AustChamThailand
A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN-THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AUSTRALIA THAILAND BUSINESS COUNCIL www.austchamthailand.com April 2011
AustCham Member’s Plant Visit
In This Edition
Arbitration in Thailand – Key Developments Debt Recovery in Thailand Chamber events JFCCT “Competitive Economy” Event
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AustChamThailand Advance
annual general meeting community services Voluntary English Teaching at AustCham Thailand’s Board of Wat Phra Pathranporn School Directors, 2011/12
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chamber events Bangkok Sundowners at Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok
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Contents PATRON His Excellency James Wise Australian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand
Business Brief 6 Arbitration in Thailand – Key Developments 10 Debt Recovery in Thailand
PRESIDENT John Anderson Meinhardt Portfolio: Regional Links
chamber Events 12 JFCCT “Competitive Economy” Event
VICE PRESIDENTS M.L. Laksasubha Kridakon Baan Laksasubha Resort Portfolio: Alumni
Austcham business awards 2011 15 AustCham Thailand President’s Award: Khun Sutipong Ittipong
annual general meeting 16 AustCham Thailand’s Board of Directors, 2011/12
Belinda Skinner Top Talent Asia Portfolio: Communications and English Teaching
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TREASURER Leigh Scott-Kemmis DBM Portfolio: Thailand Australia Free Trade Agreement and Advocacy DIRECTORS David Bell Crestcom – Ra-Kahng Associates Portfolio: Speakers and Talks Andrew Durieux Coverage Portfolio: Member Benefits Khun Jurairat Jammanee HASSELL Portfolio: AustCham Ball Warwick Kneale Baker Tilly Portfolio: Community Services
26 COMMUNITY SERVICES 24 Voluntary English Teaching at Wat Phra Pathranporn School on 12 March 2011 chamber Events 26 Recruitment, Training and Retention of Staff for SMEs Luncheon 26 BlueScope Steel Site Visit on Friday, 11 March 2011 28 Bangkok Sundowners on Wednesday, 2 March 2011 at Grand Hyatt Erawan
Sam Mizzi McConnell Dowell Portfolio: AFL and Eastern Seaboard Industry
30 Eastern Seaboard Sundowners on Friday, 11 March 2011
Khun Suganya Ransigutta TMF Portfolio: Business Awards
NEW MEMBERS 31 AustCham’s New Members and Changes of Member Companies
Ben Yong Baker McKenzie Portfolio: Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce Thailand and Other Links
Members’ offers 32 AustCham Members’ Offers
Saeed Zaki , Ph.D. dwp Portfolio: Breakfast Briefings
From the Chamber Office 34 Message from the AustCham Office
EX OFFICIO Maurine Lam Regional Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, ASEAN
From the Board
COORDINATORS Paul Whyte New Asia Pacific ESB Coordinator Email: esb@austchamthailand.com Paul Wilkinson CEA Projects ESB Coordinator Email: esb@austchamthailand.com Steve Brajak Raimon Land Phuket Coordinator Email: phuket@austchamthailand.com Harry Usher Lady Pie Phuket Coordinator Email: phuket@austchamthailand.com Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce 20th Floor, Thai CC Tower 889 South Sathorn Road Bangkok 10120 Tel.: +66 2 210 0216 Fax: +66 2 675 6696 execdirector@austchamthailand.com www.austchamthailand.com
Editorial Committee Belinda Skinner, David Armstrong, Robert Taylor, Josh Hyland, Gregers Moller, Gary Woollacott Marketing & Production Scand-Media Corp. Ltd 4/41-42 Moo 3, Thanyakarn Village Ramintra Soi 14, Bangkok Tel.: +66 2 943-7166/8 Fax: +66 2 943-7169 scandmedia@scandmedia.com Advertising Finn Balslev Email: finn@scandmedia.com Contributions to Advance magazine are welcome. Please submit content to josh@austchamthailand.com by the first day of the month for publication in the following month’s magazine. Opinions expressed in Advance do not necessarily reflect the views of the Chamber. AustChamThailand Advance
President’s Message
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elcome to Advance. Another month has quickly passed and Songkran is almost upon us. An election is underway. We had a good turnout at our AGM last month with over 140 in attendance or represented through proxy, followed by Sundowners at the “Campus” at the Hyatt Erawan Hotel. This is a favourite venue among our members. A special thanks to the Hyatt staff who pushed me around in a wheelchair that night. Now I am walking again! The members elected a new Board and they asked me to serve as President. I thank them for putting their trust in me. This is my fifth year on the Board. Having spent some time observing how things work and participating in Chamber activities, I am confident I can lead the Board through 2011. Fortunately I am not doing this alone, with Belinda Skinner and M.L. Laksasubha Kridakon taking on the roles of Vice President. Both these very capable women have made an enormous contribution to AustCham and I am glad that they have chosen to take on leadership roles. Leigh ScottKemmis has agreed to be our Treasurer and will also chair our sub-committee on TAFTA. I wish to thank Andrew Durieux for the effort he has put into the Chamber in the past two years as President. He has worked tirelessly for the Chamber doing much work in front of, and behind the scenes and will stay on the Board. Other Directors carrying on from last year are Saeed Zaki, Khun Jurairat Jammanee, and Ben Yong. We have several new (and not-so-new) faces joining us; David Bell, Warwick Kneale, Sam Mizzi and Khun Suganya Ransigutta. In the coming months the new Board will be making itself familiar to you. Please give them your feedback so we can improve on our services. Thankyou to the AustCham Directors stepping down from the Board for their contributions: Amanda Canavan, Achara Boonyahansa, Nigel McKinnon and David Armstrong. I would encourage members to make a contribution through one of the many of AustChams subcommittees. As with many things in life, you reap the seeds that you sow. People have asked me what I hope to achieve as AustCham President. I can
summarise it by saying “Let’s get back to Business”. Last year the Directors of the Chamber and several past Presidents held a two day strategy meeting. There was an overwhelming view that AustCham would strongly benefit from re-engaging with the Australian-Thai business community and ensuring that we maintained our “Australian” identity. There is always the danger of regressing to being an “Australian style social Chamber of Commerce”. From my point of view, we can leave purely social activities to other organisations. This year expect to see an increase in “business” functions. Our “Golden Oldies” dinner on 11 May will be done in conjunction with BCCT and NZTCC and should be a great evening. Our guest speakers for the evening will be David Bell and Chris Bruton, who between them have 70 years experience of running businesses in Thailand. Other events to put in your diary include our trip to Kanchanaburi on 24 April to officially open the Wat Putikian Kindergarten. This has been a project of the Community Services Subcommittee and is to be held in conjunction with the ANZAC Day dawn service which will be held at Hell Fire Pass on 25 April. For those staying here over Songkran and travelling up country, be patient on the roads and drive safely.
John Anderson President, AustCham Thailand www.austchamthailand.com
April 2011
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business brief
Arbitration in Thailand – Key Developments By Wipanan Prasompluem Still an “Arbitration Friendly State”? Since the Arbitration Act came into force in 1987, Thailand has demonstrated that it is an “arbitration friendly state”. There are many cases involving enforcement and recognition of arbitral awards, both domestic and foreign. In the vast majority of those cases the Thai courts have recognised and enforced arbitral awards without any undue intrusion into the discretion of the arbitral tribunals providing there is no undue irregularity in arbitral proceedings as prescribed by the laws. The development of arbitration in Thailand was further enhanced by the enactment of the Arbitration Act of 2002, which is based mainly on the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration. Section 15 of the current Arbitration Act of 2002 specifically permits a contract between a government entity and a private enterprise to include an arbitration clause to resolve any disputes. However, in January 2004, following a series of high-profile cases in which state agencies were ordered to pay a large amount of damages to private parties, the Thai Cabinet passed a resolution that administrative contracts, such as concession agreements, should not contain an arbitration clause unless Cabinet approval was obtained. Later, on 28 July 2009, the Cabinet passed another resolution expanding the scope of the 2004 Cabinet Resolution to prohibit the use of arbitration in all types of contracts between government entities and private entities unless approved by the Cabinet on a case by case basis. As a result of these two Cabinet Resolutions, whether Thailand is still an ‘arbitration friendly state’ has been put into serious doubt. No Arbitration Clause in Contracts Between a Government Entity and a Private Entity – The Debate Continues The prohibition on the inclusion of arbitration clause in contracts between a government entity (state-owned enter6
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prises included) and a private entity continues to be a subject of considerable debate. One argument supporting the continued prohibition as set out in the 2009 Cabinet Resolution is that the requirement for Cabinet approval on a case by case basis has not created a major obstacle to the inclusion of an arbitration clause in contracts with a government entity in practice. In fact, since the 2009 Cabinet Resolution was passed, several cases have been proposed to the Cabinet for the approval of an arbitration clause in the contract, and on all occasions approval was granted. However, it should be noted that most of those contracts were high-value contracts involving investment in significant infrastructure. Examples of these contracts include: • The contract between the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in respect of the construction of the Purple Line electric railway route in Bangkok. • Contracts between the Ministry of Transport and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank for the Ministry’s road expansion project. • Contracts of the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) relating to the MWA’s water system development project. • A contract involving PTT Public Company Limited relating to the procurement of liquefied natural gas (LNG) under a Master Sale and Purchase Agreement (MSPA). • Contracts involving Krung Thai Bank Public Company Limited and Government Savings Bank in relation to a syndicated loan to be made to Hongsa Power Company Limited (a company registered in Lao People’s Democratic Republic) for its Hongsa Mine Mouth Power Project. • Two contracts involving Thai Airways Public Company Limited, one with Aviation Research Group/US,Inc. and the other with its lenders for its procurement of six Airbus A330-300 planes, were also approved allowing
the inclusion of an arbitration clause in the contracts. Despite the favourable record of Cabinet approvals, it certainly cannot be said that the 2009 Cabinet Resolution has not caused any problems to commercial negotiations and business transactions in practice. While the 2009 Cabinet Resolution is still effective, recourse to arbitration in a contract with a government entity remains the exception. Considerable effort has to be made by the government entity concerned to demonstrate to the Cabinet the necessity of including an arbitration clause in the contract. For such necessity to arise, the private party must also have sufficient bargaining power to insist on having an arbitration clause in the contract (such as the case of JICA which insisted that it would not provide a loan to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand if there was no arbitration clause). Since the Thai Cabinet passed the controversial resolution, various businesses, chambers of commerce, academics and government ministries have tried to AustChamThailand Advance
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push for a review of the Cabinet Resolution. Following the proposal by the National Economic and Social Development Board, on 7 December 2010, the Cabinet passed a resolution acknowledging and reviewing the outcome of a consultation between relevant bodies including government entities, the private sector and academics. The National Economic and Social Development Board proposed that, in order to restore the country’s image and investors’ confidence, the types of dispute to be made subject to the prohibition on arbitration clause should be limited, and certain specified criteria should be applied, for example, whether or not it is an administrative dispute, the size of project and the source of funds. Additionally, it was proposed that contracts between a state entity and a private entity should in general be allowed to include an arbitration clause, with limited exceptions in the case of contracts which may be considered to affect public interest or national security. In such cases, the inclusion of an arbitration clause in a contract with a state entity should be subject to Cabinet approval on a case by case basis. In the 7 December 2010 Resolution, the Cabinet also instructed the Justice Ministry to consider and report the Justice Ministry’s recommendations as to the ways to improve the current Arbitration Act and the measures to prevent and solve potential problems which may arise from including an arbitration clause in contracts between a state entity and a private entity back to the Cabinet. Here again, we can see the Cabinet yet again sending a rather strong message that the broad prohibition in its 2009 Resolution will be maintained unless and until the Justice Ministry can come up with convincing recommendations on preventive measures and solutions to limit the damage the government might suffer as a result of having an arbitration clause in a contract with a private party. Consequences of Non-Compliance With the Cabinet Resolution Although Cabinet resolutions are not laws as such, they are generally binding on government authorities, state enterprises, public organisations, local administrative organisations and other government bodies under the supervision of the executive branch, including public officials in those bodies. Non8
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compliance with a Cabinet resolution by these entities may have the following consequences. 1. Disciplinary offence – The Civil Service Act 2008 provides that civil servants must perform their official duties in accordance with laws, regulations and Cabinet resolutions. Any civil servant who does not comply with a Cabinet resolution which results in severe detriment to the government service will be deemed to have committed a gross disciplinary offence. 2. Civil liability for wrongful act of officials – The government entity and/or official concerned may be liable for an administrative wrongful act under the Act on Liability for Wrongful Act of Officials 1996 if non-compliance with a Cabinet resolution causes damage to the State or any third parties. 3. Criminal liability – The government entity and/or official concerned may incur criminal liability if the relevant act satisfies the criteria for criminal liability in the Penal Code, for instance, under Section 157 concerning the failure of an official to perform his/her duty causing damage to another. 4. Liability in administrative court proceeding – The entity and/or officials concerned may be subject to legal proceedings in the Administrative Court which may result in a judgment or order revoking an act which did not comply with a Cabinet resolution. As long as the 2009 Cabinet Resolution is in effect, recourse to arbitration in contracts between a government entity and a private entity remains an exception with many impediments. It remains to be seen whether the Cabinet will agree to review and amend the Resolution when it next considers this issue (the timing of which is still uncertain). If it is any comfort, in August 2010 the Cabinet rejected the Justice Ministry’s proposed amendment to Section 15 of the Arbitration Act 2002 to prohibit arbitration between a government entity and a private entity entirely. The Cabinet agreed with the Office of the Council of State’s reasoning that the root cause of the problem that government entities often lose in arbitration is not due to the arbitration system itself, but the lack of preparedness of the government entities in preparing the contract, ineffective management and implementation of the contract and problems concerning the appointment
of arbitrators. Furthermore, the Cabinet agreed with the Office of the Council of State that there is no need to change the Arbitration Act as the problem cited by the Justice Ministry can be dealt with by passing a Cabinet resolution requiring Cabinet approval for the inclusion of an arbitration clause in contracts on a case by case basis, such as the 2009 Cabinet Resolution and the resolutions passed by the Cabinets in Saudi Arabia, Russia and Ukraine. Optimistically, this can be seen as a promising sign that despite the setback for arbitration in Thailand created by the 2004 and 2009 Cabinet Resolutions, the situation will probably not get much worse. Allen & Overy is an international legal practice with a network of 31 offices in 22 countries. We have over 5,000 staff, including some 2,600 lawyers and over 450 partners. We provide a full range of legal services to clients in diverse sectors across a broad range of practice areas. Our Bangkok office consists of five partners and 25 lawyers (with a mix of Thai and English law qualified lawyers). We provide legal advice to large domestic and multinational corporations, banks and other financial institutions on international and Thai law. For more information, please contact: wipanan. prasompluem@bangkok.allenovery. com or aninda.asavabhokin@bangkok. allenovery.com AustChamThailand Advance
since 1951. www.isb.ac.th
business brief
Debt Recovery in Thailand
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any individual expatriates or even international corporates doing business in Thailand may have experienced difficulties and complications collecting outstanding debts from customers regardless of whether they are Thai or Foreign debtors. After several attempts to follow up in a friendly manner, outstanding debts may still remain unsettled. Whilst RSM Thailand always advocates negotiation and communication as the preferred commercial means of settling any outstanding amounts or disputes, the reality is that many customers are often intent on trying to avoid payment or negotiate reductions even if they have signed contracts agreeing to payment terms and conditions. When all reasonable attempts have been made to collect outstanding amounts without success, we advise suppliers or creditors to engage one of the many law firms in Bangkok to assist with the collection, initially by negotiation and finally, when all friendly avenues have been exhausted via the use of the Thai Legal System. This article provides readers with a very brief summary about the debt recovery and enforcement procedures available to them. We emphasise however that creditors should always attempt to negotiate with the debtor before pursuing recovery proceedings in the Thai Courts. Debt recovery in Thailand may simply be divided into pre-litigation, litigation and enforcement stages as detailed below: 1. Pre-Litigation Stage Pre-litigation is a preliminary stage of legal action conducted by law firms in Bangkok who have been engaged by the creditor (after failure to reach an amicable settlement with the debtor themselves). Pre-litigation procedures will include: • Liaison, negotiation and meeting with debtors; • Delivery of demand letter(s) to the debtor (demand to pay) (generally, the period for repayment fixed in the
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demand notices is between seven and fifteen days, depending on the amount of the claim); • Notification to the police and subsequent meeting(s) with official(s) (in the case where there is a criminal penalty, e.g. dishonoured cheque). Subsequent to this stage, some creditors may receive full settlement of debts from their debtors. Creditors who have no success may have to consider moving to the next stage which is litigation. 2. Litigation Stage Litigation is the legal procedure taken at the Court against the debtor. It involves the procedures at the Court of First Instance, Appeal Court, Supreme Court and the Enforcement of the Judgment. 2.1 Court of First Instance Stage Where the debtor fails to comply with the demand notices, the creditor can file a claim and the following procedures will be applied: • File a claim with the Court - Where the value of the property or the amount in dispute does not exceed Baht 300,000, the complaint must be lodged at the District or Provincial Court (In some provinces there are no District Courts). - If the claim amount exceeds Baht 300,000, the complaint must be
filed at the Civil or Provincial Courts. - Court fees will be charged at the rates of two percent and 0.1 percent depending on the level of the claim amount (i.e. two percent for claim amounts up to Baht 50,000,000 and 0.1 percent for amounts that exceed Baht 50,000,000). In practice, proceedings in the District Courts are faster than the Civil or Provincial Courts, but obtaining hearing dates may be slower due to extensive caseload backlogs. • Mediation by the Courts - It is the policy of the Courts to screen unnecessary cases from Court trial. Most Civil Courts have mediation centers for parties to negotiate and compromise. Once a case has been settled amicably, a compromise agreement will be prepared and the Court will pass judgment in accordance with such. • Proof - Each party is responsible for documenting the issue and the burden of proof with respect to their case. • Taking evidence - Each party must bring witnesses and present evidence to the Court in accordance with the burden of proof as determined by the Court. - The witnesses list must be submitted to the Court not less than seven days before the evidence date. • Making of judgment - Once the Court has considered and weighed the evidence, presented
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by the parties, the judgment will be made. The time frame at the Court of First Instance can take up to between one and three years. 2.2 Appeal Court • Within one month from the date of pronouncement of the judgment of the Court of First Instance, it is possible for a party with an adverse judgment to file and appeal to the Appeal Court. • An appeal on questions of fact shall not be allowed if the dispute amount in the Appeal Court does not exceed fifty thousand Baht, unless leave is granted by the judge of the Court of First Instance who tried the case or by the Chief Judge of the Court of First Instance or by the Chief Judge of the Region. • In cases where the appeal relates to questions of law, the appellant may apply for permission to file an appeal directly to the Supreme Court. 2.3 Supreme Court • The parties are entitled to lodge a dika appeal against the judgment of the Appeal Court within one month from the date of the pronouncement of such judgment. • In cases where the value of the property or the amount claimed in the dika appeal does not exceed two hundred thousand baht, no dika appeal can be lodged on questions of fact, unless permitted by a Judge of the Appeal Court or, a Judge of the Court of First
Instance trying the case, or by the Chief Judge of the Appeal Court. 3. Enforcement of Judgment If the debtor fails to comply with the judgment, the creditor is entitled to take action on the execution process as follows: • Issuance of an execution decree; • Delivery of an execution decree to the judgment debtor; • Issuance of a writ of execution; • Seizure of property belonging to the judgment debtor; • Sale of property by auction; and, • Repayment to the debtor. The judgment creditor is entitled, within ten years from the date of pronouncement of the judgment, to apply for the execution of the judgment. Debt recovery not only helps the creditor to collect its money from the debtors, it also provides evidence for the creditor to write off bad debts and gain a tax advantage due to the requirements of the Revenue Department, which will allow the creditor to write off the bad debt and obtain the tax advantage only if such creditor has taken proper legal actions (subject to the level of debts) against the debtor. Consequently, it is worth it for the creditor to enter into the debt recovery process. It must be appreciated though that some debtors have managed to get themselves into a financial predicament which will not
allow them to settle their outstanding debts in part or in full. Notwithstanding this, it is still necessary for the creditors to exhaust any available recovery procedures if they are to receive the appropriate tax benefits from the write off. It is therefore a materiality decision as to whether a creditor wishes to pursue the debtor for recovery or not. RSM Thailand employs a team of lawyers who are highly qualified and experienced law practitioners having served in many local and international law firms in Bangkok prior to joining RSM. Should readers have concerns with respect to Thai collection procedures using the Thai Legal system, we would encourage you to contact our legal team. RSM Thailand RSM Thailand is a member firm of RSM International, the sixth largest worldwide organisation of independent accounting and consulting firms represented in each of the top 40 business centers around the world with 92 member and correspondent firms in 83 countries, 714 offices worldwide, 32,551 staff including 3,113 partners and their combined fee income totals US$3.9 bn driven by the common vision of providing high quality professional services in their domestic markets and in serving the international needs of their client base. For more information, email: askus@rsmthailand.com
Regional AustChams and Related Business Associations • AustCham Beijing www.austcham.org • AustCham Shanghai www.austchamshanghai.org • AustCham Guangzhou www.austcham-southchina.org • AustCham Hong Kong www.austcham.com.hk • Australian Business Association of Cambodia (ABAC) www.abac.com.kh • Australia East Timor Business Council (AETBC) www.aetbc.net • Indo-Australian Chamber of Commerce in Chennai
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www.indoaustchamber.com • Indonesia Australia Business Council (IABC) www.iabc.or.id • Australia & New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ANZCCJ) www.anzccj.jp • Australia New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ANZCCK) www.anzcck.org • Australia New Zealand Business Association – Laos (ANZBA – Laos) www.anzba.org • Malaysia Australian Business Council (MABC) www.mabc.org.my
• Australia-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Philippines (ANZCham Phillippines) www.anzcham.com • AustCham Singapore www.austcham.org.sg • The Australian and New Zealand of Commerce in Taipei (AnzCham Taipei) www.anzcham.org.tw • Australian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AusCham HCMC Chapter) www.auschamvn.org • Australian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AusCham Hanoi Chapter) www.auschamvn.org
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chamber events
JFCCT “Competitive Economy” Event By Bob Fox, Director, FOXCOM
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n 4 March, the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand organised a luncheon event and talk for His Excellency the Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, titled “Competitive Economy: Building Economic Strength Through Greater Competitiveness”. Such events reflect a collaborative effort amongst many chambers (including AustCham) in promoting the event.
JFCCT Chairman Nandor von der Luehe made the opening remarks, which were followed by His Excellency’s address, and then Q&A. Marc Spiegel (President of the Thai-Finnish Chamber of Commerce) was emcee, and the Q&A hosts were Maurice Bromley, (President of the Thai-South African Chamber of Commerce) and Bob Fox (JFCCT ICT committee chairman and AustCham member). A background submission (prepared with inputs from various chambers and JFCCT committees) had been provided to the Prime Minister’s office, which along with the Chairman’s opening remarks and His Excellency’s address, can be found on the JFCCT website at www.jfcct.org under ‘Chairman & Presidents’ Council’. It was at this same event two years prior, in February 2009, that the JFCCT proposed an upgraded ‘one stop’ facility for supporting new investments. His Excellency, the Prime Minister, then responded with the concept of a ‘one start’ facility. The OSOS, which has enjoyed an overall positive response, was the result. The JFCCT Chairman’s opening remarks recognised this achievement as an import step in a journey. He said that building capacity and capability through skills enhancement, productivity and efficiency gains and the right infrastructure are essential to a knowledge-based, competitive economy, that a range of developments was needed, including liberalisation in stra12
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tegic industries, reform of State Owned Enterprises (especially in strategic sectors), enhancement of skills in the labour force, and urgent reform of the work permit and visa regimes. The JFCCT has proposed that we needed to move away from a rent-seeking, concessionbased economy, towards competitive value-adding arrangements in sectors where they were not in place currently. H.E. the PM noted that any competitive economy needs to be built on solid foundations which include macro-economic stability and also a plan and vision as to how the economy should be moved forward. He outlined positive economic developments in terms of GDP growth of eight percent in the past year and that a current account surplus was being run. Education was recognised as long term investment in a solid knowledge-based competitive economy. The PM reported that the National Education Reform Committee aimed to address the much reported on slippage in educational standards with a move away from rote learning and ensuring the right level of skills and knowledge. As to a social pact, H.E. the PM said that Thailand could not forever rely on low wages to create competitiveness, a fair deal was needed which also recognized
that to remain competitive, increases in wages would have to be matched by increased productivity. The JFCCT had proposed some specific revisions to the labour protection legislation. Investments in infrastructure including water resources, roads, rail, schools and also hospitals were important and H.E. the Finance Minister told the meeting about the proposed revisions to the Public-Private Partnership legislation which would better support this. H.E. the PM described the overhaul of intervention in the agricultural sector, notably by changing from a price interference regime into an income support or income guarantee programme which now means that there should be more people interested and engaged in the agricultural sector. The JFCCT chairman’s remarks also recognised the efforts of the President of the Thailand Trade Representative office, H.E. Kiat Sittheeamorn, whose working group had undertaken to facilitate a resolution of work permit and visa issues (including the need for a simple and workable business visa). It was acknowledged that the work permit and visa issues needed both regulatory (short term adjustments, within current legislation), and longer term (legislative) AustChamThailand Advance
Chamber events
change in order to support economic aspirations. H.E. Khun Kiat (TTR) also agreed to look into the issue of the long backlog in residency permits applicants. On service sector liberalisation H.E. The PM explained that the government recognised that much potential continues to be untapped, and we need to improve upon our liberalisation and reform programme. He said that at least one start was in the financial services area, with capital markets liberalisation. He pledged to respond to some of the needs that continue to be unmet, for instance smaller enterprises, microfinancing areas. The JFCCT had noted the protectionist aspects of the banking and financial services sector, which meant that SMEs in particular had difficulty in getting finance. On telecoms, H.E. the PM acknowledged the JFCCT Chairman’s description of the sector as having an unfortunate history, and said that the government was committed to achieving a level playing field, based on an independent regulator under the new frequency legislation, where the stateowned corporations would have to accept change to a competitive environment. In response to a question, H.E. Korn Chatikavanij outlined the history of the sector in the past ten months, including plans to reform or convert concessions, and issue 3G spectrum, noting that these plans had not come to fruition, and aimed to assure the audience that the ‘Concession 2.0’ appearance of the regime (with the same old inequities, anti-competitive and anti-innovative structures) was by no means government policy. The JFCCT’s background paper had provided several detailed recommendations, including cautioning against making the state-owned enterprises the centrepieces of the industry including the nation’s national broadband future, and encouraged an urgent re-focusing of policy back to concession conversion and achieving a level playing field without which services for business, consumers and government could not be what they should be.
ASEAN economies. The JFCCT had noted the importance in many cases of making liberalisation moves ahead of other members, in order to avoid relative slippage in attracting skills and capital and thus in developing centres of capability. H.E. Korn Chatikavanij said that his office would consider reviewing the newly implemented Regional Operating Headquarter (ROH) changes as the JFCCT had noted that they were more restrictive in some respects than the former ROH scheme. The JFCCT had proposed changes in the tax system, including reducing the tax burden on
companies which pay tax. H.E. the PM noted that the Finance Ministry was undertaking a review of the tax system. The JFCCT chairman thanked H.E. the PM for the opportunity to engage and maintain a dialogue on these important issues, through its various committees and by engagement of many chambers and noted that the opportunity for follow up on specific areas as the normal practice was very much appreciated. H.E. the PM said his government regarded the foreign business community as its committed partners in the economy and friends of Thailand.
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While acknowledging the slower than hoped pace of economic integration in ASEAN, H.E. Khun Kiat noted the Scorecard tool which showed transparently the status of compliance of each of the
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austcham business awardS 2011
AustCham Thailand President’s Award: Khun Sutipong Ittipong “Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me both great sadness and great joy to present this award tonight” Andrew Durieux, AustCham president, 2009 – 2011 said at this year’s Business Awards Ceremony. “This year’s winner cannot now be with us here tonight to receive the award and the thanks that he so richly deserves. We all expected him to be sitting here tonight with us after retiring, but that wasn’t to be.” Quoting AustCham Past President, Gary White, Andrew finished by saying: “Khun Sutipong was a man of unbound generosity. Of quiet, steady leadership. Of unassuming, but solid presence. Our Chamber has lost a great and generous supporter. Our community has lost one of its pillars. I
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he AustCham President’s award is given each year to an exceptional individual contribution to AustCham. Assisting the Chamber reach highly respected position in the business and wider Thai and Australian Communities, Khun Sutipong Ittipong has been involved with AustCham since 1991 and will perhaps be best remembered for his Community Services work. Displaying a generous nature, he oversaw charitable projects including the building of a bakery training center for deaf children, instillation of water filtrations systems, and upgrading school libraries, as well as the donation of a fetal heart monitor, computers, books and other gifts for a number of less well off Thai Schools. AustCham’s Voluntary English Teaching program is another one of his initiatives that has seen much joy spread years after its initiation, and will be continued for years to come.
AustChamThailand Advance
In his role as AustCham’s Vice President from 1995 to 2010, Khu Sutipong contributed to the management of the Chamber and its activities in many ways. This included organising business speakers, attending many functions and making countless introductions between louder expatriates and more refined, quiet Thai business communities. He also made great contribution to the wider Australian Thai relationship during the Thailand Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) discussions. All of Australia’s Ambassadors knew Khun Sutipong personally from his involvement. In last year’s April edition of ADVANCE, we included a tribute to Khun Sutipong, who was sadly taken from us in a tragic car accident in Phuket in March, 2010. Owner of his own resort in Phuket, he was also a long term employee at Siam City Bank and had just retired.
have lost a good friend. We have all lost a gentleman and a gentle man. Khun Sutipong Ittipong, may his soul rest in eternal peace.” Members of Khun Sutipong’s family attended the award ceremony. His daughter Khun Nattaporn Ittipong accepted the award on his behalf. April 2011
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annual general meeting
AustCham Thailand’s Board of Directors, 2011/12 The Australia-Thai Chamber of Commerce held its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 2 March at the Grand Hyatt. At the AGM, twelve nominees were elected to the Board of Directors. Four directors have been elected as President, Vice President, and Treasurer, and portfolios have been assigned. Congratulations to the new Board!
John Anderson holds a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering with Honors from University of Adelaide and Masters of Business Administration from Deakin University. He also has a Master of Science with Distinction and Diploma of Imperial College from Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine, University of London. He is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Engineers, Australia andrecently became a LEED AP. John is currently a Director of Meinhardt (Thailand) Ltd. He has over 20 years’ experience working as a Professional Engineer. At Meinhardt, he is responsible for managing an engineering team - which has completed a number of the largest projects undertaken by the firm, including the “RIVER”, “Millennium Residence” and “Sukhothai Residence” condominiums and the “Vietcom Bank Tower. PRESIDENT John Anderson Meinhardt Portfolio: Regional Links
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John was first elected to the AustCham Thailand Board in 2007. Since 2009 he has held the position of Vice-President. He is originally from South Australia and has lived in Thailand since 1995. He is married with two young children.
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M.L. Laksasuba is the owner and director of her own business,Baan Laksasubha Resort in Hua Hin.. M.L. Laksasubha joined the AustCham Board in 2009 with the portfolio of ‘Alumni and Sponsorship’. Seeing great worth in nurturing today’s younger generation to become tomorrow’s leaders, M.L. Laksasubha has invested much effort in rebuilding the Chamber’s Thai-Australian Alumni group. During 2010, AustCham Alumni and Thai Australian Association (TAA) merged and developed common goals under her guidance. The newly titled ‘Australian Alumni’ has grown greatly in numbers and seen exciting new developments. VICE PRESIDENT M.L. Laksasubha Kridakon Baan Laksasubha Resort Portfolio: Alumni
Last year’s iPad evening and BBQ at the International Balloon Festival were highlights for the group. Initiating relationships with Australian Universities, alumni leaders and successful Thai students, this year is expected to see even more focus on Australian Alumni and the development of new initiatives which will help Thai alumni as they adjust into the workforce. M.L. Laksasubha has previously studied in Australia and spent much time living there. She has two children currently studying in Australia.
Originally from Western Australia, Belinda Skinner is a consultant and senior member of the management team of Top Talent Asia. Belinda relocated to Thailand with her husband five and a half years ago and has thrown herself into various community activities and organisations in Thailand. She is highly involved in, and manages AustCham’s Voluntary English Teaching program. Belinda is also an active member of the Australian New Zealand Women’s Group (ANZWG) and The Lighthouse Club, both of whom undertake significant fundraising and community services work.
VICE PRESIDENT Belinda Skinner Top Talent Asia Portfolio: Communications and English Teaching
With 25 years working experience in Australia, London and Bangkok, a background and Degree in Management and Human Resources she was keen to join the AustCham Board. Belinda has been a very active member of the Board for the last three years with the responsibility for the Communications portfolio which included the Chamber’s publications and electronic media. She also served on various subcommittees for the Community Services, AFL Grand Final Function, Australia Day Ball and also Business Awards.
Leigh Scott-Kemmis is Chairman of DBM Thailand and is also currently a Non-Executive Director on a number of company Boards. He has 30 years’ international business experience and has lived in Asia since 1991. Leigh’s previous experience was in the banking and the investment industry, internationally and in Australia. He has 20 years of senior management experience and has held roles including Vice President – Citibank, Director and Treasurer - Australian Bank, Chief Executive – Bank of New Zealand (Australia), and Chairman of stockbroker BNZ Norths. Leigh has served as a non-executive director on the board of a number of listed public companies. TREASURER Leigh Scott-Kemmis DBM Portfolio: Thailand Australia Free Trade Agreement and Advocacy
AustChamThailand Advance
Leigh was an advisor to the Australian Treasurer in respect of capital markets development, a consultant to the Commission reviewing the Australian financial system and a consultant to the World Bank. In Thailand and regionally, Leigh has worked with over 200 major multinational and Thai corporations under going change. April 2011
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David Bell is a long term member of the Australian Chamber of Commerce. He has lived and worked in Thailand for 28 years. He has lived in South East Asia for 34 years. For the past 12 years he has run Ra-Kahng Associates Ltd. a consulting leadership and management training organisation. Ra-Kahng is a licensed associate of Crestcom International, and was rated number eight in their worldwide network of over 240 affiliates in 2010. David was General Manager of McCann-Erickson in Indonesia and Malaysia in the late 70s and early 80’s. He moved to Bangkok as that company’s managing director in 1983. In 1999 he founded Bates Worldwide in Thailand and Indochina before establishing Ra-Kahng Associates in 1998. DIRECTOR David Bell Crestcom – Ra-Kahng Assosiates Portfolio: Speakers and Talks
David is widely known throughout the SE Asian region as a racing yachtsman, having won the King’s Cup in Phuket twice (1999 and 2001).
Andrew Durieux is a director of Coverage Ltd, a leading Consulting and Technology services provider, owner of Infocomm Software in Australia and TechTrage in Hong Kong. He has been operating in Thailand and Asia for nine years, and his daughter attends an international school in Bangkok, speaking four languages. Andrew’s personal specialty is Business Continuity Planning, Crisis Management and Risk Management. He has developed his own unique fully integrated approach for quickly training or implementing a program to minimize and prepare clients for any major event that may occur. Beyond this Andrew and Coverage provide an outsourcing service along with the addition of a number of technology products and services. DIRECTOR Andrew Durieux Coverage Portfolio: Member Benefits
Andrew has just completed his second year as President of AustCham, and been on the board for three years in total. Andrew’s vision for AustCham continues to be “a must do for every Australian related business in Thailand – must contact, must connect, must contribute”.
Jurairat Jammanee (Khun Rai) is the Business Development Manager at the HASSELL studio in Bangkok. HASSELL is a wholly owned, multi-disciplinary design firm based in Australia providing architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, planning and urban design which has encourages her to promote strong Thailand and Australia links. With two daughters, and married to an Australian working in Thailand, Jurairat maintains a strong connection with Australia through regular personal and professional visits.
DIRECTOR Khun Jurairat Jammanee HASSELL Portfolio: AustCham Ball
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Jurairat has been a regular participant at AustCham events since 2003, and has also represented HASSELL at other Foreign Chamber events over the last five years. Tertiary educated with a Bachelor of Art, and with ten years’ experience in Sales and Marketing, Jurairat has developed a large and diverse network among the Thai and expatriate community, both in Thailand and internationally. She has served on the board of directors during 2010-2011 and was responsible for handling the Australian Alumni and Community Services.
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Naming Rights Sponsor:
Also Supported By:
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Warwick Kneale joined Ferrier Hodgson Thailand, a major accounting firm from Australia in January 1999. He was previously employed as a senior resource by another insolvency specialist firm in Sydney, Australia. Since commencing work in Thailand, Warwick has acted in the capacity of Director of a number of listed and non-listed companies, both in Thailand and Vietnam. In 2003, Warwick, along with other Partners, established Baker Tilly Thailand, and at present he remains a Senior Partner in the Corporate Advisory Services consultancy of Baker Tilly Thailand. This will represent Warwick’s second term as a Board Member of AustCham Thailand, his previous tenure finishing in 2008. DIRECTOR Warwick Kneale Baker Tilly Portfolio: Community Services
Warwick’s main area of interest in joining the Board once again is to promote business between Australia and Thailand and to assist service companies in Thailand obtain contacts with Australian companies to assist with entry to Thailand for manufacturing or trade. In particular he is interested in promoting the FTA between Thailand and Australia and working closely with Austrade and Australian companies.
Sam Mizzi is the Managing Director of McConnell Dowell Constructors Thai Ltd, a subsidiary of the McConnell Dowell Corporation based out of Australia. MacDow is a multidiscipline construction company that has been operating for 50 years with an established office in Thailand since 1993. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering with Honors from University of Melbourne.
DIRECTOR Sam Mizzi McConnell Dowell Portfolio: AFL and Eastern Seaboard Industry
He has been involved with the Chamber as a member since his arrival in Thailand in March 2009. He is currently working with Austrade and other business leaders to increase the performance of Australian companies in Thailand. By working with the board of directors and other business leaders he will be able to ensure that Australian businesses and Australians working in Thailand for other businesses thrive with the assistance of AustCham. He wants to increase the assistance that AustCham can give to construction / engineering companies like MacDow.
Suganya Ransigutta is the managing director of TMF (Thailand) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of TMF Group, a leading independent provider of bookkeeping and corporate secretarial services with its presences in 87 offices in 67 countries around the world. As the Managing Director, she is responsible for overall performance and strategic direction of the company, as well as managing day-to-day operations. Prior to joining TMF Group, she worked with several international firms where she gained experience in various fields of legal and business and risk management practices.
DIRECTOR Khun Suganya Ransigutta TMF Portfolio: Business Awards
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Building on her background and experiences, Suganya feels that given a chance to serve as one of the members of the Board of Directors of the Thai-Australian Chamber for this term, she can draw on those learnt skills to be able to contribute in making the Chamber a more dynamic and responsive mechanism.
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Ben Yong is a consultant with Baker & McKenzie, a law firm that assists foreign investors with business operations in Thailand and several other countries. He has worked for Baker & McKenzie in both Bangkok and his hometown of Melbourne, Australia since 1995. Having worked in Thailand for over 15 years, he hopes to offer his local knowledge and experience to AustCham members. During the past year, he has actively represented AustCham at meetings and activities of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce and the Board of Trade, and he has been involved in discussions and activities involving liberalisation of Thailand’s foreign investment and labour laws, including meetings with various government ministers. DIRECTOR Ben Yong Baker McKenzie Portfolio: Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce Thailand and Other Links
In his additional role as Chairman of the Joint Foreign Chambers Law Committee, he regularly met with representatives of several other chambers, and provided regular updates to the Joint Foreign Chambers on matters of legal interest.
Saeed Zaki, Ph.D., is the Managing Director of dwp Thailand Limited since 2007. Saeed is an Architect, Urban Designer and Urban Planner by profession with experience spanning over 20 years across several countries in the region, including Thailand, India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Philippines. Saeed who holds a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Urban Planning from the reputed Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), also lectures occasionally at local and international institutes as a visiting faculty and has authored research papers in the area of design and planning.
DIRECTOR\ Saeed Zaki, Ph.D. dwp Portfolio: Breakfast Briefings
Saeed has also completed Directorship course from the Institute of Directors (IOD) Thailand. Saeed has been serving for last three years as the Director on the Board of Australian Chamber of Commerce in Thailand where he has contributed by helping with portfolio related to real estate development in terms of organising and moderating seminars in Bangkok and Phuket in addition to other role as prescribed by the President.
Ms Lam took up her position in Bangkok in August 2008. Her focus is to grow Australian trade and two-way investment interest in ASEAN. Ms Lam joined Austrade in 1992 and was appointed the inaugural Senior Trade Commissioner and Australian Consul General in Guangzhou, PR China. Continuing with her interest in assisting Australians doing business in China, Ms Lam pursued her career with Austrade as the Senior Trade Commissioner in Beijing in 1996-1999. Ms Lam was then appointed as the Executive Director of the Australian Business Centre / Deputy Representative of The Australian Commerce & Industry Office in Taipei in 1999-2004. EX OFFICIO Maurine Lam Regional Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, ASEAN
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Before taking up her current appointment in Bangkok, Ms Lam was the Senior Trade Commissioner in Singapore in 200 -2008. While based in Singapore, Ms Lam had general management responsibility for Malaysia and Brunei also.
EASTERN SEABOARD COORDINATORS
EASTERN SEABOARD COORDINATORS
Paul Whyte New Asia Pacific
Paul Wilkinson CEA Projects
PHUKET COORDINATORS
PHUKET COORDINATORS
Steve Barajak Raimon Land
Harry Usher Lady Pies
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community services
Voluntary English Teaching at Wat Phra Pathranporn School on 12 March 2011 The latest lesson for the Voluntary English teaching program worked on increasing feelings vocabulary. When asked “How are you?”, students at Wat Phra Pathranporn can now explain that they are hot, hungry and tired, as opposed to giving the typical response; “I’m fine thank you, and you?” Thanks to all volunteers for giving their time and once again Bangkok Hospital for the kind loan of their van. Delighted children also received a bag of snacks and pencil cases from John Duke and Gina Galvin. AustCham thanks you for your kind contribution.
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chamber events
Recruitment, Training and Retention of Staff for SMEs Luncheon Owner of the Andrew Biggs Academy, Andrew Biggs, and Manager of CnetG, Steve Booth discussed major personnel PR issues for SMEs in Thailand. Between them, they covered some surefire techniques for staff induction and great solutions to assist expatriate bosses in interviewing Thai prospective employees.
BlueScope Steel Site Visit on Friday, 11 March 2011
Long term AustCham member, BluesScope Steel, opened its factory doors to take Members and friends on a tour of their plant. Based in Rayong, BlueScope specialises in producing high quality coated steel products. The company began manufacturing steel in 1915, and has grown to become a global business with over 75 manufacturing plants in 16 countries.
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Chamber Events
Bangkok Sundowners on Wednesday, 2 March 2011 at Grand Hyatt Erawan Following the Annual General Meeting, AustCham held its monthly networking event at the Campus at the Grand Hyatt Erawan. Thanks to gold sponsors, TMF, for hosting another great evening. Thanks also to Grand Hyatt for supporting us with their great venue and cuisine.
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1) Benjamin Wright - Australian Embassy; Brian Radomski - Big Picture; Amelia Henty - Australian Embassy. 2) Peter Feeney - Top Talent Asia; M.L. Laksasubha Kridakon - AustCham Vice President, Baan Laksasubha Resort; Marc Speigel - KONE. 3) Marcel Sawyere - Ambassador Hotel; Charles Wrightman - Natural Ville & LeNotre; Veronique Sirault - Park Plaza Hotel. 4) Khun Oimpawan Puth - TMF Group; Khun Ratinan - TMF Group; Khun Rungnapha Kaewduangsri - Santa Fe. 5) Judy Mitchell - Bangkok Hospital; Brian Overly - Caterpillar; Khun Katherine Aphaivongs - CIGNA; Belinda Skinner
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Chamber Events
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- AustCham Vice President, Top Talent Asia. 6) David Bell - AustCham Director Crestcom Ra-Khang Associates; Khun Jiraporn Thammasin - V.Pack & Move; Richard D. Malpass - Credenda Associates; Khun Thanyarat Wongsaturn - V.Pac & Move. 7) Robin Hyde - Sebra International Movers; Khun Sasiwimon Sadsadikraisorn - dwp. 8) Neil Chiu - Allied Pickfords; Karen Hochhauser - SantaFe. 9) Matthew Silvester - Meinhardt; Khun Panida Kaewpradit - McConnell Dowell. 10) Khun May J. Stump - Photo Flips; Khun Kanthawan Jobsi - Photo Flips. 11) Greg Lynn - Toll Logistics; Markus Wehrhahn - Resource Link.
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Chamber Events
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Eastern Seaboard Sundowners on Friday, 11 March 2011 Following the site visit, Members and friends gathered at the Amari Orchid for AustCham’s Eastern Seaboard networking event. Thanks to AustCham’s silver sponsor, Thana Burin, for sponsoring this event, as well as Amari Orchid for providing us with a spectacular venue.
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1) Amelia Henty - Australian Embassy; Belinda Skinner – AustCham Vice President, Top Talent Asia; H.E. James Wise - Australian Ambassador to Thailand; Khun Panida Kaewpradit - McConnell Dowell; Khun Jurairat Jammanee - AustCham Director, HASSELL. 2) Ken Bright - Bosch Chassis Systems; Stuart Lloyd - Worldsmith 360; Andy Hall - CEA Projects. 3) Nadia Narrinipa Fisher - Amari Orchid; Alex Cudinov - Akkara Sombat Properties; Rosanne Diamente - Women on a Mission. 4) Kerry Matisin - Allied Pickfords; Somsri Jomtalak - Allied Pickfords; Damien Kerneis - Geodis Wilson. 5) Marcus Esmonde Guehring; June Chua Unland - Advanced ID. 6) Paul Wilkinson - AustCham ESB Coordinator, CEA Projects; Sam Mizzi - AustCham Director, McConnell Dowell; Andy Hall - CEA Projects. 7) Khun Dee - Japin; Renita Bromley - GoIndustry - Dovebid.
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New members and Members’ changes
CORPORATE ORDINARY MEMBERS
AES Group 521-523/1 Mahaprutharam Road Mahaprutharam, Bangrak Bangkok 10500, THAILAND Tel: +66 2 639 0663 Fax: +66 2 639 1864 Email: henny@aes-group.com Website: www.aes-group.com
Principal: Mr Henny Beeber Alternate: Mr Somsak Rattanarukhut AES Group was formed to pursue niche business opportunities where special expertise and solutions are required. The experience of the partners provides access to worldwide technology. AES Group specialises in new technology solutions and the tracking of hard to find parts for older systems. AES started operations in 1992 with a staff of three and today employs almost 40. The AES office is located near the center of Bangkok and occupies approximately 2,800 square feet. Workshop and warehouse facilities occupy another 1,500 square feet. AES Group undertakes projects large and small, ranging from the purchase and delivery of obsolescent spare parts through major turnkey contract implementation. Major customers have included the Bank of Thailand, Royal Thai Police, Royal Thai Air Force, Siemens, DZ Card (Thailand) Co., Ltd. Hutchison CAT Multimedia, Nike, Royal Thai Navy, Bangkok Expressway and Transit Authority of Thailand etc. AES Group Systems Division currently represents amongst other leading suppliers Cardax, manufacturer of card access security systems, SmartSight, supplier of LAN-based digital surveillance systems and Kinemetrics, structural and seismic monitoring systems manufacturers and solution providers.
AustChamThailand Advance
The Freight Co., Ltd. Bangkok Business Center 15th Floor, Room # 1503 29 Ekkamai Road, Sukhumvit 63 Vadhana, Klongtoey Bangkok 10110, THAILAND Tel: +66 2 714 2414-22 Fax: +66 2 714 2424 Email: info@ils.co.th Website: www.ils.co.th www.thefreight.com
Principal: Mr Hans Peter Feer Alternate: Mr Patrick Dick Established in 1996 the companies ILS and The Freight handled exclusive the BTS skytrain project for Siemens Germany. Over the years The Freight envolved in the procurement of various turnkey projects in Thailand and the region, with own offices in Vietnam and China. ILS in turn evolved into third party logistics and nowadays a leading supplier of customer specific logistics services in Thailand.
Uretek International Co., Ltd. 495 Bond Road, 6th Fl., Office Building 2, Muangthong Thani, Pakred Nonthaburi 11120, THAILAND Tel: +66 2 582 2000 Fax: +66 2 583 4443 Email: admin@uretek-international.com Website: www.uretek.co.th
Uretek provides ground engineering services, offering the world’s most advanced and accurate systems for foundation and slab lifting and associated sub-soil improvement. Uretek’s resin injection technologies are manufactured under an exclusive worldwide license by Bayer in Europe, and Uretek International owns the license to undertake the Uretek method in Thailand. Uretek International has been operating in Thailand for approximately five years, servicing industrial and commercial building applications, highways, regional roads and airports. Many hundreds of established private and public sector structural and geotechnical engineers worldwide routinely specify Uretek technologies as a reliable, substantially more cost-effective, non-disruptive alternative to conventional expensive and time-consuming construction solutions to ground engineering problems. INDIVIDUAL ORDINARY MEMBERS
Mr Craig McEachern American Standard B&K (Thailand) PCL 1/6 Moo 1 Phaholyothin Road K.M. 32 Klong Nueng, Klong Luang Pathumthani 12120 Tel: +66 2 901 4455 Fax: +66 2 901 4411 Email: craig.mceachern@amstd.com Change of Representative Mr Gregory D. Stoneham, Asia Pacific, Director – Special Projects is a new representative of Total Training Innovations (Thailand) Co., Ltd. Change of Company Address
Principal: Ms Colleen McMahon Alternate: Mr John Macdonald
Capital Television Group Co. Ltd. 3rd Floor SKV Tower Sukhumvut 36 Bangkok 10110, THAILAND Tel: +66 2 712 2935 Fax: +66 2 712 2936
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AUSTCHAM Members’ offers
Amari Orchid Pattaya Sivara Spa is offering a special two and a half hour package for only Baht 2,999. It includes a mint foot scrub, feeling fruity body scrub, aromatic oil massage and manicure or pedicure. For more information, contact: sivaraspa@orchid. amari.com
Baan Laksasubha Baan Laksasubha at Hua Hin is delighted to offer readers two nights stay in the Garden Veranda for only Baht 7,000. Set in plush landscaped gardens, spacious guestrooms are ideal for a romantic getaway or weekend retreat with the family. Enjoy dining at our Costanera Beach Restaurant and Tapas Bar which overlooks a private beach and serves a variety of culinary delights. To book this offer, kindly email: rsvn@baanlaksasubha.com or contact us on 032 514 525-31 and quote ACOO1.
Clarity IT ClarITy will visit your office (CBD area) and carry out a half day audit and review for your use of IT (based on well proven principles) and then brief on ways you can improve your overall IT. Please contact: + 66 (0) 2 650 4770 or email: enquiry@clarity.co.th
Coverage SARS, Tsunami, Bird Flu, Coup, Swine Flu, Riots, – what’s the next X for Thailand? What’s next for your business? Are you prepared? Coverage knows and understands all parts of your business and can help provide a plan, training and exercise for you and your staff in English and Thai. Andrew is offering a 20 percent discount for all AustCham members. Call 02 261 8485.
Conrad Bangkok To celebrate their 25th Anniversary, guests will receive an extra night based on a minimum consecutive three-night stay. Travelers must take advantage of the offer
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by 12 June 2011 for travel now through 30 June 2011. To take advantage of this offer, contact: reservations@conradbangkok. com and ask for the Conrad 25th Anniversary package or request plan code “PBCN25”. Advance reservations are required to take advantage of the offer.
Holiday Inn Holiday Inn Silom Bangkok is offering Austcham Members a special 25 per cent discount on Food and Beverages. Enjoy their sumptuous International Buffet at The Brasserie, Northern Indian Cuisine at Tandoor, an outstanding a la carte selection of Afternoon Tea at Orchid Lounge or Relax after a long hard day of work at Hari’s Bar with tasty snack and great music. For more information please call 02 238 4300 or email: reservations@holidayinnsilom.com
Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa Choose and enjoy between a set menu of four or seven courses on the beach that fuse the finest ingredients and most tantalizing flavors of Italian and Mediterranean specialties. Prices are Baht 1,800 per person for four courses and Baht 2,000 per person for seven courses. For more information and reservations, please call: +66 32 511 881 ext. 1804
three hours to full day in over 100 cities around the world. To make a booking simply go to our website: www.urbanadventures. com when you make a booking, enter the promotion code ‘AUSTCHAMTH’. This discount is open ended with no end date and no limit on the number of bookings.
conditioner power consumption and generally pays for itself within 6-12 months. They are offering an introductory price of Baht 10,000 which is 20 percent off the RRP. AustCham members will also benefit from free installation. Further discounts are available for volume sales. To purchase, or for further details, call: +66 2 735 6823-5
i-Vision Solutions We’re offering AustCham members a 10% discount and a free iPad when you purchase our products. The promotion is valid till 15 April and include i-Vis DocuCare; a document management system to automate the document flow and move towards paperless office, i-Vis ISO MTS; a ISO management and tracking system to automate the ISO work flow and track all records and documents; i-Vis MMS; a maintenance management system for the equipment or machinery and products on lease, and i-Vis LMTS; a legal management system including time sheet system. For more information, please contact 0814591943 or email: hinduja@ivision.co.th
Manohra Dining Cruises Board a Manohra Dining Cruise beautifully restored antique rice barge and take advantage of our silver selection which is now available at an incredible price of Baht 1,400 per person, promising a sumptuous variety of seven memorable courses. Our Gold set menu of nine courses is also available at Baht 1,990 per person. For further information or reservations, please call +66 2 476 0022 Ext. 1416 or email: manohra@manohracruises.com
InterContinental Hua Hin Resort Thai residents can enjoy a grand deluxe room with daily breakfast and late check out, wth prices starting at Baht 5,500 for weekdays or Baht 8,000 for Saturday and Sunday, per room, per night. For bookings and enquiries, please call +66 32 616 999, or email: rsvn@ichuahin.com
LeMeridien We are offering a 20 per cent discount on food (only) at Latest Recipe, Bamboo Chic, Tempo and Latitude13, for one to 20 guests. Children between 3 - 12 years old receive 50 per cent discount and below three years old dine for free. This promotion cannot be combined with any other promotions. Please provide you member Name and card number when you make a reservation and present you card for identification at the venue. This offer is valid until 31 December 2011. For reservations, please contact 02 232 8888 or email fbadmin.bangkok@ lemeridien.com
Intrepid We would like to offer 20 per cent discount on all Intrepid Urban adventure tours worldwide. These are unique day trips ranging from
Mainstay Property Solutions In-conjunction with Loxley, MPS is now selling an energy saving device called the AirconMiser. The AirconMiser can save between 30 – 60 percent on air
Marriott Resort and Spa Book any luxurious spa treatment and extend your relaxation with a complimentary neck and shoulder massage for additional 30 minutes. Offer from now until the end of 2011. This promotion can be used between 10.00 and 14.00 hrs. For further information or reservation, please call 02 476 0022 Ext. 1563, or email: ms_bmrs@ minornet.com
Millenium Hilton Thai residents can take advantage of Baht 3,000 for room and breakfast with complimentary upgrade to Executive Room or Baht 3,500 for room and breakfast with Complimentary upgrade to Executive Suite and Thai Massage for two persons. For information and reservation please call 02 442 2000.
Nai Lert Swissotel Bangkok Starting on April 13 and lasting for three days, Swissôtel Nai Lert Park, Bangkok invites you to join Thai Songkran festival with water. Everyone gets soaking wet! This
AustChamThailand Advance
is the hottest season of the year. There are lots of activities in Bangkok so don’t miss out! Book now to get 15 percent discount on flexible rate inclusive of breakfast at ISO Restaurant and late checkout till 3 p.m. For reservations, please call: 02 253 0123
Novotel Siam During April and May, take advantage of our “Holiday Saver Package” at Baht 3,990 including American Breakfast for two persons for two consecutive nights as well as many fabulous offers/ discounts to make your holiday perfect such as a BTS one Day Pass Card, Baht 500 cash back, two hours of spa massage treatment. Special dinner rates are available on the Chaopraya Cruise at only Baht 750. For more details call: +662 209 8888
Novotel Silom This Easter Sunday, 24 April, The Square at Novotel Bangkok Fenix Silom serves a special brunch buffet featuring festive holiday treats. Gatherings of families and friends will find a chic setting in which to enjoy not only traditional Easter fare but also the buffet’s many international cuisines and special food stations. Easter Brunch at The Square is priced at Baht 760 for adults and Baht 450 for children. Accor Advantage Plus members receive customary programme benefits. For reservations, please call +66 2 206 9100 or e-mail: h7172-fb2@accor.com
Phachara Suites Strike when the deal is hot with our unbeatable exclusive deal starting at Baht 2,500.For more information or reservation please call +66 2 262 9888.
Siam Ocean World Membership Card Siam Ocean World invites you to the fantastic underwater world experience with Siam Ocean World membership card of only Baht 1,500 for adults, 1,200 for
children and an even better deal for a family pack with four membership cards priced at Baht 4,000. The membership card also offers a double reward with 50 per cent discount for our Glass Bottom Boat activity, 4D movies and a ten per cent discount for food and beverages and at the Shark Shop.
The Aetas Baht 2,750 is being offered to celebrate the opening of “The AETAS Bangkok”. This Superior Room offer comes with ABF and internet and will be upgraded to a Delux Room with a 20 per cent discount on food and beverages at ‘Moments’ and ‘Pause’ if staying for three consecutive nights. For more information or to make a reservation, please call: +66 2 618 9000 or email: contact@ aetashotels.com
The Sukhothai Bangkok To celebrate Sukhothai’s 20th Annaversary, they are offering a special package with starting from Baht 7,800 per room per night which includes breakfast at Colonnade, free mini bar, and an extra credit of Baht 1,200 for Room bookings and Baht 2,000 for Suite bookings - Credit earned from your room cost can be used for dining and relaxation at our spa! The package is for a minimum of two consecutive nights stay. For reservations, please email: reservations@sukhothai.com
Tiny Seeds International School We would like to offer to waive our registration fee worth Baht 40,000 for all AustCham members who enroll their child(ren) at The Tiny Seeds International Preschool. For more information, please contact: +66 2 260 2926-7 or email: thetinyseeds.pre.school@gmail.com
AustChamThailand Advance
From the Chamber Office
Message from the AustCham Office
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taff of the AustCham office welcomes our new Board of Director’s for 2011/12. There are some new faces, as well as familiar ones. We congratulate the office holders, particularly our new President, John Anderson; Vice President, Belinda Skinner; and Treasurer, Leigh Scott-Kemmis. The AustCham Board of Directors draws together a wealth of business experience and contacts in Thailand, Australia and globally. Our challenge – and opportunity – is to support the board in its management of AustCham, and make the most of its expertise and experience! This is an area we will be focusing on in the coming months, particularly as we seek to build capability within the office to support members’ business interests. March saw our first site visit for the year to the BlueScope steel factory at the Maptaphut Industrial Estate in Rayong, followed by an Eastern Seaboard Sundowners networking event at the Amari Orchid hotel. The BlueScope facility is impressive, particularly the efficiency and professionalism of its operation in turning rolled steel into coated and painted sheet ready to be used on various buildings throughout Thailand and the region. It was fantastic to see
Thai engineers take so much pride in an operation that has such strong links to Australia. We were honoured also to host the Australian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, H.E. James Wise, at Sundowners. We plan to make site visits part of our regular AustCham program of activities and would be interested to hear from any member willing to host us. For the months ahead we also intend to ramp up our programme of business-oriented briefings and luncheons, as well as continuing with our networking and other events. The AustCham office would also like to extend its deepest condolences to all those affected by the earthquake and consequent tsunami in Japan. Coming closely on the back of natural disasters in Australia, New Zealand and Thailand it is difficult to comprehend the enormity of the disaster. We encourage all those who are in a position to do so to consider supporting the relief efforts. The road to recover will be a long one and will require strong international support. AustCham Office.
AustCham is saddened by the news that Ian Webb passed away last month. AustCham members and friends will recall Ian fondly including through his long and valuable association with the Chamber. Ian was a frequent and active participant in AustCham events. His support for the Chamber and his friendship will be missed.
Calendar of Events TUESDAY, 5 APRIL Please note that Sundowners will be held one day early this month. Bangkok Sundowners
18.00 – 21.00 Venue: The Huntsman Pub at the Landmark Bangkok WEDNESDAY, 6 APRIL Chakri Day
AustCham Office Closed WEDNESDAY, 7 APRIL – FRIDAY, 15 APRIL Songkran
AustCham Office Closed SUNDAY, 24 APRIL Official Opening of the Wat Put Takian Kindergarten in Kanchanaburi
As part of AustCham’s ANZAC Day trip, members and friends are invited to join us to cut the ribbon at the Chamber’s major Community Service Project for 2009/10. MONDAY, 25 APRIL ANZAC Day
To join the Chamber for ANZAC Day at the historic Hellfire Pass and Kanchanaburi Cemetery, please contact the office. More details are available on our website.
Thank you to all March sponsors
AustCham is saddened to announce the recent passing of Tom Brown after a long illness, having suffered a stroke two years ago. Tom was a longstanding member of the Chamber until his retirement a few years back, and was a stalwart at Chamber functions and events.He will be fondly remembered by friends and colleagues as a true gentleman and a man who loved life and lived it to the fullest.
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April 2011
AustChamThailand Advance