One is Logis Post, to deliver heavy items such as motorcycles, refrigerators, beds, big fans and golf bags throughout the country, and the other is mail and haulage for government agencies.

Ormsin Chivapruk, senior executive vice president for marketing, said the company had started the two businesses last year and seen good results.

They show great potential in domestic delivery, which has lots of opportunity for penetration despite the many existing international players such as FedEx, DHL and TNT, he said. These are companies that focus on sending packages and mail abroad, which Thailand Post cannot do as a government arm.

It expects the two ventures to perform well enough to eventually attract domestic business from the international couriers.

Ormsin forecast that given healthy growth they could by

year-end raise the company's performance by 8 per cent from sales last year of Bt12 billion, though a conservative target was Bt12.5 billion.

Mail delivery and postcards account for 80 per cent of sales.

Net profit after becoming a private company (though still under government control) in 2004 was Bt200 million, increasing to Bt300 million last year.

This year, Ormsin said, the company expects Bt400 million, taking into account handling of electoral paperwork and the royal celebration stamps and photos, snapped up quickly by collectors.

Stamps are planned for His Majesty the King's 80th birthday next year, though Ormsin declined to reveal designs and numbers.

The company has 1,170 outlets, more than any other courier in Thailand.

Nitida Asawanipont

The Nation