Thailand Post is to add e-commerce to its logistics services, offering locally made products from across the country.
From the fourth quarter, the enterprise will pilot exports of community-made products to Japan by collaborating with Japanese online marketplaces. The move aims to capitalise on cross-border e-commerce to compete with Chinese internet giants dumping their products in Thailand.
“The company spent 10 million baht to launch Thailandpostmart.com, helping local communities sell their products in a marketplace with special delivery costs,” says Thailand Post president Samorn Terdtampiboon. The website, co-developed with BEC Tero, gathers local products nationwide into a “digital community”, aiming to be the largest distribution channel for agricultural products, crafts, food and One Tambon One Product items.
The site’s eight categories are halal products, health and beauty, mail products, best cuisine in Thailand, best provincial products, locally made products, home and garden, and automotive.
In the next phase, the site will integrate with at least 5000 points of sale in communities by year-end through collaboration with the Ministries of Commerce, Industry, Interior, Energy and Agriculture, as well as the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives, to bring more local products to the e-marketplace.
After the official launch, there will be an estimated 12,000 stock-keeping units of locally made products by April next, with THB200 million (US$6.2 million) in sales revenue through the website.
Products can be delivered to buyers within two days after order and payment, and mobile apps for both Android and iOS will be available soon.
By the fourth quarter, Thailand Post will pilot cross-border products to Japan’s largest e-marketplace for items like crafts, jewellery and locally made goods.
Thailand Post will next month launch an e-wallet developed with partner 2C2P.