Every year, Daimaru Trading Co., Ltd. hosts an annual educational seminar in Japan for people considering long-stay life in Thailand. Over four years the program has grown into what is now called the Japan Road Show — held across Japan's major cities in cooperation with Thailand's national tourism and long-stay residency authorities. Here is how it started and where it stands today.
Early years: Long Stay Foundation (2017–2019)
Before the Japan Road Show existed in its current form, Daimaru Trading Co., Ltd. was already active in Japan's long-stay-abroad community. From 2017 through 2019, Daimaru Trading served as a main sponsor of the Long Stay Foundation's annual events. Daimaru hosted a large dedicated booth for the Thailand Elite program — Thailand Privilege's name at the time — and invited Thailand Elite to participate at the booth alongside us. Japanese long-stay enthusiasts had direct access to Thai officials and Thailand Elite management, including board members on several occasions.
The 2020 and 2021 years paused travel and in-person events, but the relationships built during the booth years carried through.
2022: The first main roadshow event
In July 2022, Daimaru Trading hosted its first standalone roadshow: the Thailand Flexible Plus Program Roadshow.
- Tokyo · Imperial Hotel Tokyo · 25 July 2022
- Osaka · Hotel Nikko Osaka · 27 July 2022
The 2022 program introduced the Thailand Privilege Flexible Plus Program to Japanese audiences. The Royal Thai Embassy Tokyo and the Royal Thai Consulate-General Osaka delivered opening remarks at the respective cities, and Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. sent a board member for the main address. A Thailand Elite member panel, a Stock Exchange of Thailand session, and presentations from Thai property development partners rounded out the program. This was the first time Daimaru ran the entire event as a primary host rather than sponsoring within another organization's program.
2023: Japan Roadshow — Migrant & Longstay in Thailand Seminar
In July 2023, the event took on the name that has stuck since: the Japan Roadshow, subtitled Migrant & Longstay in Thailand Seminar.
- Sendai · The Westin Sendai · 5 July 2023
- Tokyo · Imperial Hotel Tokyo · 7 July 2023
The 2023 edition added Daimaru's home city of Sendai to the route, reflecting interest from the Tohoku region. The program was held in cooperation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd., with MQDC among the partners. Osaka was not held that year.
2024: Japan Roadshow 2024
For May 2024, the program moved to its current spring timing and settled on two host cities.
- Tokyo · Imperial Hotel Tokyo · 26 May 2024
- Osaka · Hotel Nikko Osaka · 28 May 2024
The 2024 edition added international-education content for the first time — Daimaru Trading had been receiving more inquiries from Japanese families with school-age children, not only retirees. Principal Barry Sutherland of KIS International School Reignwood Park joined the lineup, alongside a visa overview from Brooksage Japan Administrative Solicitor Office and education guidance from International School Guide Thailand. The Tourism Authority of Thailand's Tokyo and Osaka offices each delivered their city's opening session, and Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd.'s President gave the opening address.
2025: Japan Roadshow 2025
The May 2025 program, under the theme Thailand Migration & International Education Seminar (タイ移住・国際教育セミナー), extended the direction set in 2024.
- Tokyo · Imperial Hotel Tokyo · 18 May 2025
- Osaka · Hotel Nikko Osaka · 20 May 2025
Naoto Daimaru, CEO of Daimaru Trading Co., Ltd., opened the Tokyo session at the Imperial Hotel. Two days later in Osaka, Kazuo Daimaru, President, delivered the Osaka session at Hotel Nikko Osaka. Programming expanded with a dedicated session from SGB International Co., Ltd. on Thailand's international education landscape, alongside returning contributions from KIS International School Reignwood Park, Brooksage Japan, International School Guide Thailand, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
The partner network
The Japan Road Show works because of who sits in the room — and who helps build it. Named 2025 partners:
- Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. (co-host)
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) — Tokyo and Osaka offices
- KIS International School Reignwood Park
- SGB International Co., Ltd.
- Brooksage Japan Administrative Solicitor Office
- International School Guide Thailand
- MQDC
Thailand's tourism ministry, the official Thailand Privilege program operator, Japanese-speaking visa specialists, educators, and a major Thai developer — all in the same room, on the same day. Attendees are briefed, not pitched.
About Daimaru Trading — the company behind the Japan Road Show
Daimaru Trading Co., Ltd. has been an authorized General Sales & Services Agent (GSSA) of Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. since 2015. The company is headquartered in Sendai, Japan and led by President Kazuo Daimaru and CEO Naoto Daimaru — both of whom attend every Japan Road Show personally.
Daimaru Trading received the "Best Cooperation" GSSA award from Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. in 2024, 2025, and 2026 — three consecutive years recognizing outstanding partnership performance and continuous contribution among the program's global network of authorized agents.
Who you speak to from the Thai side
For applicants reaching Daimaru Trading through thailandelite.net, info@thailandelite.net, or +66 65-156-1561, your contact is Patcharaphol "Pat" Nabhaboriraks, Thailand Branch Lead. Pat previously worked in the Sales Division of Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. and brings that working knowledge of the program's review process to each case he handles.
Pat personally manages each application in these channels from first contact through to the visa being affixed in your passport. After that, the official Thailand Privilege Member Contact Center takes over for ongoing services such as 90-day reporting. Every application is handled with the full backing of Daimaru Trading Co., Ltd., the authorized GSSA that stands behind the service.
Looking ahead
The 2026 Japan Road Show is already being planned. For updates on dates and venues, contact the Japanese-language channel:
タイランドエリートインフォメーションセンター
0120-859-777 (Japan) · +81-50-3521-0296 (international)
Daimaru Trading Co., Ltd. is an authorized General Sales & Services Agent of Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd., headquartered in Sendai, Japan.