as an example for other provinces which has jet ski operators," she said.
Ms Suvimol said initially proposed insurance packages would cover damage to jet skis, insure against loss of income due to the damage to jet skis and provide coverage to tourists renting them.
So far only the Bangkok Insurance company has offered to provide cover for jet skis in Phuket, Ms Suvimol said.
Anusorn Sa-re, head of the Phuket association of jet ski operators, said he agreed with the proposal and said the insurance premium must be acceptable to operators. He said operators can only earn income between December and May. They could not make money during the remainder of the year as it is the monsoon season.
Recently, video clips have been distributed showing a female British tourist being arrested for marijuana possession at a full moon party on Koh Phangan and a British marine and a US marine being threatened to pay exorbitant compensation for damage to rented jet skis on Phuket in separate incidents.
Phuket officials, jet ski operators and representatives of insurance companies yesterday met to discuss measures to promote tourism in the resort island and to bring jet ski operations into the insurance system to prevent possible extortion of foreigners.
The move came after the recent distribution of video recordings featuring foreign tourists allegedly being ripped off over damage to jet skis on Phuket and other incidents.
Phuket deputy governor Samith Palwatwichai said a committee will be set up to look at the possibility of having all jet skis in the province insured.
Mr Samith said local authorities, insurers and jet ski operators will meet again on Wednesday to thrash out the details of insurance premiums for jet skis.
A total of 219 jet skis are available for rent on Surin, Bangtao, Kamala, Patong and Kata-Karon beaches.
Mr Samith said the provincial marine office had been asked to survey and register jet ski operators in the province.
The deputy governor said operators will be asked to stop overcharging and extorting tourists or demanding exorbitant compensation for minor damage to jet skis.
Suvimol sae Lim, director of the Phuket insurance commission office, said Phuket should serve as a trail-blazer in jet ski insurance as so far no insurers had ever provided coverage for jet ski operators in the country.
She said if jet ski insurance was introduced in the province, this would help sort out problems involving the extortion of foreigners over damage.
Tourists who rented jet skis would feel confident they would not be taken advantage of, Ms Suvimol said.
"If Phuket is successful, it will serve as an example for other provinces which has jet ski operators," she said.
Ms Suvimol said initially proposed insurance packages would cover damage to jet skis, insure against loss of income due to the damage to jet skis and provide coverage to tourists renting them.
So far only the Bangkok Insurance company has offered to provide cover for jet skis in Phuket, Ms Suvimol said.
Anusorn Sa-re, head of the Phuket association of jet ski operators, said he agreed with the proposal and said the insurance premium must be acceptable to operators. He said operators can only earn income between December and May. They could not make money during the remainder of the year as it is the monsoon season.
Recently, video clips have been distributed showing a female British tourist being arrested for marijuana possession at a full moon party on Koh Phangan and a British marine and a US marine being threatened to pay exorbitant compensation for damage to rented jet skis on Phuket in separate incidents.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
GREAT THINGS TO SEE AND DO: All about dreams
Anette Pollner is running a workshop titled "Introduction to Working with Dreams" on October 3 from 10am to 5pm (lunch included) at the NCS Counselling Centre in Saphan Kwai.
the workshop is open to everyone, with or without prior experience of either dream work or psychoterapy.
Dream theories can be very complex, but the workshop will introduce participants to a series of simple and very effective exercies that offer fresh perspectives and often-surprising insights into dreams.
Pollner, who tranied in London and the US, has extensive training and experience in post-Jungian approaches and uses methods from Gestalt and Transpersonal psychotherapies.
Participants will have the opportunity to explore a dream in a safe and creative environment, and learn a few basic tools for unterstanding their dreams.
The cost is Bt850 prior to September 26 and Bt950 after
For reservations, email Anette.P@ncs-counselling.com or newcomserv@ji-net.com or call (084) 942 1012 or (081) 692 2981.
the workshop is open to everyone, with or without prior experience of either dream work or psychoterapy.
Dream theories can be very complex, but the workshop will introduce participants to a series of simple and very effective exercies that offer fresh perspectives and often-surprising insights into dreams.
Pollner, who tranied in London and the US, has extensive training and experience in post-Jungian approaches and uses methods from Gestalt and Transpersonal psychotherapies.
Participants will have the opportunity to explore a dream in a safe and creative environment, and learn a few basic tools for unterstanding their dreams.
The cost is Bt850 prior to September 26 and Bt950 after
For reservations, email Anette.P@ncs-counselling.com or newcomserv@ji-net.com or call (084) 942 1012 or (081) 692 2981.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
CENTRAL BANK WORKING ON PLAN TO SET UP A BILL CONSOLIDATOR
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) plans to set up a single bill consolidator that would pool public utilities billings for consumers in a bid to reduce operational cost in the economy.
The electronic bill project would enable consumers to check their bills via the bill consolidator or other counter services instead of dealing with many bills from many operators via snail mails.
The consumer would be encouraged to use electronic oayment or they could use other traditional payment, according to their preference.
Toschanok Leelawankulsiri, BOT's division executive of Payment Systems Policy and Strategy Division, said the project would help save the snail mail cost for the business sector and save time for consumers.
"We should have the single bill consolidator but some companies said they have already invested in their own system," she said.
The bill consolidator would gather all of the bills issued. A consumer would be able to surf the Net to read the bill consolidator.
Counter services like post office's Pay-at-post or 7-Elecen's counter service could provide the bill consoldator service, so consumers could check and pay their bills.
"The consumers might get an sms from a bill collector about how much they have to pay on various accounts," said Toschanok.
The central bank, commercial banks and related companies, however, will have to work hard on the project.
For example, the bill consolidator shoudl adopt online or offline system as it would deal with the partners.
Many countries, such as the United States, Britain, Australia, Hong Kong and Japan, have the bill consolifators. Some countries have a single consolidator while others have a few.
Meanwhile, the BOT wants to encourage credit-card holders to use cards issued by local commercial banks to help reduce transaction cost and promote shops to take the credit cards.
The credit-card transactions incurred by international card issuers currently need the overseas clearing system, resulting in the high operation cost. As a result, shops have to pay merchandise rate of 2-3 per cent for the card-issuers unnecessarily.
Tischanok said the country could establish an internal clearing system via any agency, such as National ITMX, in a bid to reduce the cost.
The electronic bill project would enable consumers to check their bills via the bill consolidator or other counter services instead of dealing with many bills from many operators via snail mails.
The consumer would be encouraged to use electronic oayment or they could use other traditional payment, according to their preference.
Toschanok Leelawankulsiri, BOT's division executive of Payment Systems Policy and Strategy Division, said the project would help save the snail mail cost for the business sector and save time for consumers.
"We should have the single bill consolidator but some companies said they have already invested in their own system," she said.
The bill consolidator would gather all of the bills issued. A consumer would be able to surf the Net to read the bill consolidator.
Counter services like post office's Pay-at-post or 7-Elecen's counter service could provide the bill consoldator service, so consumers could check and pay their bills.
"The consumers might get an sms from a bill collector about how much they have to pay on various accounts," said Toschanok.
The central bank, commercial banks and related companies, however, will have to work hard on the project.
For example, the bill consolidator shoudl adopt online or offline system as it would deal with the partners.
Many countries, such as the United States, Britain, Australia, Hong Kong and Japan, have the bill consolifators. Some countries have a single consolidator while others have a few.
Meanwhile, the BOT wants to encourage credit-card holders to use cards issued by local commercial banks to help reduce transaction cost and promote shops to take the credit cards.
The credit-card transactions incurred by international card issuers currently need the overseas clearing system, resulting in the high operation cost. As a result, shops have to pay merchandise rate of 2-3 per cent for the card-issuers unnecessarily.
Tischanok said the country could establish an internal clearing system via any agency, such as National ITMX, in a bid to reduce the cost.
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