He is another celebrity who has fully embraced online selling, the young actor. Rocky Surabodin Sombatjaroen. He recently attended the launch of Thaimart, a marketplace platform titled "Wake Up, Thai People: Thaimart, the First Home for Thai Entrepreneurs," held at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Ballroom 1-2. Thairath Entertainment asked him about attending this event and for an update on his debt, which once exceeded 10 million baht—has it decreased yet?
Are you here today with a specific purpose?
“Yes, very much so. I’m here as an affiliate and also as a broker. Nowadays, besides sellers, there are brokers involved as well.”
How have the challenges you faced been? Are you working hard but earning little?
“You could say that. Now that more people are entering the market, the competition increases, naturally dividing the profits more. As I mentioned earlier, fees at the start also squeeze brands and products more. When that pressure rises, those of us acting as brokers or affiliates get affected too. Honestly, they’ve sometimes used their own profit to pay us, so when costs rise, it impacts us as well.”
Did many friends send you to learn from this event?
“Wow... today I feel like the village representative (smiles). It’s the first day of Thaimart. As I said, I came to explore what’s available, what can be done. This is the first home for Thai entrepreneurs. The turnout today is much higher than I expected.”
Is this really the era of online sellers?
“Definitely. As I walk around, I see many online sellers and brokers like me. Everyone is searching for new channels, new paths, new sources. Honestly, I’m new to this industry but have been in it for a year. We look after ourselves—both sellers and brokers. Each home and platform requires us to keep up. I’m glad our country has a platform like this for Thais to use.”
What do you hope to see from Thaimart?
“I’d like to send my wishes to P’Not (Phanthawat Nakvisut) that Thaimart attracts many users—both sellers and buyers. Please support fellow Thais (laughs), including brokers, brands, and sellers. I’ve been selling until my voice is hoarse. Hopefully, this platform will be worth our health efforts. Please take care of fellow Thais, and I invite everyone to use it extensively.”
Were there many people "waking up, Thai people" today?
“I think quite a few woke up early (smiles). Everyone has hopes. Honestly, everyone got up early today and, although it’s a selling day, they wanted to come see because this represents a hope for Thais.”},{
Working this hard, has your debt decreased?
“(Laughs) Thanks for the update. As I said, with increasing pressure, the challenges grow. Honestly, I used to work hard and earn a certain amount, but now it’s a bit less. This is another channel to see what we can do. I encourage stores and products to contact me if interested.”
“Has your debt gone down? Yes, it has. We pay monthly and allocate carefully. We don’t pay it all at once because then others would be left in trouble. As I said, we can manage better now, earning monthly and paying more. Sometimes we meet the payments, sometimes not. As the head of the family, I have to find a way to pay monthly so creditors feel comfortable and I have money left to support my household.”
How much debt remains now?
“About under 10 million baht now. It gives me morale, but it takes time (laughs).”
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