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Hailing the anniversary: King Power International Group (Thailand) Chairman & Ceo Vichai Rakriaksorn (centre) toasts 20 years of the retailer’s business at a spectacular evening in Bangkok alongside (left) Group Managing Director Sombat Dechapanichkul, (second left) Chief Financial Officer Aimon Raksriaksorn, (second right) Group Deputy Chairman Chulchit Bunyaketu and (right) Group Deputy Managing Director Susan Whelan |
THAILAND. King Power International Group (Thailand) tonight celebrated its 20th anniversary with a spectacular light, sound and dance show at its Downtown Duty Free Complex in Bangkok – an event witnessed by 600 national and international guests.
Guests were also treated to a video of the 20-year history of King Power, detailing its beginnings on 18 October 1989, when it began trading as TAT Duty Free at Bangkok’s Mahatun Plaza.
Group Chairman & CEO Vichai Raksriaksorn said: “This year represents the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the King Power Group. This grand occasion is being celebrated under the concept “˜Wondrous Power: The Blissful Journey’, which presents the growth and development of King Power into the successful enterprise we are today.”
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King Power Group Deputy Chairman Chulchit Bunyaketu and Deputy Managing Director Susan Whelan welcome guests to the exhibition area at the duty free complex, which showcased the company’s rich history |
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One of the highlights of the exhibition area was a huge golden-paged book detailing key dates in the King Power story |
He added: “We have experienced many ups and downs, many difficulties and obstacles, so we’re very pleased to be where we are today. The Thai people are a very intelligent, committed and dedicated people. We’re proud to have a Thai business where the revenue is earned in Thailand and stays in Thailand.”
Through its duty free and tourism activities, King Power is one of the key generators of foreign currency in Thailand. In its two decades of operation, the company estimated its turnover in that period as Bt128 billion (US$3.8 billion).
This year the company will earn around Bt19 billion (US$570 million), Deputy Chairman Chulchit Bunyaketu told The Moodie Report.
The company underlined its mission to become the “leading travel retailer in Asia” through the expansion of duty free and tourism-related businesses in the coming years.
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Many of King Power Group Thailand’s leading suppliers attended the night – pictured (centre) is Chanel Asia Pacific Regional General Manager Fragrance & Beauty – Travel Markets Eric Bale, along with the King Power team of (left to right) Sombat Dechapanichkul, Susan Whelan, Vichai Raksriaksorn and Chulchit Bunyaketu |
Raksriaksorn added: “Since the beginning of the year there has been a variety of special activities held in conjunction with the anniversary celebration. These include the King Power Travel Fair: 20 Must See Destinations; an exclusive movie screening of “˜Coco Avant Chanel’ and a jazz concert by jazz master Benny Goldman. These events have been presented by King Power as a sincere thank you to all of our supporters, including partners, suppliers, members and customers. As October marks the 20th anniversary of King Power’s founding, we will offer a range of spectacular activities during the month.”
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Guests were treated to a series of music, dance and street art spectaculars during the evening |
The Downtown Duty Free Complex also features an exhibition of the history of King Power, located on the second floor of The Atrium, and running through October.
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The stores and walkways at King Power’s Downtown Duty Free Complex were decked out in celebration |
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Deputy Chairman Chulchit Bunyaketu celebrates King Power Group Thailand’s 20th anniversary |
The retailer has also decked out its duty free stores with visuals celebrating the anniversary. Plus it is hosting a range of activities, including a street art festival – featuring magicians, clowns, musicians and artists, and a treasure hunt with prizes for shoppers.
Note: Look out for an in-depth review of King Power (Thailand)’s 20 years in business, coming soon via The Moodie Report.
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