TIGA, which holds licences for many Japanese cartoon characters - including Ultraman, Masked Rider, Hamtaro and Conan - is turning its focus from distribution of cartoons to TV programmes and home entertainment media, to its new licensing business.

"Licensing is a new thing at TIGA," Thawach said, "and my responsibility is to explore and develop long-term partnerships with local vendors who manufacture our licensed merchandise.

"I want to create a strong foundation for the licensing business at TIGA. Our licensees will work with the company as a team to develop products, and not simply display a character graphic on products. Our licensed merchandise will be developed to meet the demands and tastes of local customers," he said.

In cooperation with the Friends In Need Volunteers Foundation of the Thai Red Cross, TIGA will open Asia's first "Hamtaro Musical Play Meet and Greet" in Bangkok today. The show will run until October 24 at Future Park Rangsit.

Thawach graducated in law from Ramkamhaeng University in 1981.

He first worked for the fabric doll department at ILC Co Ltd, a subsidiary of the Saha Group. The group later set up a new production firm called H&B Intertex Co Ltd to make stuffed toys. Thawach spent much effort developing the new company's toy business under the Rain Flower brand.

After working for the Saha Group for about seven years he moved to the Bangkok sourcing office of the US firm, Gund Toys, where he was in charge of design and quality control. He worked for the international toy giant for three years, until it moved its sourcing unit to China.

Thawach then worked for the Robinson Department Store for about six years as merchandising buyer for gifts and electronic products. He helped the store to branch out into Bangkok's suburbs and the provinces, including stores at Future Park Rangsit, Fashion Island Ram-Indra, Seacon Square, Chiang Mai and Hat Yai. After the merger between Robinson and Central, Thawach moved in 1997 to the Walt Disney Company, which wanted to roll out its licensed merchandise to local department stores. He worked as retail manager at Disney for almost six years and also looked after neighbouring markets such as Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.

He then worked for another year at Withita Co Ltd as licensing director for its Pang Pon cartoon animations and merchandise, before joining TIGA last November.

Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn

The Nation