Thailand plans to gain revenues of up to Bt5 billion from the 2008 Beijing Olympics after the first successful steps in negotiating with com-panies in China to sell Thai pro-ducts and services during the games.

A group of Olympic operators is negotiating with the Thai government to set up a Thai food and product kiosk during the competition, said Phaichit Viboontanasarn, director and Thai commercial consul in Shanghai.

About 1,000 Thai foot- and body-massagers are expected to be in China during the games. As Thai massage is rising in popularity among Chinese and other foreigners, a massage service for athletes should be very successful, he said.

Meanwhile, one of the com-mittees of the 2008 Olympics organisers is negotiating with

the Central Group to design an Olympic Resort on Hainan Island.

The resort, covering 300 rai, will be designed to be natural. The project group is considering employing Thai designers for Bt400 million to Bt500 million for the project.

In addition, Thailand's leading spa-service provider, Thai Privilege Spa, has recently been successful in selling a US$1-million (Bt35.35 million) royalty fee to Regalie Group, China's leading serviced-apartment company. Regalie Group will open a 350-room luxury resort in Suzhou, a tourist city near Shanghai.

Phaichit said the company should achieve more revenues after its Thai Privilege Spa was opened at the resort and that many products related to spa services should enjoy export growth.

The Commerce Ministry said exports of Thai soaps, cosmetics and skincare products to China jumped 21.4 per cent to $23.2 million last year.

Meanwhile, Chirakom Kitiya-kara, commercial consul in Tokyo, said the Export Promotion Department planned to increase exports 5.5 per cent to $17.3 billion this year. Japan is Thailand's second-largest export customer. Exports to Japan grew 8.8 per cent to $16.4 billion last year. To support the plan, the department has made a contract to sell Thai foods and other products in 137 outlets of Seven & I Holdings, Japan's leading convenience-store chain.

To celebrate 120 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Japan, AM/PM minimarts in Japan will set aside special corners to sell Thai foods and One Tambon One Product items in 1,000 outlets.

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation