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Published on August 6, 2007

Sweeping many international and local Web-design interactive awards has encouraged Thomas Idea to open its first foreign office.

The Thai-owned online-strategy specialist plans to expand its customer base and establish an international image.

It has handled many jobs for multinational companies operating both abroad and domestically.

Managing director Uraiporn Cholsirirungskul said the first foreign representative office would be set up in Singapore, site of many offices of multinational companies, with an initial investment of Bt5 million to Bt10 million.

"The global challenge in the digital era has attracted the company to explore more business opportunities, first in Asia, where we believe our technology and capability can cope well with those in the same industry," she said.

Thomas Idea focuses on online strategy for Web design, branding, Web-portal design and development and interactive-application design, along with digital services involving marketing, advertising, media planning and buying, campaigns, search-engine marketing and optimisation, direct marketing and interactive creative design.

Uraiporn said the company's services were being used by a rising number of Internet users and facilitated their daily lifestyle. This modern lifestyle has also created new business opportunities.

"We are set to become an online interactive agency this year and hope to be the leader," she said.

Thomas Idea's partners include Oracle (Thailand), Sun Microsystems (Thailand), Hewlett-Packard (Thailand) and Microsoft (Thailand), all of whom have encouraged it to develop varied services to meet clients' demands.

"We provide a niche digital service based on customer demand. Our customers are satisfied with our integrated services, including creative, innovative development and high technology," said executive director Araya Choutgrajank.

Company sales are projected to grow 20 per cent this year to Bt48 million. Its expansion plan is aimed at doubling sales within the next two years. Income from offshore services currently accounts for 15 per cent of revenues.

Following good results, many financial consultants have suggested Thomas Idea list on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. However, company directors believe it is not yet ready for that and want to concentrate on other projects instead.

Achara Pongvutitham,

Asina Pornwasin

The Nation