BCCT Link Magazine - Issue 2 2015

Magazine of the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand Issue 2 2015

Hats off to Education in Thailand

Fly in British style Fly with us to more than 75 destinations in Europe and experience the world-class service that the British are famous for.

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Contents BCCT

Board of Directors 2015 CHAIRMAN Simon Matthews ManpowerGroup Thailand T: 02 2634 7273 matthews@manpower.th.com VICE CHAIRMEN Viriya (Boyd) Chongphaisal GlaxoSmithKline (Thailand) Limited T: 02 659 3000 viriya.x.chongphaisal@gsk.com

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Simon Landy Colliers International Thailand T: 02 656 7000 simon.landy@colliers.com Christopher Thatcher Anglo-Thai Legal Co., Ltd. T: 081 803 7377 christhatcher1@gmail.com DIRECTORS Ali Adam Arcadia (Thailand) Co., Ltd. T: 02 108 1822 ali@arcadia-engineering.com Billy Chomsakorn British Airways PLC T: 001 80044 15906 billy.chomsakorn@ba.com

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John Christie Ek-Chai Distribution System Co., Ltd. T: 02 797 9000 john.christie@th.tesco.com David Cumming ONYX Hospitality Group (Amari Watergate Bangkok) T: 02 653 9000 david.cumming@amari.com Stephen Frost Bangkok International Associates Ltd T: 02 231 6201/6455 sfrost@bia.co.th Andrew McBean Grant Thornton T: 02 205 8222 Andrew.McBean@th.gt.com Tan Siew Meng HSBC T: 02 614 4000 siewmengtan@hsbc.com Rituraj Mohan Boots Retail (Thailand) Ltd. T: 02 694 5991 ritu.mohan@bootsri.com Hugh Vanijprabha Rolls-Royce (Thailand) Ltd. T: 02 263 0500 Hugh.Vanijprabha@Rolls-Royce.com HONORARY TREASURER John Sim PKF Tax and Consulting Services (Thailand) Ltd. T: 02 108 1591-96 john.sim@pkf.com 2

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Private education in Thailand – spelling out the choices Sally stays on Board with IB Diploma Child safeguarding in schools

So many reasons to choose IB curriculum Pepa picks story of separation for new publication Osbornomics – say it isn’t so

Contents Issue 2/2015 The Link is published by the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand.

Advertising enquiries: Greg Watkins Email: greg@bccthai.com Editor: Dale Lawrence Email: dalelawrence2008@gmail.com Front cover design: GSBI Production: Scand-Media Corp., Ltd The views expressed by individual authors are not necessarily those of the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand or of the publisher. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand is strictly prohibited.

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British Chamber of Commerce Thailand 7th Floor, 208 Wireless Road Bangkok 10330, Thailand Tel: 02-651 5350/3 Fax: 02-651 5354 Website: www.bccthai.com Email: greg@bccthai.com Greg Watkins, Executive Director

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Chairman’s Message

By the Numbers

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Executive Director’s Message

Chamber events

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Helping the Needy

Comings and Goings

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Member News

Final Word

Chairman’s Message

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he first six months of 2015 have passed by so quickly and since my last message there has been much activity at the Chamber. Firstly, I would like to congratulate all involved in the BCCT Business Services team that is working on the Overseas Business Network initiative project for achieving full accreditation from British Chambers of Commerce in the United Kingdom. Much work was involved in upgrading BCCT’s systems and processes on governance, resources and services. Thanks to Business Services Director Barry Nicholson supported by our Executive Director Greg Watkins and the BCCT Steering Group chaired by Andrew McBean.

Simon Matthews

On a sad note, Barry resigned from BCCT at the end of May and is relocating to the UK. He did a fantastic job in launching this project and the testimonials the BCCT have received endorse the tremendous achievements of Barry and the team. As with any change it is also a good opportunity to address current and future needs to drive the business forward so I am pleased to announce that Greg will take on the additional direct management responsibility of running this project. I am sure that, like me, you will wish to congratulate Greg and wish him success in his newly- expanded role.

Sustaining Partners

The Board of Trade AGM took place on 30th April. The Board of Trade has been pro-active in focussing on improving the work permit and visa situation and is now looking at permanent residency and Thai citizenship. BCCT Vice Chairman Simon Landy was re-elected to the Executive Committee of the Board of Trade. Simon will continue to drive BCCT advocacy initiatives.

One of the laws we wished to change has been announced. The Ministry of Labour has issued a notification that certain activities no longer constitute ‘work’ as defined under the Foreign Employment Act. This means that neither a work permit nor a 15-day work permit exemption for ‘urgent and necessary work’ needs to be applied for such activities. There is a full article about this subject on the BCCT website.

At the half way point in the year our finances are in very good shape and are on track to achieve our budget as presented at the AGM in January. We are still looking at investing some of our surplus to improve the services we offer to our members and will keep you updated on this.

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The 2015 BCCT membership survey will be launched shortly. Please allocate some time to complete the survey or to respond to a request for an interview when approached by the market research company BMRS. We welcome your feedback and we will use the information to improve the services the BCCT provides.

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Since the last issue of The Link we have had two major events. The Life & Style Party was a huge success with over 300 in attendance. The weather was kind to us and even, more importantly, there was no coup this year. Feedback received from our members was very good. I would like to thank BCCT Vice Chairman and Events Group Chairman Chris Thatcher, the Events Group, the BCCT Events team and the British Embassy for hosting. The date for 2016 has been fixed for Thursday 10th March. The BCCT Manpower Bangkok Masters 7-a-side Football Tournament took place on 30 and 31 May. In all, 26 teams came from all over the world to take part. Unfortunately I was unable to attend but I understand from the positive feedback that it was a great success.

As always, please check our events calendar to keep up to date with forthcoming seminars, social and networking events organised by BCCT. I look forward to meeting you soon.

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Business Services Director’s Message

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y the time this edition of The Link is published I will have left BCCT and will be embarking on my travels throughout south east Asia over the next 12 months. Exhilarating stuff – but perhaps not so exciting as the past 21 months spent setting up a new team within BCCT to help UK companies understand the local business environment and to improve their business prospects in Thailand.

Barry Nicholson Airline Partner

Supporting Partners

Add to that the further challenges of constructing what is now the British Business Centre, opened in February 2014, and the lengthy and complicated management processes that had to be established to achieve Accreditation to the British Chambers of Commerce (awarded March 2015). Starting from scratch I was also set some difficult targets by UK Trade & Investment (largely responsible for funding the Business Services functions within the BCCT. All of the targets and challenges to date have been met or exceeded.

Of course, I have had a wonderful team to help me tackle each of these challenges so, before you get tired of reading I want to thank - in order of length of time they have been with BCCT - Pattra, Ching Li, Laddawan and Siriluck. They have been a wonderful group to work with: talented, diligent, industrious and focused upon helping UK companies succeed in Thailand. They have a long list of testimonials from hugely satisfied clients. They have helped to propel BCCT to the forefront of the 41 markets globally that comprise the Overseas Business Network (OBN).

I have also been very lucky to have had fantastic support from the UKTI team at the Embassy. Ben and Marcus (and Brad before him) have provided wholehearted backing throughout. And I know from speaking to colleagues in BritChams across the region that this level of assistance is not guaranteed. Far from it!

What of the future? Now that the fundamentals are in place Greg Watkins will take on the Business Services Director role to develop still further our service offer and marketing. We are in discussions to expand our portfolio by adopting extra services and sectors that are currently the responsibility of UKTI. All these interactions with UK government, UK companies and UK Chambers of Commerce have helped to promote BCCT and to enhance our excellent and enviable reputation - resulting in increased numbers of overseas members.

BCCT is consequently now much more visible on a far bigger stage.

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The management processes developed and being delivered as a result of BCC Accreditation will benefit the whole organisation by providing Chamber members and staff with better, more efficient tools and processes to use. The British Business Centre has become an intrinsic part of the BCCT Events Calendar and is also used by many companies for briefing, training and meetings. (Note to readers - use it more!)

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I suppose intrinsic is also a word that I would use to describe Business Services within BCCT. We started out as a pilot project but we are very much intertwined with the whole BCCT operation. Like that extra cog in a watch that makes it tick even better than before!

Finally my thanks to Greg for giving me the opportunity to work at BCCT and for his support throughout and to Andrew McBean for sympathetically chairing the Steering Group that oversees the work of the Business Services team. And last, but not least, thanks to my lovely colleagues in the Events, Membership and Finance teams.

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Private education in Thailand – spelling out the choices

Parents in Thailand face difficult decisions about how and where to educate their offspring. There is now an impressive selection of international schools that cater for all ages, from pre-school to teenagers preparing for university entrance. We posed some topical issues to BCCT member schools.

Q: The private education sector in Thailand is becoming increasingly competitive. How are you encouraging parents to choose YOUR school?

“Our main USP is the fact that we are a small, family school (approx. 400 students KG – Y13)” says Gordon Espley-Jones, Principal of Traill Inter-

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national School. “This means that we are a friendly school where students are valued as individuals and where new students fit in very easily. We can mould curriculum programmes to suit the individual needs of individual students. The curriculum fits the student, not the other way round.

We do not bar entry to the school de-

pending on a student’s competency in English. Instead, we have a comprehensive English support programme supports students of all abilities.

“The small size of senior classes allows for very individualised teaching and the benefit of this is reflected in the very high percentage of students

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accepted at top universities around the world,” adds Gordon.

At Shrewsbury International School, Director of Marketing Communications Jane Arghabhadra explains that ‘our people are our biggest asset’.

“Through careful and rigorous selection and recruitment processes we ensure that all members of our teaching and learning community have the skills, ability and ambition to drive our standards forward and to thrive in our environment of excellence. Our reputation is built on their achievements; in the classroom, concert hall, sports fields or on the stage,” she says.

“Equipped with analytics, research and debating skills that are honed through Shrewsbury’s bespoke critical thinking programme ‘Reading the World’ our graduating students are able to continue their studies at the world’s leading universities. Our values reflect the traditions of our UK sister school, which was founded over 500 years ago, but also reflect our position at the forefront of contemporary international education.

“We provide an impressive range of outstanding opportunities that allow young learners to develop and nurture their own passions and interests.

Our dedicated staff and fantastic resources also ensure that each and every child is fully supported in every aspect of their learning at Shrewsbury; our attention to detail sets us apart from the competition.”

Alicia Warner is the Marketing Officer at Regent’s School which has some 600 students and a student/ teacher ratio average of 7:1.

“At Regent’s, students receive the care and attention they deserve and are known and understood very well by their teachers. By keeping the school around this size, teachers are able to also focus on the well-being and happiness of each child as well

as their academic development. Parents have commented that this helps their communication with the school as they feel valued members of the school community,” she explains.

“Regent’s provides a tailor-made and bespoke British education that sees children of all abilities and all backgrounds flourish as all students are exposed to premium education in an environment where speaking the English language brings everyone together. The school is both traditionally British in its teaching methods and actively progressive as it continuously strives to provide the best education for its students. Regent’s is distinct in both the aesthetics of the building and the ethos that flows through its corridors. It is the only Round Square School in Bangkok which sees their students benefiting in many unique ways.”

Round Square is a global charity organisation that facilitates 150 schools around the world. By being a member of the organisation all members share an exclusive philosophy most easily defined and recognised by the acronym IDEALS; Internationalism, Democracy, Environment, Adventure, Leadership and Service. These are all integrated throughout the curriculum from the youngest students

all the way through to the pre-university level of the IB Diploma.

Harrow School Headmaster Mick Farley believes that the development of leadership attributes is very important. “We consistently produce students who achieve the highest examination grades, balanced against the leadership attributes needed for their future success. The school also stressed the importance of a broad variety of extra-curricular activities as top universities require evidence of sporting, academic and artistic pursuits as part of their selection criteria.

“Our ‘Leadership in Action’ programmes utilise state-of-the-art facilities and innovative approaches to allow students to participate in a unique range of activities. This is supported by our spacious garden campus, lake and boarding provision,” he adds. “The overall ethos of our school is positive, caring and happy. Our students truly buy into the Harrow experience.”

The British Council also provides an important education service for parents and children in Thailand. Hamish Buchan, the British Council’s Head of Young Learners, says, “We have been teaching in Thailand for more than 30 years and the Council is a world leader in English language teaching.

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“Our global network of teaching centres reaches more than 500,000 students each year. We only employ native English speaking teachers who have a first class degree, a Cambridge or Trinity Certificate in Teaching English as a foreign language and have more than 2,000 hours of teaching experience.

“We provide face-to-face, classroombased lessons with teachers who understand the children’s individual needs. We use fun, friendly and effective approaches with a focus on how to use the English that they learn for real-life purposes,” he adds.

Q: What are prospective parents seeking when they first visit a school?

Is it simply a successful academic track record or do they consider a broader curriculum and a wide range of extra-mural activities also important and influential factors?

Valerie Campeau, Communications and Development Manager at Bangkok International Preparatory & Secondary School (Bangkok Prep), says that parents are looking for a variety of elements, including a strong academic achievements record, facilities and an established community that provides support. “These are of high 12

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importance to parents. They need reassurance regarding their children being successfully prepared for worldwide university placement.

“They are appreciative of our student body’s internationalism and they value the nurturing, community minded environment provided by the school. Parents are also interested in extracurricular activities and community related involvement by the students. The location of the school is also a top priority for our parents as they are preoccupied by the time spent by their children commuting to and from school.”

Linda Belonje, Director of Marketing and Development at KIS, says, “This varies from family to family and also depends upon the age of the children. Parents want children to be happy and to make friends and they will generally make a shortlist based on reputation and academic track record. Once that is in place they will choose a school based on atmosphere and, sometimes, location.”

Jane Arghabhadra believes that a good academic record is important and that parents often cite Shrewsbury’s outstanding examination results and top university placements

as reasons for visiting the school.

“When they come to visit our school, parents are naturally interested in touring the facilities, and the inspirational spaces we provide for learning, performance and play. They are interested too in finding out about the practical aspects of learning and the day-to-day activities that their child will be involved in; from the daily routine and curriculum options, to the 170 plus extra-curricular activities that take place here every week.

“However we find that, above all, parents are interested in seeing inspirational learning in practice; observing lessons, meeting with our teachers, viewing the quality of children’s work that decorates corridors and brings our classrooms to life and finding out about the ways in which we help to support and nurture the individual interests and needs of our pupils.

Jane Arghabhadra continues, “Joining a new school is a big step and parents know that, if their child is not happy, their learning will suffer.

On a visit to Shrewsbury, most families simply want to be assured that their child will be happy here. More often than not, families who visit our school go on to apply for a place, which is a great endorsement in such

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Shrewsbury A Vision of

Excellence

Exceptional People • Outstanding Opportunities • Academic Excellence At Shrewsbury we inspire our students to think big. From our youngest early years children taking their first steps on their learning journey to our outstanding Sixth Form leaders, our mission is to ensure that all children realise their potential, both in and out of the classroom.

We are now accepting applications for entry into our Junior and Senior Schools.

Book a school tour today by calling Ilka Hodapp at 02 675-1888 ext. 1110 or email admissions@shrewsbury.ac.th www.shrewsbury.ac.th

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a competitive international school marketplace in Bangkok.

“We are very pleased that many prospective parents are also keen to find out how they can be involved in their child’s learning journey, and to be active members of our vibrant Shrewsbury community.”

Alicia Warner also says that the age of the children determines what parents are seeking.

“Parents of younger children are attracted by the guarantee of attentive and caring teaching staff; a comfortable learning environment and a highly successful English Language Development (ELD) programme that sees students that arrive with little or no English proficiency become effective communicators in English.

“Parents with older students are impressed by the high quality, bespoke British and international education that we offer. Overall, prospective parents are enticed by Regent’s ability to ensure their child’s well-being and happiness on their journey to academic success.”

Academic standards are always top of a parent’s list of priorities when choosing a school, according to Mick Farley. “We excel in producing students with the highest examination awards in the world, though that is only part of the story. Parents realise that it’s not just high grades that result in admission into top universities but that young people have to develop life skills and experience a wide range of challenges through an enriched curriculum to allow them to stand out from the crowd when applying to university. In this area, Harrow Bangkok excels.”

Q: Do parents understand the differences between International Baccalaureate (IB) and traditional ‘A’ levels – and does it affect the opportunities available for further education at universities in Thailand and overseas.

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Linda Belonje at KIS says,” Once parents start doing research into these programmes they learn about the differences but these may not be widely known amongst parents of younger children. We have seen however that more and more families are choosing a full IB education for their children from 3-18 years old.”

Mick Farley says, “Our experience is that parents generally view the IB Diploma as ‘broader’ and ‘A’ levels as ‘narrower’ though more demanding.

At Harrow Bangkok we offer students the best of both worlds. Our ‘A’ level results are outstanding, yet we also provide ‘Leadership in Action’ opportunities that ensure the breadth of experience so cherished by advocates of the IB. Our students have to participate in charitable and service opportunities, are challenged by our unique expedition programmes and are able to pursue the Duke of Edinburgh Award as an integral feature of their school life.

“The range of extra-curricular provision ensures the development of specialisms, perhaps in the arts or debate for example, and recognition from external bodies such as Edexel through our Harrow Diploma.

The international standing of ‘A’ Levels is on the rise. They are completely

acceptable internationally and result in admission to UK institutions and to universities around the world including north America, Australasia and east/south east Asia.”

During the admissions process at Regent’s, staff endeavour to provide as much information as the parents need in order to have a full understanding of the opportunities that come with both the English curriculum and the International Baccalaureate Diploma.

“Parents are quickly learning that this is a qualification recognised globally by universities. The challenges of the IB Diploma are often discussed and known to parents as it is known as one of the more difficult pathways to further education but also one of the most rewarding,” explains Alicia Warner.

Traill offers the British curriculum up to and including ‘A’ levels.

“Parents usually do not understand the difference between IB and ‘A’ levels,” says Gordon Espley-Jones.

“We explain the difference and the reasons why ‘A’ levels are the better option for most students, especially if they wish to go to a UK university.

It is possible to get to most universities around the world with either system but the greater depth of ‘A’ levels

cover story means that students are better prepared for the academic demands of universities. IB emphasises breadth; ‘A’ levels emphasise depth.”

At Shrewsbury, lessons follow the National Curriculum for England which culminates in ‘A’ level examinations at the age of 18 but, as Jane Arghabhadra explains, the differences and relative strengths of the IB and ‘A’ level programmes are sometimes difficult for parents to understand and compare.

“We firmly believe that ‘A’ levels provide a more in-depth understanding and rigorous academic grounding in the subjects that students have chosen to pursue and which they are passionate about. The majority of our students choose to take four ‘A’ levels,

as against six subjects in IB. All our Sixth Form students also participate in our very own critical thinking programme, Reading the World, which provides additional opportunities to extend their research, debating, presentation and communication skills.

“Our principal university destinations remain the UK and US but, since we opened in 2003, Shrewsbury students have graduated to 159 universities in 16 different countries,” adds Jane.

At Bangkok Prep, Valerie Campeau says, “In general, parents are not aware of the differences between the ‘A’ Level programme and the International Baccalaureate programme which is why we provide them with essential information about our curriculum in workshops throughout

the year and at strategic moments in their child’s education.

“The ‘A’ Level is a highly-respected and world renowned programme of study that gives a student depth of knowledge in each subject studied.

The programme is widely known throughout the world as the gold standard of education, helping to prepare students for university.

Study at this level, further develops the knowledge, skills and understanding after the IGCSEs. The syllabi develop a deep understanding of subjects and independent thinking skills. It also prepares learners for university study, which is why universities worldwide value and recognise the ‘AS’ and ‘A’ Level qualifications.”

We asked how schools ensure that the verbal communications skills of their pupils are not eroded by a constant attraction (and even addiction) to online chatting apps?

Regent’s School: We have a ‘Bring Your Own Device’ policy at school and encourage appropriate usage in lessons. We don’t tolerate inappropriate usage in classes or activities but allow children to use their devices in their free time. We want children to be highly competent IT users and invest heavily in IT education.

Traill: Students are forbidden to use mobile phones and similar devices for the duration of the school day.

Shrewsbury: Whilst the school is currently expanding the role of mobile technology for teaching and learning purposes, the personal use of smart phones is strictly controlled during normal school hours. We recognise the dangers and the opportunities that modern communication technologies and social media present. We believe that it is important that students and parents remain fully informed about these technologies in order to know how to protect themselves from their negative aspects, and to become fully-engaged and safe participants in the modern digital community.

KIS: We have clear policies and guidelines about the use of devices at school. Smart phones should not be used unless the teacher specifically asks the students to do so. Teachers will monitor what the students have up on the screen of their laptops.

Bangkok Prep: The school appreciates that a mobile phone is an essential part of student’s social life. While students are permitted to bring mobile phones to school there are strict understandings as to how and when they are to be used. They are not 16

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to be used during the hours of school which includes breaks and lunch times. Sixth Form students are not permitted to use mobile phones in their Common Room. Mobile devices may be used as a direct part of a lesson and under the strict supervision of a member of staff. Teachers have been requested to take a firm stance regarding the inappropriate use of mobile telephones. The school also takes a very firm stance on improper and inappropriate posts on any social media channel.

Harrow: Students are not permitted to use smart phones on the school campus and this is monitored by staff and prefects. However, our curriculum has a strong focus on digital literacy and there are frequent opportunities for students to incorporate the latest technology into their learning. We are on the ‘Apple Distinguished Program’ and are recognised as a pioneering tech school in the region. We embrace technology and recognise that the majority of our children are ‘digital natives’ who need to be responsible digital citizens. We also balance this against the need to lead an active and balanced life style.

British Council: Our main focus is on developing our students’ confidence in speaking English and so the activities in class are developed to maximise the opportunities to do this. Students are not allowed to use phones within the classroom. However, the teachers may plan IT based lessons to develop different language & cognitive skills e.g. research, writing but ultimately lead to speaking tasks.

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Sally stays on Board with IB Diploma Sally Holloway is the founding Head of KIS International School in Bangkok and a leading figure on the Board of the International Baccalaureate. We asked Sally about her contribution to the Board of IB. I was elected as Chair of the Heads Council of the International Baccalaureate in 2009. The Chair of the Heads Council holds an ex officio position on the Board of the IB. Through this position I was the voice for the Heads of IB Schools around the world, sharing their comments and feedback with the Board. In 2011 I was no longer Chair of the Heads Council, but I was asked to join the Board as a member. I continued as a member of several sub-committees: Finance, Education and Tax. I am also part of the team that analyses the school satisfaction survey that the IB sends out every year. I was also fortunate to be on the committee to search and select a new Chair of the Board and a new Director-General of the IB. This year I was elected Chairman of the Governance committee and I am currently Vice Chair of the Board.

Q. What are your main duties as Chairman of the Governance Committee?

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in general, manage the induction of new Board members, and to identify the skill sets that should be covered by the members of the Board.

Q. You have stated your desire to help with the strategic direction of the IB. Where is that direction heading?

With the large growth of the IB in recent years, the previous strategic

plan focused on the organisational structure of the IB to ensure its sustainability in that time of growth and beyond. New regional offices were established in The Hague, Bethesda (Maryland) and Singapore. During this time the Board also came under the leadership of the new Director General. The future strategic plan focuses more on the IB community rather than the structure

cover story of the IB organisation. The IB has always done regular reviews of its programmes, and one element that was reviewed was the accessibility of the programmes. While the IB Primary Years Programme and the IB Middle Years Programme are generally accessible to most students, the IB Diploma is not necessarily accessible to everyone. As such the IB has developed the IB Career Related Programme, a more vocational-oriented, career related programme, as an alternative to the IB Diploma.

programmes come from different countries and bring different global perspectives.

Across the programmes there is also an increase in the use of technological developments to support the programmes. Some schools opt to do an external assessment at the end of the MYP programme. This assessment will now be available as an e-assessment. It will be an interactive online test, not simply an electronic means of recording answers to questions.

In each of the programmes students will also work on one elaborate project which gives them the opportunity to go deeper into an area they are interested in. The topics are chosen by the students, not dictated by the teachers, and the process of coming up with an idea and taking it until completion of the product, allows them to use the skills they have learned in an area they are passionate about, while teaching them research, cooperation, time management, maturity and presentation skills.

The IB Diploma exams are also now marked electronically and electronic safeguards have been built in to ensure that all the examiners are moderating according the same standard.

In the past this was done manually quite a time-consuming process.

Each of the programmes is also regularly reviewed, taking feedback and input from schools and aligning the changes with evidence from appropriate research.

Q. What are the USPs of an IB education?

The IB programmes have high standards and expectations with respect to knowledge and content learning, but the main focus is on the actual process of learning. Students analyse, think, collaborate and learn in real world contexts, giving them a much more meaningful learning experience and equipping them with valuable skills.

While the IB is very personal in the sense that it allows students to develop personal interests and individual learning styles are catered to, it is also very interpersonal in that students learn to think beyond themselves.

They are taught to be compassionate and collaborative, elements which are modelled by their teachers. The IB is consistently giving the children tools and input to be competent, caring adults.

Each of the four IB programmes (Primary Years, Middle Years, IB Diploma and IB career-related) brings different elements to the table. Most people think of the IB Diploma when they think about the IB because it has been around the longest and it’s globally recognised as a university entrance qualification.

Because of these factors the IB is very much like the real world and a great preparation for life- There are, after all, very few jobs which people perform in isolation.

All of the IB programmes are international and independent. They are not linked to any country so they can focus on what is best for the students, rather than try to meet a country’s needs. The people who design the

In Thailand the IB is best known for the IB Diploma. Many international schools offer the IB Diploma, even schools that offer a different curriculum (British or American) before those last two years of high school.

Q. Is the International Baccalaureate widely appreciated and understood in Thailand?

The Ministry of Education and Thai schools are aware of the IB and they understand it is quite different from the content-based learning done at traditional Thai schools. The Diploma is recognised by Thai universities and is seen as an M6 equivalent.

However, due to the different style of learning, the more formal teaching methods and the admissions policies at Thai universities they may not necessarily be a good match for IB Diploma students.

Q. What are the main differences between IB and the more traditional form of ‘O’ and ‘A’ level education syllabuses?

The main thing to understand is that ‘O’ levels, GCSE’s and IGCSE’s are meant for 16 year olds. ‘A’ levels and the IB Diploma are for 18 year olds. So to make a valid comparison the IB Diploma would have to be compared to ‘A’ levels and the IB Middle Years Programme (for 11-16 year olds) to ‘O’ levels, GCSE’s and IGCSE’s.

The IB consists of a full continuum of education for children from 3-18 years old - the Primary Years, the Middle Years and the Diploma (or IBCP), though each of them can be taught separately. The IB is international and not linked to any country. The ‘O’ levels, GCSE’s, IGCSE’s and ‘A’ levels originate in the United Kingdom and are all intended to be two year programmes with exams at the end, although some students take the exams without studying the course. They focus heavily on the test results. The IB Middle Years Programme is a five year programme of study for students from 11-16 years old, and focuses on the process of learning. After completing the MYP, students proceed to do the IB Diploma programme.

The British qualifications are offered by several Boards. Different Boards may have different tests so ‘A’ levels are not necessarily the same around the world. The IB Diploma is standardised and is the same everywhere.

There is only one IB Diploma.

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cover story The IB Diploma, compared to ‘A’ levels, offers a more balanced programme of study. In the IB students take subjects from five or six different groups (studies in language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics and, optional, the arts).

When students do ‘A’ levels they typically take three or maybe four courses and generally they are in the same or a similar area of study (for example history, geography and economics) rather than covering a wide range of subjects. The Boards do not prescribe which subjects the students should take, or how many, so it is up to the student or sometimes the school to decide how many they should do.

As a part of gaining deeper understanding, the IB encourages research.

Most DP courses require a research paper and, in the MYP, there is a lot of in- depth, hands-on, real world learning. The other programmes tend to focus more on learning the content.

In addition students doing the IB Diploma also have to do the three core elements. The first is a class called ‘Theory of Knowledge’ where students learn about what knowledge is, how we learn things, how we know what is true. This forces students to think deeply and to develop their analytical and critical thinking skills.

‘Creativity, Action and Service’ is the second core element. This ensures that students take new challenges in creativity. They must also try new activities and they must do something beneficial (volunteer) for the community. The final core element is the extended essay where students have to produce a 4,000 word original research paper demonstrating their learning throughout the two years of the Diploma.

Universities around the world recognise and respect the IB Diploma.

Many offer scholarships to IB students. The IB Diploma has been very consistent in its scores and pass rates.

Since the programme is broad as well as deep, universities find it easier to distinguish the good students from the great students during the admissions process, something that has become more difficult with ‘A’ levels due to the phenomenon of grade inflation.

‘A’ levels don’t dictate any extra-curricular elements but some schools do set their own guidelines and encourage students to engage in activities outside of the classroom. Another difference between ‘O’ levels, IGCSE’s, GCSE’s and ‘A’ levels on the one hand and the IB Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme on the other is that the IB goes beyond just learning content. The IB focuses on how students learn, on understanding the concepts, seeing the connections between subjects and the world, and on developing skills and positive attitudes.

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Q. Can you estimate the number of students in Thailand that are being taught under the IB umbrella?

The IB estimates that there are roughly 6,000 students in IB Programmes in Thailand.

Q. Which overseas universities (if any) show preference to students with an IB education?

IB Diploma students tend to do well at university and have lower drop-out rates. Through having done a rigorous programme they are well prepared and have good skills in time management, research, presentation and citation.

In the United States, in addition to recognising the IB, many universities award credits for successfully completed IB courses.

The IB publishes information on university recognition (http://www. ibo.org/en/university-admission/ recognition-of-the-ib-diplomaby-countries-and-universities/ country-recognition-statements/), on conversion of the IB scores to UCAS points, AP courses and other equivalencies.

The IB Diploma receives high rankings. (http://www.ibo.org/en/ benefits/benefits-for-universities/) Q9: Are there independent schools in Thailand that are considering a switch to IB? The IB is going from strength to strength and many schools can see this. More and more parents, especially expats, are looking for an IB education. However, making the transition from a non-IB school to an IB school requires time, money and effort and all teachers need to be trained by the IB and also be willing to do so. Schools will have to decide if switching to the IB would work for them and their students.

Q. Does the KIS have a track record is sending pupils to universities in the United Kingdom?

KIS graduates have received offers from universities around the world, including the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, mainland Europe and Asia. UK acceptances include Imperial College London, Kings College London, University College London and universities in Manchester, Durham, Lancaster, Birmingham, Exeter, Keele, Edinburgh and Bath.

Sally is from the UK and started her career in primary education in London before moving to Washington International School, Washington DC, where she was introduced to the IB. Sally has taught in three IB programmes: first as a science teacher in the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP), and currently as a theory of knowledge (TOK) teacher in the Diploma Programme (DP).

Sally is involved with international education in Thailand, assisting the International Schools Association of Thailand (ISAT) where she has been a committee member for several years. She is also a committee member for the Professional Women’s Group, a sub-committee of the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT), which organises regular networking events and presentations for professional women in Bangkok.

cover story

Child safeguarding in schools Tim Gerrish OBE has worked with BCCT for many years in partnership to better protect children in Thailand and is the founder of International Child Protection Advisors (ICPA). Tim, a detective with Scotland Yard for 30 years, was Head of the UK National Criminal Intelligence Service Serious Sex Offender unit and later Head of International Partnerships at the Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre (CEOP) where he worked closely with BCCT. He received his OBE in 2013 for services to international child protection.

How did you get to be working with international schools?

My job within CEOP was to manage all international relations and partnerships. I used international schools as the venue for training in many countries, including Thailand. I visited many schools to discover the difficulties that international schools are experiencing when it comes to child safeguarding. That’s why I started ICPA. What are some of those difficulties that international schools face?

There are a number of challenges that international schools face when it comes to safeguarding children – but none of these challenges are an excuse for a school not putting in place a child safeguarding policy. It must be an integral part of a school’s cul22

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ture. All school employees, including governors, caretakers, teachers, drivers, cleaners, caterers, senior leaders and teaching assistants, have a duty of care to the children in their school.

The most common challenge for international schools lies in location.

International schools operate under different governments and, as a result, face different legislation (such as age of consent), as well as different standards, behaviours and support provision.

For example, in the UK, if a school leader has a concern about potential child abuse, they will know how to access professional services within social welfare, law enforcement and child health to gain advice and support. In many countries such services are good and it’s easy to take them for

granted. However, in some countries these services are not always available or are to a standard that an international school might require. In these cases, the responsibility may have to fall on the school alone.

The international schools in these locations are potentially the most vulnerable, particularly those that are ill-prepared. The nature of international school life means that there is a higher than normal transition of both teachers and leaders. This, along with language barriers between staff members (particularly support staff who are often local hires), can create challenges for sustaining a wellinformed child safeguarding culture throughout the school. But international schools must rise to these challenges.

cover story There have been several high profile issues related to international schools and child protection in the last few months. Do you think these suggest a bigger problem regarding lack of rigour in policy and practice within international schools?

As we have all witnessed, following the media attention of recent cases, a school can very quickly lose control to the hands of the press and there can be huge reputational risks as a result. A school can never be 100 percent sure that a child abuse incident will not happen within its walls but a school needs to be able to say with confidence that it is doing everything it can to prevent any incident ever occurring.

What are your recommendations?

Every international school should have a child safeguarding policy, a code of conduct, and robust reporting measures in place. This does not simply mean having a set of documents on a shelf; it is about having procedures and a culture that are implemented and practiced day in, day out by every single member of the school in every area of operation. When a member of staff steps over the threshold of the school each day if they just pause and say to themselves ‘it could happen here’, then they will be switched on and in vigilant mode. If every member of staff has had adequate training, so that they know what to do if they are suspicious, they will adopt a spirit of vigilance that becomes a first line of defence. If the school builds on this approach in its leadership practices and support, then the school will visibly be a proactive child safeguarding organisation; something that every visitor to the school or school website will see evidence of.

What sort of practices do you suggest to a school?

There are simple but powerful examples of ways to show the entire school community, including visitors, that the school is really strong and the staff and children are aware. Although these are standard practices that every school can apply, when it comes to a safeguarding policy, there

is no ‘off-the-shelf ’ solution for international schools because of the challenges mentioned earlier. So each school needs individual support.

What support can you, as an independent expert, provide?

Lack of expertise within a school does demand, on occasions, someone with skilled and independent advice. ICPA provides proactive support to assist a school in establishing and developing school-wide child safeguarding procedures and also responds to specific situations. Proactive support typically involves auditing a school’s current safeguarding measures and then working with the school to identify gaps, to deliver training, and to develop an action plan. Once schools are set on the right pathway, the monitoring and maintenance can mostly be done internally, but an expert who is fully appraised of current standards and laws, needs to get them onto an informed path in the first place.

Some schools are now also choosing to work towards accreditation. These schools believe there is a benefit to this as a validation for parents. As a parent myself, when my kids were about to start school, the first thing I did when I visited the school was to ask the Principal to show me the child safeguarding policy. The more we read and hear in the news about child safeguarding issues in schools, the more demanding parents will become; the more they will ask about child safeguarding standards, and the more likely they will be to search out accredited schools. In addition to providing proactive support, ICPA is also asked to respond to specific situations. This might be to conduct an internal investigation if a school is suspicious of a situation and doesn’t know how to best handle the problem and its potential consequences.

Or it might be to advise school leaders when they’re unsure if a situation meets a threshold where it needs to be referred to the competent authorities in their country. Some incidents may not be criminal liability but may certainly be a breach of a school’s code of conduct requiring disciplinary action.

It is beneficial in such situations for schools to have independent advice to help them make an informed decision and to bring in a level of expertise to ensure the school is as safe as it can be while a decision is being made.

Who bears responsibility at school for child safeguarding?

Everybody has a responsibility, at all different levels. School leaders have the responsibility to ensure procedures are established and practiced daily, that everyone within the school is suitably trained, and that the culture of the school is a proactive child safeguarding one. Particular roles within the school, such as Human Resources or those people who manage extra-curricular activities, have another level of responsibility. Teachers and teacher assistants need specific disclosure training as they are the person most children will turn to for help. All staff, whatever their role or position, need to know what child abuse is. This includes being able to recognise it, to know what the signs and symptoms are, and to know how to report it should they observe it. Every adult working at the school needs to know child safeguarding is their responsibility. To ensure this happens, roles and responsibilities need to be defined within a job description and appropriate training addressed to fulfil that role. Annual appraisals should address it too.

Should be a global approach to child safety and protection within international schools?

Yes. We’ve already seen certain umbrella organisations forming their own mini ‘task-force’ and I’ve seen some schools forming alliances which ultimately could lead to a global approach. But schools cannot wait for, nor rely on, a global approach. Child safeguarding is the responsibility of every individual school.

For further information about child safeguarding visit www. icpa.co.uk or contact Tim Gerrish directly at tim@icpa.co.uk telephone: +44(0)783 669 7397

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So many reasons to choose IB curriculum

By Saniya More

A

s I come closer and closer to the end of my senior year and graduation I can’t help but look back on the last almost eight years of my life into the education system that I’ve been a part of since the fourth grade: the IB programme.

Two years ago, I began the IB Diploma – one of the most respected and most difficult programmes in the world. We can all, as IB students, agree that the IB is no joke because pulling ‘all-nighters’ and finishing essays the day before they were due are just some of the skills we have. But honestly. What are the benefits of this hellish programme?

It’s a challenge. Making it through the IB programme is no easy task because it is a very well rounded curriculum. To do well in the IB doesn’t mean just memorising a textbook of content or being able to list all the facts. You have to be able to apply what you know to new situations.

It helps you to develop excellent critical thinking skills from the beginning. We are pushed to have our own opinion on what is happening in the world as well as attempt to understand the perspectives of the people around us. IB pushes us to question the world around us and try to make sense of why everything is the way it is.

It transforms you into an independent learner by carrying out independent research, writing many investigative essays, completing a personal project and writing an Extended Essay. IB helps you develop the skills you need to understand the world around you without depending on anyone else.

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It gives you your first taste of the real world. Three words: Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) are for me some of the best. Certainly some of the more memorable parts of the programme have come from my CAS activities. Whether it be volunteering at a local shelter or helping to host a yoga workshop for street children in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, CAS shows you that the world isn’t a perfect place and there is much that we as individuals can do to help society move forward.

It impels you to be a well-rounded person with a wide variety of interests. Throughout the programme we are encouraged to develop our talents and be able to express ourselves whilst also writing good essays and learning theories. We are exposed to a variety of subjects and thus can discover our own individual interests.

It helps you to develop a holistic, accepting state of mind. Most IB com-

munities are international. Being open and appreciative of other cultures is definitely an IB value.

It makes you a part of a global elite (and very small) group of highly intelligent, talented individuals. Globally there are only about one million IB students - it’s one of the smallest educational minorities.

IB is tough, and it’s definitely not a programme for the faint-hearted.

But I’ve been a part of it for eight years and although at times it has been a real challenge I definitely have no regrets about being an IB student.

Saniya More is a Grade 12 pupil at KIS International School in Bangkok, Thailand.

For more information please contact: admissions@kis.ac.th or visit:www.kis.ac.th

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Pepa picks story of separation for new publication P

epa O’Donovan, a Foundation Stage teacher at Bangkok International Preparatory & Secondary School (Bangkok Prep), has published her second book which addresses the issues surrounding step or blended families.

‘Not Quite The Usual Setup’, co-published and illustrated by Pepa’s friend and fellow teacher Jessica Pena Reeves, is for children aged four to eight years. The book was launched during Bangkok Prep’s Book Week earlier this year.

The book relates the story of a little girl whose family is going through change. Her parents are going through a separation.

“I was inspired to write this story when my sister-in-law went through a divorce and at the moment her daughter was only six months old.

Even though separation is a tough situation for any family, a child’s hap-

piness, in my eyes, is the key point to consider when dealing with a divorce. My niece grew up in a loving and trusting environment where both parents and their new partners

From left to right: Dr. Pariwat Kanithasen, Head - ASEAN team at the Bank of Thailand; Charoen Wangananont and guest speaker Charles Irish, Professor of Law at the University of Wisconsin.

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The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) led by its President Charoen Wangananont organised an AEC tourism seminar ‘Thailand’s tourism industry in the context of the emerging AEC’ at the Dusit Thani hotel, Bangkok.

would meet for different family celebrations, went on holiday together and even went to each other’s weddings. Hence, the title Not Quite The Usual Setup”, explained Pepa.

Pepa points out that the book can be read in classrooms to bring awareness of the diverse family units found in modern society as well as at home.

It aims to educate children in being respectful and caring to those who might lack a sense of belongingness from fear of being different.

“New beginnings are usually challenging. It is therefore important for those students who come and go as well as those who are a constant part of the Bangkok Prep Community, to come together by being respectful, caring and internationally minded with each other, regardless of where they come from or what their family background is.

Osbornomics – say it isn’t so

By Paul Gambles

I

t’s been a funny election, to paraphrase Arkwright - Ronnie Barker’s character in the British sitcom Open All Hours. From what I saw, it seemed that people met the UK’s general election results initially with surprise, followed by a sort of post-election euphoria. Perhaps it was more a relief that one party actually got a clear majority this time around.

I’m not politically aligned in anyway but I had hoped that the Conservatives would win, merely so that they would have the task of cleaning up their own economic mess, created by the pursuit of some very short term policies in the last five years.

That may seem a tad harsh on a party that has pledged to ‘stay on the road to a stronger economy’1 having “a deficit cut in half as a share of GDP”, “Created a thousand jobs for every day that it had been in office” in its previous term.

However, as with anything that most politicians say, it’s worth taking a look not only at the veracity of these claims but also what their actions and proposals are doing and are likely to do to the UK economy.

Cutting the deficit During the election campaign, Labour’s shadow chancellor was reminded of the note left by outgoing chief secretary to the treasury Liam Byrne to his successor after the 2010 election, “Dear chief secretary, I’m afraid there’s no money.” Byrne may have considered this as a jolly jape but, given the situation, it seemed crass.

With that in mind, as well as newspaper headlines screaming about how the government wastes money, it would seem logical that the government should aim to bring in more money that it spends – just like a

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George Osborne

business or indeed a family. Tightening the government’s belt and reducing the government debt will boost economic recovery, right?

Wrong on several counts To begin with, the ‘we’ve halved the deficit’ line depends on how you count the deficit. Looking as public sector deficit as a percentage of GDP, then it is true. If you look at deficit figures in real terms, it is not.

Percentage of GDP can be deceptive. As we can see in a comparison chart of the UK government’s budget deficit figures, the actual amount in Pounds has increased much higher than the ratio to GDP. Instead of the actual amount going down, the reality is that GDP has increased.

“Euro area government debt down to 92.7% of GDP […]

First decrease in absolute terms for the euro area since fourth quarter of 2007” — Eurostat News Release Euroindicators Stat/14/10, 22 January 2014

It’s a similar story regarding UK government debt figures. In 2013 we saw a notable increase in government debt; yet there was little change in the ratio to GDP because economic activity increased slightly in 2013 and 2014.

The biggest red herring of the lot, though, is the use of government debt as an indicator of economic recovery.

After all, government spending consists of two main parts - expenditure (including benefits) and investment.

Leaving aside politically expedient but generally misleading rhetoric about the savings that can be made from politically motivated and often popularist policies, governments can generally only reduce costs to a point.

The repeated and almost uniform results of studies show that in order to really cut into deficit, a government has to increase its income in a way that isn’t at the expense of taxpayers. The time-honoured way of trying to increase the tax take is generally to simply increase tax rates but this can be counter-productive unless it’s properly implemented. To be effective, tax policy has to be a consequence of higher levels of growth and economic activity. Therefore a government that is running a deficit

actually needs to stimulate growth to generate higher revenues to tax, even if that involves spending more at times like now and increasing that deficit. Therefore the Chancellor’s rhetoric about the deficit is at best unhelpful and at worst downright misleading.

Otherwise for a government to achieve a surplus, as promised by Chancellor Osborne, it means that the public has to reduce its savings, cut back on its consumption or increase debt in order to keep the economy ticking over.

This is why typically if a government has a surplus over a long period of time, it will often be funded to some extent by the private sector borrowing money from banks in order to pay the government, meaning they spend less in the overall economy, yet accumulate even more debt.

Getting the private sector bailing out government deficits, while at the same time the government cuts its expenditure and investment may sound superficially attractive but such ‘austerity policies’ are, to quote Professor Steve Keen - one of my colleagues at the Idea Economics think-tank - ‘naïve and childish’ and lead to what the economies of Greece, Spain and France are experiencing now – stagnation.

However, the new government want not alone in committing this folly in their manifestoes - the only parties in the recent general election offering anything close to sensible approaches to the deficit were Sinn Fein, the Greens and the SNP, although in all three cases the approaches were far from coherent or clearly defined.

In 2008, deleveraging by the private sector caused the GFC in the first place.

Then the UK government’s reaction was to embark on a policy of austerity, thus compounding economic contraction. The example below demonstrates what happened in the US. Over the last two years, UK GDP has risen slightly, quarter-on-quarter, which could be put down to sound governmental belt-tightening; although evidence suggests it’s more down to one booming sector – real estate – specifically in London.

This boom-and-bust approach is of course nothing new. The UK has had by far the highest level of debt to disposable income ration among G7 countries for the past 15 years. It has had a number of housing booms – followed by busts – since 1979. The problem is becoming ever more embedded in the UK economy which consequently is becoming increasingly unbalanced. It’s perfectly common in developed economies like the UK and its G7 partners for services to dominate the manufacturing and agricultural sectors. What is more eye-opening though is that by 2009, the financial services industry represented 10 percent of the UK’s GDP – the highest of all G7 economies by some distance. Not only that, according to 2012 figures, the UK has the highest financial services exports to GDP ratio (29%), almost double that of the US in second place. Of course, all this means that, when financial crisis bites, it hits the UK economy hard – as it did during the GFC – and there’s not much else to support it.

Structurally the UK economy has become increasingly dysfunctional with over-reliance on debt as a driver of higher property prices and a highly leveraged financial sector, while real incomes mainly stagnate. The correct policy responses would be to discourage property price increases (in an almost impossible and inevitably belated attempt to stop the current bubble bursting), increase government expenditure to bolster muted private spending and invest for future growth while trying to gradually shrink the bloated financial sector. George Osborne has committed to do pretty much the opposite of all of these.

Also, whether the Prime Minister likes it or not, when it comes to trading partners the Eurozone is key to the UK’s commercial success. Consequently, when the euro is weak against the pound it affects the balance negatively. This has been the case since the beginning of this year.

With concerns about Greek euro membership and possible knock-on effects for other members the pound could get even stronger as investors flee Eurozone risk, making UK exports even less competitive and also

increasing the UK’s destabilizing record current account deficit.

Any beggar-thy-neighbour reaction by the UK, such as a pound devaluation, would no doubt harm its relationship with its European partners – not a good long-term strategy in spite of any politicians’ tub-thumping and flag waving. One person who is keen – perhaps desperate – to keep the relationship co-operative is European Commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, judging by his post-election congratulatory message to David Cameron.

All-in-all, with a government that has promised to implement austerity policies on the one hand while undertaking to continue inflating a gargantuan housing bubble through policies like the First Time Buyers scheme on the other, the signs point to a cataclysmic bubble burst at some point followed by another financial crisis. However we all know that politicians of all stripes don’t really mean what they say or keep their promises; looking at the disastrous policies that they have promised to impose, let’s hope that the new government will prove as unreliable at keeping their word as most politicians.

While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained herein is correct, I cannot be held responsible for any errors that may occur. My views may not necessarily reflect the house view of MBMG Group.

Views and opinions expressed herein may change with market conditions and should not be used in isolation. Full article with references should may be found at www.mbmg-group.com

Paul Gambles is co-founder of MBMG Group – an advisory firm that assists expatriates and locals in south east Asia.

Tel: +66 2665 2536 e-mail: info@mbmg-group.com Linkedin: MBMG Group Twitter: @MBMGIntl Facebook: /MBMGGroup

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Knight Frank highlights new opportunities

By Risinee Sarikaputra

I

managed by Banyan Tree was in the range of 59 to 125 million baht a unit, whereas the villas managed by Dusit were priced lower at around 34 million baht a unit.

nvestment in property in Thailand’s popular resort areas continues to attract interest from local and foreign buyers. That’s one of key messages contained in our latest investment review that focuses specifically upon the property sectors in Phuket, Hua Hin and Pattaya.

The Phuket condominium market has transformed itself to accommodate the change in buyers’ preferences as well as reflect the scarcity of land. Prior to 2008, the condominium supply in Phuket tended to include larger sized units of over 100 square metres.

For investing in Phuket condominiums, a good area would be the western coast of Phuket, from Maikhao to Rawai beach. The compact one-bedroom unit has investment potential; however, the two-bedroom sea view units, from 71 to 99 square metres, would be even better due to the scarcity of such units.

The CAGR of sea view units in Phuket was 5.2 percent from 2007 to 2014. Phuket continues to attract its fair share of extremely wealthy foreigners and property investors, but the number of foreigners willing to spend 100 million baht or more for a luxury villa has been dwindling.

This year Phuket has been attracting more mass-market travellers, notably Asian and Chinese nationals whose numbers help offset the drop in jetsetters. Villas were still selling, but the number was more modest, though still priced beyond the means of most buyers. Previously, the demand on the island was for large lifestyle villas with usable areas of at least 1,600 square metres and a selling price point of 100 million baht or more.

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Investing in Hua Hin

Lately, demand has been highest for villas priced below 20 million baht, with 690 out of 950 available units sold in this price range, or 72.6 percent. Most villas in this range have two to three bedrooms, with usable area of 200 to 300 square metres, located on small plots of 50 to 70 square wah. The small one-bedroom performed reasonably well but not to the extent of the more sizable counterparts. The overall takeup rate for the entire market continued to improve -- with 78.7 percent for the first three quarters of 2014.

The interesting locations for investing in Phuket villas are along the western coast; however, the areas with more complete facilities and amenities for daily living are in Bangtao and Patong, for example.

The Bangtao area was first developed with the Laguna project. In the time following the inception of Laguna, several high-end projects came on the market, followed recently by more middle market developments and economy villa projects.

The Laguna area remains a very sought after part of the island due to the range of facilities in the area and proximity to the airport. There are also international hotel branded villa projects, including Banyan Tree and Dusit. The selling price of villas

The Hua Hin condominium market was previously popular among affluent Thai families from Bangkok, but recently, it has expanded to capture new demand from medium-income Thai buyers. From 2013 to 2014, 71 percent of the supply included smaller studio and one-bedroom units, whereas the larger two to three bedroom units made up only 29 percent, representing a change from the market prior to 2013.

For investing in Hua Hin condominiums, the good area would be between Soi Hua Hin 1 to Soi Hua Hin 85, which only had 399 available units.

The area is also considered convenient with facilities and amenities.

Khao Takiab area is also quite interesting, with around 606 units available for sales. However, most projects along that area were in low rises due to building code regulations. Good units for investment have one/two bedrooms and priced from three to five million baht.

Our research has shown that the available condominiums located in Hua Hin in this price range were only 12 units. However, you will not find the selling price of condominiums below 80,000 baht per square metre. Thus, the one-bedroom unit in this area will be comfortable, with the unit size starting from 37 square metres.

Sea view condominium units are interesting for investment as the aver-

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age selling price of such units grew at a much faster rate; it is now 59 percent higher than the average selling price of non-sea view units. During Q1 to Q3 2014, the average selling price of sea view condos broke through the 100,000 baht per square metre barrier and topped at 130,932 baht (CARG of 6.6 percent since 2007).

The scarcity of beachfront land and concerns of oversupply of non-sea view condo units were said to be the causes of the divergence in price between two condominium types.

ums with affordable selling prices (between 40,000 to 60,000 baht per square meter) are situated away from the Jomtien coastline but remain in close proximity to the town area that offers substantial amenities.

Buyers are mostly local Thai and Russians. There are also some projects in Jomtien that attract mainly Thai buyers either for vacation homes or as investments or both; however, the location is by the end of Jomtien, which is more peaceful and not considered to be a tourist area.

As the average price of condominiums in these areas is higher, the main buyers are wealthy Europeans, British and Americans, as well as Scandinavian travellers and retirees who usually buy property for a second or permanent post-retirement home.

There are only a few affluent Thai investors who purchase units for long term rental investments, and very little local Thais who purchase for their personal living purposes.

Outlook for Pattaya property sector Each location in Pattaya offers a different character. For Jomtien Beach, there are a lot of service amenities, such as restaurants, pubs and entertainment venues. It is a tourist destination, especially the early sois in Jomtien.

The main buyers of condominiums in this area are mainly European and Russian nationals, purchasing units for either second vacation homes or as an investment asset. Condomini-

The Pattaya city area is more or less similar to the Jomtien area, with full service facilities such as the Central Festival Pattaya shopping complex, restaurants and pubs. The area is quite busy, but it is convenient for tourists.

The Wongamat area, unlike Jomtien and Pattaya, offers a more peaceful and private residential zone with many condominiums featuring a beachfront and panoramic sea view of Pattaya Harbour. Condominium buyers’ characteristics are distinct.

Risinee Sarikaputra is Director of the Research and Consultancy Department at Knight Frank Thailand.

65/192 23rd Floor Chamnan Phenjati Business Center, Rama 9 Road Huaykwang District, Bangkok 10320.

Tel: +66 (0) 2 643 8223

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www.crownworldwide.com 34 TheACCJ Link Issue 2/2015 CR ad Japan Directory.indd 2

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helping the needy

BCTFN backs Nong Khai charities

By Gale Bailey

T

he great work done in the Nong Khai community by the Good Shepherd Sisters and Sarnelli House never fails to amaze me. BCTFN supports the Good Shepherd Sisters and Sarnelli House whose inspirational staff and volunteers do outstanding work and are always ready to welcome visitors from Thailand and abroad.

At the helm of the Nong Khai branch of the Good Shepherd Sisters is Sister Mary who, at 95, shows no deterioration in her mental ability. As one of the founding members of the Good Shepherd Sisters at Nong Khai she is well loved for her inspiration and many achievements.

The supporting team of Australian lay preacher Antonia Symonds, together with the lovely nuns, oversees the many facets of the Regina Centre at their place on Prajak Road where ladies are taught to sew products for the domestic and overseas markets.

There is also a growing education sponsorship programme and a small restaurant.

Their Garden of Hope and outreach programmes seem endless. There is a wonderful centre where folks meet, some with HIV, who make crafts for sale at Ploenchit Fair and other places.

At weekends, families gather for activities and seek advice and support on all aspects of living with HIV and other ailments. There are also weaving and spinning rooms, pottery and compost making areas as well as conference centres which can be hired out to bring in much needed income.

At the Garden of Hope there is a clinic where HIV patients can be treated

when they are unwell and need building up. There is also a house where overseas volunteers/visitors can stay as well as small dwellings whose residents feel extremely fortunate to be under the care of GSS. Everyone helps with the upkeep of the gardens which develops the wonderful community spirit. BCTFN has supported this project for many years and hope to do so in the years to come.

Sarnelli House is run by a Redemptorist priest, Father Michael Shea who is assisted by Kate Introna, an Australian nurse. This is a marvellous place for the 100-plus orphans that they care for, many of whom are HIV positive.

There are a variety of buildings hous-

ing children of different ages and genders. Here the children are keen to show their trays of medication which they realise are important to take in order to keep healthy. These are wonderful, happy, cheerful children anxious to show what they can do. They have a fish farm, chickens and an organic vegetable farm which together keep the children occupied when they are not at school as well as supplementing their diet.

Sarnelli has children of all ages, from babies to teenagers, and with their clinic they are able to run an outreach programme. HIV patients who become sick mostly stay at home and are assisted by the clinic with support from the family and the local community. Recently BCTFN donated playground equipment which was much appreciated by all the children.

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helping the needy

Caring and sharing in local communities

By William Davies-Jenkins

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hrewsbury International School continues to work closely with its long-running educational charity partners The Sister Louise Foundation (Din Daeng), The Mercy Centre (Khlong Toey), The Hub (Pomprab district) and Wat Khai School.

raffle are now being used to provide a new playground, designed by Shrewsbury staff.

The Sister Louise Foundation works to provide an education and safe place for young people, especially to young mothers, street children and victims of abuse. Shrewsbury students and staff recently helped to decorate, furnish and equip four new classrooms at one of the Sister Louise Foundation schools; facilities which are now helping to continue the education of over 200 refugee children recently arrived in Thailand - having fled from war and unrest in their native countries. Our next long term project is to renovate the Foundation’s existing classrooms.

Away from Bangkok, Shrewsbury is also extremely proud to support the education of three extraordinary young people. In addition to their schooling Shrewsbury is finding books, uniform and school meals for Chiang Rai children Tida and M. Meanwhile, in association with the Camillian Social Centre, Rayong, Shrewsbury has fully supported the education of Fern for the past 10 years.

Shrewsbury’s own students have also got involved in many of our regular partnership activities throughout the year. Year 10 students have been helping the Sister Louise children with their English language skills during their weekly visits to our school, whilst students from throughout the Senior School have been helping the children learn to swim in Shrewsbury’s aquatic centre.

The Mercy Centre provides educational opportunities to children and young people whose lives have been affected by HIV and AIDS. Shrewsbury is very pleased to be providing a new roof for the centre. Members of the Sixth Form event team have visited the Mercy Centre to deliver much-needed food, stationary and household products. The donations were purchased with the proceeds of

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Every year donations ensure that Wat Khai pupils have the equipment and stationery they need to complete their studies.

school Christmas card sale which was coordinated by the Sixth Form events team.

The Hub, a centre for Childline Thailand, is a haven for homeless young people. It provides them with shelter, food and opportunities to nurture their creative talents. Refurbishment of the centre’s music therapy and counselling facilities is amongst Shrewsbury’s long term charity commitments. Shrewsbury students and staff are amongst the regular visitors to the Hub, where they have donated guitars and taught the Hub children how to play them. Meanwhile, the Hub’s extraordinary dance troop helped to run a street-dancing workshop at the recent FOBISIA Primary Performing Arts Carnival. The school helps to promote the Hub’s own entrepreneurial initiatives by allowing them to sell their own products at regular sales in school.

Shrewsbury’s association with Wat Khai began in 2011, when the flooding completely destroyed their school. Since then, donations from Shrewsbury have helped to rebuild the school from scratch. Funds raised from Shrewsbury’s staff Christmas

Year 11 students recently travelled to the Royal Varuna Yacht Club to lend a helping hand to some of the disadvantaged and disabled children at the Bangkok Rotary Club’s annual ‘Kid’s Day Out’. Throughout the day they helped to serve the children snacks and lunch, looked after them whilst they played on the beach, and even took some of them into the sea. It is one of the most rewarding days in the calendar for everyone concerned and one which many students continue to reminisce upon long after they have graduated from Shrewsbury.

Following recent natural disasters the Charity committee has also contacted communities in the Philippines and Nepal. The Tunaun School of Craftmanship and Home Industries, which was completely destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan, is set to receive direct funding for its re-building efforts whilst current fundraising activities, including dress down days, snack sales and Shrewsbury’s annual fun run, will target school re-building projects in Nepal.

Happy Community with Salamander

Salamander Energy, an Ophir Energy Group Company , is committed to taking an active part in the development of the countries in which it operates. The Company conducts its operations in an ethical, responsible, apolitical, independent and transparent way. We recognise that Corporate Responsibility is key to the way we will contribute, support and prosper and we have a genuine commitment to the management of health, safety, security and environmental issues, community development projects and conducting our business ethically.

We regard the local communities where we operate as valuable stakeholders and we treat them responsibly and with sensitivity.

We recognise that a thorough understanding of the culture and socio-economic circumstances of these areas is crucial to maintaining our operations effectively.

SALAMANDER ENERGY, AN OPHIR ENERGY GROUP COMPANY

Member News

Heather’s OBE rewards her services to British interests

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eather Suksem’s outstanding service to British interests in Thailand has been recognised with the award of an OBE. Heather received the award from HRH Prince Charles in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Her OBE is also in recognition of her long service and devotion to charitable and community interests in Thailand.

Indeed, Heather’s business and community work singled her out as a role model, championing the importance of CSR whilst at the same time supporting the UK’s wider interests in Thailand and the region.

Her community service has embraced campaigning against the exploitation of children and providing work on reaching employment age for those affected.

She has also worked hard to secure educational opportunities for underprivileged children through scholarships and support for schools provided via the PCS Foundation a non-profit organisation set up to channel the efforts of her company OCS in supporting charities and local communities.

Heather is also a strong advocate for those affected by HIV/AIDS. She is active in supporting education programmes aimed at preventing people from contracting HIV/AIDS and in helping children who have been orphaned as a result of the disease.

She also supports a foundation which provides a safe refuge for women and children who have been neglected, abused or abandoned.

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She said, “I was overwhelmed to hear of the award and am very proud to be honoured in this way. Supporting the society in which we work, especially protecting and supporting

children, is an integral part of the OCS and PCS culture which resulted in the formation of our PCS Foundation by our late Chairman Liam Ayudhkij.”

Member News

ABB brings solar energy to rural Myanmar communities

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BB is teaming up with Pact Myanmar to bring solar power to some 3,500 individuals from villages in rural areas of Mandalay in central Myanmar.

With an estimated population of 51 million, Myanmar is a newly emerging country that has a per capita GDP of only around US$1,105, one of the lowest in East Asia and the Pacific1.

At present, over 75 percent of inhabitants have no access to electricity of any form and rural communities account for two thirds of the total population of more than 50 million.

The project was announced as the first round-the-world solar flight, Solar Impulse 2 (Si2), touched down in in this historic city. ABB is the technology partner of this pioneering airplane, which flies day and night exclusively on solar power.

The project involves establishing solar battery charging stations to be run by women’s groups in remote villages in the Tada Oo township. Power from the stations will be sold back to communities to create economic selfsufficiency. Financial support will also be provided for villages to purchase photovoltaic equipment.

For most villagers in these communities this is the first time that they will enjoy reliable access to electricity.

Through renewable energy they will be able to power lighting and small electrical applicances that will have a positive impact on quality of life, health and education.

“Building up the energy infrastructure is essential to Myanmar’s future economic and social progress, and offgrid electrification is one way to accelerate access to electricity. By support40

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ing this grass-roots project, ABB will ensure that the communities around Mandalay will continue to benefit long after the Solar Impulse airplane has departed,” said Chaiyot Piyawannarat, ABB’s country Managing Director Thailand and Myanmar. “Whether it is on a small rural community level, nationally, or internationally, we have shown that the possibilities for decoupling economic growth from energy consumption and environmental pollution are very real.”

community expenditures on more expensive traditional energy sources by up to 20 percent.

Richard Harrison, Country Director of Pact Myanmar, explained, “Pact is committed to partnering with communities and institutions to address the critical need for electricity in rural areas in Myanmar. Through ABB’s support, this project builds on our existing livelihoods and development work in 35 townships and over a million households in Myanmar, extending access to solar energy sources by supporting community financing for sustainable village electrification.

Our project will help reduce routine

This is the latest project in ABB’s ‘Access to Electricity’ rural electrification programme with similar rural electrification projects in India and Tanzania. The programme was developed as a response to the United Nations Global Compact which urges companies and organisations to provide greater assistance to least developed countries. ABB was one of the first international companies to sign on to the Global Compact after it was launched by previous UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in 2000.

“Once communities have access to reliable light and energy sources throughout the day and evening hours, they are more able to increase their standard of living, and will be able to allocate more time and resources to education, income generation, health and community development activities.”

Member News

Bangkok Prep students show care in community I

n keeping with the school’s holistic approach to development and strong sense of community, students of Bangkok International Preparatory and Secondary School (Bangkok Prep) have been devoting their time to the Saeng Sawang Foundation and Sanuk Day Care Centre.

Since the beginning of their academic year, Bangkok Prep’s Year 12 and 13 students have been visiting the Saeng Sawang Foundation two days a week to provide assistance and care to its children. The Foundation assists children suffering from severe learning impairment and physical disabilities, providing pre-school education as well as vocational training for older attendants. On top of organising musical activities, story telling and rehabilitation sessions the students were also able to raise Baht 25,000 for the Foundation.

The school’s sixth form students also

raised much-needed funds to aid Sanuk Day Care Centre in Jomtien.

They took up the challenge of decorating its Silom facility, bringing the centre to life with colourful murals in line with founder Tracy Cosgrove’s desire to elevate the lives of migrant worker children away from work site dangers and trafficking. The stu-

dents capped off their contribution by holding an assembly on the issue of construction site conditions.

“I have been really impressed with how the students have responded to the difficult challenges they have faced,” said Josh Morris, the school’s Community Service Coordinator.

School plays host to intensive graduate courses B angkok Prep is hosting for the second year a Summer International Programs Graduate Study Center of Endicott College in collaboration with Dhurakij Pundit University (DPU). is an International University that offers intensive graduate level and professional study courses towards Mas42

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ters Degrees for international school teachers.

ing in these courses which will run intensively from 29 June to 24 July.

Endicott and DPU are offering two degree programmes this summer: Masters of Education Degree in International Education, and the Masters of Education in International Education Administration. Teachers from around the world are currently enroll-

After two on-line semesters throughout the regular school year, they finish by completing the following summer with the fourth semester - either in Bangkok or at one of the other centres. For further details, please email Sue Collins at: scollins@endicott.edu.

Member News

Prospects looking good for Bangkok hotel sector B angkok will see a significant amount of new hotel supply entering the markets this year, according to Andrew Langdon, Executive Vice President of Jones Lang LaSalle’s Hotels and Hospitality Group.

The hotel supply pipeline in Bangkok comprises close to 4,000 keys that are expected to be operational by the end of 2015. “This represents a much faster supply growth when compared to the five-year average of 2,400 rooms between 2010 and 2014, according Andrew Langdon, who believes that Bangkok is likely to handle the growth as tourist arrivals in Thailand’s capital city are recovering well from the downturn in early 2014.

Bangkok registered 15.5 million international visitor arrivals in 2014, representing an 11.3 percent decline over 2013. Figures by STR Global show that Bangkok experienced a year-on-year (y-o-y) drop in the average revenue per available room (RevPAR) of 23.3 percent to USD 97 primarily driven by a softening in demand.

However, hotel performance in the city has improved significantly this year in response to a rebound of international visitation. The average hotel occupancy rate across the city rose from 45.3 percent in the first quarter of 2014 to 77.1 percent in the first quarter of 2015, allowing RevPAR to grow by 67.4 percent USD 147 (THB 4,796) over the same period.

“Prospects in the Bangkok hotel market in the remainder of 2015 are very

positive as international visitors are coming back. With increased political stability and Bangkok’s strong position as one of the world’s most preferred holiday destinations, we expect the growth in demand for hotel rooms in the capital city to keep pace with new supply coming on stream this year,” said Mr. Langdon.

More details: http://www.jll.co.th/ thailand/en-gb/Research/jll-hotel-destinations-thailand-january-2015.pdf

The Ramada Plaza Bangkok Menam Riverside is one of the city’s most popular hotels for business and leisure travellers.

David Tibbott from Hongkong Land is the new Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce Cambodia.

Vice Chairman is Matthew Rendall from ZicoLaw Group.

For more details about BritCham activities in Cambodia, please contact Olivia Widen by email: executivedirector@ britchamcambodia.org

The BCCT has formed a Travel and Tourism Group with David Cumming (pictured left) as its chairman. David is VP and Area General Manager (Bangkok) for Onyx Hospitality Group.

Joining members of the Group include Douglas Glen (Landmark Hotel), Jacqui Cuthbertson (Pan Pacific) and Billy Chomsakorn (British Airways).

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Member News

Bangkok ranked eighth among top AP retail markets

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retail space due to be completed in 2015. With the opening of new retail malls this year such as EmQuartier, Central Westgate and Central Festival East Ville as well as the increased level of international tourist arrivals in Bangkok, especially from China, CBRE anticipates the number of new entrants in 2015 will be more than in 2014. The coffee and restaurants sector is expected to create the largest proportion of the new entries in Bangkok while mid-range fashion brands will continue to expand.”

angkok is ranked eighth among the top retail target markets in Asia Pacific with 19 new entrants opening stores in 2014, according to a report from CBRE Thailand.

The agency’s ‘Retail hotspots in Asia Pacific 2014’ report states that cities in Asia Pacific saw 464 new retail entrants in 2014, an increase of 23 percent on the previous year. Tokyo saw the most new retail entrants (63), followed by Singapore (58), Taipei (49), Hong Kong (45) and Beijing (34).

The luxury/business sector saw the greatest share of new entrants at 22.6 percent, but the biggest climber was the Coffee and Restaurants sector with 22.4 percent in 2014, compared to just 14.8 percent in 2013.

James Pitchon, Head of CBRE Research and Consulting - CBRE Thai-

James Pitchon

land, observed, “Bangkok is one of the hotspots for retail development in south east Asia with approximately one million square metres of new

Jonathan Hsu, Head of Occupier Markets Research - CBRE Asia, said that international retailers have long looked to establish themselves in Asia Pacific by setting up in more mature markets such as Japan or Hong Kong and then using this as a base to launch into other markets in the region.

“In 2014, Tokyo cemented its lead as the top destination in APAC for market entries by international retailers. The attraction of this as a gateway market was driven by the growth in domestic consumption off the back of Japan’s economic rebound; anticipation around the 2020 Tokyo Olympics; as well as the robust growth in tourist arrivals. Demand here has been highly concentrated in core shopping districts,” he added.

The tenth anniversary of the Bangkok International Rugby Tens competition, sponsored by several BCCT members including Hilton Sukhumvit Hotel, Bumrungrad Hospital and Bangkok Patana School, attracted some 1,600 participants. Once again the tournament raised a significant sum for underprivileged children in Bangkok.

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“As gateway markets, Singapore and Hong Kong have received a lot of international interest and will continue to attract interest from new brands. However, retailers in Hong Kong will need to adjust to weaker demand of luxury goods from mainland Chinese tourists, whilst the ongoing labour crunch remains a key concern for retailers looking to expand in Singapore.”

Member News

Readathon brings cash boost to local charities

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tudents at Bangkok International Preparatory and Secondary School have raised Baht 420,000 to support various community groups during the school’s annual ‘Readathon’ (a reading marathon where children are encouraged to find sponsors for every book that they read).

At Bangkok Prep, the Readathon’s goal is to help children become better readers and better learners by nurturing a joy of reading while, at the same time, raising funds for a worthwhile cause. This activity promotes literacy among students, helps them to become community-minded and is also a fun way to encourage them to read and introduce them to new genre of books and authors.

The month-long event was part of the school’s Book Week which also in-

cluded a book reading and signing by author and teacher Pepa O’Donovan, a visit by guest author Sonia Leong and a slumber party held in the Primary Library to engage children in reading activities. A total of 3,621

books and 319,332 pages were read during the 2015 ‘Readathon’ and the fund raised have been donated to the Neilson Hays Library (NHL), Ban Kru Noi, Camillian Home, Bring the Elephant Home, and UNICEF.

New Heads take charge

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angkok International Preparatory and Secondary School (Bangkok Prep) recently appointed Valerie Thomas-Peter as the new Head of School and Duncan Stonehouse as Head of Primary.

Valerie Thomas-Peter started her career in teaching in the city of York before leading and managing a range of independent and international schools. She was the Head of School in the British School of Boston in USA, Principal of The British International School, Shanghai, Principal of Dubai British School in UAE, and most recently, Director of School of The Alice Smith School in Malaysia. Valerie holds a Master’s degree in Education Studies from

tershire before being appointed as the Assistant Primary Head teacher at the British School of AL Khubairat, UAE. He lives in Thailand with his wife and their three children.

Valerie Thomas-Peter

Duncan Stonehouse

the University of Leeds UK. She is married with two children.

Duncan Stonehouse holds a Master’s degree in Education and obtained the National Professional Qualification for Headship at the National College for School Leadership from the United Kingdom. He taught for several years in several schools in Glouces-

Expansion plans Bangkok Prep is to open new secondary school campus in 2017. The new campus will be situated on Sukhumvit soi 77, about two miles from the main school buildings, and will cater for pupils aged 12 to 18 years.

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Member News

Bangkok property buyers seek value in older condos D emand for luxury condos continues but more buyers are considering affordable units in older developments. That’s according to new research published by property experts JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle). The high-end condominium market in Bangkok’s central business areas has continued to see new projects launched in the first quarter of this year, indicating that developers remain confident about demand in the top-end segment of the Bangkok condominium market.

JLL’s Thailand Property Intelligence Centre reports that there were four new high-end condominium projects launched in Bangkok during the first quarter of 2015 that totalled some 975 units.

These include Four Seasons Private Residences Bangkok (355 units) on Charoenkrung Road, Q Sukhumvit (273 units) near BTS Nana, The Diplomat 39 (160 units) near BTS Phrom Phong and Nimit Langsuan (187 units) near BTS Chidlom. Four Seasons Private Residences is the only project where units are for sale on a leasehold basis.

These projects sit in the ultra-luxury segment with prices offered at above THB 250,000 per square metre.

While the average reported sales rate of the four projects as at the end of March was 46.2 percent, The Diplomat 39 and Nimit Langsuan reported strong sales rates at 70 percent and 80 percent, respectively.

Rising land prices Suphin Mechuchep, Managing Director of JLL, commented, “Selling prices of luxury condominiums in Bangkok, particularly in key central 46

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what limit buyers would remain willing to accept the rising prices,” said Khun Suphin.

Bunthoon Damrongrak, Head of Residential Sales and Leasing at JLL, said “Demand for luxury condominiums has continued as reflected by strong sales rates in a number of newly launched projects. However, higher selling prices in these projects are encouraging more condominium buyers to look for more affordable units in older buildings.”

Bunthoon Damrongrak

business areas with easy access to BTS or MRT, have continued to grow and will grow further, due mainly to rising development costs.

While construction costs have stayed relatively stable thanks to lower oil prices that have allowed for a reduction in costs of certain construction materials, rising land cost has now become a significant part of the development costs in prime locations.

“Generally, land cost represents 15 percent of the total development cost of a condominium project. Nowadays it accounts for 25 percent for a condominium development in prime locations. With growing scarcity of prime land for new development, selling prices in future luxury condominium projects are likely to rise further. For this reason, there remain a lot of people who want to buy luxury condominiums in prime locations with a hope for a capital gain in a long term. Having said that there are more and more questions about to

Recent condominium sales transactions concluded by JLL show condominium units in older buildings are typically 20-30 percent cheaper than those in newly launched projects located in the same area.

“We have received more enquiries from buyers looking for units in older buildings. Most of them are looking to purchase used or backlogged units for own use. Some of them are also buying used units to put them up for rent. However, as newer buildings attract tenants better, purchases of used units in older buildings as an investment are limited to buildings that occupy an exceptionally prime location, preferably with easy access to a BTS station where leasing demand is strong. Whether it be for own use or as an investment, buyers tend to choose units in buildings that are well managed and maintained to look like new,” added Khun Bunthoon.

Note: High-end condominiums refer to units priced THB 100,000/ sq. m and above. There were 31,390 high-end units in Bangkok’s central business areas (CBA) as at 31 March 2015.

Member News Thailand’s Finance Minister Sommai Phasee (middle), presents ‘Deal of the Year’ award to Standard Chartered Bank (Thai) for the Bank’s role in the landmark bondswitching deal with the Public Debt Management Office, Ministry of Finance. Also pictured are Standard Chartered President and CEO Lyn Kok (second from left); Nattakarn Boonsri (second from right), Director of Government Bond Market Development Division, the Public Debt Management Office and representatives from Bangkok Bank and Kasikornbank. The award was presented at the recent Best Bond Awards hosted by The Thai Bond Market Association.

Seven pupils (pictured) at Shrewsbury International School in Bangkok have been awarded Sir Martin Rees Scholarships for their truly exceptional results in their IGCSE examinations. Sir Martin Rees, former President of the Royal Society and the Astronomer Royal and an alumnus of Shrewsbury School in Shropshire, is currently Master of Trinity College Cambridge. In 2007 he gave his name to this prestigious academic award.

Hua Hin International School is reporting encouraging numbers of applications for places from Thai and expat parents. The new school is on track to open in August under Head Teacher Julie Wood.

Serviced office provider Regus has opened a new centre in Bhiraj Tower at EmQuartier on Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Road.

The new centre, covering some 2,000 square metres of floor space, is being managed by Benjamin Hughes.

This takes to 17 the number of Regus business centres in the capital. Regus also offers stylish, affordable serviced offices on the Eastern Seaboard in Harbor Mall at Laem Chabang.

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Bangkok Prep celebrates achievement of young writers

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angkok Prep is brimming with pride as their students have published two original books.

The Greedy Mosquito is a colourful and illustrated picture book, written and created by students aged five to eight (Years 1-3) during the school’s annual Book Week event.

The Greedy Mosquito is a story about a mosquito that travels through the jungle on an adventure, taking a nibble from all of the animals that she meets.

“The children worked hard to create a range of jungle and animal textures that were featured in the illustrations. Some of the children helped to craft the wonderful rhymes in the story. The results were so impressive that the Bangkok Prep Library decided to publish the book,” explained Pepa O’Donovan, one of the teachers supervising the publication of the book.

The Poetry Anthology is another student-led publication now being published. Written by students from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 5 (Years 3

to 13), the book includes poems in English, Mandarin, Thai, French and Japanese.

The book is a compilation of both the winning and shortlisted poems from the school-wide poetry competition, and showcases the literary and artistic talents of Bangkok Prep students. The themes revolve around monsters, the generation gap and deception.

“Poetry is often seen by students as a strange kind of writing, difficult and esoteric, a kind of puzzle box that in English class you are occasionally asked to try to work out. This is a shame, since poetry includes some of the finest examples of how language may be used,” said John Lockwood, Bangkok Prep’s Secondary English Coordinator.

More success for the Dusit Thani Bangkok in the latest ‘Bangkok’s Best Restaurant Awards’. The Mayflower restaurant won the Chinese restaurant category and Thien Duong was top in the ‘Specialties cuisine category’. The awards ceremony was held at Dusit Thani Bangkok.

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The Greedy Mosquito is available at Bangkok Prep’s library for Baht 250 while the Poetry Anthology is available free of charge to all the families at Bangkok Prep.

Member News

MBMG Group joins GGI

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BMG Group is has joined GGI Geneva Group International, the global multidisciplinary alliance of independent accounting, audit, law and consulting firms.

With its membership in GGI, MBMG Group increases significantly its international presence and global capabilities by gaining access to GGI’s local professional service experts. The alliance spans 448 member firms and 651 offices across 115 countries. These specialists have

in-depth knowledge of the legal, fiscal and economic practices, specific to their own business environments.

MBMG joins the Dherakupt International Law Office as the only members of the GGI network in Thailand.

“In-depth understanding of the local legal, audit, accounting, tax and business issues in different countries is imperative for companies to be successful in their cross-border activities. GGI participation helps

us ensure that our clients have the utmost competitive advantage through access to reliable experts on the ground in diverse regions of the world. This level of local expertise can be difficult to find through other avenues,” said Paul Gambles.

“As GGI expands its presence in all major business centres it was clear we needed to find a strong organisation that could serve as a lynchpin in Bangkok. MBMG Group helps us fulfil that strategy,” said Claudio Cocca, GGI Chairman.

Carme stars at Scalini

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calini restaurant at The Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok has welcomed the world’s only female chef with seven Michelin stars. Acclaimed international chef Carme Ruscalleda (pictured second left), from the Catalan region of Spain, cooked exclusively for dinner guests at Scalini in April, presenting a memorable 10-course dégustation dinner with wine pairings.

Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok General Manager David Ecija (pictured centre) said, “This was a fantastic opportunity to enjoy cuisine prepared by one of the world’s finest chefs. Her restaurants in Spain and Japan enjoy amazing popularity and it was a real honour and privilege to welcome Carme Ruscalleda to Scalini.”

New role for Chris Chris Hough has joined the Plaza Athénée Bangkok, A Royal Méridien Hotel as Director of Food & Beverage.

Chris, a career professional in the hospitality industry, moves to Bangkok from The Westin hotel in Melbourne. He emigrated to Australia from his native Ireland and, in 2011, he was named ‘Australian Hotel Association Food & Beverage Employee of the Year’.

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CBRE on The Street V

ariety Asset 5 Co., Ltd. and Univentures Public Co., Ltd. has appointed the Retail Services division of CBRE Thailand as sole leasing agent for The Street, a six storey lifestyle shopping mall with approximately 28,000 square metres of retail space on Ratchadapisek Road.

Located some 200 metres from the Thailand Cultural Centre MRT station and easily accessible from Asoke Expressway, this retail development is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Pictured are Kamolnai Chaixanien (4th from left), Director of Variety Asset 5, Worawat Srisa-an (4th from right) – President of Univentures – the developer of The Street and Aliwassa Pathnadabutr (2nd from left), Managing Director of CBRE Thailand.

Dusit signs new agreements in the Emirates

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usit International has signed agreements to open two hotels in the Middle East under the D2 brand. The dusitD2 TECOM Dubai, scheduled to open in March 2016, will offer 235 guest rooms within the city’s Technology, Electronic, Commerce and Media (TECOM) free zone, close to tourist attractions such as Madinat Jumeirah, Palm Jumeirah and the Dubai Marina.

Also joining the dusitD2 brand family in January 2016 is the dusitD2 Residence Al Manzel Abu Dhabi. Located in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s commercial district, close to the Corniche and Saadiyat Island, the serviced residence will offer 216 units with a business centre and meeting facilities.

Dusit International has operated successfully in the Middle East 50

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since the launch of the Dusit Thani Dubai hotel in 2001. The company

has now opened a new sales office in Saudi Arabia.

Member News

CBRE Thailand lands top regional awards C BRE Thailand enjoyed considerable success at the 2015 Asia Pacific Property Awards. The Bangkok-based agency picked up awards for ‘Best Property Consultancy’, ‘Best Property Consultancy Website’, ‘Best Real Estate Agency’ and ‘Best Real Estate Agency Website’.

This is the sixth consecutive year that CBRE has been named as the ‘Best Real Estate Agency’ in Thailand.

CBRE secured a total of 19 national awards and eight regional nominations at awards, held in Kuala Lumpur.

“To win so many national awards in Asia Pacific and have such a strong representation from the region at the forthcoming global awards is testament to our strength and depth of talent across the business, as well as our ongoing efforts to produce world-class client outcomes in every business line and geography, said Danny Queenan,

the company’s CEO for Asia Pacific.

The highest scoring winners from the Asia Pacific Property Awards also go on to compete against other winning

companies from Europe, Africa, Canada, USA, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Arabia to find the ultimate ‘World’s Best’ in each category in December 2015.

More Centara options in Krabi

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he Centara Pelican Bay Residence & Suites Krabi is now open, giving travellers another option for accommodation when visiting this popular leisure destination in Thailand. This new hotel offers 84 spacious rooms, starting at 81 square metres, each with either a pool or sea view.

General Manager Jerome Sim has praised the efforts of his team in preparing the hotel for its official opening.

Further afield, Centara Hotels & Resorts has signed a management contract with owner Al Bandary Hotel Management to create the Centara Grand West Bay Hotel

Doha, in the city’s newly-developed West Bay district. The hotel is

scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2016.

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51

Member News

New scholarships at PIA O

of the prestigious United World College (UWC) movement, which makes education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future. United World College has 14 schools and colleges worldwide.

ne of Thailand’s leading IB Boarding schools, Phuket International Academy (PIA), has introduced four special scholarships covering full tuition and boarding fees and presenting 16 and 17-year-olds with the opportunity to access the globally recognised International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme ahead of university.

Underpinning the philosophy of the mother company Thanyapura, meaning ‘Land of Abundance’ in Thai, has always been a desire to be a catalyst for change and improvement of the lives of people from all works of life, to optimize their potential through combining education, sports, health and mindfulness. PIA plays the important role in the education sector complimenting Thanyapura’s core promise.

Come the start of the new school year in August 2015, the scholarship recipients will be exposed to a two year-long education experience that promotes personal development, giving them a substantial leg-up leading into university, according to Julian Whiteley, PIA’s Chief Executive and former Head of UWCSEA (United World College South East Asia).

Phuket International Academy offers the International Baccalaureate for primary and middle years on top of the diploma programme. It is the only school in southern Thailand to offer all three IB programmes.

Julian Whiteley

in their current school and who were leaders within their communities.

“We hope that students from a variety of backgrounds will apply for these scholarships – nobody should be deterred,” he said. “Additional meanstested support will be provided for those who would need it,” he said.

Phuket International Academy is working towards becoming a member

A ‘Bring Your Own Device’ school with a future-thinking philosophy, Phuket International Academy has experiential and service learning permeating throughout its curriculum. Students spend time outside the classroom, facing challenges that, through action and reflection, help to develop them into autonomous young people who have a sense of personal responsibility and act with integrity.

The School offers Academic and Sport Scholarships for which applications are welcome. For more information, please contact info@pia. ac.th or call +66 (0) 76 336 076.

“We strive to educate the whole person, and therefore offer an all-round education that involves academics, service learning, outdoor education and a broad range of activities, including sport, music, art and drama,” he said. “We have an inspirational learning environment underpinned by a team of outstanding educators joining us from leading international schools around the world,” he said.

Julian Whiteley (pictured) added that while it was anticipated the successful candidates would be academically strong the selection criteria favoured students actively involved 52

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Issue 2/2015

Park Society restaurant at Sofitel So Bangkok won the ‘European category Editor’s choice’ in the Bangkok’s Best Restaurant Awards. Pictured are Arun Chopra (left), Publisher of Bangkok Best Dining & Entertainment; Khunying Kwanta Devakula (middle) and Angela Brown, Chef de Cuisine of Park Society restaurant.

Member News

Harrow team wins top business award Y oung entrepreneurs at Harrow School in Bangkok have won the top award in the JA Asia Pacific Business Competition.

The student’s business, Boucase, produced a multifunctional waterproof standing pencil case made from environmentally friendly materials to a panel of judges.

The Boucase team was praised by the judges for their effective and wellconstructed presentation. Boucase was also the recipient of the Young Entrepreneurs’ Choice Award, voted as the most popular team amongst their peers in the competition.

In addition to a business presentation and panel interview, Boucase were also judged on their interaction with customers and product

promotion at a trade fair, and a written company report.

A record-breaking 18 student companies from 10 countries and re-

gions (China, Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Turkmenistan) participated in the five-day event held in Bangkok.

Scholarship for Afghan pupils

T

he Chairman of Regent’s International School Bangkok Dr Virachai Techavijit has instigated a new scholarship programme worth US$27,000 a year to help young Afghans. With Afghanistan’s GDP per capita little more than $1,100 most families have little or no opportunity to provide their children with a comprehensive education. The Regent’s School Afghanistan Round Square Scholarship programme offer exactly this opportunity to a fortunate few. One beneficiary, Rohullah Mirzai, is a talented linguist who has benefited from an education at Regent’s over the past three years. He is set to become a full time volunteer at the Mercy Center in Bangkok, teaching English to children in kindergarten and elementary school.

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53

Member News

Weaker Baht prompts fresh interest from overseas property investors C

“Due to rising downtown land and selling prices, developers now must ensure their product is differentiated and has the ability to draw interest from moneyed top-end buyers. As a result, we now see new projects which are better not only in terms of concept, design and aesthetics but also in terms of layouts, functionality, finishing and specifications.”

BRE presented 13 projects in its annual showcase exhibition at Siam Paragon in Bangkok. The projects ranged from prime housing and condominium projects in Bangkok to luxury resort homes in Phuket, Pattaya and Hua-Hin.

Five new projects were unveiled including Klass Siam, Tela Thonglor and Baba Beach Club Phuket by Sri panwa. Whilst 2015 is viewed as a challenging year for condominium sales across all grades underpinned by a weak local economic growth which results in an overall investment sentiment, CBRE has launched several luxury projects in the first quarter.

“With an active top-end market in the first quarter and a positive momentum, we believe the CBRE Elite Living exhibition is well timed and will allow us to further penetrate

ccccccccc

the luxury market and bring to potential buyers and investors new products in prime locations which are launching or have recently launched in this segment,” said Managing Director Aliwassa Pathnadabutr.

Staff, pupils and parents at Bromsgrove International School Thailand welcomed Britain’s Ambassador to Thailand Mark Kent to open a state-of-theart Performing Arts Centre. The Centre features a 500-seat auditorium and a dozen bespoke learning spaces.

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“The superiority and variety of the projects on offer in the luxury market with affordable prices by international standards, particularly in Bangkok, now puts Thailand on the investment map for many foreign investors in the region. In addition, the current stable political climate has been a key factor in drawing back foreigners who are considering buying in Bangkok for investment purposes. CBRE has received more enquiries from individual buyers, foreign developers looking to develop in Thailand as well as fund investors.”

CBRE is experiencing an increase in demand from foreign buyers in 2015, driven by a combination of a stable local political outlook, a downturn in key regional markets and a weakened Thai Baht.

“With the Baht at its’ six year low, foreign investors can take advantage of this opportunity to buy Thai properties at a cheaper price in their local currencies. In addition, historical statistics show that the top-end market for prime downtown locations in Bangkok has been very stable. Based on past performance, the market has proved to be very resilient with minimal downward pressure on price from 1997 through to the 2008 crisis,” added Miss Aliwassa.

Member News

Shrewsbury golfers on par in FOBISIA championships

F

emale golfers at Shrewsbury International School have won the FOBISIA team title for the second consecutive year. Their latest success came in the 2015 FOBISIA Golf Championships at Siam Country Club, Pattaya. The team was soon back in action in the annual BISAC tournament at Windsor Park, taking the runners up spot.

Meanwhile, former golf team captain and class of 2014 graduate Chayanid (Jan) Prapassarangkul was recently named NCAA Big Ten’s ‘Golfer of the Week’.

Sports scholar Jan is in her freshman year at the University of Illinois where she is studying Computer Science. This was the first Big 10 weekly award of her career, and comes after scoring a personal best 54-hole score of three under par at the Westbrook Invitational in Peoria, Arizona. The award is a massive achievement in

the highly competitive environment of US Collegiate sport.

Jan has already established herself as a key figure in the Illinois team with a

string of solid performances, dedicated approach to training and positive attitude. Her continued success serves as a great inspiration to the current generation of Shrewsbury golfers.

Expansion plans at Berkeley

W

ork is under way on Berkeley International School’s Phase 2 building project – a sports and performing arts facility incorporating a 350-seat theatre, tennis centre, Olympic-sized swimming pool, grass football field and an indoor gymnasium. The project, due to be completed in January 2016, is being monitored closely by new Head of School Lisa Johnson.

The school has played a leading role in the formation of the Greater Bangkok Athletics Conference (GBAC) which now has five permanent in-

ternational school members. Pupils compete in football, basketball,

swimming, track & field and badminton.

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Member News

Fond farewell for NIST students

A

s they left their final class assembly on the afternoon of Friday, 22 May, NIST’s Class of 2015 encountered a heartwarming surprise. Lined through the halls and across the campus were all of the school’s teachers and students, gathered to wish them a fond farewell. In what has started a new school tradition, the seniors were cheered as they walked across the NIST campus for the last time as students. The line of smiling faces led them to one of the lounges, where they had the opportunity to chat and reminisce with their teachers and peers.

Even on a global level, this year’s graduates showcase the incredible esteem universities around the world place upon a NIST education. With acceptances continuing to arrive daily, the 98 members of the graduating class have so far received 256 offers to 120 universities, an incredible 108 of which accepted 100% of the applicants from NIST! Equally impressive, the students received a total of THB 45,210,000 (USD $1.35 million) in scholarship offers. Among

first NIST graduates to earn the Global Citizen Diploma (GCD), a unique diploma that only a small number of top schools around the globe are offering. An optional qualification, it offers students the opportunity to showcase their accomplishments beyond traditional exams and transcripts. The first group of GCD recipients from NIST include, among many others, a concertmaster, aquaponics farmer, stock investor and community development worker.

the institutions extending offers are highly selective institutions such as UC Berkeley, UC Los Angeles, Carnegie Mellon University, Claremont McKenna, Cornell University, Georgetown University, Northwestern University, the University of Southern California, Tufts University and St. George’s University.

The Class of 2015 is notable for another reason as well: it includes the

In his message to the NIST community in the annual yearbook, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand and Chairman of the NIST International School Foundation M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula remarked, “I hope that our graduates will carry those ideals on and contribute to the betterment of Thailand and nations around the globe”. As this class of entrepreneurs, musicians, scientists, athletes, artists and dreamers leaves the school, it is clear that they will seek to do exactly that, making a positive impact on the lives of others.

Estonia’s Honorary Consul in Thailand Dr Virachai Techavijit, third from left, is pictured with distinguished guests at an event to celebrate the 97th anniversary of Estonia’s independence.

The event was organised by the Consulate General of Estonia. Dr Virachai Techavijit is Chairman of the Regent’s Schools and has served with distinction as Honorary Consul General for Thailand for many years.

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Member News

New banking role for Ashish

S

tandard Chartered Bank (Thai) has appointed Ashish Sharma as its new Head of Commercial Clients, Thailand. The appointment follows the creation of a Commercial Clients unit in Thailand.

Ashish joined Standard Chartered Bank, Singapore in 2005 as Director, Finance & Strategy and was later appointed Director - Metals & Mining, Client Relationships.

He was most recently Head - Segments and Propositions, Group Commercial Clients. Ashish Sharma has an MBA in Finance from New York University, USA and also a Master of Engineering and B.Sc. in Computer Science and Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

CBRE Thailand has been appointed

by Montri International Co., Ltd. as the sole leasing agent for M Tower, a 21-storey office and retail development on Sukhumvit 62 in Bangkok. This 14,500 square metre mixed-use project is close to Bang Chak BTS and is expected to be completed in mid 2016. Pictured are Vijien Lamsam (3rd from right) Managing Director; Somsri Lamsam (2nd from right) - Director of Montri International Co., Ltd; Nithipat Tongpun (3rd from left) - Executive Director, and Maneerat Vichitrattana (2nd from right) - Director of CBRE Thailand, at the signing ceremony for the sole agency appointment.

Regent’s International School, Bangkok raised over Baht 300,000 to help victims of the recent devastating earthquake in Nepal.

Funds raised throughout the year are being donated to Jane Goodall Foundation Nepal and the charities in partnership with The British School in Kathmandu.

Pictured are (back row from left to right): Peter Hogan - Principal; Rachel Perkins - Head of Primary; Kwanshanok Techavijit - Director and Martin Kneath - Board Member with primary and secondary school students.

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57

Dataconsult

Chamber Events

By the Numbers

Chris Bruton Director, Dataconsult Ltd.

F

orecasting the outlook for Thailand tends, these days, to be largely a matter of hoping for the best while preparing for (if not expecting) the worst. As the year’s events unfold, economic growth and export forecasts tend to slide downwards, and negatives slip into the performance figures.

but is likely to lose that position to both Malaysia and the Philippines by 2020, slipping down to fourth position, mainly because of relatively modest economic growth performance throughout the intervening years.

Thailand will remain the fourth largest ASEAN country by population, after Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, and is now close to achieving stable, zero-growth population.

In terms of per capita GDP, Thailand will remain in ASEAN fourth position, after Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia. China surpassed Thailand in terms of per capita GDP in 2011, and will have moved further beyond Thailand by 2020. However, measured by of purchasing power parity, China was far ahead of Thailand for many years. As a consolation, Thailand is forecast to move ahead of China in 2020 in this respect.

This contrasts with other countries of the region, which are continuing to grow, although in most cases at a slower pace, and with ageing population, owing to smaller family sizes.

Myanmar, which had previously been expected to overtake Thailand in population, was found to have over-enumerated previous population levels by as much as 15 million, according to the 2014 census, leaving it comfortably behind Thailand in population size.

Economic Projections for 2015 2014 actual

Average Economic Growth of Major Trading Partners (percent y-o-y)

3.66

Dubai Crude Oil Price (USD/bbl)

105.1

Export price in U.S. dollar (percent y-o-y) Import price in U.S. dollar (percent y-o-y)

2015 f Average

Range

3.63

3.76

3.26 - 4.26

96.6

60.0

50.0 - 70.0

-0.5

-1.0

-1.5

-3.5 to 0.5

-2.1

-1.9

-4.6

-2.6 to -6.6

Exchange Rate (Baht per U.S. dollar)

30.70

32.5

33.1

32.1 - 34.1

Repurchase Rate (Policy Rate) at year-end (percent y-o-y)

2.25

2.00

1.75

1.25 - 2.25

Fiscal-Year Public Expenditure (Trillion Baht)

3.03

3.20

3.43

3.23 - 3.63

Number of International tourists (million persons)

26.5

24.8

29.4

28.4 - 29.4

Economic Growth Rate (percent y-o-y)

2.9

0.7

3.7

3.2 - 4.2

Real Consumption Growth (percent y-o-y)

1.1

0.7

2.6

2.1 - 3.1

0.3

0.3

2.2

1.7 - 2.7

4.9 -2.0

2.8 -2.8

4.3 5.1

3.8 - 4.8 4.1 to 6.1

Major Assumptions Exogenous Variables

Nevertheless, the optimists have better chances than the pessimists. Optimists are often defined as those who can discern opportunities in every disaster, while pessimists predict disaster in every opportunity. With all the disasters piling up in the world, the optimists must be having a field day, with endless opportunities heaped up alongside the ruins.

Policy Variables

Thailand is no exception. Last year, the Fiscal Policy Office was forecasting economic growth of 1.4 per cent for 2014 and 4.1 per cent for 2015. Year-end 2014 stumbled through at 0.7 per cent, while the current forecast for 2015 of 3.7 per cent is already being downgraded, with some analysts predicting barely half of that level, rather like last year. Meanwhile, for exports by value, Thailand has been steadily underachieving for some years, and looks like continuing that trend.

Projections

- Real Private Consumption - Real Public Consumption Real Investment Growth (percent y-o-y)

The regional picture The latest IMF figures project major economic indicators for up to 2020. The attached tables provide figures for the 10 ASEAN countries plus China and India. Thailand remains the second largest economy in ASEAN in 2015,

2013 actual

- Real Private Investment

-2.8

-1.9

4.0

3.0 - 5.0

- Real Public Investment

1.3

-6.1

9.5

7.5 to 11.5

Export Volume of Goods and Services (percent y-o-y)

4.2

0.0

5.1

4.1 - 6.1

Import Volume of Goods and Services (percent y-o-y)

2.3

-4.8

5.3

4.3 - 6.3

Trade Balance (billion U.S. dollar)

6.7

24.6

25.5

17.0 - 34.0

- Export Value of Goods in U.S. dollar (percent y-o-y)

-2

-0.3

0.2

(-1.8) to 2.2

- Import Value of Goods in U.S. dollar (percent y-o-y)

-0.5

-8.5

-0.2

(-2.2) to 1.8

-2.5

13.1

17.8

9.3 - 26.3

-0.7

3.8

4.6

2.3 - 6.7

Headline Inflation (percent y-o-y)

2.2

1.9

0.2

(-0.3) to 0.7

Core Inflation (percent y-o-y) Unemployment Rate (percentage of total labor force)

1.0 0.7

1.6 0.8

1.3 0.8

0.8 - 1.8 0.7 - 0.9

Current Account (billion U.S. dollar) - Percentage of GDP

Source: Fiscal Policy Office, Ministry of Finance

Gross Domestic Product at current price (total value) (countries ranked by 2015 size) Country China India Indonesia Thailand Malaysia Philippines Singapore Vietnam Myanmar Cambodia Laos Brunei

2008 4,547.72 1,224.10 558.582 272.578 231.072 173.603 192.231 98.269 34.55 10.342 5.292 14.417

2009 5,105.77 1,365.37 577.539 263.711 202.284 168.485 192.406 101.634 38.065 10.391 5.582 10.733

2010 5,949.65 1,708.46 755.256 318.908 247.539 199.591 236.42 112.771 49.628 11.232 6.842 12.371

2011 7,314.48 1,843.02 892.59 345.672 289.336 224.143 275.37 134.598 56.17 12.818 8.062 16.693

2012 8,386.68 1,835.82 919.002 365.966 304.957 250.24 289.941 155.565 55.759 14.057 9.4 16.952

2013 9,469.13 1,875.16 912.502 387.253 313.158 272.067 302.246 170.565 56.759 15.362 10.788 16.109

(US$ billion) 2014 10,380.38 2,049.50 888.648 373.804 326.933 284.927 308.051 186.049 62.802 16.551 11.676 15.102

2015 11,211.93 2,308.02 895.677 386.291 327.89 308.033 296.057 204.493 69.143 17.814 12.764 11.236

2016 11,968.41 2,510.60 951.943 412.295 364.531 339.774 310.557 219.807 77.894 19.392 13.792 12.397

2017 12,864.40 2,755.83 1,036.56 433.911 399.491 376.23 328.611 239.016 88.832 21.088 15.002 13.418

2014 7.686 7.168 7.406 6.966 7.364 6.096 5.98 5.025 6.021 0.711 2.918 -0.698

2015 8.329 7.46 7.314 7.203 6.762 6.713 6 5.199 4.8 3.712 3.031 -0.47

2016 8.506 7.468 7.845 7.192 6.3 6.295 5.8 5.5 4.9 3.974 3.038 2.755

2017 8.297 7.554 7.681 7.253 6 6.003 5.9 5.8 5 4.084 3.154 3.38

Gross Domestic Product at constant prices (growth) (countries ranked by 2015 size) Country Myanmar India Laos Cambodia China Philippines Vietnam Indonesia Malaysia Thailand Singapore Brunei

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2008 3.6 3.891 7.785 6.692 9.635 4.153 5.662 7.442 4.832 2.484 1.788 -1.938

2009 5.144 8.48 7.502 0.087 9.214 1.148 5.398 4.702 -1.514 -2.33 -0.603 -1.765

Issue 2/2015

2010 5.345 10.26 8.131 5.963 10.41 7.632 6.423 6.378 7.425 7.811 15.24 2.598

2011 5.909 6.638 8.04 7.07 9.3 3.66 6.24 6.17 5.188 0.077 6.207 3.43

2012 7.3 5.081 7.898 7.313 7.763 6.801 5.247 6.03 5.644 6.49 3.414 0.948

2013 8.25 6.899 7.968 7.428 7.751 7.181 5.421 5.579 4.745 2.891 4.443 -1.75

2018 13,876.11 3,012.90 1,116.97 458.386 441.249 416.778 348.195 260.06 100.749 23.031 16.658 14.533

2019 14,968.59 3,311.75 1,207.43 481.661 487.218 461.287 367.821 284.426 113.697 25.126 18.024 16.611

2020 16,157.11 3,639.80 1,306.62 503.937 538.213 509.985 389.817 311.209 127.858 27.417 19.474 17.808

(Percentage change year-on-year) 2018 7.959 7.653 7.36 7.36 6.1 6 6 6 5 4.032 3.189 6.514

2019 7.677 7.702 7.498 7.31 6.333 6.003 6 6 5 3.911 3.158 11.157

2020 7.547 7.751 7.348 7.311 6.333 6 6 6 5 3.813 3.226 4.972

Gross Domestic Product per capita (countries ranked by 2015 size) Country Singapore Brunei Malaysia China Thailand Indonesia Philippines Vietnam Laos India Myanmar Cambodia

2008 39,722.15 38,444.87 8,372.19 3,424.43 4,096.88 2,418.04 1,918.26 1,154.49 861.968 1,053.44 705.348 741.855

2009 38,577.17 28,237.48 7,203.34 3,825.98 3,938.76 2,464.96 1,851.48 1,181.45 890.638 1,158.93 771.565 734.655

2010 46,569.40 31,981.87 8,658.67 4,437.02 4,735.75 3,178.13 2,155.41 1,297.23 1,069.75 1,430.13 998.384 781.912

2011 53,122.37 42,435.96 9,955.79 5,428.79 5,110.62 3,703.23 2,379.44 1,532.31 1,236.24 1,521.92 1,120.94 877.635

2012 54,577.80 42,402.38 10,331.33 6,193.82 5,385.37 3,759.20 2,612.11 1,752.62 1,414.46 1,495.95 1,103.33 945.702

(Current prices US$) 2013 55,979.76 39,658.80 10,456.89 6,958.91 5,670.13 3,680.13 2,790.88 1,901.70 1,593.59 1,508.16 1,113.37 1,018.22

2014 56,319.34 36,606.83 10,803.53 7,589.00 5,444.56 3,533.53 2,865.49 2,052.85 1,692.65 1,626.98 1,221.36 1,080.82

2015 53,604.15 26,804.39 10,654.04 8,154.38 5,611.59 3,511.40 3,037.12 2,232.99 1,815.84 1,808.41 1,333.63 1,146.09

2016 55,840.50 29,092.91 11,646.61 8,659.39 5,976.92 3,679.51 3,284.39 2,375.35 1,925.43 1,941.60 1,490.69 1,229.18

2017 58,720.70 30,986.64 12,550.20 9,259.34 6,279.95 3,950.23 3,565.47 2,556.17 2,055.30 2,103.58 1,687.38 1,316.96

2018 61,834.96 33,030.36 13,630.34 9,935.69 6,625.77 4,196.82 3,872.30 2,752.42 2,239.72 2,269.94 1,900.24 1,417.07

2019 64,896.55 37,154.05 14,798.75 10,662.30 6,955.31 4,472.95 4,201.80 2,979.12 2,378.10 2,462.70 2,130.03 1,523.08

2013 80,295 73,823 23,160 14,122 11,886 10,129 6,597 5,456 5,295 4,663 4,345 3,051

2014 82,762 73,233 24,654 14,354 12,880 10,641 6,962 5,855 5,635 4,987 4,706 3,263

2015 85,198 72,370 25,632 14,980 13,801 11,135 7,348 6,266 5,964 5,298 5,101 3,477

2016 88,485 74,252 26,834 15,776 14,813 11,756 7,772 6,746 6,338 5,691 5,574 3,726

2017 92,577 77,092 28,275 16,730 15,942 12,515 8,243 7,308 6,779 6,138 6,115 4,019

2018 96,978 82,549 29,820 17,756 17,188 13,360 8,751 7,932 7,264 6,606 6,696 4,342

2019 101,373 92,106 31,401 18,800 18,544 14,241 9,276 8,601 7,772 7,108 7,304 4,682

2013 5.711 6.413 9.991 6.371 2.105 6.595 2.933 2.624 2.185 0.382 2.359 2.955

2014 5.943 6.395 5.993 4.129 3.143 4.1 4.174 1.988 1.895 -0.24 1.025 3.852

2015 8.393 6.781 6.087 3.978 2.7 2.5 2.061 1.2 0.252 0 0.043 -0.307

2016 7.6 5.768 5.745 5.01 3 3.25 2.844 1.5 2.421 0.1 1.696 2.46

2017 5.825 4.796 5.623 5.5 3 3.45 3.752 2 2.2 0.1 1.866 3.016

2018 5.575 4.792 5.22 5.5 3 3.6 3.796 2.5 2.2 0.2 1.853 3.042

2012 105.498 67.451 62.191 48.527 56.249 45.44 37.295 48.036 40.585 28.878 22.96 2.36

2013 102.117 65.53 60.127 52.141 57.707 45.853 39.376 40.813 39.094 28.662 24.903 2.48

2014 98.751 64.958 62.508 58.734 56.95 47.168 41.061 39.722 37.228 29.543 25.027 2.615

2015 97.766 64.399 63.038 62.214 56.659 47.533 43.464 41.271 35.455 29.788 25.918 3.282

2016 95.173 63.343 65.367 64.39 54.849 47.163 46.184 42.387 33.794 29.524 25.747 2.953

2017 92.261 62.427 67.019 65.001 53.821 46.957 48.117 44.13 31.956 29.06 25.602 2.723

2018 89.546 61.377 67.395 64.78 52.068 46.965 49.236 45.811 30.273 28.641 25.165 2.513

2012 17.167 2.777 5.957 -0.402 2.568 5.782 -4.802 -2.657 -4.292 34.054 -11.003 -30.189

2013 17.894 4.184 5.553 -0.633 1.931 4.044 -1.728 -3.191 -5.088 34.503 -12.237 -28.947

2014 19.09 4.438 5.415 3.807 2.021 4.627 -1.438 -2.952 -7.18 23.561 -12.004 -24.892

2015 20.662 5.504 4.8 4.423 3.178 2.107 -1.274 -3.021 -6.988 -9.785 -10.028 -20.136

2016 18.849 4.995 4.862 2.371 3.176 1.412 -1.587 -2.945 -5.931 -5.595 -9.252 -16.274

2017 17.364 4.501 3.327 1.311 3.141 1.177 -1.82 -2.827 -4.695 -0.258 -8.326 -17.299

2018 16.231 4.002 1.698 0.774 3.095 1.006 -2.007 -2.729 -4.452 0.694 -7.198 -17.396

2019 15.268 3.497 0.861 0.846 3.118 1.211 -2.196 -2.613 -4.498 10.962 -6.722 -16.856

2012 1,354.04 1,227.19 244.468 95.8 88.762 67.956 50.537 29.518 14.864 6.646 5.312 0.4

2013 1,360.72 1,243.34 247.954 97.484 89.691 68.297 50.979 29.948 15.087 6.77 5.399 0.406

2014 1,367.82 1,259.70 251.49 99.434 90.63 68.657 51.419 30.262 15.313 6.898 5.47 0.413

2015 1,374.96 1,276.27 255.077 101.423 91.578 68.838 51.846 30.776 15.543 7.029 5.523 0.419

2016 1,382.13 1,293.06 258.714 103.451 92.537 68.981 52.254 31.299 15.776 7.163 5.562 0.426

2017 1,389.34 1,310.07 262.404 105.52 93.505 69.095 52.645 31.831 16.013 7.299 5.596 0.433

2018 1,396.59 1,327.30 266.146 107.631 94.484 69.182 53.019 32.373 16.253 7.438 5.631 0.44

2019 1,403.88 1,344.77 269.941 109.783 95.473 69.251 53.378 32.923 16.497 7.579 5.668 0.447

GDP Purchasing-power-parity per capita (countries ranked by 2015 size) Country Singapore Brunei Malaysia Thailand China Indonesia Philippines India Vietnam Laos Myanmar Cambodia

2008 63,394 71,918 18,975 11,674 7,400 7,637 5,115 3,789 3,924 3,268 3,086 2,346

2009 61,604 70,229 18,507 11,417 8,103 7,943 5,184 4,085 4,123 3,467 3,246 2,331

2010 70,598 71,671 19,767 12,387 9,013 8,433 5,550 4,496 4,396 3,719 3,435 2,462

2011 74,949 74,396 20,876 12,597 10,006 9,009 5,773 4,827 4,717 4,022 3,683 2,646

2012 76,988 75,220 22,104 13,592 10,923 9,587 6,171 5,095 5,001 4,335 3,989 2,841

(Current US$)

Inflation: average consumer prices (countries ranked by 2015 size) Country Myanmar Indonesia India Laos Malaysia Vietnam Philippines China Thailand Brunei Singapore Cambodia

2008 11.543 9.777 9.193 7.628 5.429 23.115 8.184 5.9 5.455 2.085 6.628 24.997

2009 2.246 5.047 10.604 0.034 0.597 6.717 4.213 -0.7 -0.85 1.043 0.597 -0.663

2010 8.222 5.14 9.534 5.984 1.72 9.207 3.784 3.3 3.28 0.216 2.823 3.997

2011 2.766 5.344 9.443 7.581 3.174 18.678 4.718 5.4 3.809 0.142 5.248 5.478

2012 2.829 3.981 10.249 4.259 1.664 9.103 3.171 2.646 3.015 0.108 4.576 2.925

2008 95.343 74.536 60.344 39.419 41.228 37.267 31.665 53.055 44.167 27.488 30.252 1.044

2009 99.684 72.527 63.204 46.898 52.8 45.217 35.794 55.085 44.343 28.981 26.483 1.23

2010 97.035 67.458 62.095 48.353 53.51 42.644 36.556 49.629 43.462 29.118 24.525 1.233

2011 100.979 68.096 56.902 46.717 54.205 41.693 36.469 49.387 41.412 28.689 23.106 2.362

Current Account Balance (countries ranked by 2015 size) Country Singapore Philippines Vietnam Thailand China Malaysia India Indonesia Myanmar Brunei Cambodia Laos

2008 14.432 0.085 -10.977 0.791 9.248 17.068 -2.28 0.022 -4.186 48.94 -6.62 -19.206

2009 16.819 5.012 -6.502 8.303 4.764 15.533 -2.796 1.84 -1.284 40.253 -6.917 -22.187

2010 23.663 3.598 -3.792 3.143 3.997 10.934 -2.813 0.702 -1.242 45.453 -6.847 -20.013

Population ASEAN+2 (countries ranked by 2015 size) Country China India Indonesia Philippines Vietnam Thailand Myanmar Malaysia Cambodia Lao P.D.R. Singapore Brunei

2008 1,328.02 1,162.00 231.006 90.5 85.119 66.533 48.983 27.6 13.941 6.139 4.839 0.375

2009 1,334.50 1,178.13 234.3 91 86.025 66.953 49.334 28.082 14.144 6.268 4.988 0.38

2010 1,340.91 1,194.62 237.641 92.6 86.933 67.341 49.708 28.589 14.365 6.396 5.077 0.387

2020 5.075 4.792 5.027 5.5 3 3.8 3.579 3 2.2 0.1 1.771 3.165

2019 90.783 60.256 69.324 64.055 50.348 47.337 49.76 47.66 28.74 28.324 24.706 2.191

2020 92.033 59.193 70.828 63.157 48.406 47.63 49.794 49.551 27.367 28.072 24.184 2.044

(Percentage of GDP)

2011 1,347.35 1,210.98 241.03 94.2 87.84 67.638 50.11 29.062 14.605 6.521 5.184 0.393

2019 5.325 4.792 4.997 5.5 3 3.75 3.696 3 2.2 0.098 1.811 2.918

(Percentage of GDP)

2011 21.993 2.518 0.173 2.571 1.861 11.569 -4.241 0.189 -1.942 36.39 -10.166 -17.284

2020 106,049 97,032 33,061 19,887 20,004 15,177 9,830 9,328 8,314 7,636 7,959 5,048

(Percentage change year-on-year)

General Government Gross Debt (countries ranked by 2015 size) Country Singapore India Laos Vietnam Malaysia Thailand China Myanmar Philippines Cambodia Indonesia Brunei

2020 68,351.42 39,200.15 16,074.40 11,449.16 7,271.29 4,772.33 4,554.30 3,225.90 2,521.50 2,671.50 2,379.99 1,637.41

2020 14.513 2.996 0.256 0.682 2.996 1.436 -2.463 -2.591 -4.883 12.375 -5.32 -14.852

(million persons) 2020 1,411.21 1,362.46 273.791 111.979 96.472 69.305 53.722 33.483 16.744 7.723 5.703 0.454

Source: IMF, World Economic Outlook Database, April 2015

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Chamber Events

BCCT Life & Style Garden Party 19 March 2015 On Thursday 19 March more than 300 BCCT members and guests enjoyed the best of British music, cars, motorcycles, food and drinks at the BCCT Life & Style Party in the garden of the British Embassy.

Thank you to our sponsors.

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Chamber Events

Taste of Britain Launch

BCCT It’s Not A Pub Night

25 February 2015

5 March 2015

On 25 February the BCCT, in partnership with Central Food Retail, launched the “Taste of Britain 2015: Food is GREAT” campaign to promote quality British food and drink products across all Central Food Hall and Tops market in Thailand.

CheckInn99 kindly hosted BCCT’s It’s Not a Pub Night (INAPN) on Thursday 5 March.

- Mark Kent, Britain’s Ambassador to Thailand, demonstrated his cooking skills with a smoked salmon Welsh rarebit creation alongside Pongtawat ‘Ian Kittichai’ Chalermkittichai, an award-winning chef, author and TV personality. BCCT is grateful for support received from British Airways and the Landmark Hotel with sponsorship of air tickets and accommodation to London for the campaign’s lucky draw winner.

- Chris Catto-Smith, owner of CheckInn99 and Chris Thatcher, BCCT Vice Chairman

BCCT SME Seminar

BCCT One-Day Workshop

10 March 2015

12 March 2015

BCCT members attend the Chamber’s first SME Seminar held on Tuesday 10 March at the British Business Centre.

This session allowed members to highlight concerns that they have and how BCCT can help address them.

Peter Cauwelier (fourth from left), Managing Director of World Institute for Action Learning, led BCCT’s One-Day Workshop covering the topic ‘Leading the Questions’ on Thursday 12 March at Holiday Inn Silom.

- The BCCT SME Seminar attracted a large audience.

- BCCT One-Day Workshops always attract good support from BCCT members.

Thank you to our sponsors.

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Chamber Events

Phuket Business Dinner

BCCT/RICS P&I Presentation

12 March 2015

17 March 2015

BCCT in cooperation with FTCC, GTCC, TICC and NTCC, welcomed Christopher Bruton (centre), Executive Director of Dataconsult Ltd, as a guest speaker for the Phuket Business Dinner on Thursday 12 March.

On Tuesday 17 March BCCT in collaboration with RICS hosted the P&I Evening Presentation on ‘PV Solar Energy in Thailand – The Next Phase: New Market Segments, New Opportunities’.

- Guest speaker Christopher Bruton (centre) pictured with BCCT Executive Director Greg Watkins (right) and dinner guests.

From left: - Ali Adam, BCCT director and chairman of BCCT P&I Group; - Raymond Schonfeld, Director of Single Market Ventures; - Dr. Sopitsuda Tongsopit, Energy Research Institute of Chulalongkorn University; - Dr. Dusit Kruangam, Chairman of the Thai Photovoltaic Industries Association and Ian Hamilton, RICS Director

Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard

BCCT One-Day Workshop

20 March 2015

24 March 2015

BCCT Chairman Simon Matthews (third from left) represented BCCT at the Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard Networking Evening hosted by AustCham on Friday 20 March at Centara Grand Phratamnak Pattaya.

Laurie Smith, Director of Advance Learning & Development, facilitated BCCT’s One-Day Workshop on ‘Advanced Presentation Skills’ at the Rembrandt Hotel on Tuesday 24 March.

- Thanks to Centara GM Carl Duggan (second from left) for kindly providing the venue for this successful event.

- Laurie Smith

Thank you to our sponsors.

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Chamber Events

BCCT ICT Boardroom Briefing

BCCT Half-Day Workshop

25 March 2015

1 April 2015

On Wednesday 25 March Andrew Smith, Director of Computer Forensics Services, Orion Investigations, presented at the BCCT ICT Boardroom Briefing on Insights into Cyber-Crime Investigations

Members and non-members joined BCCT’s Half-Day Workshop on Wednesday 1 April covering the topic ‘Secrets of Successful Communication’.

- Andrew Smith

- Facilitator Neil Stoneham, Director of Voxtree.

BCCT After Hours

BCCT Bangkok Angels

2 April 2015

4 April 2015

White Ball Academy kindly hosted BCCT After Hours on Thursday 2 April.

Sponsored by Cornerstone, BCCT Bangkok Angels football team finished runners-up in the Masters Cup at the Easter Football Tournament. The team also played a friendly against Kuala Lumpur International on Saturday 4 April.

- Stephane Taib (left), Managing Director of White Ball and Chris Thatcher, BCCT Vice Chairman.

- Greg Watkins (left) with team mates in the successful BCCT Bangkok Angels team.

Thank you to our sponsors.

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Chamber Events

BCCT/AustCham Special Luncheon

BCCT-MBMG Insights

22 April 2015

22 April 2015

Dr. Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Thai Political Scientist and a Professor at Chulalongkorn University was guest speaker at the BCCT/AustCham Special Luncheon on ‘Thailand’s Coups, Constitutions and Way Forward’ on Wednesday 22 April at Lebua at State Tower.

Scott Campbell, Managing Director of MitonOptimal, and Paul Gambles, Managing Director of MBMG Investment Advisory, were guest speakers for BCCT-MBMG Insights presentation on Wednesday 22 April at the BBC.

- Dr. Thitinan Pongsudhirak

- Scott Campbell address the audience.

3rd Thursday Networking Evening

ESB Evening Presentation

23 April 2015

24 April 2015

The Landmark Bangkok kindly hosted the T3+1 Networking Evening at Rendezvous Bar on Thursday 23 April.

Graham Catterwell presented at the Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard Evening Presentation on the Thai Political Update on Friday 24 April at the Centara Grand Mirage Pattaya.

- Pictured from left are BCCT Business Development Manager Jina Phenix, Colin Hastings of The BigChilli, BCCT Vice Chairman Chris Thatcher and The Landmark Bangkok General Manager Douglas Glen. Many thanks to sponsors The Landmark and Focus Development & Construction.

- Graham Catterwell

Thank you to our sponsors.

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Chamber Events

Joint Chambers ESB Networking

ASEAN Economic Briefing

24 April 2015

28 April 2015

BCCT hosted the Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard Networking Evening on Friday 24 April at the Centara Grand Mirage Pattaya. Many thanks to our sponsors Kingdom Property, Bromsgrove International School, Asian Tigers Mobility and Centara Grand Mirage.

On Tuesday 28 April, Peter Mumford, SE Asia Regional Director for Economic and Trade Policy at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, was guest speaker for BCCT’s ASEAN Economic Briefing in collaboration with the British Embassy Bangkok.

- Pictured from left are BCCT Vice Chairman Chris Thatcher, Resident Manager of Centara Grand Mirage Miguel Maldonado and BCCT Chairman Simon Matthews.

- Peter Mumford

Joint Chambers ESB Dinner

Joint Chambers Breakfast Talk

29 April 2015

7 May 2015

The Joint Chambers ESB Dinner on ‘Social Media: Making the Most of a Marketing Opportunity”’ was held on Wednesday 29 April at the Centara Grand Mirage Pattaya. Thanks to sponsors ManpowerGroup Thailand and Durham Duplex.

Khun Roengsak Tongsom, Director of Railway Network Development Division from the Office of Transport and Policy & Planning (OTP) at the Ministry of Transport presented on Urban and Inter-City Railway Development Plan on Thursday 7 May.

- Dr. Ian Fenwick, Advisor & Professor of Marketing, Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration, Chulalongkorn University gives presentation at the event.

- Khun Roengsak Tongsom

Thank you to our sponsors.

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Chamber Events

BCCT’s UK General Election Breakfast

Joint WSB Networking Evening

8 May 2015

8 May 2015

On Friday 8 May British Ambassador Mark Kent (3rd from left) and his wife Martine Delogne (2nd from left) attended the BCCT’s Special UK General Election breakfast at the Westin Hotel.

Another successful Joint Chambers Western Seaboard Networking Evening on Friday 8 May at Red Piano. Many thanks to Anthony Kelly (fourth from left) of Red Piano and Hot Property for generous support.

From left: - Greg Watkins, BCCT Executive Director - Mrs Martine Delogne

- All smiles at the BCCT Western Seaboard event at Red Piano.

- Ambassador Mark Kent - BCCT Vice Chairman Chris Thatcher

BCCT SME Seminar

Joint ESB Networking Evening

12 May 2015

15 May 2015

The Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) Acting Director General Dr. Wimonkan Kosumas, addressed members on ‘Role of OSMEP and How it can Assist BCCT Members’ at the British Business Centre on Tuesday 12 May.

Chris Thatcher, BCCT Vice Chairman (left), Mark Bowling, BCCT Eastern Seaboard Group Chairman (2nd from left) and BCCT Chairman Simon Matthews (3rd from left) represented BCCT attended the Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard Networking Evening hosted by AMCHAM on Friday 15 May at Hilton Pattaya

- Dr. Wimonkan Kosumas

- This Joint Chambers event was very well attended.

Thank you to our sponsors.

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Chamber Events

Taste of Britain 2015 Lucky Winner

3rd Thursday Networking Evening

May 2015

21 May 2015

BCCT, in partnership with Central Food Retail, held the ‘Taste of Britain 2015: Food is GREAT’ campaign from 25 February to 25 March 2015 to promote quality British food and drink products across all Central Food Hall and Tops market in Thailand.

Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park kindly hosted the T3 Networking Evening at Panorama Restaurant on Thursday 21 May.

- Many congratulations to Khun Tanapan Tillson (centre), prizewinner in the Taste of Britain 2015 Lucky Draw. Many thanks to British Airways and the Landmark Hotel for sponsoring the air tickets to London and accommodation.

- Pictured from left are BCCT Board Director Stephen Frost, Colin Hastings of The BigChilli, Sisi Kochakorn Sookprayoch of Meinhardt (Thailand) and BCCT Chairman Simon Matthews. Many thanks to sponsors Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park and Focus Development & Construction.

Half-Day Thai Language Workshop

BCCT/AustCham P&I Presentation

27 May 2015

27 May 2015

Pachara Yongjiranon (pictured), Corporate Trainer & Presentation Coach at SpeakPro Training, held a successful HalfDay Thai Language Workshop on ‘SpeakPro Telesales Skills’ at the British Business Centre on Wednesday 27 May.

On Wednesday 27 May, BCCT in collaboration with AustCham hosted the Property & Infrastructure Evening Presentation on ‘Yangon’s Unique Heritage’ with guest speaker David Gole (centre) from Conrad Gargett Architects.

- This session had over 30 participants and provided an insight into his upcoming two-day workshop with BCCT.

- Pictured from left are BCCT Vice-Chairman Simon Landy, AustCham Executive Director Alex Cullum, guest speaker David Gole, Meinhardt Associate Director John Mugford, and BCCT Director Stephen Frost.

Thank you to our sponsors.

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Chamber Events

BCCT-Manpower Bangkok Masters Football Tournament 30-31 May 2015 BCCT-Manpower Bangkok Masters Football Tournament took place on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May. It was a great success with 26 multi-national amateur teams competing in four age groups. Many thanks ManpowerGroup Thailand, Samitivej, Tesco Lotus and ThaiBev for their generous support.

Thank you to our sponsors.

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Comings and Goings The British Chamber of Commerce Thailand welcomes the following new members:

R.S.V.P. 076 344 311 /T h e 9 t h F l o o r w w w. t h e 9 t h f l o o r. c o m

9th Floor Restaurant and Bar RB Co.,Ltd. (Head Office) 47/261-263 Rat-U-Thid 200 Pee Rd. Sky Inn Condotel, Patong, Kathu Phuket 83150 Tel: +66 (0) 76-344-311 Fax: +66 (0) 76-344-030 Email: contact@the9thfloors.com Website: www.the9thfloors.com

Representative: Mr. Thomas Brack - General Manager Business Activity: Enjoy the elegance and intimacy, the superb Swiss and Mediterranean menu, the extensive wine and drinks selection, the stunning views over Patong and the Andaman Sea, the welcoming bar and the knowledgeable attention and service of our retinue of beautiful ‘angel’ waitresses at 9th Floor Restaurant and Bar located deep in the heart of Patong.

9th Floor has built a deserved international reputation as one of the finest, most sophisticated restaurants in southern Thailand which keeps our vast clientele of loyal customers coming back year after year. No wonder we are renowned as the home of Heavenly Food and Drink Served by Angels.

Avon Automotive UK Holdings Ltd. 5/6, Westpoint Business Park, Bumpers Farm, Chippenham Wiltshire SN14 6RB United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 12 4970 7300 Fax: +44 (0) 12 4970 7301 Email: andy.smith@avonauto.com Website: www.mgicoutier.com Representative: Mr. Andy Smith - Project Manager, Thailand Business Activity: Avon Automotive is a leading international supplier to a broad range of engine 70

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markets. With over 30 years of experience Avon Automotive is proud to offer cost competitive, environmental friendly solutions with exceptional quality for the following markets: • • • • • • • •

Automotive Heavy Truck/Bus Commercial/Construction Agricultural Small Engine/Recreational Marine Defence Rail

Avon Automotive is a division of the MGI Coutier Group: A direct supplier to manufacturers (OEM) in the automotive and heavy goods vehicle industries, the MGI COUTIER Group develops and offers worldrenowned expertise in two principal areas: the transfer of fluids, and mechanisms.

With a presence spanning the whole world, our teams offer all of their dynamism, ambition, and rigour to propose and put into practice innovative, reliable, and quality solutions.

Aziam Burson-Marsteller Co., Ltd. 16th Floor, Alma Link Building 25 Soi Chidlom, Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Tel: +66 2252-9871 Fax: +66 2254-8353 Email: activelearning@abm.co.th Website: www.abmactivelearning.com

Representative: Mr. Tom Poldre - Director, Training and Development Mr. Jeremy Plotnick - Knowledge Director Business Activity: Aziam Burson-Marsteller (ABM), a leading global public relations consultancy, takes pride in its record of delivering results through a full range of marketing and corporate communications disciplines.

ABM serves a broad base of well-known multinational and Thai clients from the packaged goods, technology, healthcare, telecommunications, financial, energy and industrial sectors.

Burson-Marsteller has been active in Thailand since 1986, with ABM becoming its Thai-owned affiliate in 1998. Integrated into the firm’s worldwide network, ABM builds upon Burson-Marsteller’s reputation and resources to apply global best practices with professional expertise locally.

ABM’s “Active Learning” practice is a specialized training enterprise providing relevant, customized programs for business leaders and professional communicators.

ABM Active Learning workshops – from media and presentation skills, issues and crisis management, to brand marketing – reflect proven adult education principles by providing the right balance between theory and hands-on practice.

Chewathai Plc. 1168/80, Lumpini Tower, 27th Floor Rama lV Road, Tungmahamek Sathorn, Bangkok 10120 Tel: +66 2679-8870-4 Fax: +66 2679-8875 Email: jirathar@chewathai.com Website: www.chewathai.com Representative: Mr. Jirathar Woraprangul - Manager Industrial Business Mr. Rapeepong Arsirapornpong - Senior Sale Executives

CPM Asia Sales & Marketing Group Level 7A, Pico Creative Centre, 20 Kallang Avenue , Singapore 339411 T: +66 (0) 2662 3808 Email: nick.conway@cpm-int.com Website: www.th.cpm-int.com

Representative: Mr. Nick Conway - Managing Director Mobile: +66 (0)925 607 002 Business Activity: CPM is one of the world’s largest outsourced sales and marketing companies.

As a member of major international marketing services network, the Omnicom Group, CPM Thailand, based in Bangkok, brings to the marketplace a local solution with unrivalled global experience and knowledge as customer acquisition, sales and brand activation specialists.

We are part of a worldwide group with over 30 offices around the globe. Our Mission is to grow our clients’ business by using

insight to create influence & drive sales. We operate on a single or multi-country basis, on either long term or tactical campaigns.

Whether you need an innovative sales campaign, outbound direct sales or local sampling event, we are happy to help. Our promise to you is fresh, creative thinking from the team who care about every single sale as much as you do.

Design 103 International Ltd. 219/28-31, Asoke Towers Office Bldg, Soi Asoke, Sukhumvit 21 Road Khet Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 (0)2260-0160 Fax: +66 (0) 2259-0489 Email: d103group.com Website: www.d103group.com

Representative: Mr. Wayne Kaleta - Vice President Business Activity: Design 103 Limited, established since 1968, is an independent consulting firm of Architects, engineers, planners and interior designers capable of providing a wide variety of professional services in the areas of master planning, feasibility studies, large scale architectural design, interior design and landscape design. Consultancy services in civil, structural, mechanical and electrical design as well as in project management and construction supervision are also provided.

With its long standing experience, Design 103i and its affiliates, Interior Architecture 103 Co. Ltd., Management 103 Co. Ltd. and Chuchawal Royal Haskoning Ltd are ready to support to our clients in enhancing society together.

Designing Leaders, LLC 745 Kyles Mill Road Buchanan, Virginia 24066 United States of America Tel: +1 (571) 249-4551 Email: wthomas@designingleaders.com Website: www.designingleaders.com

Business Activity: Designing Leaders, LLC, is a US-based company offering leadership development training throughout Asia. Our goal is to help you build leaders who can grow your company rather than maintaining business as usual.

We have identified critical leadership challenges that can limit a company’s growth in this region, and through public seminars and in-house workshops we help leaders and managers develop the specific skills necessary to overcome those obstacles.

The best way to get the strongest performance from your workforce and overcome the limits of Asia’s tight talent markets is to help your leadership create a great environment for your employees.

The Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai 51/4, Moo 1 Chiang Mai-Sankampaeng Road, T. Tasala, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50000 Tel: +66 (0) 53 888 888 Fax: +66 (0) 53 888 938 Email: sales@dharadhevi.com Website: www.dharadhevi.com

Representative: Mr. Andrew Quinlan - General Manager Business Activity: The resort’s unique design draws from the region’s rich architectural and cultural heritage that flourished during the Lanna period, which lasted from the mid-13th century until the mid-16th century, and enjoyed a further resurgence in the last 200 years.

Offering some of the world’s most spacious and exclusive accommodation, the 123 luxurious villas, colonial suites and signature residences have been sympathetically crafted in keeping with traditional Lanna architectural styles. They feature extensive museum-quality artifacts, sumptuous Thai silks and local hill-tribe textiles, spacious terraces, some of which incorporate private plunge pools or swimming pools.

The exquisitely designed interiors seamlessly blend age-old tradition with modern convenience and high technology. These essential elements contribute to an overall atmosphere of unparalleled luxury and serenity.

E&O Service Thailand Co., Ltd. Eastern and Oriental Express 1249/217, Gems Tower Building 37th Floor, Charoen Krung Road, Suriyawong, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Tel: +66 2267-4670 Email: nicolas.pillet@belmond.com Website: www.belmond.com/eastern-andoriental-express/ Representative: Mr. Nicolas Pillet - General Manager Mr. Gary Franklin - Managing Director

Hill Risk Consulting (Thailand) Limited 139 Sethiwan Tower, 6th Floor Room C, Pan Road, Silom, Bangrak Bangkok 10500 Tel: + 66 (0) 635-1919 Fax: + 66 (0) 635-1911 Email: mark.rowley@hill-assoc.com Website: www.hill-assoc.com/

Representative: Mr. Mark Rowley, Regional Director Brand Protection SE Asia Mr. Stephen Jones, Director Compliance & Investigations Business Activity: Hill & Associates is a leading risk management and security consulting group in Asia providing full services to clients to protect their personnel, property, proprietary information, and corporate reputation.

Established in 1999, H&A operates in 15 countries throughout Asia and the Middle East.

The Group’s strength lies in its management team and carefully selected and highly resourceful local nationals who deliver risk management, emergency, continuity and contingency planning, protective security, commercial inquiries and brand protection services to a broad spectrum multinational client base.

Hill & Associates’s Bangkok office covers the whole Indochina region, including Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, where it has established a representative office since 2008.

Hill & Associates is a wholly owned subsidiary of G4S PLC, the largest security services company in the world.

Representative: Dr. William Thomas - Chief Teaching Officer The Link

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JJ-Muntons (Thailand) Ltd. 23/110, Sorachai Building, 25th Floor, Soi Sukhumvit 63 (Ekamai) Sukhumvit Road, Kwaeng Klongton Nua Khet Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 2787-8910 Email: jj_muntons@jjsea.com Website: www.ingredients.jjsea.com

Mitre Sports International Pentland Brands, Pentland Centre, Lakeside, Squires Lane Finchley N3 2QL United Kingdom

Representative: Mr. Colin Whitehouse - General Manager The Kingsbourne Group Co., Ltd. 23/147, Naithon Beach Road Sakoo, Thalang, Phuket 83110 Tel: +66 (0) 87 881 6060 Fax: +66 (0) 76 336 701 Email: sthughes@kingsbournegroup.com Website: www.pearlofnaithon.com/ Representative: Mr. Stephen T Hughes - Managing Director Ms. Kannika Kosing - Manager

The Lancaster Bangkok 1777, New Petchburi Road, Bangkok 10310 Tel: +66 2252-4242 Fax: +66 2652-7877 Email: woraporn.l@lancasterbangkok.com Website: www.lancasterbangkok.com

Representative: Mr. Marc Greene - VP - Strategic Customers Business Activity: Established in 1817, Mitre has been around since the dawn of professional sport and is still present whenever sport is played; at school, in the park, on the court, inside the stadium. Mitre is the proud sponsor of the English Football League, The Suzuki Cup and the American Professional Futsal League.

Optimus Oil and Gas Engineering Ltd. One Pacific Place, Suite 1702, Level 17 140 Sukhumvit Road, Klongtoey Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 (0) 2653-0272 Fax: +66 (0) 2653-0277 Email: david.morton@optimusoge.com Website: www.optimusoge.com

Representative: Mr. Simon Mahnon - General Manager Mr. Tosaporn Sihanatkathakul - Executive Director Business Activity: The Lancaster Bangkok will effortlessly blend contemporary design and modern style with traditional Thai elegance. This independent luxury hotel will offer the highest levels of professional, warm and friendly service in an iconic setting. Opening in late 2015, this five star property will include luxurious guest bedrooms, an opulent grand ballroom, state of the art meeting rooms for between 8 and 500 delegates, a deluxe club floor, a scenic rooftop pool and cocktail bar, extensive leisure facilities, and a tranquil Spa. Perfectly located for the city and the expressway, the Lancaster Bangkok will be a perfect addition to the city’s vibrant hotel scene.

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Oxford Business Group 131, Great Titchfield St. London W1W5BB United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 20-7403-7213 Fax: +44 (0) 17-3026-0274 Website: www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com

Representative: Ms. Tanya Naydukh - Country Director Business Activity: Oxford Business Group (OBG) is a UK based publishing, research, and consultancy firm. OBG is one of the most established and respected publishers of economic and political intelligence for 38 countries across Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Asia and The Report is OBGs flagship publication�. OBG is now working on the fifth research of Thailand economy.

Peak Scientific UK Fountain Crescent, Inchinnan Business Park, Inchinnan Scotland PA4 9RE Tel: +44 (0) 141 530 4170 Fax: +44 (0) 788 003 2304 Representative: Ms. Lynne Dytch - Financial Analyst

Representative: Mr. David John Morton - Director Business Activity: Optimus Oil and Gas Engineering is an independent design consultancy with extensive experience in serving the upstream and downstream energy business. Based in Bangkok and supported by Optimus Aberdeen in the UK, the Optimus group are active in South East Asia, the UK sector of the North Sea, Europe, the Former Soviet Union, the Middle East and offshore West Africa. We have engineers with experience in oil and gas operational support as well as in the delivery of both Greenfield and Brownfield projects. Since establishment in 2010, Optimus OGE have performed studies for all of the major oil companies operating in Thailand.

Our main areas of expertise are in offshore and onshore conceptual and front-end process engineering, safety and risk man-

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agement, strategic developments, decision making and project support. For more information on services we can provide, please visit www.optimusoge.com

Phatra Securities Public Company Limited 6,8-11/F Muang Thai-Phatra Office Tower 1 252/6 Ratchadapisek Road Huaykwang, Bangkok 10310 Tel: +66 (0) 2305 9579 Fax: +66 (0) 2305 9520 Website: www.phatrasecurities.com/th/ contact.php

Representative: Mr. Maethee Chandavimol - Vice President Ms. Kulnan Tsanthaiwo - Managing Director

Business Activity: Phatra Securities, a subsidiary of the Phatra Capital Public Company Limited, has been established since 1997 and remains one of the leading securities companies in Thailand with respect to investment banking business and the provision of brokerage services to institutional clients. Phatra Securities provides a broad range of financial services and currently operates five of eight types of securities businesses for which it has received approval from the Ministry of Finance: brokerage, dealer, underwriter, securities borrowing and lending, and investment advisory. Phatra Securities is also authorized to operate in mutual-fund management and venture capital. In addition, Phatra Securities runs two different derivatives businesses under the authority of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand (“SEC”), namely brokerage and dealer, but also has approval to operate as a derivatives advisor and fund manager. In 2005, Phatra Securities became a member of the Thailand Futures Exchange Public Company Limited (“TFEX”).

Phatra Securities also has registered as a Financial Advisor Type A with the Ministry of Finance, and financial advisor with the SEC. Phatra Securities is the member number 6 of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (“SET”).

Phatra Securities has also continued its collaboration with Bank of America Merrill Lynch (“Merrill Lynch”) since 2003. This covers research, securities brokerage agency, and investment banking. Phatra Securities and Merrill Lynch are exclusive partners in terms of research distribution, with Phatra Securities providing research on Thai companies and securities, the economy, politics, capital market, financial market and other industries in Thailand. For securities brokerage, Phatra Securities and Merrill Lynch work closely together under similar operation platforms.

For investment banking, Phatra Securities and Merrill Lynch collaborate in terms of consultancy, cross-border transactions, undocumented block trades that require international agency and international mergers & acquisitions excluding Futures Exchange Brokerage.

Precision 21 Ltd P21 HQ PO Box 757, Altrincham Cheshire WA15 8BT, United Kingdom T: +44(0)161 620 0410 F: +44(0)161 627 0507 E: joe@k2jwm.fsnet.co.uk W: www.precision21.co.uk

Business Activity: Precision 21 Ltd is a specialist engineering group of companies based in the UK, incorporating a selection of high quality manufacturers.

Precision 21’s Group Chief Executive, Joe Murray, will be visiting Thailand (Bangkok) on 25th and 26th May, as well as other countries within the ASEAN, in which we aim to identify and capture trading opportunities in South East Asia, whilst maintaining integrity, accountability and respect at all times.

Precision 21 Ltd will be representing two of its subsidiaries on the visit; Instruments To Industry Ltd and Sterling Sensors Ltd

PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting (Thailand) Ltd. 179/74-80, Bangkok City Tower 15th Floor, South Sathorn Road Thungmahamek, Sathorn Bangkok 10120 Tel: +66 2344-1000 Fax: +66 2286-4440 Website: www.pwc.com/th/en/consulting

Safeguard Electronic Systems Ltd. (Thermatek) Unit 5A, Station Yard, Station Road, Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 0DY United Kingdom Tel:+44 (0)148 868 4888 Representative: Mr. Derek Lawrence, Director Business Activity: Designers and manufacturers of low voltage frost heave and condensation prevention system for the Industrial Cold Storage community. Protecting cold store floors, doors, ramps, stanchions and door thresholds from frost or ice build-up. Thermatek supply many countries around the world with life long and strong products.

All products made in Hungerford England.

We try to help so if you install or own walk in cold rooms/freezers please contact us: derek@thermatek.co.uk

Senzati Limited The Senzati Jet Centre, Conventry Airport South, Siskin Parkway West Conventry, West Midlands CV3 4PB United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 84 5519 9007 Representative: Mr. Dave Clark - Managing Director

Representative: Mr. Vorapong Sutanont, Partner Business Activity: At PwC Consulting, we design strategies to help you innovate, grow, reduce cost, manage risk & regulation and leverage talent. We help you execute them, deliver value and ensure long term success by creating sustainable solutions that work for you. We understand our clients’ industries and unique business challenges, and look across the entire organization—focusing on strategy, structure, people, process and technology—to help you build your next competitive advantage. Our team in Thailand has strong networks with the PwC South East Asia Consulting. By bringing our expertise across the region, we are able to seamlessly address your challenges in every market. No matter where you are based or where you do business, we are with you every step of the way.

We can help you work smarter and grow faster – work with you to solve your complex and day-to-day problems, from strategy through execution.

Business Activity: Put simply, Senzati design and build the world’s finest luxury VIP people carriers. British designed and British built, the Senzati Jet™ Sprinter is unique; from the exclusive mid-ships cabin door & two metre glass roof to the sumptuous custom built seats & furniture. Whether you are travelling for business and making use of the connected mobile office, taking friends out for dinner, making use of the 600 mile uninterrupted fuel range or simply relaxing with movies en-route (it can even boast a private bathroom), the Senzati Jet™ Sprinter is, undeniably, the optimum way to be chauffeured by road. For people that require a smaller vehicle the new Senzati Jet Class™ is based upon the MercedesBenz V Class.

ShaSa Resort & Residences, Koh Samui 116/1, Moo 2, Mared, Koh Samui, Suratthani 84310 Tel: +66 (0) 77 913 888 Fax: +66 (0) 77 913 899 Email: unforgettable@shasahotels.com Website: www.shasahotels.com PANTONE : Warm Red C

C :0 Y : 90

M : 75 K :0

Representative: Mr. Joe Murray, Group Chief Executive The Link

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you an overview of your development and offer advice from possible improvements with design, finishing, pricing and possible cost cutting, to improve your profit margins.

Representative: Mr. Chanwit Modsompong - Asst. Marketing Manager Email: chanwit@aqestate.com Business Activity: ShaSa Resort & Residences, Koh Samui, the only boutique beachfront suites on Koh Samui. Located on the peaceful and dream-like Laem Set beach in the south of Samui, based on the concept of ‘Uncommon Luxury’.

The 32 Seaview Suites, from 130 - 260 sq.m. of 1-3 Bedroom providing fullyequipped kitchen, dining area, living room, washer/dryer and spacious sea-view balcony. Indulge yourself with our finest facilities: 3 free-form swimming pool including 1 Hydrotherapy system pool, Spa, Sauna, Health Club, Kids Club, Painting Class and Authentic Thai cuisine restaurant.

Study Group (UK) Ltd. 1202, Park Ventures Ecoplex, Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330 Tel: +66 2624-0808 Email: scarter@studygroup.com Website: www.studygroup.com Representative: Mr. Stephen Carter – Director

TCH Hua Hin Co., Ltd. 132/15, Borfai Lane, Borfai Hua Hin, Prachuapkhirikhan 77110 Tel: +66 (0) 87 108 9582 Website: www.tchhuahin.com

Representative: Mr. Grahame Beecham - Managing Director Ms. Jantra Beecham - Director / Owner Business Activity: “One Stop Shop” for Developments a Turnkey Solution. We offer a service from the concept, to planning, to completion, along with the sales and marketing for the development. TCH can assist with the planning, design and the construction of the development along with the sales and marketing offering a complete “One Shop Service” turnkey solution for anyone planning to build a development. As well as sales and marketing TCH can use their experience to give

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Thailand Privilege Card Co., Ltd. 110/2, North Sathorn Road Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Tel: +66 2353-4000 Fax: +66 2233-5999 Email: info@thailandelite.com Website: www.thailandelite.com

University of the West of England Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane Bristol BS16 1QY United Kingdom Tel:+44 117328 2766 Website: www.uwe.ac.uk Email contact person in Thailand: Ray. Priest@uwe.ac.uk

Representative: Mr. Ray Priest, International Partnerships Manager Mr. David Gee, Global Careers Consultant Representative: Pol.Maj.Gen. Thirayuth Tumsaroj, Board Member and President (Acting) Business Activity: THAILAND ELITE has been set up to bestow the best benefits and privileges upon its honoured guests. It is the world’s first and finest country membership programme granting you unforgettable access to the best that Thailand boasts: challenging golf courses, relaxing spas, amiable hotels, and much more for immigration, business and leisure. With the world’s famous Thai heritage and hospitality, you are bound to be pampered and indulged as an exclusive THAILAND ELITE member having an entire country at your service. Join our programme to make to most of your valuable time in the Land of Smiles.

Tropical Landscaping International Co., Ltd. 19/9 Moo 7, Srisoonthorn Road, Sirsoonthorn, Thalang, Phuket 83110 Tel: +66 76-620-099 Fax: +66 76-620-098 Email: www.tropical-landscaping.com Website:info@tropical-landscaping.com Representative: Ms. Emily Gerrard - General Manager Mr. Ben Davis - Head Consultant - Asia Pacific Business Activity: TLI are an internationally recognized, full service golf course and landscape company that provide premium quality landscape design, construction, maintenance, consultation and training services for golf courses, hotels and resorts in the Asia Pacific region.

Business Activity: • Almost 30,000 students study with us at any one time.

• UWE Bristol ranks 49 in The Guardian University 2015 league tables.

• 95% of UWE Bristol graduates are in work or further study six months after graduating (Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, published 2014).

• We were named the UK’s Best University Careers/Employability Service (National Undergraduate Employability Awards 2014).

• Nearly 5,000 students study UWEawarded programmes with our partner institutions.

• We are investing £220 million in improving students’ experiences and developing new facilities over the next few years.

• UWE Bristol has close relationships with many leading employers including the BBC, Microsoft, HP, Santander and Siemens.

Resignations & cancellations 1. Continent Hotel Bangkok, The 2. George Strampp, Mr. ( individual member) 3. Gimson Co., Ltd. 4. Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit 5. Hotel Muse Bangkok 6. IDP Education Services 7. Inis Communication 8. Laguna Resorts & Hotels Public Co., Ltd. 9. M & S Telecom Co., Ltd. 10. Mackenzie Smith Co., Ltd 11. Marsh PB Co., Ltd. 12. Medifoods (Thailand) Co., Ltd. 13. Mentor International Company Limited 14. Merck Ltd. 15. Safer Phuket

16. Sansiri PLC. 17. Somboon Advance Technology Public Co., Ltd. 18. Stephen W Golsby, Mr. ( individual member) 19. Thermaflex Insulation Asia Co., Ltd. 20. WB&CO 21. Xpotential (Thailand) Company Ltd

Change of company representatives 1. Akando and Akando Real Estate Co.,Ltd., changed from Mr. Witsarut Panjawong, to Mr. Joel Richard Feldman 2. Allen & Overy (Thailand) Co., Ltd., changed from Mr. Simon Makinson, to Mr. Stephen Jaggs 3. Conrad Bangkok, The., changed from Mr. Harald Feurstein, to Mr. Herman J. Ehrlich 4. Hospitality Marketing Concepts (HMC), changed from Mrs. Sharon Williams Thorp, to Ms. Nasma Pinyaluck Akarachokvirat 5. Lee Hecht Harrison DBM, changed from Ms. Anne Hutton, to Mr. Leigh Scott-Kemmis 6. Lloyd’s Register Asia, changed from Mr. Anon Thien-Ngern to Mr. Kittipong Sirikhet

7. Lloyd’s Register Asia, changed from Mr. Kittipong Sirikhet, to Ms. Pornphan Sirisomrithikul 8. Marsh PB Co., Ltd., changed from Mr. Duncan Buchanan to Mr. Tarate Poshyananda 9. Pullman Bangkok Hotel G, changed from Mr. Dan Benzaquen, to Mr. Tony Chisholm 10. Siam Piwat Co., Ltd., changed from Mr. Chollachat Meksupha, to Mr. Dan Tantisunthorn

Change of company name 1. Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, changed to, Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel 2. Michael Page changed to, Michael Page International Pte. Ltd. 3. Soneva Kiri Resort Company Limited, changed to, Soneva Kiri Resort & Residences 4. Topigs International BV., changed to, Topigs Norsvin International B.V.

Change of address 1.

Crown Worldwide Group Pipatanasin Building, Unit no. 11A, 11th Floor, 6/10 Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road, Tungmahamek, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120 2. De La Rue (Thailand) Limited

Payatai Plaza Building, Room no.

128/402, 37th Floor, Unit C, Payatai Road, Tung Payatai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400 3. KPMG in Thailand

48th Floor, Empire Tower,

1 South Sathorn Road

Yannawa, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120 4. Voxtree Ltd.

4 Oak Drive, Halton,

Lancashire LA2 6QL

United Kingdom

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FINAL WORD

Moore bonding for Sir Roger

By Dale Lawrence

T

here’s been many a pub debate about which actor is the best James Bond. Older fans of the 007 franchise will probably tell you that it’s a close call between Sir Sean Connery and Sir Roger Moore.

Neither is active in film making. As Sir Roger (pictured right) once said, ‘you don’t retire from acting, the phone stops ringing’.

in part at Pinewood Studios. The movie, featuring original Star Wars legends Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford, is scheduled for release in December. A Treasury spokesman in Yoda-esque tone stated somewhat disappointingly that ‘replica lightsabers, these toys are’.

Thorny issue

However, his lack of recent screen appearances has failed to dilute the attraction of hearing anecdotes from a glistening TV (who remembers Ivanhoe and The Saint?) and movie career that spans more than 60 years.

Sir Roger hits the road this autumn for a tour of English towns and cities including Exeter, Cheltenham, Blackpool and Manchester. ‘An Evening with Sir Roger Moore’ features the former 007 actor interviewed by his biographer Gareth Owen, followed by the Q&A session with members of the audience.

Remarkably it’s more than 40 years since Moore was a celebrity visitor to Thailand, filming ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ with Britt Ekland and Christopher Lee. Notable scenes shot in Bangkok featured the Royal Turf Club, the (Mandarin) Oriental hotel and the old Lumpini Stadium.

Force is with George Ministers in the new Conservative government hoping to stay below the radar as Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne looks for department budget savings may be having second thoughts. The Chancellor has confirmed that he keeps his Star Wars lightsabers at the Treasury. The Chancellor was given the sci-fi weapons in 2013 when he announced that ‘Star Wars V11, The Force Awakens’ would be filmed

UKIP General Election candidate Kim Rose (pictured below) will certainly remember his 2015 campaign.

He was quizzed by police after he provided free Jaffa cakes to would-be voters in the marginal constituency of Southampton Itchen. Electoral Commission rules strictly forbid any form of so-called ‘treating’. Rose, who saved his deposit but lost out to Conservative Party candidate Royston Smith, was also fingered for taking sausage rolls to a party function.

Hampshire Constabulary, responsible for a population of 2.18 million, recorded 15,403 offences in its latest published crime figures (April 2015) although it’s not clear how many of these involved pastries and cakes.

No doubt Sir Roger, who starred as Britain’s favourite spy in seven blockbuster films between 1973 and 1985, will be quizzed about his favourite ‘Bond girl’. He’s previously leaned towards Swedish actress Maud Adams, who starred in two 007 movies, but he will surely also remember with fondness the scenes with Britt Ekland when she was wearing only the skimpiest of bikinis. Sir Roger, 87, is a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. The views and opinions expressed on this page by Editor Dale Lawrence are entirely personal and do not reflect official BCCT policy.

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