She is truly extremely generous. Krate Arsiam, also known as Krate KT or Tra Niphaporn, previously spent over 10 million baht taking her family to Italy, visiting one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and another 10 million baht taking over 100 employees on a trip to Japan. Krate said this was like a reward for the staff after the company’s sales soared past 1 billion baht.
Recently, she spent 10 million baht on the Italy trip. How was it?
"Actually, the latest trip was to Japan, going continuously. Before that, when we went to Italy, I had worked all year. After finishing the song 'Bangkok City' and putting everything into it, I felt like recharging, so I took my father, mother, and siblings to Italy. Because there were many of us and everyone got to rest properly, we stayed there for a whole month."
A whole month? How does that 10 million baht get spent?
"The 10 million baht wasn’t about luxury all the time. Some days were a bit nicer, some days we kept it simple. Some meals we even cooked instant noodles we brought along, which were the best (laughs). It was a reward for myself and my family. I’m grateful they give me the motivation to live."
I heard recently you took nearly 100 people. Where did you go?
"This time I took employees on an outing to Japan. We promised last year that if together we could surpass 1 billion baht in sales within a year, I would take them to Japan. We achieved that, so I kept my promise. Sales went just a bit over one billion baht."
You’re very generous about this, aren’t you?
"Very generous. Because I feel I’m not the only one responsible for the sales growth. It’s impossible I did it alone. So everyone is important, everyone contributes — even the cleaning staff I brought along because they make the office pleasant. Every role affects the sales and this achievement. I want to give a gift back to every employee so they have energy to stay with us and be happy. Some people went abroad for the first time and cried with joy. That made me very happy."
Are you currently hiring more staff? In case people want to join your team?
"We are hiring (laughs), especially a lot for the content team."
Don’t you regret spending so much to bring happiness to others?
"Not at all. I really want them to be rewarded by us. I feel they deserve it. Some might think taking nearly 100 people abroad for five days costs a fortune, and that maybe the money would be better saved or spent on personal things. But I see that money as an investment — they will come back to work and earn even more for us."
Altogether, the family trip to Italy and the staff trip to Japan cost nearly 20 million baht, right?
"Yes. The Italy trip was about 10 million baht, and Japan another 10 million, since we went as a group of hundreds. That included plane tickets, hotels, visiting Mount Fuji and various prefectures. One night’s cost alone was significant. After this, we’re fully recharged. I told everyone that this year, we have to beat last year’s sales because we’re energized."
Many might not understand how the first trip to Italy could cost over 10 million baht?
"The plane tickets alone were expensive. We went as 7-8 people and stayed a month. We flew Business Class. Plus hotel, food, sightseeing, and other expenses—not counting shopping yet. Some people spend hundreds of thousands or millions just on a week abroad, so a full month is quite costly. But it was a life reward."
Will you do trips like this every year?
"One thing about going abroad is you see new things and get fresh ideas—things we don’t have at home. Oh, I’m getting business-minded again (laughs). We take those ideas and develop them further. Changing atmosphere and seeing positive energy brings new experiences. If we just feel regret, we get stressed. It’s better to think positively. I like to feel that spending this much now means we will get more back. It’s a mindset change."
Was the 1 billion baht sales target set from the start?
"We exceeded the target by a lot. Initially, we aimed for just 500 million baht. I didn’t expect to reach 1 billion in one year. Since we surpassed it so much, I want to have more employees, and we will launch many new products."
Recently, there was a reunion of the “Chimi Club” gang. How was it?
"Actually, they meet often, but I’m usually busy with back-to-back schedules. This time I was free, and little Alice flew in from America, so we got together. We chatted, and everyone wants to see a comeback reunion. Their schedules don’t always align, some live abroad, but we’ll see. We need to make a clip to see if the public wants to watch."
How long has it been since the whole gang met together?
"Wow... for some like Alice, it’s been over five years. When we got together and chatted, it was like 10+ people speaking at once with no one listening (laughs). Everyone was talking. Many said they grew up with Chimi Club’s songs. Meeting today made us nostalgic because we’ve been through a lot, singing together. We all remembered the lyrics, except I didn’t recall so well, thankfully there was karaoke to help."
How long has it been since the full gang met?
"Wow... for some, like Alice, it’s over five years. When we met, it was like 10-plus people talking at once, no one listening (laughs). Everyone spoke. Many said they grew up with Chimi Club’s songs. Today’s reunion brought back memories of the past, having gone through so much. We sang together and remembered all the lyrics, except I didn’t remember much, luckily karaoke helped."
What did you talk about and how was the mood?
"We talked about fearing getting old (laughs). People are getting older, you know. We enjoyed reminiscing about old stories, talked about health, what everyone is doing now, and importantly, when people will get married and have children. Especially Baitoey kept asking me, 'Krate, hurry up!' so she can bring a gift envelope to celebrate."
There were rumors about conflicts because some didn’t appear in group photos. Is that true?
"There’s no conflict at all. For example, P’Bow is raising her child in Singapore. P’Piao, I haven’t seen at all. Where are you? Reach out to me (laughs). Piao was the first to start a business. Maybe she got rich and disappeared. Really haven’t seen her. As for Nong Nuta, I still see her on social media sometimes. There’s no problem, just that we’ve separated due to different commitments."
Recently, Baitoey said she opened an Open Chat and if it reaches 1,000 people, there will be a Chimi fan meeting with Krate as the main sponsor?
"So the point is, if we organize it, I have to be the sponsor, right? (laughs) Baitoey told me to be the main sponsor. That’s doable! If everyone demands it, I’ll arrange it. This trip will definitely be fun, but don’t fight over being the bunny because the bunny is the most beautiful. I’m still able to dance."
Is there a chance to hold a big concert for Chimi Club?
"If people want it, we can do it. But we have to count how many will come because I’m afraid no one shows up after we organize it (laughs). We haven’t had a serious discussion about it, but when we chatted that day, everyone missed singing."
But you know you have to be the sponsor, right?
"Be the sponsor? Then maybe today, anyone who buys this product set can attend the concert for free. You get lipstick and free concert tickets. How’s that? (laughs)"
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