Rakuten’s online shopping site in Thailand, Tarad.com is to be rebranded Rakuten.co.th.

The rebranding will take place by early next year and will see 2000 premium merchants move to the new site, which promises satisfaction guarantees, compensation for dissatisfied customers and a consulting service for merchants.

Despite the political instability in Thailand, Rakuten remains optimistic about its growth prospects there as the country is its largest and fastest growing market in Asean.

Fueled by increasing penetration of smartphone and 3G network, Thailand’s B2C market is expected to grow at least 30 per cent by 2014.