Saha Group and BATC Partner to Boost Aviation
This collaboration brings together complementary strengths. Saha Group operates private airfields and facilities within its industrial parks, while BATC—managed by Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited—specialises in comprehensive aviation training, including ground and flight instruction. Together, they aim to contribute to the sustainable development of Thailand's aviation industry.
Under the MOU, SPI and BATC will jointly undertake several initiatives, including expanding aviation student enrolment, enhancing training programmes, developing skilled aviation professionals, coordinating personnel and facilities, leasing and selling aircraft, and exploring the use of relevant infrastructure. The partnership also envisions future ventures, such as developing aviation curricula, and enhancing airport operations and security management.
Mr Vichai Kulsomphob, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of Saha Pathana Inter-Holding Public Company Limited, noted that SPI, the holding arm of Saha Group, has been a key investor in more than 200 subsidiaries and business partners over its 53-year history. SPI oversees four industrial parks across Thailand—Si Racha, Kabin Buri, Mae Sot, and Lamphun—all equipped with strategic infrastructure and private airfields suitable for aviation training and related activities.
'With our integrated capabilities in utilities, safety, and logistics, this collaboration is well-positioned to succeed and generate broad benefits. We are proud to work with BATC to enhance the quality and capacity of aviation personnel—an essential force in a modern economy. This partnership not only promotes professional development but also expands access to internationally recognised training for Thai youth and aviation professionals,' Mr Vichai said.
BATC is Thailand's first and only aviation training institution appointed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as a Regional Training Partner. It is certified by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) and offers programmes including the Commercial Pilot License, flight simulator training, and Type Rating courses for Airbus A320 and ATR72 aircraft. BATC combines classroom instruction with hands-on experience to ensure learners are industry-ready.
Mr Dechit Chareonwong, Chairman of Bangkokair Aviation Training Center Co., Ltd., stated, 'BATC is committed to being a standard-setting institution in aviation training. This collaboration with Saha Group marks a significant step in expanding educational opportunities and producing high-quality aviation professionals. By combining our respective strengths, we aim to foster a robust and effective aviation education ecosystem.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bangkok Post
3 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
China's intense EV rivalry tests Thailand's local production goals
Hyper-competition in China's electric vehicle sector is spilling over to its biggest market in Asia, Thailand, as smaller players struggle to compete with dominant BYD, putting ambitious local production plans at risk. Neta, among the earliest Chinese EV brands to enter Thailand in 2022, is an example of a struggling automaker finding it difficult to meet the requirements of a demanding government incentive programme meant to boost Thai EV production. Under the scheme, carmakers are exempt from import duties, but were obligated to match import volumes with domestic production in 2024. Citing slowing sales and tightening credit conditions, carmakers asked the government to adjust the scheme and the 2024 production shortfall was rolled over into this year. Neta has said that it cannot produce the required number of cars locally and the government has withheld some payments to the EV maker, said Excise Department official Panupong Sriket, who received a complaint filed last month by 18 Neta dealers in Thailand seeking to recover over 200 million baht ($6.17 million) of allegedly unpaid debt. The complaint, a copy of which was reviewed by Reuters, also detailed missed payments by Neta related to promised support for building showrooms and after-sales service. "I stopped ordering more cars in September because I sensed something was wrong," said Neta dealership owner Saravut Khunpitiluck. "I'm currently suing them." Neta's parent company, Zhejiang Hozon New Energy Automobile, entered bankruptcy proceedings in China last month, according to state media. Neta and its Chinese parent did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment. Market share decline Neta's share of Thailand's EV market peaked at around 12% of EV sales in 2023 when the industry was growing, according to Counterpoint Research data, with BYD having a 49% share that year. In Thailand, a regional auto production and export hub, Chinese brands dominate the EV market with a combined share of more than 70%. The number of Chinese EV brands has doubled in the last year to 18, placing pressure on those that lack the reach of BYD, which has taken over from Tesla as the world's biggest EV maker. In the first five months of this year, new registration of Neta cars - a proxy for sales - slumped 48.5% from the prior year and its share of EV registrations was down to 4%, according to government data. "Neta's downturn in Thailand reflects the fragility of second-tier Chinese EV brands both at home and abroad," said Abhik Mukherjee, an automotive analyst at Counterpoint Research. "Intense price competition and the scale advantages of dominant players have made survival increasingly difficult for smaller companies, particularly in export markets, where margins are slim and robust after-sales support is essential." In Thailand, Neta's biggest international market, it sells three models, with the cheapest Neta V-II Lite priced at 549,000 baht ($16,924) before discounts, compared to market leader BYD's entry-level Dolphin model that is priced at 569,900 baht. Thailand's domestic auto market has become increasingly competitive amid a sluggish economy. "Some Chinese brands have slashed prices by more than 20%,' said Rujipun Assarut, assistant managing director of KResearch, a unit of Thai lender Kasikornbank. "Pricing has become the main strategy to stimulate buying." China's EV overcapacity and price war have pushed automakers to expand abroad, but markets like Thailand are now mirroring the same hyper-competitive pressures, exposing smaller firms to similar risks. 'No confidence' Three years ago, Thailand unveiled an ambitious plan to transform its car industry, long dominated by Japanese majors like Toyota and Honda, to ensure at least 30% of its total auto production was EVs by 2030. The country, which exports about half of its auto output, has drawn more than $3 billion in investments from a clutch of Chinese EV makers, including Neta, who were partly lured to Southeast Asia's second-largest economy by the government incentive scheme. "Neta's case should give the Thai policymakers pause," said Ben Kiatkwankul, partner at Bangkok-based government affairs advisory firm, Maverick Consulting Group. Last December, after a sharp sales contraction, Thailand's Board of Investment gave EV makers an extension to the initial local production timeline to avoid oversupply and a worsening price war. Under the original scheme, local EV production in 2024 was required to match each vehicle imported between February 2022 to December 2023 or the automaker would incur hefty fines. Car manufacturers avoided those fines with the extension carrying over unmet production into this year, but at a higher ratio of 1.5 times imports. Thailand's Board of Investment did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. Siamnat Panassorn, vice president of the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand, said Neta's issues were company-specific and did not reflect flaws in Thai policies or the market. But external shocks, including geopolitical tensions and the spectre of higher tariffs, have added to the pressure felt by the sector, he said. For Thai Neta dealers like Chatdanai Komrutai, the crisis is deepening. The brand's car owners have taken to social media in droves to share maintenance issues and limited after-sales support and a consumer watchdog agency is inspecting some of those complaints. "Selling cars is difficult right now," Mr Chatdanai said. "There's no confidence."
Bangkok Post
4 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
DONKI, Health Region 5 Partner on Local Health
Bangkok, July 4, 2025 — DONKI (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and Health Region 5, under the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote and enhance the marketing of health products developed by local communities. The collaboration aims to elevate product quality and expand market access both domestically and internationally. The official signing ceremony took place on 27 June 2025. Ms. Supattra Boonserm, Inspector-General of Health Region 5, Ministry of Public Health, stated, 'This collaboration with DONKI (Thailand) Co., Ltd. will support the development and market expansion of high-quality, standardised health products for Thai consumers. Our joint efforts will improve product quality while contributing to economic growth at both the national and grassroots levels. We are confident this initiative will bring sustainable benefits to the public and strengthen Thailand's health product industry.' Mr. Teiji Oomura, President of DONKI (Thailand) Co., Ltd., added, 'This MOU not only promotes quality health products sourced from local communities, but also reflects our strong commitment to enhancing quality of life and economic development in Thailand. We hope this project will serve as a model of effective public-private collaboration, delivering long-term benefits to both the people and the economy.' The MOU focuses on improving health product quality through the promotion of international-standard manufacturing practices and broadening market access—particularly by creating new business opportunities for products from Health Region 5. DONKI (Thailand) is also committed to supporting the development of Private Brand (PB) products to strengthen retail sector competitiveness. This includes encouraging the growth of PB items made with locally sourced ingredients suitable for export, helping reduce import dependence and reinforcing the company's contribution to the domestic industry. The objectives of this partnership are fully aligned with the shared vision and mission of both parties, underscoring a mutual commitment to sustainable development and local economic empowerment.
Bangkok Post
4 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Striving for a common future
China and Thailand are good neighbours connected by rivers; good relatives tied by a special bond; and good partners with a common future. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on July 1, 1975, both nations have weathered 50 years of ups and downs, supporting each other and ensuring the sound and stable growth of both sides through thick and thin. In 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Thailand, where the leaders of both countries agreed to advance bilateral relations under important common understandings, ushering in a new era of the China-Thailand community with a shared future. Strategic mutual trust has been consolidated between the two countries. We have always respected each other and treated one another as equals, despite having different political systems. Amid the ever-changing inter-national landscape, the two sides have firmly supported each other's interests in sovereignty, security and development as well as endeavours to maintain peace and stability. We support each other in following development paths suited to our respective national conditions. Our special bond of being one family embodies the model of harmonious coexistence and common development between countries. Economic and trade cooperation has benefited our two peoples. China has remained Thailand's largest trading partner for 12 consecutive years as well as its largest source of investment. The supply chains of the two countries are deeply integrated. Chinese enterprises in Thailand have been contributing to the development of Thailand's industries and its transformation towards a digital and green economy. China is also the largest export market for Thai agricultural products, absorbing over 40% of Thailand's exported agricultural goods. With its large consumer market, China is ready to further strengthen bilateral trade cooperation and expand the import of high-quality agricultural products from Thailand. People-to-people exchanges have brought China and Thailand even closer. China is the largest source of tourists for Thailand. In 2024, the two countries entered a 'visa-free era', further facilitating two-way travel in various fields. The Chinese toy character Labubu has become a new symbol of cultural exchange between the two countries as it has gained popularity in Thailand. The 'Chinese language fever' in Thailand also continues to rise, with over 3,000 Thai schools offering Chinese courses and more than 1 million students learning the language. This year, the sacred Buddha tooth relic from Beijing's Lingguang Temple was successfully enshrined in Thailand. The Chinese People's Liberation Army's August 1st Aerobatic Team put on a spectacular performance in Thailand. China's polar research icebreaker Xuelong 2 made its maiden visit to Thailand. Cooperation continues to flourish in education, culture, sports, science and technology and beyond. China and Thailand stand together and share a common future. The Golden Jubilee of China-Thailand Friendship marks a new starting point for advancing bilateral relations and a fresh opportunity for shared development. China will remain a trustworthy and reliable partner for Thailand and continue to promote the traditional friendship between our countries. Let us join hands to follow the course charted by our leaders by building a China-Thailand community with a shared future and ushering in another 50 years of relations at a new and higher level, writing a new glorious chapter for 'China and Thailand to be as close as one family' in the new era.
