PTT opens Life station in Laos

PTT Plc, Thailand’s energy flagship, is targeting 60 integrated service stations in Laos within five years, as part of its 6-billion-baht (US$194.4 million) plan to become a top regional petrol brand.
The first PTT Life petrol station in the Laotian capital of Vientiane was inaugurated on October 29, the first Life Station built outside of Thailand. Covering an area of 8,000 square meters, the Life station offers non-oil services such as food, banking, car care and convenience stores.
The PTT brand is being developed as a leading brand to serve the upcoming ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, said President and Chief Executive Pailin Chuchottaworn.
“Thailand’s neighboring countries and the ASEAN region are considered a market with vast potential for PTT’s business expansion to become a leading Thai multinational company,” he said.
The launch of integrated stations in Laos is regarded as a pilot retail investment in neighboring countries. PTT ranks third in the retail oil business in Laos, with a market share of about 12.5%, behind Lao State Fuel Company and Petro Vietnam. PTT aims to become number two. Its current sales volume is 150 million liters a year.