This year, the Bank intends to expand K-Debit Cardholders among fans of Thai football, which has substantially expanded over the past two to three years, given the recent achievement of both the men’s and women’s Thai national football teams, as well as elevation of the national football league and team management towards professional standards. KBank, therefore, has joined hands with Thai Premier League, First Division, and Second Division nationwide in issuing the KBank Football Club Debit Card, which is uniquely designed for each of the 39 clubs, with the logo of one of the football clubs on each card. Football fans will appreciate having a debit card with the licensed design of their favorite club’s logo.
In addition, KBank Football Club Debit Cardholders will be offered special benefits from their respective football clubs, e.g., special discounts for purchases of souvenirs and tickets for football matches, as well as the right to buy movie tickets for any SF Group theater, any movie at any time, for 100 Baht each, a special price of only 100 Baht for each of McDonald’s menu sets, reward points with a redemption ratio of 1,000 points equaling 100 Baht of cash-back, and other privileges from KBank’s business allies. Interested persons can apply for a card at any KBank branch in the province where each football club is located, or via www.askkbank.com/kdebitcard.
Mr. Pakorn added that, at present, KBank and the 39 football teams have issued more than 45,000 co-branded debit cards, and at least 130,000 such debit cards are expected to be issued within this year. Meanwhile, with a value of at least 10 billion Baht of football-related business per season, fans of the Thai Premier League First and Second Divisions are an interesting market. Apart from the debit card, KBank offers other services to these football teams including payroll service, personal insurance, and training on investment and savings for footballers and clubs’ staff members.
At the end of 2014, K-Debit Cards totaled 9.7 million, while the Bank expects to issue 4.6 million new debit cards within this year.
Pol. Lt. Kiatisuk Senamuang, head coach of the Thai national football team, said the collaboration between KBank and football teams nationwide has boosted the achievements of the sport in Thailand, which has seen a recent surge of popularity, therefore making fans happy with their chosen team. He expressed his gratitude for the Thai people who follow the national team’s performance, therefore giving moral support to the players during their matches. Moreover, Thai fans are also giving more attention to local professional football leagues, with a rising number of club fans. This reflects the success of Thailand’s professional league management and the football clubs’ determination to enhance their teams and footballers in line with the international professional football industry. If they keep playing in quality games of Thai professional leagues, the players’ increasing experience will improve their chances of joining the national team.
According to Ms. Nualphan Lamsam, manager of the Thai national women’s football team, the KBank Football Club Debit Card should add a joyful element to the Thai football industry, helping to make the sport part of people’s daily lives. Thai football will thus gain even more popularity, particularly among the younger generation, a factor that fortifies the sport and its market. She added that fan support is key to the success of Thai football teams, including the women’s national team. Thai football’s increasing popularity will become a morale-boosting factor for players, thereby attracting more women to the sport.
