26th July 2006

I have a shipment for me to look after today. Although it was supposed to have arrived at my doorstep way back, it shouldnt be a worry to get them. It was a 45minutes at a speed of 90kms/hr to the airport to meet with Mr. Pitak. As soon as I have arrived there, he referred to me to 3 agents who could help me with the shipment.

Unfortunately, there was no clearance of the declared product since the product was not registered in Thailand. The 2 agencies can only suggest for me to go back to Bangkok and apply the proper registration in FDA for us to be issued an importation permit. And such permits before being imported to Thaialand, needs requests first before shippping it out. The last agency informed me of other things that could be done. I am looking forward of it.

Another lesson/s learned (for us). We should have been aware of this. I should never have assumed that those shipments would be delivered to my place, in front of my door. I should never have assumed that service would be the same in The Philippines. i forgot that I was in Thailand. Now the shipment is costing us just because I wasnt able to find an interested importer.

Speaking of importers, I met with Khun Varaporn this afternoon for possible distribution of Beach Hut in Phuket. She has 300 retail outlets (pharmacies, etc.) of her product TonTree an after sun lotion. She was surprised that an foreign product would still want to compete in Tahiland since there are already ltos of players. around.

Our 2 hours meeting was long and a bit brutal for me. We were both having difficulty hearing out each other, which meant some words are hard to decipher. Everything should be explained in the simpliest word, the basic. Well, I was surprised at her quick interest in partnering with us. She is pulling my leg. She wanted me to bring her line of lotion after sun products and her other upcoming products this year to Philippines.

Well, I got a word form her that she will be ordering from me for all her retail shops. She cant commit and only on October becasue the season starts at that time of the year. She wanted me to come back on September the trial of distributing Beach Hut.

Well, it was not waht I was hoping for, but should be ample for now. Its a good thing that I was able to back track last Sunday and was able to research on TonTree. I found a list of distributors here in Phuket. Now I hope at least one item in the list distributes consumer products like TonTree.

My meeting ended around 7pm that night. And since I am still not familiar with the places I have been, as usual, i would call my friend over the mobile and make him explain to the motorbike rider where I am going. This is the quickest and surest way in getting to meet people.

Oh well, tomorrow another hunting game for me.