This survey covers the performance of the top companies in 10 countries in Asia. Investors and other executives from financial centers such as Hong Kong, Singapore, New York and London are among those who participated in this survey. We had 497 votes.
Best Managed Company, Most Committed to Shareholder Value - Advanced Info Service
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Best Managed Company | ||
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Rank | Company | Votes |
1 | Advanced Info Service | 21 |
2 | Siam Cement | 12 |
3 | Bangkok Bank | 9 |
4 | BEC World | 8 |
4 | Thai Farmers Bank | 8 |
6 | Thai Union Frozen Products | 7 |
7 | Krung Thai Bank | 3 |
7 | PTT Exploration | 3 |
9 | Shin Corp | 2 |
9 | Siam City Cement | 2 |
11 | TelecomAsia | 1 |
11 | Thai Airways | 1 |
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Commitment to Shareholder Value | ||
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Rank | Company | Votes |
1 | Advanced Info Service | 18 |
2 | Shin Corp | 13 |
3 | Bangkok Bank | 8 |
4 | Ratchaburi Electric | 7 |
4 | Siam Cement | 7 |
6 | BEC World | 5 |
7 | Krung Thai Bank | 4 |
7 | PTT Exploration | 4 |
9 | Siam City Cement | 3 |
10 | Siam Commercial Bank | 2 |
11 | Thai Farmers Bank | 2 |
13 | Thai Union Frozen Product, | 1 |
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Advanced Info Service, Thailand's second-biggest public company and provider of more than half the country's mobile phones, saw its profit more than double in 2000, as mobile phone sales soared. The company earned a record Bt6.6 billion ($154 million). Since the end of a year in which it added an average of 62,233 new subscribers each month, the company shows little sign of slowing down. At the end of February it had 2.27 million subscribers and average revenue per subscriber was Bt1,145. The company aims to add an additional one million subscribers this year. Advanced Info, which is one-fifth owned by Singapore Telecommunications, plans to pay an annual dividend of Bt4 per share on May 25 to shareholders of record as of April 9.
"There are several reasons for this leadership," says one survey respondent. "First, its marketing strategy captures the target group. Second, its service quality is the most favoured by consumers. Third, AIS has a strong financial status. And last, management has a clear vision."
Best E-commerce Strategy - Siam Commercial Bank
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Best E-commerce Strategy | ||
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Rank | Company | Votes |
1 | Siam Commercial Bank | 15 |
2 | Advanced Info Service | 12 |
3 | BEC World | 10 |
4 | Bangkok Bank | 6 |
4 | Thai Airways | 6 |
6 | Shin Corp | 3 |
6 | Siam Cement | 3 |
8 | Siam City Cement | 2 |
9 | United Communications | 1 |
9 | Thai Farmers Bank | 1 |
9 | Thai Union Frozen | 1 |
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In Thailand, the development of e-commerce is still in the early stages. In January, however, some of Thailand's biggest corporations, including Siam Commercial, agreed to establish an alliance to create an online business-to-business procurement system. Khunying Jada Wattanasiritham, chief executive of Siam Commercial, said of the alliance, "Given time, it will become a powerhouse B2B exchange, providing businesses with all the necessary connections to link to a diverse network of trading partners all over the world." As the service develops it will provide companies with the ability to buy and sell in real-time a wide variety of products and services. Last month the bank also signed a contract to establish a data mining suite. The bank says it aims to become a "true supporter" of the base infrastructure of the new economy and e-commerce era. Its plan is to acquire the technology it needs to facilitate banking transactions.
Best in Investor Relations - TelecomAsia
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Best in Investor Relations | ||
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Rank | Company | Votes |
1 | TelecomAsia | 21 |
2 | Shin Corp | 15 |
3 | Advanced Info Service | 9 |
4 | Siam Cement | 6 |
5 | Krung Thai Bank | 4 |
5 | Siam City Cement | 4 |
6 | Thai Airways | 3 |
7 | United Communications | 2 |
7 | Thai Farmers Bank | 2 |
7 | Thai Unon Frozen Product | 2 |
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Investor relations in Thailand, like those in numerous Asian countries, are at best mediocre. Corporate governance remains lax and companies disclose far less than they are obliged to do in the US or Europe. TelecomAsia Corp. is no exception, but voters clearly think it is the best of a bad lot. Its parent is Charoen Pokphand Group, owned 90% by the Chearavanont family. The Chearavanonts have been credited with accepting the need for better IR, although they have a way to go: they still upset investors. For example, Templeton Asset Management's Mark Mobius has been public with his complaints about how a TelecomAsia deal to acquire the parent's mobile phone company, Wireless Communications Service, jeopardizes the interests of TelecomAsia's minority shareholders. TelecomAsia shares have dropped 25% since the plan was announced. But at least the company is trying to sooth fears rather than stonewall.
The results of this poll first appeared in the April issue of FinanceAsia magazine. To buy a copy please send an e-mail to: [email protected].
